On your trip to Machu Picchu in Peru you can take time to take a hot bath in Cocalmayo . It is an impressive environment of abundant vegetation next to a huge river. The place seems straight out of a fantasy. Hot springs are Mother Nature’s way of infusing relaxation into tired bodies. The hot springs of Colcalmayo are a popular destination for travelers seeking a connection with the earth and its balance. And it is only 10 kilometers from Machu Picchu!
What are the thermal baths of Cocalmayo ?
• Taking a relaxing afternoon in the thermal baths of Cocalmayo is a great experience on your trip to Cusco.
• As its name indicates, it is a set of pools that receive hot water from a natural spring located in the high lagoon of Uripata .
• It is located between a huge river and a small mountain. In Cocalmayo, bathers can enjoy outdoor pools fed by natural hot springs, built between a small mountain full of vegetation and the Urubamba River.
• There you will find 3 pools of different sizes and depths. The water temperature varies between 38ºC and 44ºC. Unlike most hot springs in Peru, it has clear waters.
• Very close to the pools there are cold showers. The place also has snacks and drinks for sale. In addition, the visitor can request to spend the night in the accommodation located next to the thermal baths.
Cocalmayo thermal baths located ?
• Cocalmayo thermal baths are in the valley of the Urubamba River (Vilcanota) in a cozy and relaxing place.
• Its pools are located 20 minutes from the town of Santa Teresa in the province of La Convencion, in Cusco – Peru. Precisely at kilometer 135 of the railway line between Cusco and Quillabamba.
• The thermal baths are located 1,600 meters above sea level.
How to get?
To visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo you can take any of the following routes that depart from the city of Cusco:
• By bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa – Take a bus from the city of Cusco to Quillabamba (the company Turismo Ampay on Antonio Lorena Avenue). Descend in the town of Santa María. The trip lasts approximately 5 hours. It is 221 km on a paved track. The next destination is Santa Teresa, which is located 25 kilometers from Santa María. From here you must take another vehicle to travel for 1 hour until you reach Santa Teresa.
• By train from Ollantaytambo to Santa Teresa – If you have already taken your train from Ollantaytambo and are on the way to Machu Picchu, you can take advantage of the train and get off at the “Hidroeléctrica” stop. From this point you can take a vehicle that will take you to Santa Teresa in 20 minutes. Or, if you want, you can walk. The walk will take you between 2 and 3 hours to Santa Teresa.
• Walk from Aguas Calientes to Santa Teresa – After you have visited Machu Picchu you can make plans to visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo . There are two ways to get to the Cocalmayo thermal baths from Aguas Calientes: by train and by bus. The trip on foot will take around 20 minutes and costs S/. 5.00 for nationals and 31 dollars for foreigners. Afterwards, in Hidroeléctrica, you must continue towards Santa Teresa by car or on foot. The walk to Hidroeléctrica takes 2 hours. Then continue by car to Santa Teresa.
Pools and temperature
• Cocalmayo thermal baths have four pools whose waters have temperatures that vary from 38ºC. up to 44ºC.
• All pools are large enough to accommodate twenty people or more.
• One of the pools does not have thermal waters but rather water with ambient temperature.
Cocalmayo thermal baths
During your visit to Santa Teresa and the Cocalmayo thermal baths you can do the following activities:
• Adventure sports in Santa Teresa – The town of Santa Teresa offers suitable geography for practicing adventure sports such as ziplining , canoeing or rock climbing. These sports can be practiced with a professional agency in the same place.
• Hidroelectrica Walk – The walk from the Hidroeléctrica station to the town of Aguas Calientes is an entertaining adventure full of beautiful landscapes over 10 kilometers . The route is easy and safe. Follow the train tracks parallel to the Vilcanota River. The adventure is free.
• Visit to Machu Picchu – The visit to Machu Picchu is the best option to do before or after the visit to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo . Both sites are approximately 20 kilometers apart. It can be reached on foot or by train. Machu Picchu is open every day of the year from 6 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.
• Visit to Quillabamba – The Cocalmayo thermal baths are 49 kilometers from the city of Quillabamba. There the visitor can relax in waterfalls, pools and green landscapes. Quillabamba is known as ‘The city of eternal summer’ for its hot climate.