Aguas Calientes tours & holidays

Getting to Aguas Calientes is half the fun

Hidden in a cloud forest beneath Machu Picchu, this little Andean town sits just 9 km from Peru’s legendary Inca ruins. The only question is how you’ll get there: trek or train? Spend four days trekking through misty mountain passes and camping under the stars on the Inca Trail, or roll in on a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley. Either way, get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Our Aguas Calientes trips

Map of Galapagos Cruise & Peru In Depth (Grand Queen Beatriz) including Ecuador and Peru

Build your dream adventure

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Explore tailor-made trips

Showing 11 of 16

Aguas Calientes highlights

An Intrepid leader pointing out landmarks to two hikers at a scenic viewpoint on the Inca Trail

Trek the Inca Trail

Spend four days climbing through cloud forests, dramatic Andean mountain passes and llama-filled plains on Peru's most famous trek. The steep ascents and (many) ancient stone steps can be tough... and sweaty! But the view when you arrive at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu? Can't beat it.

Inca Trail Express

Inca Trail & Amazon Adventure

A traveller smiling on the Machu Picchu train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Ride the Machu Picchu train

Hiking not your thing or short on time? Climb aboard the Machu Picchu train from Ollantaytambo. Relax with a cup of coca tea as the misty forests and wrinkled peaks roll by, then arrive at Aguas Calientes where it's just a 30-minute bus ride or a 1.5-hour hike to Machu Picchu.

Classic Peru

Sacred Land of the Incas

Two travellers dancing with Huilloc community in the Sacred Valley, Peru

Connect with Indigenous communities

Travel through the terraced hills of the Sacred Valley to meet the Indigenous Huilloc community keeping ancient Andean traditions alive. Share a traditional pachamanca (earth oven) meal, try your hand at weaving and take part in a Pachamama blessing ceremony to give thanks and connect with Mother Earth.

Sacred Land of the Incas

Premium Peru

An Intrepid leader sharing insights about Inca building techniques at Machu Picchu

Explore Machu Picchu with an expert

There are plenty of photo ops at Machu Picchu, but the real fun is exploring the ruins with a local history expert. Learn about the Incas' impressive building techniques (Machu Picchu sits between fault lines and is built to ‘breathe’ during earthquakes) and listen to stories about the civilisation that thrived here as you wander temples, palaces and ceremonial sites.

Peru Encompassed

Inca Trail Express from Lima