Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes Aguas Calientes (now officially Machu Picchu Pueblo) is a small town at the bottom of the valley next to Machu Picchu, and the principal access point to the site. Despite its magnificent setting, it's not the most scenic town, owing to fast and ruthless development to support the huge influx of tourists. Unless you're on a daytrip from Cusco or plan to spend a fortune and stay at the sole lodge in Macchu Picchu itself, you´ll need to spend at least one night here. Get in The only ways to get to Aguas Calientes are by train or by foot. By train Until July 2010, the train will not run all the way between Aguas Calientes and Cusco, due to severe flooding from the 2010 rainy season. Instead, train services stop at Piscacucho, which is 82km from Cusco. Travelers must take either a bus or a taxi from Cusco to Piscacucho; preplanning is strongly advised, as a taxi will cost 100-200 soles and take around two hours from Cusco. Buses are much cheaper but also much much slower. Peru Rail[1] has a monopoly on the tracks, and is at the moment the only option. Trains depart from Poroy, just outside of Cuzco, twice daily. The scenic journey through the Sacred Valley takes about 4 hours. Tickets should be bought in advance either online or at the Wanchaq train station on Av Garcilaso in Cuzco. Try to book several days in advance if possible, especially in the high season. It´s not possible to select your own seats online, so if you have a preference, buy them at the station. The fares start at US$48 each way in the 'Backpackers' cars, with decently comfortable seats and snacks for sale. The 'Vistadome' cars are the mid-range cars at US$71 each way, with more comfy chairs and meals served. If you prefer to ride in style, opt for the 'Hiram Bingham' at US$294 each way, complete with gourmet meals and an observation carriage. The cheapest option (short of walking) is to bus it to Ollantaytambo and catch the train from there. A minivan bus from Cusco to Ollanta costs S/10. Ollantaytambo is worth staying a night in, it's a pretty little town with beautiful ruins of its own. By foot If you're on a budget, or just adventurous, it's possible to hike downstream along the railway tracks from Ollantaytambo or from the town at km 82, where the Inca trail starts, this is about a seven hour hike (Note - hiking on the train tracks is prohibited). It's also possible to hike upstream along the train tracks from Santa Teresa (4 hours). To reach Santa Teresa, take a bus towards Quillabamba from Cusco and get off at Santa Maria. The bus leaves Cusco at 8am (from the Santiago bus depot - S/20) and passes through Ollantaytambo, Urubumba and Santa Maria. It´s an 7 hour journey from Cusco to Santa Maria. You can also take a Minivan (Colectivo) which leaves next to the buses (S/25-30 - 4 hours). At Santa Maria, take a connecting bus to Santa Teresa (S/6, 1.5 hours) or a taxi (S/10, 1 hour). You can spend the night at Santa Teresa or trek onto Machu Picchu Pueblo. Walk 2 hours or catch a bus (S/5) to the hydro electric plant (planta hidroeléctrica), from there follow the signs that say exit (salida in spanish) to the train line up the stairs. It's an additional two hours of walking to Aguas Calientes from here, but it's possible to catch a train for $8.00 US to Machu Picchu Pueblo, possibly much cheaper if you are Peruvian (leaves hidroeléctrica at 4 PM). As the tracks are still in use, be careful, especially when crossing bridges and in the tunnels. There are also hiking paths coming from Mollepata, Cachora and Huanicapa for the extremely adventurous. You will want to get your hands on some topographical maps beforehand, Hiking and Treking around Cusco is available for around S/.25.00 to S/.30.00 and has details on the routes you can take. Get around The town is compact and walkable, and there are no vehicles apart from the buses to Machu Picchu and a few work vehicles. See Machu Picchu is what most people come to see. Do Hiking on the train tracks is prohibited, although it seems to be the only way to reach certain destinations. In town; Thermal Baths. Soak your weary Inca Trail-beaten muscles in one of the hot springs for which the town was originally named (after taking a thorough shower, of course). The baths can be found by walking up the hill in town. These are not bad, but the feel is much like a public pool and they can be crowded, since everyone wants to get into the hottest pools. The cost is S/.10.00, you can rent towels or swimming trunks before you go in if need be. Massage. Dozens of massage parlors abound in town (all legit, although of varying quality). Prices from S/.40.00 for a one-hour massage. Internet. Internet cafes charge about S/.3.00 to S/.4.00 