Mandor

Birdwatching in Aguas Calientes: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock We had done a 4-day Inca Trail Trek and stayed in Aguas Calientes for an extra day with limited time for birdwatching. We decided to go to Mandor Gardens and this was a great decision! The walk along the train track took about 90 mins with lots of bird species on the way. At the gardens we paid 40 soles entry for 2 people and proceeded up the trail for 20 mins where we'd been told Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is seen or heard daily. We got great views of one individual male, saw one other and heard several more. If you're in Aguas Calientes and want to see Andean Cock-of-the-Rock I highly recommend this place. As well as the lovely quiet trails, the veranda by the cafe had four hummingbird feeders where we saw another four different species of hummingbird (Long tailed Sylph, Chestnut-breasted coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, and Bronzy Inca). Great place for birdwatching, highly recommend asking the friendly staff for sighting tips.

Saw 4 total cock of the rock birds! The waterfall is beautiful. Difficult to get to as you've got to walk down train tracks for a bit, but when you get to the hostel and coffee shop you've arrived. Grab some coffee - they pick it themselves, and it's also where you pay the entrance fee.

We visited May 24th, the gardens and waterfall are open and well worth a visit. The tourist info shop in Aguas Calientes said they were closed but is definitely open and the family that runs the place is great and could use all the support from tourism. They were closed for a few months in late 2024, early 2025 due to landslides but are now 100% open. Enjoy!

I camped here the night before and after visiting Machu Picchu, a perfect place to relax in nature after my salkantay trek! Camping was only 10 soles and 50% discount to visit the gardens, which are really pretty and has a nice waterfall to swim in. Restaurant also has good food. Camping has a small outdoor kitchen with water and electricity. Overal a really nice experience! Slight downside, wifi didn't work great.

beautiful and tranquil spot. Hours walk along train tracks beside the river from the town, but well worth the effort. To be honest I preferred the scenery along the river to the tourist trap of MP.

I don’t know if the fall is pretty or not. it is closed, apparently because they are doing some construction work for the train. The walk was really nice though in the jungle and find a spot in the river where we stayed a while to enjoy the view. We were apperceiving the machu pichu ruins from the bottom of the river… You have to count 4 km walk to get there.

To get here, you have to take a short hike that has no trail and just follow the railroad tracks (being extra careful to stay a safe distance away from trains). Once you get there, you have to register at a booth and pay 10 soles per person. Once through the gate, another short hike through a botanical garden to finally reach the waterfall. During your trip there, it offers great views of all the local flora, mountains and river. It was a fun activity to do the day after going to see Machu Picchu.

Nice relaxing place and really friendly people