The town was the central hub for worker lodging and their equipment until the railway was completed in 1931. Settled by a few farm families in 1901, the settlement was transformed into a busy railway worker's camp called Maquinachayoq (possibly from Quechua makina (a borrowing from Spanish máquina) machine / locomotive, train, -cha, -yuq suffixes, "the one with a little machine, locomotive or train", Makinachayuq) during the construction of the railroad through there in the late 1920s. It was formerly called Aguas Calientes meaning "hot waters" or " hot springs". The addition of "pueblo" comes from the Spanish word for town. The official name comes from Quechua Machu Pikchu from machu old, old person, pikchu pyramid mountain or prominence with a broad base that ends in sharp peaks. Those who could afford luxury stayed at the luxury hotel up by the ruins. Enterprising individuals set up businesses serving the tourists, primarily restaurants and small hotels. It took off after the railroad opened in 1931 and foreign tourists started arriving to visit the Machu Picchu ruins. The village of Machupicchu did not exist until the railroad was built, as it was a center for construction workers. There are many hotels and restaurants for tourists, as well as natural hot baths which gave the town its colloquial Spanish name. It is the closest access point to the historical site of Machu Picchu which is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away or about a 90-minute walk. It is the seat of the Machupicchu District. If you are (still?) interested in a trip to this amazing country we suggest you check out a tour comparison website with heaps of info and all the different options for taking that trip of a lifetime.Machupicchu or Machupicchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, is a location in Peru situated in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province. Peru altitude map © Urutseg, Wikimedia Commons Highest point on Inca Trail (Warmiwañusqa pass) Location in black are above the 2,500 meter mark and locations in red are in the “very high altitude” range and should be treated with extra caution. Locations in grey are below the 2,500 meter mark and can be considered safe in terms of altitude sickness (although you will still feel the effects of high altitude). The following table includes a selection of high-altitude locations in Peru (heights are approximate). The best way to prevent altitude sickness in Peru is to take Peru Hop’s gradual route from Lima to Cusco by way of Arequipa, giving your body the chance to properly acclimatize. Be particularly cautious when ascending to the “very high altitudes” of 3,500 m and above. The risk of altitude sickness increases as you go higher. The height to remember, however, is 2,500 m (8,000 ft) above sea level - the elevation at which altitude sickness can occur (while possible below this level, it is extremely rare).
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