Cocalmayo Thermal Baths
There is nothing better than taking a warm bath in nature, while enjoying a drink of "aguaymanto". Taking a bath at the Cocalmayo Thermal Baths is a great experience. 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. You will find 3 pools of different sizes and depths. The temperature of the water varies between 38 and 44 ºC and unlike the majority of thermal waters in Peru, it has clear waters. Very close to the pools there are cold showers, the water comes from the Uripata lagoons and is very refreshing; the mixture of waters will give you a very comforting sensation.
The benefits: Located at 1,600 m.a.s.l. its waters are rich in essential minerals such as sodium, magnesium, bicarbonate, calcium, sulfate and others, which have healing properties on the skin, bones, muscles and joints.
Where are the Cocalmayo thermal baths located?
The Cocalmayo thermal baths are in the valley of the Urubamba river (Vilcanota) in a cozy and relaxing place, their naturally heated pools reach 44ºC. They are located 20 minutes from the town of Santa Teresa in the province of the Convention, in Cusco - Peru; precisely at kilometer 135 of the railway line between Cusco and Quillabamba, at 1,600 meters above sea level.
How to get?
Regardless of which route you take; by train, bus or walking, before or after visiting Machu Picchu, the tour will be exciting. We recommend you to relax in the pools before returning to your daily routine.
By bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa
Take a bus from the city of Cusco to Quillabamba and get off at the Santa Maria Village, the trip takes approximately 5 hours and is 221 km on a paved track.
Santa Maria is at 1280 masl, the weather is warm. The next destination is Santa Teresa, which is 25 km from Santa Maria. From here you must take another vehicle to travel for 1 hour to reach Santa Teresa.
By Train from Ollantaytambo - Santa Teresa
If you already take your train from Ollantaytambo and you are on your way to Machu Picchu, you can take advantage of the train and get off at the "hydroelectric" bus stop, from this point you can take a vehicle, which will take you in 20 minutes to Santa Teresa, or if you want you can walking, it will take between 2 and 3 hours to reach Santa Teresa. If you don't know how to get to Ollantaytambo, enter here.
From Aguas Calientes to Santa Teresa
After having visited Machu Picchu or if you have time before entering it, then it is very likely that you want to know these baths. Make plans to visit the Cocalmayo thermal baths, it is a relaxing, unique and memorable experience, and unlike the Aguas Calientes thermal baths, it has clearer and hotter waters. There are two ways to get to the Cocalmayo hot springs from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Walking
If time permits, you can walk from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). First you should go to "Hidroelectrica", this will take between 2 and 3 hours, through tunnels, bridges and the beautiful jungle landscape of the valley, following the train tracks. Once in Hidroeléctrica, you will walk for an hour and a half more to the town of Santa Teresa. INCA JUNGLE TRAIL
By Train
The train tracks after leaving Aguas Calientes, reach "Hidroeléctrica"; the trip will take around 20 minutes and costs S /. 5.00 for nationals and USD $ 31 for foreigners, are 6 km of beautiful jungle landscapes. From here you can continue to Santa Teresa by car or on foot.
From Santa Teresa to the baths of Cocalmayo
By car: The toilets are 4 km from the city of Santa Teresa, the collective cars leave every 20 minutes from the Plaza de Armas de Santa Teresa and will take you in 10 minutes to Cocalmayo.
Walking: You can also walk from Santa Teresa to the Cocalmayo baths, it will take you around 30 minutes following the road. On the way you will see the people who arrive after traveling the Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu.