Activities to do in Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, Discover incredible places beyond the Inca City of Machu Picchu. Explore the lush Mandor Botanic Garden, relax in the natural hot springs of Machu Picchu, stay at the peaceful Machu Picchu campsite, and learn about the fascinating world of Andean butterflies.
Aguas Calientes in Peru, now officially known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is an iconic destination: modest in size yet rich in character for travelers seeking a place to rest and reconnect.
Often, visitors who pass through this cosmopolitan town see it merely as a brief stop and choose to stay no more than one night. Unfortunately, there is not always clear or accessible information about the remarkable attractions that Aguas Calientes has to offer. This lack of guidance makes many travelers unsure about what to do or where to go.
On this occasion, we will not focus on describing the conventional tours or travel packages that lead to the Inca City of Machu Picchu, as the Classic Inca Trail, the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu tour are already well known.
Through this article, we highlight several small, nearby, and highly appealing places located around the outskirts of Machu Picchu Pueblo. Despite their free or affordable entrance, close distance, and easy access, most of these sites remain largely undiscovered and uncrowded. This is likely due to the limited or ineffective dissemination of information about their existence, which keeps visitor numbers low.
For these short excursions, it is advisable to carry a small backpack with essential snacks: a cheese sandwich, an alpaca meat burger, a pork chicharrón sandwich, a few chocolates, and, of course, a refreshing drink like chicha morada.
Here we have a concise list of magical, tranquil, and easily accessible places, all of them deeply described .
Machu Picchu Campsite: Location, Facilities, and How to Get There
This is one of the few places that visitors can access without paying an entrance fee. The Machu Picchu Municipal Campsite is located approximately 30 minutes away, in the direction of the impressive Urubamba River. It is easy to reach, as visitors only need to follow the road leading to the World Wonder – Machu Picchu. The route is simple and accessible, with no stairways to climb, making it suitable for children as well as older adults.
Once at the campsite, visitors will find several ways to enjoy their time there. You can set up a tent on the wide open grounds and immerse themselves in the sounds of nature; you can take part in outdoor activities surrounded by imposing mountains, or you can enjoy a quiet picnic featuring tasty hamburgers, native fried potatoes, and a refreshing drink.
The campsite is equipped with restroom facilities, and visitors also have the option to rent showers to freshen up after an enjoyable day of outdoor adventure. It is important to bring insect repellent when visiting this area. As the campsite is located at the side of the Urubamba River, mosquitoes are common and may be bothersome for some visitors.
Visiting the Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden: A Highlight of Aguas Calientes
Right next to the Machu Picchu Campsite lies this wonderful attraction: the Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden. This is a privately managed center with a strong commitment to welcoming visitors. Here, guests can learn about the ongoing research focused on the butterflies of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, also about the essential role these species play in the ecosystem, and the remarkable beauty they display through their unique morphology.
The experience at the Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden includes a guided visit to its research facilities. The entire park is carefully organized into interpretation and exhibition rooms, as well as dedicated areas for the breeding and care of these beautiful specimens. During the tour, visitors may be accompanied by a lepidopterist, “a specialist in butterflies”, who provides detailed explanations throughout the visit.
Once the educational segment is complete, visitors have the opportunity to interact with the butterflies in a specially designed area. Here, they can closely observe their behavior and fascinating morphological development, and they can take memorable photographs.
In addition, for those who wish to enjoy a more relaxed moment in the company of these captivating species, the Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden features a thematic cafe. Savoring a cup of high-quality local coffee in such a truly paradisiacal setting is an invaluable experience.
As this space is managed by a private organization, the Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden charges an entrance fee, which is quite affordable considering the quality of the experience offered.
Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden Entrance Fees:
- Peruvian adult: 15.00 soles (USD 4.50).
- Peruvian child, senior citizen, or people with disabilities: 10.00 soles (USD 3.00).
- Foreign adult: 30.00 soles (USD 9.00).
- Foreign child or senior citizen: 20.00 soles (USD 6.00).
- Educational institution groups: 12.00 soles (USD 3.60). Prior reservation is required.
The Machu Picchu Butterfly Garden works: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This schedule allows visitors to see the butterflies at their peak activity, as they start a resting phase once daylight begins to fade.
Mandor Botanic Garden and Waterfall: One of the Best Walks from Aguas Calientes
When we talk about must-see places in Aguas Calientes, this is undoubtedly one of them: the Mandor Botanic Garden and Waterfall.
