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South AmericaPeruCuzco Department

Machupicchu

Cuzco Department, Peru · South America

About Machupicchu

Machupicchu is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Santa Teresa, 31km from Ollantaytambo.

Machupicchu is a town located in Cuzco Department, Peru. With a population of 4,446, it is an important destination in South America.

On a road trip, Machupicchu sits in Peru, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Lima time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Machupicchu to your route.

About Machupicchu

Machupicchu or Machupicchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, is a location in Peru situated in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province. It is the seat of Machupicchu District. Machupicchu lies at the Vilcanota River. It is the closest access point to the historical site of Machu Picchu which is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi)

Read more away or about a 90-minute walk. There are many hotels and restaurants for tourists, as well as natural hot baths which gave the town its colloquial Spanish name, Aguas Calientes or hot water. Like Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes is not accessible by road, and the only way to reach Aguas Calientes is by train or by hiking. The village of Machupicchu did not exist until the railroad was built, as it was a center for construction workers. It took off after the railroad opened in 1931 and foreign tourists started arriving to visit the Machu Picchu ruins. Enterprising individuals set up businesses serving the tourists, primarily restaurants and small hotels. Those who could afford luxury stayed at the luxury hotel up by the ruins.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Machupicchu

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Machupicchu?

Machupicchu offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Machupicchu?

Plan your road trip to Machupicchu with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Machupicchu as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Machupicchu located?

Machupicchu is located in Cuzco Department, Peru, South America. The coordinates are -13.1555 latitude, -72.5242 longitude.

What is the population of Machupicchu?

Machupicchu has a population of approximately 4,446 people, making it a town in Peru.

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Quick Information

Population
4,446
Continent
South America
Country
Peru
Region
Cuzco Department
Timezone
America/Lima
Coordinates
-13.1555, -72.5242

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Peru

Police
105
Ambulance
106
Fire
116
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Peru

Tags

South AmericaPeruCuzco DepartmentTown

Worth the detour from Machupicchu

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Machu Picchu

Breathtaking 15th-century Inca citadel set high in the Andes Mountains above the Urubamba River valley.

2 km · about 5 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Sun Gate (Inti Punku) Viewpoint

The first viewpoint of Machu Picchu for Inca Trail hikers, revealing the lost city nestled between green peaks and swirling cloud.

3 km · about 5 min drive

ancient ruins

Ollantaytambo

A living Inca town with massive stone terraces and a fortress temple, the last stronghold where the Inca resisted Spanish conquest.

31 km · about 35 min drive

ancient ruins

Moray Agricultural Terraces

Mysterious concentric circular terraces believed to be an Inca agricultural laboratory, with temperature differences of up to 15°C between levels.

40 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Salt Mines of Maras (Salineras de Maras)

Over 3,000 shallow salt evaporation ponds cascading down a hillside, harvested continuously since Inca times by local families.

43 km · about 50 min drive

ancient ruins

Choquequirao

The sister city of Machu Picchu, a sprawling Inca complex accessible only by a demanding two-day trek, receiving a fraction of the visitors.

45 km · about 50 min drive

landmark

Sacred Valley of the Incas

A fertile valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu filled with Inca ruins, colorful markets, and agricultural terraces framed by snow-capped Andes peaks.

45 km · about 50 min drive

Driving roads near Machupicchu

  • Right hereSun Gate (Inti Punku) ViewpointThe first viewpoint of Machu Picchu for Inca Trail hikers, revealing the lost city nestled between green peaks and swirling cloud.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Machupicchu.

Santa Teresa

🇵🇪 Peru

8 km away

Huyro

🇵🇪 Peru

17 km away

Maranura

🇵🇪 Peru

26 km awayPop. 730

Ollantaytambo

🇵🇪 Peru

30 km awayPop. 2,000

Ocobamba

🇵🇪 Peru

33 km awayPop. 168

Limatambo

🇵🇪 Peru

37 km away

Quillabamba

🇵🇪 Peru

37 km away

Santa Ana

🇵🇪 Peru

38 km awayPop. 25,145

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence