Stuck in Aguas Calientes Before Machu Picchu 🇵🇪

Today I spent an unexpected extra day in Aguas Calientes, Peru, the small town located right next to Machu Picchu. After arriving from the Salkantay Trek and finding out that Machu Picchu tickets were sold out, I had to wake up early and line up to secure a ticket for the next day. The day started at 5:00am, heading to the Machu Picchu ticket office in Aguas Calientes before tickets opened at 6:00am. I joined the line around 5:20am and eventually got inside around 6:30am, where I secured a ticket for Circuit 2A, one of the most popular Machu Picchu routes and often considered one of the best circuits for the classic view. After finally getting the ticket, I went back to the hotel to catch up on sleep before meeting up with my Salkantay Trekking crew, who had already visited Machu Picchu that day. We had lunch together, said our goodbyes, and then I spent the rest of the day exploring Aguas Calientes. The town itself has a relaxed atmosphere, with markets, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, and mountain views everywhere you walk. I visited the Paddington Bear statue, a wholesome stop since Paddington is famously from Peru, then explored the Mercado de Artesanías, a souvenir market in Aguas Calientes. If you’re also visiting Cusco, many similar souvenirs can be found at San Pedro Market, often with more variety and better prices. I also walked through the main square of Aguas Calientes before ending the day at Toto’s House, where I tried coffee from the Machu Picchu region and spent the evening taking in the town before the big day. If you’re visiting Machu Picchu, this vlog shows what it’s like spending a day in Aguas Calientes, how the ticket line works, what to do in town, and what to expect before visiting Machu Picchu. 🌍 How I stay connected while travelling: I use Yesim (eSIM) to stay connected anywhere in the world without needing physical SIM cards. Get 15% off your first purchase with my code: KALEEM15 Download here: https://yesim.onelink.me/nUzY/eus6pw70