per hour and there are also CD and DVD burning facilities to store your photos. DVD's cost S/.15.00 each to burn. Going downstream towards Santa Teresa; Putucusi (Putukusi), (13º 09' 26 S 72º 32' 10 W). Quechua for “Happy Mountain”. Putucusi is on the same side of the river as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Follow the train tracks a very short distance away from town in the direction of Santa Teresa and Machu Picchu (downhill from town) you will shortly come across a trail on your right heading uphill. (If you come to a train tunnel, you've gone too far.) This trail leads to the summit, approximately 2370 meters above sea level. It is the mountain adjacent to Machu Picchu. The trail is steep with quite a few near-vertical wooden ladders. The elevation gain is about 300 meters from Machu Picchu Pueblo. The summit offers amazing views of Machu Picchu if it's a clear day. As of July 2010 portions of the vertical wooden ladders have been obscured by a mudslide and you are only able to reach the top of Putucusi by firmly hauling yourself up a steel cable (not recommended, unless you are an experienced rock climber). Allow about one hour each way and make sure you'll be out before it gets dark. Wear long pants to avoid insect bites and take some water. (-13.1572,-72.5353) Butterfly House. Its near the camping ground, if you get to the bridge you've gone too far. Machu Picchu Museum and Botanical Gardens. Across the bridge on the opposite side from town at the bottom of the path leading up to Machu Picchu is a path leading to the Machu Picchu museum and botanical gardens, also worth checking out if you have the time. Ecological Centre. Further along the tracks near the bridge to Machu Picchu you will reach an ecological centre with rainforest walks that will consume about one hour of your time. You can reach this by following the road towards Machu Picchu as to avoid walking through the railway tunnel. There is a stair case leading up to the train tracks near the bridge to Machu Picchu. Gardens of Mandor. If you continue further along the tracks towards Santa Teresa at 113km you will reach the gardens and waterfall of Mandor, which is private property and requires foreigners to pay S/.10.00 for entry. This is a nice walk with many orchids and some rainforest and trails to a small waterfall, in this area there are three small ruins but there are no paths leading to them. Going up stream towards Ollantaytambo; Following the train tracks upstream from Machu Picchu Pueblo towards Ollantaytambo you will see some other ruins and a waterfall. Costs for visiting Aguas Calientes from Cuzco: Current train ticket prices are at Peru Rail's website[2]. The bus from the town Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu costs $14.00 per person for a return trip, or $7 one-way. You can walk to the ruins for free, but it's steep uphill and takes about an hour and a half. You have to buy your ticket for entering the ruins at the Cultural Centre in Aguas Calientes (if you're not doing the whole tour from Cusco with a guide). This ticket costs S/126 per person and is valid for 1 entry over a period of 3 days (so if you've only got one night in Aguas Calientes, are on a budget and arrive with the backpacker train at roughly 11:30am decide if you want to go up to Machu Picchu in the afternoon or early morning). Remember to take water and snacks with you as the snacks available at the ruins are insanely expensive. Buy Prices on most things are relatively high, if you´re on a very tight budget, bring some snacks and water from Cuzco. If you´re wanting to use a credit card for hotel or purchases, note that most places only accept Visa. However, prices on basics such as snacks and water are not much higher than Cusco and the Sacred Valley. There is a big market along the road to Machu Picchu, and a big handicraft market in front of the railway station. Some shops sell hand-painted t-shirts, which are far more expensive than other t-shirts in Peru but are a little more creative. Eat The town is full of pizza restaurants, which are a safe option. Menu Hoy or Todays Menu is usually S/.10.00 - S/.15.00 and depending on where you go will be something along the lines of - Palta Rellena (Stuffed Avocado) Soup Main Course (generally trout, beef or chicken) Tea, Coffee, Fruit Juice, Wine or Pisco Sour Alpaca is definitely worth trying if you get the chance, in my opinion it tastes better than beef or lamb. The smaller restaurants up the hill will often offer twice the food at half the price than the larger establishments, and the quality is usually the same. Indio Feliz (Happy Indian) is a nice French restaurant for those willing to spend a bit more than at the other places. Meals will cost about 