Peru contains Machu Picchu Pueblo, commonly called Aguas Calientes, the principal gateway to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. The town lies in a deep valley below the Inca citadel in the Cusco Region.
Aguas Calientes developed in connection with the railway linking the Urubamba Valley with the wider Cusco area. Most visitors reach the town by train or on foot before continuing to Machu Picchu by shuttle bus or one of the walking routes.
Machu Picchu was built by the Inca in the fifteenth century, probably during the reign of Pachacuti. The site was not a lost city to local residents, although it became internationally famous after Hiram Bingham’s 1911 expedition brought it broad scholarly and public attention.
The modern settlement is distinct from the archaeological site. The town provides hotels, restaurants, markets, transport, and visitor services, while Machu Picchu itself is protected as a major heritage and conservation area.