Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes


Aguas Calientes is a village where there are small lodgings , restaurants, and services used by tourists who
visit Machu Picchu. Located in a valley, 450 meters down the Inca city, Aguas Calientes is a small village with
narrow and sometimes steep streets. It is sometimes called "Machu Picchu Pueblo", and the name "Aguas
Calientes" ("Warm Waters" in Spanish) is due to a source of warm waters in the area that can be enjoyed by
visitors at the "Bãnos Termales" (thermal baths) at the higher part of town. Walks around the area are a good
leisure option, especially along the Vilcanota River that borders the city and runs through a wonderful valley.

There are two possible ways to arrive at Aguas Calientes: by train leaving from Cuzco, a trip that lasts around
4 hours, or taking a few days hike on trails.

In July there's the "Virgen del Carmen" festival, a celebration that takes place in other areas of Peru also and
lasts 3 whole days. In this period there are popular festivities such as folk music concerts, dances, food and
game stands.

But the most unique and interesting are the groups of people that parade on the streets, squares, and even
inside the church, dressed with outfits and masks that resemble old gods and rituals. People make their own
costumes and masks and are sometimes financed by someone who is paying back the saint for having their
prayers answered. Some masks and costumes make fun of powerful figures of old times and today, others are
inspired by Peruvian traditional costumes and myths. During the parade there are many performances such as
the whip fight, round dances, and many joyful games always together with a lot of noise, rattle, and music
played by a local band.

On the last day a mass is celebrated at the local church. Everybody in town is there, even the people in
costumes. At he end of the mass a cortege leaves the church carrying the statue of the saint. The cortege
goes around the square "Plaza de Armas" and goes back to the church. At night there's a big dinner at the
square and the food is prepared by the locals. Everyone is invited.

Machu Picchu, which means "Old Peak", is located 2,490 meters above the sea level and was discovered
in 1911 by Hiran Binghan, of Yale University (USA). Before this date, at the end of the 19th century, there
were rumors about a "lost city" in the area and many people claimed having been there or seeing it from far.
In 1900 a farmer called Agustín Lizárraga, who searched for arable lands in the area, reported being in
Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu ruins are on top of a mountain and at the bottom of a valley, which made the accessibility
difficult at the time. Because of that the task of protecting and defending the town from possible invasions
was very effective. There's only one way to arrive at Machu Picchu. Any other access point would demand a
hard, long and dangerous hike. The beauty of the place is impossible to be described.

The city is organized in many sectors: high urban sector, low urban sector, the stone quarry, the industrial
sector, the agricultural sector, the royal sector and the holly sector. Many constructions can be found at
Machu Picchu, such as: the guard post, the jail, the food storages - "As Qolqas", an astronomic observatory,
a chill-out area - "O Tambo", many religious temples, squares, a cemetery and the houses.

The city's highest point is Huayna Picchu, which means "New Peak". The peak is 2,700 meters high and can
be reached by a steep and risky trail. The hike to the top is beautiful, hard and exhausting, but is worth the
effort. The place is really magical ! From there you have an astonishing view of Machu Picchu and the valleys
that surround it. On top of that mountain there are remains of what was probably a temple that has never
been finished. Some say the Inca people would go up that place to meditate and pray.