Putucusi - Hiking Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) - Peru

This is an excellent, three-hour hike up the mountain opposite of Machu Picchu-the views are breathtaking. It can be steep and part of the climb requires ascending vertical cliff faces via wooden ladder rungs that get slippery in the wet season. However, since 2011, some parts of the ladders have been washed away and are yet to be repaired; the cable remains in place of the missing ladders, and-if you're adventurous or you have climbing gear-you can potentially haul yourself up the cable instead, but this can be very unsafe. Ask around in Aguas Calientes, and, if the ladders are still yet to be fixed, it's probably (but unfortunately) best to avoid the hike.

Location:

250 meters west of the train station

Hiking Types:
Hike

Getting There

Follow the railroad tracks 250 meters west of the station and look for the sign identifying the Putucusi trail.

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: intermediate/somewhat difficult.