Machu Picchu, Peru - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: September 25, 2025
NEED THE ESSENTIALS FOR BACKPACKING MACHU PICCHU NOW?
ABOUT MACHU PICCHU | SHOULD I GO? | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY
Heads up: We sometimes work with companies to provide affiliate links and reviews - here's what that means. If it's here, we use it. We don't plug shit for profit.
Walk with the Incas, Live with the Memories
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous sights in Peru and even South America. This world heritage site is located over 2,400 metres above sea level, high in the Peruvian Andes. The settlement was built in the 15th century by the Inca people for their emperor Pachacuti. It has however only really been discovered by the new world in the early 1900s due to its remoteness and the inhospitable terrain. Since the discovery, the area has grown rapidly, and a small town was built on the river at the foot of the mountain called Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes is a small, bustling town in the valley below the ancient Inca city. Whilst Aguas Calientes was a small settlement just prior to the discovery of Machu Picchu, it was this discovery that has turned this town into what it is today. The town is alive with activity, bars, nightclubs, natural springs, numerous restaurants and places to stay. It also crucially has major rail links with the largest city in the area - Cusco.
Those of you unable to walk to Machu Picchu do not need to worry. There are loads and loads of buses that leave from Aguas Calientes every day, taking thousands and thousands of tourists to see the ancient Inca ruins.
My Bucket List Highlight of Peru
Having completed the 3 day Inca Quarry Trail from the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, climbing up and over 4500 metres we arrived in the town of Aguas Calientes. The second we stepped out of the train station there was madness all around.
The market was right there, and everyone was trying their best to sell you everything they could, there were people everywhere and the word 'chaotic' wouldn’t cover my first thought on the town. The wind and rain, with lightning forking down around us probably didn’t help, but it added to the madness, and I have to say in a weird way, I loved it.
We checked into our amazing hotel only a minute from the station, where after spending time sleeping in the tents on the mountains it was a real treat to find not only a real toilet and shower, but a king size bed all to myself. Once we had freshened up, we wandered over to the natural springs and all relaxed enjoying the calm after the storm (in more ways than one) .
We spent a good hour or two there before getting ready for our first proper meal in days. We had a lovely meal out, which was followed by a crazy night fuelled with alcohol, pool and other eventful tales.
The following morning we had to be up early and it was a struggle. We got to the bus stop for 5 A.M, and due to the queues we couldn’t get a bus to Machu Picchu until 5:50 A.M. After the short 20 minute ride up the winding steep roads we arrived at the entrance and went straight in and headed for the area where you can get the best photos. We managed to get some with very few people in, however, do not expect this unless you're there early as the site allows too many people in and it rapidly fills up. It was just one of the most amazing experiences of my life seeing this stunning area high in the mountains after so many years of dreaming.
We chilled for ages and had the most amazing experience there. We saw the llama and alpaca, learned the history behind the site and just marvelled in its brilliance. Once we had done everything we wanted and taken it all in as best we could, we headed back to Aguas Calientes, where we relaxed in some more amazing restaurants and just enjoyed everything the town had to offer.
Later that evening, we all boarded the train leaving this wonderful place and headed back to Cusco. I'll never forget it.
So Should I Go There?
I will answer this question with a question. Why have you come to Peru? I would imagine most of you reading this will say Machu Picchu, so there is your answer.
Why would you not want to come to this world heritage site? It has been topping bucket lists since it was first pictured. If you have walked the Inca Trail, this amazing ruin marks the end of an eventful and epic historical journey and is the highlight of the tour. It would be a real shame to come to Peru and not complete your time here with this experience.
For us, this was one of the best things we had ever done and would do again if offered the chance. Both the site and the town of Aguas Calientes are beautiful and are places you will never forget.
Trying our best to look at all sides of the story and not show too much bias, there are some downfalls. If you are not a fan of crowded locations and bring caught up in a permanent hive of activity, then both Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes are going to be a little distressing. They are both so busy from the second you arrive up until the moment you leave. This is to be expected, the Inca ruins are possibly the most famous location in South America, so try to embrace the fact that you will be surrounded by crowds, and plan for it.
The best chance of avoiding the crowds is to walk the Inca Trail. If you are unable to do so, get the first buses at around 5 A.M to limit the crowds. I will be honest and say that by 8 A.M there were almost too many people at the site of Machu Picchu to enjoy it to the fullest.
What to do when Backpacking Machu Picchu
The town of Aguas Calientes has only really formed in the way it has because of the discovery of Machu Picchu, it, therefore, doesn’t really need any other activities to draw people in. The town relies 100% upon the tourism from Machu Picchu. This doesn’t mean that there aren't other things happening and a great atmosphere around the town.