It is a place filled with nature in its purest state, home to hundreds of species of orchids and flowers, a wide variety of birds, including hummingbirds, and several native insects.
Mandor is located approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 Mi) from Machu Picchu Pueblo, at the side of the Urubamba River and right next to the railway line that connects Aguas Calientes with the town of Hidroelectrica.
The only way to reach Mandor is on foot. There is a path that leads parallel to the railway line, heading from Aguas Calientes toward Hidroelectrica. The walk is peaceful and scenic, surrounded by a natural environment, breathtaking views, and, almost always, accompanied by the songs of the birds that inhabit this area. The walking time can range from 45 minutes to just over an hour, depending on each visitor’s pace.
Although there are a few rest stops along the way, it is advisable to bring some snacks and, if possible, a light meal to enjoy while you rest.
Upon arriving at Mandor, Doña Nelly, the garden’s manager, will warmly welcome visitors and invite them to explore her property. Mandor is a privately owned site, and therefore, an entrance fee is required to visit and enjoy this beautiful botanic garden. The cost is symbolic: 20.00 soles (USD 6.00) per person, representing excellent value for such a unique place.
The visit to the Mandor Botanic Garden could be short or extended, depending on the visitor’s available time and physical condition. From the checkpoint to the innermost area, the walk may take between 45 and 50 minutes. The trail runs through a subtropical forest, being almost always lined with beautiful orchids; in fact, these flowers were the main inspiration behind the creation of the Mandor Botanic Garden. At the end of the path, visitors are rewarded with a stunning natural waterfall, a perfect spot to relax and take photographs.
As an additional recommendation, it is important to remain quiet during the walk, as it is sometimes possible to see the famous Andean Cock of the Rock and various species of Hummingbirds. Observing these birds in their natural habitat is, undoubtedly, a memorable experience.
The return to Aguas Calientes follows the same trail. Unfortunately, the train that runs through the area on fixed schedules cannot stop to pick up passengers.
Machu Picchu Hot Springs: Prices, Tips, and Visitor Recommendations
This natural tourist attraction is, in fact, the very reason why Machu Picchu Pueblo was originally established in this location. It used to be an almost mandatory stop for travelers journeying along the route leading to the jungle (Cloud Forest), Quillabamba. Since ancient times, the Machu Picchu hot springs have been a highly appealing destination; the emergence of thermo-medicinal waters in this area led both residents and passersby to name the place Aguas Calientes (Hot Waters).
Today, the Machu Picchu hot springs operate fully as a center for leisure and relaxation for local, national, and international visitors. The Municipality of Machu Picchu Pueblo is responsible for its administration and for ensuring proper operation. To get inside and enjoy a relaxing time, visitors must purchase an entrance ticket, where the prices vary according to the visitor’s origin.
Machu Picchu Hot Springs Entrance Fees:
- Local Resident (Machu Picchu Pueblo): 1.00 sol (USD 0.30)
- Local Visitor from Cusco: 5.00 soles (USD 1.50)
- Peruvian National Tourist: 10.00 soles (USD 3.00)
- Foreign Tourist: 20.00 soles (USD 6.00)
Already considered the entrance fees for the Machu Picchu hot springs, visitors should also take the following recommendations in mind:
Opening Hours:
As this is a very popular site, the hot springs are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
As this is a very popular site, the hot springs are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Recommended Visiting Time:
Due to the high number of visitors, the hot springs are cleaned daily after closing hours. For this reason, the hot-water pools are in their best condition early in the morning, the moment recommended to visit.
Due to the high number of visitors, the hot springs are cleaned daily after closing hours. For this reason, the hot-water pools are in their best condition early in the morning, the moment recommended to visit.
Swimwear Rental:
If visitors wish to relax in the Machu Picchu hot springs but do not have their own swimsuit, several shops located before the entrance offer swimwear rental and sales. These shops provide a variety of models and sizes for visitor convenience.
If visitors wish to relax in the Machu Picchu hot springs but do not have their own swimsuit, several shops located before the entrance offer swimwear rental and sales. These shops provide a variety of models and sizes for visitor convenience.
In conclusion, Machu Picchu Pueblo, beyond being home to its main attraction, the Machu Picchu Inca City, has expanded its offerings by incorporating other sites of interest for visitors. Due to its limited geographic land and the growing demand from tourism, many of the attractions mentioned before have been developed in areas outside the town itself. This was an article describing some of the best activities to do in Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
