After a nice breakfast buffet at Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel, our driver picked us up and drove us to the Ollantaytambo train station.
Archway to Ollantaytambo Train Station
To get to the station you must walk past a variety of food and souvenir vendors. Once again, I wanted to shop, but our guide didn’t want to risk missing the train. I really couldn’t argue with that, as the train was our next necessary step in getting to Machu Picchu.
Our Guide Luis on the Vistadome Train
We chose the Vistadome train to take us to Aguas Calientes, where we would be staying for one night. You can only take one piece of luggage per person on the train. Most hotels will allow you to store extra luggage, you just have to go back the same way you came to pick it up. Our driver kept our extra luggage while we were in Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Town).
Every seat has a fantastic view. Drinks and snacks are served. On the return trip, alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. There is also a bathroom on the train. It takes an hour and a half to get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes, Peru
The town was originally inhabited by a few farmers and mine and railway workers. The only way into the town is by train or foot. There are no cars in the town; however, there are buses. The buses only drive up and down the mountain delivering tourists to Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes, Peru
Aguas Calientes has been built up rapidly since the 1990’s when tourism to Machu Picchu started to explode. The town is filled with shops, restaurants and hotels.
Aguas Calientes, Peru
The town is located in a deep valley in the Andes Mountains.
The Andes Mountain in Aguas Calientes, Peru
It is quite the bustling town. It was the most crowded place that we visited. Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, we went straight to our hotel, El Mapi, where our guide handled checking in. In fact, he managed to get us upgrades on our rooms. After leaving our luggage in the hotel, we headed to the bus station for our ride to Machu Picchu. The harrowing bus ride is a story unto itself!
As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.
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More Andes Mountain Adventures
Hiking to the Summit of Huayna Picchu
Visiting the Ollantaytambo Ruins
Hiking Down the Patacancha Valley
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Aguas Calientes the Gateway to Machu Picchu
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