Aguas Calientes, also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo,” is a small and distinctive town located on the banks of the Urubamba River, and it is the closest point to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The distance between the two places is approximately 9 kilometers
How to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes?
To get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, you must take a bus to Ollantaytambo and then head to the Ollantaytambo train station, which can also be reached by bus. You can purchase your train tickets to Aguas Calientes with either of the two railway companies that operate this service. At CuscoPeru.com, we help you purchase your tickets safely through our sales agent, who will be happy to assist you.
Once you are in Aguas Calientes, there are two alternatives to reach Machu Picchu: by bus or on foot.
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The bus is one of the ways to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. You can take a bus in the town of Aguas Calientes to go up the mountain and finally reach Machu Picchu.
The trip takes an average of 25 minutes on the way up and 12 to 15 minutes on the way down.
Until further notice, bus tickets to Machu Picchu are available only locally (in the town of Aguas Calientes).
These tickets do not need to be booked in advance and can be purchased on the same day you plan to go up to the citadel.
Currently, buses depart from the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, buses leave every ten minutes for the Inca citadel, and in the same way, the buses coming back down return to the same station.
The cost of bus tickets to go up to Machu Picchu varies depending on the traveler’s nationality, age, and status. Below, we present a table with all available prices:
| BUS TICKET | ONE WAY | ROUND TRIP |
|---|---|---|
| FOREIGN ADULT | S/. 12.00 | S/. 24.00 |
| FOREIGN CHILD | S/. 7.00 | S/. 12.00 |
| NATIONAL ADULT | S/. 8.00 | S/. 15.00 |
| NATIONAL STUDENT | S/. 6.00 | S/. 10.00 |
| NATIONAL CHILD | S/. 5.00 | S/. 8.00 |
| NATIONAL GUIDE | S/. 6.00 | S/. 12.00 |
| CUSCO RESIDENT | S/. 9.50 | S/. 19.00 |
| MACHU PICCHU RESIDENT | S/. 4.00 | S/. 8.00 |
| RESIDENT GUIDE | S/. 4.00 | S/. 8.00 |
From the town of Aguas Calientes, the bus departs for the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, located high on a mountain covered with vegetation. The route is characterized by a steep ascent full of curves and switchbacks. After a journey of approximately 25 minutes, you arrive at the entrance control checkpoint of the citadel.
The downhill ride is easier and takes only 12 to 15 minutes to reach the Av. Hermanos Ayar station in Aguas Calientes again.
The hike begins in Machu Picchu Pueblo, following the same road used by the buses until reaching the bridge that crosses the Urubamba River. At this point, you will find an INC (National Institute of Culture of Peru) checkpoint where you will be asked to present your Machu Picchu ticket. Once you cross the bridge, you will be able to see the road the buses follow, which goes to the left, and the beginning of the uphill stairs, which is your route.
The ascent takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours and requires an average level of physical fitness, as the stone steps combined with the subtropical heat can completely exhaust the traveler.
The first section of the climb runs alongside the road used by the buses, followed by stairways that cut across the mountain slopes.
The climate is subtropical, which means an abundant presence of lush green trees, flowers, orchids, vines, ants, and many other rare and fascinating insects.
Along the uphill route, you will also come across the Machu Picchu site museum and the butterfly house, both of which you can visit by purchasing your ticket at the entrance.
The hike is classified as moderate to difficult, as it is recommended for people in good physical condition who are used to hiking.
This route is demanding but not dangerous because the entire trail is signposted. However, it is very important to pay attention to the path, because there are sections where you will need to walk along the road used by the buses going up to Machu Picchu.
The descent is much easier; however, after visiting the Inca citadel, your body may already be very tired, so you can buy bus tickets only for the downhill section at the booth located at the exit of Machu Picchu.
The following aspects should be taken into account when deciding whether hiking up to Machu Picchu is a good option:
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