Mandor Gardens Near Machu Picchu: Hike, Waterfall & Tips

Did you know that just a few minutes from Aguas Calientes there is a quiet place, ideal for a short visit? That is right, a place where you can walk among orchids, ferns and a beautiful waterfall. It is Mandor Gardens, a natural space in the Urubamba valley, in the Cusco high jungle, where the landscape changes compared to the high zone of the Andes.

Mandor brings together several attractions in a single tour: trails surrounded by vegetation, ornamental and native plants, the constant sound of the river, and a waterfall that is the most visited spot. It is a place designed to walk without rush, take photographs, and observe the flora and birds of the area. Due to its closeness to the town, it works well as an activity for the arrival afternoon or for a free day before or after visiting Machu Picchu.

In this guide you will see what Mandor Gardens are and what can be seen on the tour, as well as how to get there from Aguas Calientes and how much the entrance costs. We will also review the best time to go, how much time you need, and how to combine the visit with Machu Picchu.

What are Mandor Gardens?

Mandor Gardens are a privately owned natural space, managed by the Alangón family, in the high jungle near Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). The family opened the place to visitors in order to preserve the natural wealth of the cloud forest, with basic options and an organic restaurant. It combines a short hike through jungle trails, garden areas, flora and bird watching and a waterfall at the end of the tour.

Facts about the place:

• Distance from Aguas Calientes: About an hour on foot.
• Total duration: Around 3 hours round trip, depending on how long you stay at the place.
• Difficulty: Medium. It is a short hike, with no major slopes.
• Entrance fee: S/. 20, paid at the door if you go on your own.
• Services: A cafe in front of the entrance, as well as the property's organic restaurant.

Where are Mandor Gardens located?

Mandor is located northeast of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, near km 114 of the Cusco - Aguas Calientes railway line. The trail leaves the town and follows the train track along the Vilcanota (Urubamba) river, until reaching the entrance. It is marked with a sign that marks the starting point, in the direction of Santa Teresa. The surroundings are cloud forest, with dense vegetation, a river and ravines.

Keep in mind that part of the trail shares space with the railway track. Always walk on the safe side and pay attention to passing trains.

Flora and fauna that can be seen

Inside the property there are native plants and flowers and several waterfalls, as well as roofed benches to rest, and along the way you will also find:

• Orchids: Seen along the trail, along with other flowers and native plants.
• Hummingbirds and other birds: Hummingbirds are common along the trail, and the place is great for bird watching.
• Butterflies and insects: A variety of flowers and butterflies, as well as other species hidden among the vegetation.

About Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, is a small town at the foot of the mountain where the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu is located. It is the last stop for those who visit the citadel and the starting point to reach the Mandor gardens.

How to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo

Aguas Calientes has no road access, so the train is the main route. Trains leave from Cusco, Ollantaytambo, or Poroy, and companies like PeruRail and Inca Rail operate them, with options ranging from budget to luxury services. So, if you plan a visit to Machu Picchu, it is important to book your tickets in advance, especially in high season, because the most convenient times usually sell out.

What else to do in town?

• Hot springs: The town owes its name to these springs. They are a good option to rest after a hike or after visiting Machu Picchu.
• Artisan market: It is close to the train station and offers textiles, pottery, silver jewelry, and alpaca products. It is a good place to buy souvenirs.
• Manuel Chavez Ballón Site Museum: It exhibits pieces found in Machu Picchu and includes a small botanical garden. The entrance to Machu Picchu gives access to the museum, so it is a good idea to bring your ticket.

For more information, visit our blog about Aguas Calientes, where you will find a complete guide with lodging, restaurants, and other activities.

How to get to the Mandor gardens from Aguas Calientes?

Aguas Calientes has no road access, and the most common way to get to Mandor is walking from town. You do not need transportation, the route follows the train track and the river, and it is done in half a day.

The path goes alongside the train tracks, heading towards Santa Teresa, until a sign marks the starting point. From the outskirts of Aguas Calientes, you move forward next to the Vilcanota river and the railway line to the 114.4 km marker.

