Machu Picchu Town
Also know as Aguas Calientes
Is located 2,300 meters above sea level (7,546 ft.), 70 miles (112 Km.) from Cusco city, in the Urubamba valley in the lowest part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in a area of direct access to the upper jungle.
Is 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) away, about 1.5 hours walking to Machu Picchu Inca City. All travelers to and from Machu Picchu archaeological site must pass through here.
Aguas Calientes is the colloquial name for Machu Picchu Pueblo (Machu Picchu Town). It is best known as the closest access point to the sacred Incan city of Machu Picchu.
Is an unplanned city, is a little town, there are no airport, no taxis, no cars and all are to a walking distance. In Machu Picchu town, is located the train station that leaves to Cusco, the Ticket Office at the archaeological area and the mini-bus station that can be boarded to be transported to the high part of the mountain and visit the archaeological complex.
Near to Machu Picchu Town are located in Puente Ruinas the Machu Picchu Site Museum (1.7 Km) and the hot springs (800 m.)
Machu Picchu Tourism and Travel Information
Machu Picchu Site Museum - Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, achieves the objectives of the preservation and dissemination of cultural and archaeological research. Within a modern and dynamic exhibition, the reopening of Site Museum Manuel Chavez Ballón has become the primary means of communication and information for the most important cultural Historical Sanctuary of Peru. The museum is organized in seven phases. In these seven phases, they emphasize the beauty and historical significance of the large collection of artifacts, construction tools (copper and bronze), pins, mirrors, tweezers and needles. Also appearing are the headed ornitomorfa ibis, toucans and oropendolas. The exhibit shows in detail the metallurgical expertise in the Inca city; the spectacular examples of dexterity in stone quarrying, as well as significant objects in various other materials. These displays express to the world, a view of the sustenance of life in Inca Machu Picchu, the strategic administrative center intertwined between the Amazon and the Andes. Is located at kilometer 112 "Puente Ruinas" - the old train station, which is Km. 122 downstream and approximately 1.7 kilometers from Machu Picchu Town. The museum is located at the base of the mountain of Machu Picchu, on the third of a series of platforms ending its decline staggered down to the Urubamba River. It is reached by passing the bridge across the Urubamba River in path-route to Machu Picchu Inca City, as it diverts to the west (toward right).
Hot Springs in Machu Picchu
(Aguas Calientes) is a distance of 800 m. east of the Machu Picchu Town, there are under ground hot sulfur springs which bubble up from the rocky under ground at varying temperatures. The especially-built pools at this resort are the basis of its use as hot mineral baths. The hot springs offer natural resources for medical therapy, and also is a great treatment for rheumatism. It help to rid of stress and toxins, enhance your metabolism and avoid high blood pressure. The average temperature of the water runs from 38° to 46°C. There are also changing rooms, bathroom sand a small snack bar.
Open from 6 am to 8 pm
Address: Av. Pachacutec S/N (7 minutes away from the main square)
Hotels in Machu Picchu - Lodging in Machu Picchu
There are some alternatives, a 3 stars luxury hotel located in the high part of the mountain, near to in Machu Picchu Inca City. In the Machu Picchu Town you can found 5, 4 and 3 stars hotels, hostels, lodgings and tent campsites. Hotels in Machu Picchu
Some hotels in Machu Picchu offer buffet lunch to guest and non guest.
Tourist Services in Machu Picchu Town
There are banks offices and ATM machines, Machu Picchu ticket office, police station, iPeru office, post office, drug stores, small medical center (Centro de Salud), restaurants, cybercafés, public telephones, souvenir and gift stores and Indian market close to train station.
