Train to Aquas Caliente

Aquas Caliente is the town and the jumping off point for visits to Macchu Pichu. The site isclosed each day, and checked closely for people who are tempted at trying to camp overnight. Regular shuttle buses run from Aquas Caliente through out the day up to theMacchu Pichu ruins.

(Left - our train to Aquas Caliente.)
But to visit the Inca ruins, you must first get to Aquas Caliente. Many of the visitors stay here overnight, but it is possible to make a day trip from Cuzco to theMacchu Pichu ruins and back to Cuzco in the same day - but it IS a LONG day.

(Right - the view out of the window as the train climbs)

Our trip was for an overnight stay at Aquas Caliente (which means "hot water" in Spanish), which has a lot of hot springs, and people come for the thermal baths available. The train trip each way between Cuzco andAquas Caliente is about 4 hours. And the guided tour of Macchu Pichu is also about 3-4 hours.

Another interesting part of the train trip comes about as Cuzco is in a valley surrounded by mountains off to the north,and the rail line cannot get over the mountains unless you have a rack and pinion system or a cable car.

(Left - the train climbs higher - note the steep drop beside the railway line)

They have solved this problem by a number of switchbacks, similar to the zig-zag railway in the Blue Mountains. Initially the train climbs the first gradient, then stops and goes into reverse to climb the second gradient. Then back to forward again for the next section, and then back to reverse and finally forward again to complete the climb. For security and as most of the train lines run through populated areas and there are no fences besie the railway line, the guard hangs out of the opendoor at the rear with a light or signal. He is also in communication with the engine driver by radio.

(Right - the train and the road follow the same valley, along the river's edge all the way to Aquas Caliente)

(Left - the river meanders along gravel beds alongside villages)

(Right - the front of our train and the many curves along the track)

(Left - at one station the local women offer their goods,which are generally much the same throughout Peru - the Peruvian hat and shawls and ponchos and colorful wrist and head bands.)

(Right - snow capped mountains appear halway through the journey)

(Left - the snowcaps in the distance)

(Right - the interior of the train)

(Left - the valley intoAquas Caliente)


(Right - the track is single, and there are a couple of stops to allow trains to pass in the opposite direction.)

(Left - the closer to theendof the journey you get, the narrower the valley seems to get, with towering mountains on either side. There is almost noview available, except straight up.)

(Right - at one of the passing loops a flower seller peddles her wares)



(Left - our train arrives at Aquas Caliente)