Details of the route:

• Starting point: The outskirts of Aguas Calientes, toward Santa Teresa.
• Time to the entrance: Between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on your pace and the stops you make.
• Duration of the walk: About 3 hours round trip, counting the visit to the gardens and the rest.
• With a guide: there is also the option to go with a professional guide in your language, through a tour.

Precautions when walking along the train track

The track is an active section where passenger trains pass. Before heading out, keep the following in mind:

• Always walk alongside the rails. Do not walk in the center or stop on the tracks to take photos.
• Keep your senses alert. Do not use headphones and listen to see if a train is approaching. If one comes, step away from the track and wait for it to pass.
• Bring a warm piece of clothing. Some areas of the trail have little light and are cold, even if the day is hot.
• Wear shoes with good grip. The terrain next to the track is uneven and the stones get slippery with rain.
• If you travel with children, hold their hands the entire way along the track.
• Bring water and insect repellent, because there are no shops along the way.

If you prefer to go with someone, you can hire a guided tour from Aguas Calientes. It is a good option if you do not know the area or if you want to avoid the track section on your own.

What to see inside the Mandor gardens

Once you pass the entrance, the walk is short and done calmly. It combines garden sections, jungle trails, rest spots, and a waterfall at the end.

So, when starting the trip, the trail moves through high jungle vegetation, with native plants and flowers on the sides. From the open path, you can see the granite mountains on the other side of the valley, with the marks of the waterfalls coming down their slopes.

What you can see along the way:

• Orchids and other flowers: They appear along the path and in the garden areas.
• Hummingbirds and birds: They are frequent on the trail.
• Butterflies: They are seen mostly in areas with more flowers.
• Several small waterfalls: Besides the main one, there are other water falls inside the property.

At the end of the walk is the Mandor waterfall; this is the most visited point of the route, since it is a water fall of about 30 m, with crystal clear water. Visitors highlight the force with which it falls, even when the rainy season has already ended.

What you should know before getting close:

• You can refresh yourself at the base. The water is cold, which is welcome after the hike and the humid weather of the area.
• Access to the water is slippery. The short gravel section that goes down to the waterfall gets wet easily. Go down slowly and avoid getting too close if the ground is wet.
• Bring a change of clothes or a towel if you plan to get wet.
• Protect your gear. The closeness to the water creates humidity and splashes, so put away your phone and camera while you are close.
• Respect the environment. The area is a habitat for wild species, among them the spectacled bear, which rarely represents a danger if not disturbed. Keep the noise low and do not leave trash.

Entrance fee and schedules

The entrance to the Mandor gardens is paid at the door, in cash and in soles. Being private land, the rates and schedules are set by the property, and for that reason they can change from one season to another.

Entrance fee

• Current rate: The rate is 20 soles per person to access the trail and the waterfall.
• Previous rates: Some guides published in previous years mention 10 soles for foreign tourists and 5 soles for Peruvians, and others indicate 20 soles for foreigners and 10 for nationals.
• How to pay: Bring cash in small bills. There are no ATMs in the area.

What does the ticket include?

• Access to the garden trail and the Mandor waterfall.
• Free walk, you can stay as long as you need, within opening hours.
• Rest benches and garden areas distributed along the route.

Opening hours

• Service: Every day of the year.
• Opening: Between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.
• Closing: Between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.

What is paid separately?

• Camping: According to guides from previous years, there is an extra cost of 5 soles if you bring your own tent and 10 soles if you rent it, without sleeping bags included. Since this data may have changed, confirm at the ticket office if this option is still available.
• Cafe and restaurant: Paid separately. A visitor reported a 9-sol cup of coffee at the cafe in front of the entrance.

Best time to visit

The Mandor gardens can be visited all year round, since they open every day. What changes from one season to another is the state of the trail, the flow of the waterfall, and the number of visitors.