Machu Picchu
The first thing (probably not surprisingly) we are going to mention is Machu Picchu. We won't bore you to death with a full paragraph about the Inca remains as we have covered it above. All we can say is if you managed to enjoy it as much as we did, and you get a sense of achievement and fulfilment as we did, then it was worth coming to Peru just for that. Anything else you experience in this wonderful country is a bonus.
Baños Termales (The Hot Springs)
Located in the north of the city on the river's edge you will find the Baños Termales - the hot springs. These springs, whilst seeming popular, are not all they are made up to be. We were left feeling very disappointed as the water wasn’t particularly clean, the surroundings were not something you would expect for such a beautiful town, and the staff seemed about as enthusiastic and motivated as a dead donkey.
After saying all of this, if you have (as we did) a great group of people then it can be a relaxing enjoyable place to chat and discuss what you have seen or achieved during your trip so far. Or maybe discuss what wonderful experiences you are going to see over the next couple of days or so. Or what your favourite travel blogs are.
The Market
The market is tiny but absurdly fun, there is so much tourist rubbish to purchase it’s almost comedy gold. You have to dedicate half an hour or more to this place. You really cannot miss it, flanked by the train station to the south and the river to the west, it is a great place to check out.
That really is about it, bar the restaurants and bars that line the narrow steep streets. There are a few main plazas with cool statues, but all in it isn’t really about the things to do here, but how it makes you feel. There is a buzz of excitement from all those around you. Either they have been to or are about to go to Machu Picchu, so it’s easy to see why the town makes you feel alive.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes has expanded to accommodate those travelling to and from Machu Picchu, and are generally staying one night, maybe 2, so there are a wealth of places to stay.
We stayed at an amazing place called Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites. Located fairly centrally in the town, and only a minute walk from the train station and market, and 10 minutes to the hot springs, it is perfectly placed for all your needs, and most importantly had the comfiest room we had during our stay in South America.
It was clean, tidy, and the bathroom facilities were impeccable, the shower worked like a dream, and I honestly can not fault the hotel on any level. Even the breakfast was great in the attached café.
Depending on your budget, you may wish to look around. I expect there are potentially nicer places in the town, but on the budget we had and the level of comfort and services provided it was perfect. If we were to go back I would be booking here again, fantastic staff, fantastic location and incredible rooms. All of this from 270 SOL, (£65) per night per room.
Where to Eat When Backpacking Machu Picchu
The majority of the restaurants are to the west of the river that runs north to south through the centre of the town. We tried a couple of them during our time in the area and can happily recommend both.
Located down on the railway track just to the west of the station is a top-quality restaurant called Apu Salkantay. We loved that you could jump from the front door of the restaurant onto the railway track in one go - not that we would - but it was fascinating and so different to anything we had seen before, especially when a train went by. The restaurant isn’t massive, so if there is a group of you we suggest you book one of the larger tables on the top floor. The drinks are amazing, you can get beer by the litre and food so good you will not want it to end. I had the Peruvian styled pizza which was so tasty I would have to recommend it to everyone.
Everything about this restaurant was great, including the friendly staff, it’s only downfall is due to its success: it gets so busy it can be very loud, and everyone has to shout over the top of each other (on the upper floor that is).
Restaurant Indio Feliz is a very funky restaurant located just north of Plaza Manco Capac. With a few very ‘different’ sculptures dotted around you will not mistake it for any other place in the town. The whole place is just very cool and no matter where you divert your eyes you will be bullied in to laughing and shaking your head. It really is a crazy place, but don’t let that put you off. The food is delicious and just writing this is making my mouth water. The Peruvian menu is something you should pick from, there is a lot of meat cooked to your taste, and the soup for the starter is something you shouldn’t miss out on. Overall a wonderful restaurant set in the middle of a wonderful location.
Where to drink and Party when Backpacking Machu Picchu
Something you may not expect here at the foot of one of the worlds most-visited and treasured wonders is nightlife, but you’d be wrong. There are a few bars and restaurants that open late in Aguas Calientes, and as per the restaurants, the majority are to the west of the river. Most of the places to relax seem to be more restaurant-type bars, which as the evening turns to night morph into more alcohol than food. The narrow cobbled streets are full of places to drink, and it is a case of popping into a few on your journey around the town.
Our favourite bar is Big Brothers Bar, where you can kick back, enjoy some local beers, shots and more, over a free game of pool, Jenga and other pub and drunken games. The staff here are wicked, and the barmaid gave us free shots as we spent so long in there. Like a lot of places in the town, the décor was a little strange but you just go with it, and why not.
What You'll Need to Blend In
A little souvenir
A sense of adventure
A story to tell
Se você quer visitar o Peru, entre em contato com a agência para brasileiros em Cusco — sem intermediários! Pacotes personalizados para Machu Picchu, pagamento via PIX e atendimento em português.