What to do in Machu Picchu Town during your visit?

Machu Picchu Town also known as Aguas Calientes, is a popular destination for tourists visiting Machu Picchu, as it is the closest town to the Sanctuary. There are a number of hotels and restaurants in the town, as well as a market where you can buy souvenirs. To get to Aguas Calientes, you can take a bus or train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. The trip takes about 3-4 hours by bus and about 2 hours by train.

Where is Machu Picchu Town?

Machu Picchu Town is a town in southeastern Peru, located in the Cusco Region. It is the capital of the Machupicchu District in The Convención Province. The town is the gateway to the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Machu Picchu Town is located at the base of the Andes Mountains, at 6,690 feet altitude (2,040 m). The town has a tropical climate, with an average temperature of 64 °F (18 °C). 

What to do in Machu Picchu Town?

Once you arrive in Machu Picchu Town there are plenty of things to do. There are a number of things to do in Aguas Calientes, such as visiting the hot springs for which the town is named, hiking to the nearby waterfalls, or taking a train or bus up to Machu Picchu. You can also explore the town itself. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from, as well as a few small museums.

Here are a few places you should consider visiting during your trip to Machu Picchu Town:

1. Relax in the beautiful hot springs

The town of Machu Picchu formerly known as Aguas Calientes, got its name from its hot springs. A complex of 5 sulfurous water pools (many think that the water is dirty because of its yellowish color, but it is the sulfur that gives it its peculiar color) with a temperature that oscillates between 38˚C and 46˚C.

The waters are natural and come directly from various sources of volcanic origin and have many therapeutic properties.It is the perfect environment to relax after visiting Machu Picchu while waiting for the return train.

2. Visit the museum of Machu Picchu

Many people don’t know of the existence of the Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum, also known as the Machu Picchu Museum, an incredible place to visit if you want to know more about the Citadel. It has two exhibitions and a botanical garden.

First, an exhibition on the Inca vestiges found in Machu Picchu and surrounding areas: around 250 objects, including ceramics, bronze and copper tools, skeletons and different objects used in Machu Picchu. The second exhibition is home to several Inca construction artifacts that allow us to understand how the Citadel was built. 

The botanical garden contains more than 200 types of orchids, most of which are endemic to the region. It is a very interesting visit, and it is even more so if you have not brought a guide for your visit to Machu Picchu.

3. Visit the butterfly garden

A 25 minute walk from Machu Picchu Town, taking the bus route to Machu Picchu, is the Mariposario, a butterfly farm that houses an interesting collection of live butterflies, as well as their different stages of development. The site is run by volunteers and aims to protect the 300 species of butterflies found in the surrounding area. You can enjoy our tour that visits the butterfly farm in Machu Picchu.

4. Hike Machu Picchu Mountain

If you can't find any available spots for Huayna Picchu (which happens frequently), or if you just want to do a slightly less crowded hike, Machu Picchu Mountain is an excellent alternative for you.

It is the mountain located on the other side of the citadel, in front of Huayna Picchu, and its ascent is a little longer (2 to 3 hours round trip), but less demanding.

How to get from the town to Machu Picchu Citadel?

From Machu Picchu Town, the best way to get to the Citadel is to take the Consettur Bus. If you’re planning on visiting Machu Picchu, it's a good idea to stay in Machu Picchu Town the night before and avoid the crowds and long lines at the bus station.
That way, you can catch the first bus up to the ruins and not worry about a thing.

The bus leaves Aguas Calientes every 15 minutes from 5:30am to 3:30pm, and the ride takes about 25 minutes. The cost of the bus is $24 USD per person. The last bus back from the citadel leaves at 5:30 p.m. so plan your trip accordingly. 

You can also make the trip on foot. It is about one hour and a half of continuous climb. While the road is well made, it isn’t particularly interesting and will only delay your visit to Machu Picchu, which is the main attraction, this is why the bus is definitely the best option, but if you are a true adventurer, then go for it!

 If you are visiting Machu Picchu, be sure to have enough time to explore Machu Picchu Town, you will realize it has plenty to offer to travelers. (be sure to allow yourself enough time to explore Aguas Calientes and all it has to offer!)

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