• Dry season: Between May and September, days with more sun and less rain are dominant, with cool mornings and nights. The trail is firmer and drier, with less mud, which makes both the hike along the train tracks and the interior section more comfortable. The waterfall keeps falling with force, although with less flow than in the rainy season, and the light and visibility favor photography, with the valley mountains in sight.
• Rainy season: Between November and March, rains are frequent, mostly in the afternoon, and humidity and heat increase in the area. The trail can have mud and slippery stones, and the gravel section going down to the waterfall requires more care. In exchange, the waterfall arrives with greater flow and the landscape looks greener, with flowers at their best.

So, if you want to walk with comfort and good light, go between May and September, in the morning. If you prefer a fuller waterfall and fewer people, the rainy season is a good option, as long as you leave early and bring a raincoat.

How much time you need and how to combine it with Machu Picchu

Visiting Mandor fits into a half day. A local guide estimates about 3 hours to walk through the gardens completely, and guided tours from the town last between 4 and 4.5 hours.

How time is broken down:

• Walk to the entrance: Between 40 minutes and 1 hour.
• Inside trail to the waterfall: About 30 minutes.
• Time at the waterfall, photos, and rest: 30 to 60 minutes.
• Return to Aguas Calientes: Between 40 minutes and 1 hour.

Itinerary: Mandor + Machu Picchu

Day 1: arrival in Aguas Calientes and afternoon in Mandor
Morning: Train to Aguas Calientes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo.

• Noon: Hotel check-in and lunch.
• 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.: departure toward the gardens along the train tracks.
• Afternoon: Walk along the trail, waterfall, and coffee.
• Before 5:00 p.m.: Return to town.
• Night: Early dinner and rest.

Day 2: Machu Picchu

• Very early: Bus to the citadel with your ticket and assigned time slot.
• Tour of Machu Picchu: According to your circuit.
• Afternoon: Return to Aguas Calientes and return train.

How it fits into the Salkantay Trek or the Inka Jungle Trek

On both treks, the last section toward Aguas Calientes is done from Hidroelectrica following the train tracks, which is the same route that leads to Mandor. To get to the waterfall, you have to take a detour on that path, and from the accommodation in the area, it is estimated to be 1 hour and 30 minutes of walking from Hidroeléctrica.

• Salkantay Trek: The last day ends in Aguas Calientes. If you have extra energy, you can dedicate the following afternoon to Mandor, when you are already rested.
• Inka Jungle Trek: Arrival in Aguas Calientes is usually in the afternoon, so the most practical thing is to visit Mandor the day after Machu Picchu or before your return train.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Is the hike difficult?
  No, it is an easy to medium difficulty hike. The route is short, without major slopes, and is done along the train tracks and a marked trail inside the gardens. What requires the most attention is the terrain; the path along the tracks is uneven and the gravel section going down to the waterfall gets slippery, especially when it rains.
  
  
• Can you go without a guide?
  Yes. The path is simple, you follow the train tracks toward Santa Teresa and a sign indicates the detour to the gardens. The entrance is paid at the door, and inside the trail is marked. If you prefer to go accompanied, you can hire a guided tour from Aguas Calientes, which usually includes a guide in your language and the entrance ticket.
  
  
• How long does it take?
  Reserve a half day. The walk from Aguas Calientes to the entrance takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour, and the inside trail to the waterfall, about 30 minutes. With time at the waterfall, photos, and rest, the total is around 3 hours round trip. If you stop for lunch or coffee, add another hour.
  
  
• Is it worth it if I already visited Machu Picchu?
  Yes, especially if you are looking for something calmer and in touch with nature. Mandor offers a different landscape from the citadel: jungle trails, orchids, birds, a waterfall, and rest spots, with fewer people. It is a good option for a free afternoon in Aguas Calientes. If you expect a high-altitude attraction or a demanding route, keep in mind that the waterfall is small and the route is short.
  
  
• Can you visit it on the same day as Machu Picchu?
  It is possible, but it requires good organization. The gardens close between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m., and it is best to enter no later than 2:00 p.m. to avoid rushing. If you visit Machu Picchu in the early morning slot and take the bus down at noon, you can go to Mandor in the afternoon, but you will arrive tired and with tight time. If your return train leaves early, do not attempt it.
  
  The most comfortable thing is to separate both visits: Mandor the afternoon you arrive in Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu the next day, or vice versa.