30 soles here plus drinks but the food is outstanding. There is a also a 50-soles prix fixe menu that provides three courses is good value. The restaurant is owned by a Frenchman and his Peruvian wife, who are both very friendly. Every restaurant has an advertising guy whom will give you a business card and their name - it can get quite annoying as there are many restaurants whom will try to lure you into their establishment. The ad man will take you to the bar/restaurant and seat you and for this they'll get a 10% tax added to your final bill and then if the service was good you'll want to tip the normal 10% of the bill. You'll end up tipping 20%. One could see it as creating jobs... yet annoying. There are Chifas, the Peruvian version of Chinese restaurants, everywhere and make good options after a day of hiking. Drink Many bars try to lure in customers with 4 for 1 happy hours lasting the whole evening. Beware that the price is fourfold of the normal prices in Cuzco. Signs warn that it is not allowed to sell and/or consume alcoholic beverages after 11pm. However, it's not too hard to find a place to drink some beers after this time. Sleep There are many sleeping options in Aguas Calientes. There is one very expensive hotel right next to the Machu Picchu entrance. Hostel Amaru has a large Anaconda skin on the wall in the cafe downstairs, there is also a bar, a billiard table and internet access downstairs, the staff are very friendly and helpful, this hostel is great if your on a budget and is just meters from the hot springs. Hostal John charges 10 soles pp. - but there are a couple of hotels at this price Hostal Joe across the street from Hostal John, has friendly staff and double/treble rooms for 35-50 soles. The street is quiet without bars or major foot traffic. They will keep your bags securely until you take the train at night. Supertramp Hostel - A welcoming new hostel with comfortable dorms and private rooms. They will meet you at the train station upon arrival. They welcome you to hang out in the common areas and use the facilities while you wait for your train and will provide early morning wake up calls and breakfasts. Dorms start at $10. Hotel Los Caminantes - Avenida Imperio de los Incas 140. +51 8421-1007. Has 28 rooms, doesn't accept credit cards. Hostal Sol de Oro - Calle Chaska T'ika C-7 Urb. Las Orquideas. 084-785065, 084-974711092. More of a hotel than a hostal. Quiet and clean. Private bathrooms with hot showers and good water pressure. 35S/night for a double room Gringo Bill's - Colla Raymi 104 (Plaza de Armas). + 51 84 21 1046 (+51 8424-1545 for reservations) Wiracocha Inn - Calle Wiracocha S/N 084-211088 wiracocha-inn@perú.com. Clean rooms, friendly owners, fair prices, and the river will lull you to sleep every night. You can also leave bags here while exploring the ruins. Camping Municipal charges 15 soles per tent. It's next to the bridge on the road to Machu Picchu. Hostel Continental A nice hostel near the end of the train tracks on the far side of the hot springs. Very reasonably priced and quite well kept. Inka Terra (1-800-442-5042 from USA; +1 511-610-0410 from Peru, [3]) is a more expensive hotel, prices from $300 to $700 per night. It is the money-making branch of the Inkaterra Foundation [4], a nature and culture preservation organization working since 1975. It is like a small Andean town built into the mountainside and has one of the largest and most varied orchid collections in the world. There are all kinds of small birds. In a very private location, only for registered guests, and has received several international awards. Hostal Varayoc, Imperio de los Incas 114 (above an internet cafe), [5]. basic, clean rooms with hot showers on main drag across bridge from train station. From $20 USD for a single to $45 USD for a triple, includes simple breakfast. Friendly staff. Hotel El Tumi a block or two up the hill from Chez Maggy restaurant, nice rooms, good hot showers, friendly staff. A bit pricey during high season, but a bargain if it's low season. Rupa Wasi (Treehouse), Huanacaure 180 (one block from main plaza), ☎ +51-84-242760, [6]. Beautiful place on the hill done in tasteful modern woods. Opt for the upper rooms for a nice view. Restaurant truly has best food in town, and offers fun cooking lessons with Bruno, the head chef. $69. Contact Internet cafes are spread around the town, and cost around S/3 per hour with slow connections. They offer local and long-distance calls as well. Get out Cusco take the train. Ollantaytambo take the train. Santa Teresa (Peru) head down stream, its about a four hour hike. Choquequirao you'll need camping equipment, food, a map and GPS would be good too. This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!