Known as Aguas Calientes too, it's a town located at 1900 meters of altitude, close to the Urubamba river, on the province of the same name. It's encircled of mountains, full of thick vegetation. The railway that goes through the to...wn is a feature of the obligatory step that represents this town, before the arrival to Machu Picchu.Aguas Calientes, as its railway, was built in 1911, after the re-discovery of Machu Picchu to connect Cusco with this inca's wonder.
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Travel tips for Machu Picchu
The city of Aguas Calientes is a tourist place very crowded (more than 1500 people visit it every day) and that's why it has grown in a disordered and exponential way. The cost of the products they offer there is very high, because it's the only place nearby where you can obta...in them. We recommend to spend one night there, to start the ascent of Machu Picchu early in the morning, as soon as possible.You should be prepared for the altitude sickness. And do not take a lot of things, since you will walk a lot and you will have to carry all your staff.
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Machu Picchu weather
Best time to visit Machu Picchu
June, July, August and September are the best months to visit Machu Picchu, since there is no rain and the days are sunny, but cool.
Climate in Machu Picchu
It can be temperate, dry or warm, depending on the season. Temperatures are around 16° C. In January, February and March, rains are stronger. In April, November and December the weather is nice, but the temperatures are a little bit cold. May and October offer a cool weather, that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
The things to do in Machu Picchu
Nightlife in Machu Picchu
Night life in Machu Picchu town
Aguas Calientes does not stand out for having a night life very active, but local restaurants offer you 4 drinks for the price of 1, on the Happy Hour time.
Wasicha
Location: Lloque YupanquiWasicha is the only night club in Aguas Calientes; there you can have a drink and enjoy the latest hits untill early morning.
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Where to eat in Machu Picchu town?
Gastronomy in Machu Picchu town
Lots of restaurants have, in general, a bad quality and high prices (most of them collect 15% of taxes and services that are not mentioned on the menu). However, as the competition is strong, you can always negociate the dish price. In the list below we recommend some of the best restaurants, so that your stay in Machu Picchu is as pleasant as possible.
La Boulangerie de Paris
Location: Jr. Sinchi Roca Phone number: (084)7 97798 Hours: everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Just perfect to take a coffee when you're back from Machu Picchu. You can taste a delicious croissant, desserts, and snacks such as quiche, lasagne or pasty.
Chez Maggy
Location: Pachacutec 156 Phone number: (084) 211006 Hours: everyday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This restaurant offers pizzas, soups, and mexican and peruvian food. They have an interesting assortment.
Indio Feliz
Location: Lloque Yupanqui, lote 4 M, close to Pachacutec. Phone number: (084) 211090 Hours: everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cost: menu around s/. 55 This restaurant is expensive, but you'll find special dishes you have nowhere else. We recommend trout with mango and for dessert chocolate mousse with orange cake, a delicacy!
Tree House
Location: Huanacaure, 105 Phone number: +51 84 435849 Cost: 27 to 83 US dollars Fusion food, Latin American and local food. It's the most appropriate for a romantic dinner! The flavors are mixed and dishes are just right: guinea pig with peanut sauce; raviolis of quinoa with chimmichurri sauce are some of the delicious samples of creativity of their chefs, just succulent!
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The tourist places to see in Machu Picchu are:
Places of interest in Machu Picchu town
Even if the main attraction, close to Aguas Calientes is Machu Picchu, there are some other tourist places that you shouldn't miss.
Pillpi wasi
Location: in between Aguas Calientes and Puente Ruinas. Entrance: S./ 20 In this centre of observation and interpretation of butterflies, you'll appreciate a big diversity of them, because in Peru you there are more than 4400 species.
Machu Picchu
The inca city is the pre-Columbian place the most amazing in Latine America, for its legacy and monumental beauty. The visit to this emblematic place, protected by the UNESCO and declared wonder of the world, is restricted to 2500 people a day. In summer time you have to make a reservation of your entrance. To get into Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes you have 2 options: - By foot (1h30 of trekking, climbing 1716 steps). - By bus (the first bus leaves at 5:30 a.m.). Try to get there soon to make the line and you'll take one of the first buses. Once in Machu Picchu you'll be able to look at the wonderful landscape and visit the ruins. To understand all the secrets Machu Picchu hides, we recommend you to take a guide, that you can also reserve in advance if you buy a tour all included. The bravest (with excellent physical conditions) and luckiest people (only 400 people can climb per day) will climb the Wayna Picchu to have a unique sight of the Machu Picchu. Even though you can climb also the Machu Picchu mountain located on the opposed side.
Site Museum Manuel Chávez Ballón
Location: close to Puente Ruinas, at the beginning of the way to get to Machu Picchu. It's a museum where you can find the building methods incas people used in a teaching way; in addition, the museum explains how the archaeological excavation was made.
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The things to do in Machu Picchu
Thermal fountains
Location: At 700 metres from the town, take the Pachacutec avenue and go up (7 min). Hours: open everyday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Price: S/. 10 Thermal fountains are sulfurous waters, so don't you get scared about the colour and smell of the water, it's normal. Nothing better than a relaxing thermal bath after an exhausting trekking; and much better if the waters are considered medicinal. The temperature of the water is between 38° and 46°. The place has toilet, locker room and a snack bar. We recommend to bring a towel and a bathing suit.
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Accomodations in Machu Picchu town
Lodging Inti-Wasi
Location: Las Orquideas 23 Price: s/. 10 - 15 the single room, s/. 80 double room It's one of the cheapest places of the town.
Festivities in Macchu Picchu town
Inti Raymi
Date: June the 24th
The Inti Raymi is the most important feast of the Imperial City. People from Cusco pay tribute to the Sun in Sacsayhuamán fortress in honour of the Inca Empire; they dance with traditional costumes and they represent the inca appearance, up in a bunk bed.
FAQs
Do I need to make an account on the redBus website to book a bus?
No, you do not need to make an account with redBus to book a ticket. But, it is advisable to make an account to help speed up the booking process the next time you need to book a bus ticket. redBus offers a number of discounts and offers as well and you can easily avail these offers if you are registered with redBus.
What is an M-Ticket?
An M-Ticket is the virtual replacement of your bus ticket printout. An M-Ticket is an SMS that’s sent to your registered mobile number the moment you have successfully booked a bus ticket on the official website of redBus. The M-Ticket will basically contain details of your bus ticket such as timing, pick-up and drop-off points, vehicle registration number, PNR, and TIN numbers as well. The M-Ticket procedure has been an eco-friendly initiative employed by redBus to help reduce the amount of paper being used.
How do I book my bus ticket at Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)?
You can either visit the bus operator counter of your choice or you can visit the official website of redBus. The user-friendly and interactive website offers a step-by-step process of booking a bus ticket in a matter of minutes. The site offers a lot of useful information such as bus timings, fares, pick-up and drop-off points, and much more.
Is it safe to use my debit or credit card to book a ticket on the redBus website?
redBus has invested a lot to ensure that their customers are protected at all times and not just during their journey. redBus hosts a secure platform where transactions can be made safely. With over 180 million satisfied users, history should tell you exactly how secure it is to make a payment through the redBus website or app.
