Cascada de Mandor
1 / 10

Mandor Gardens & Waterfall

4.6
·637 reviews·Aguas Calientes, Peru

Discover Mandor Gardens & Waterfall: a serene cloud-forest oasis with stunning cascades and unique Machu Picchu views, accessed via a scenic train tra...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Morning

Fewer crowds, better light for photos

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Cascada de Mandor

Mandor Gardens & Waterfall

Best Time

Morning

Fewer crowds, better light for photos

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover Mandor Gardens & Waterfall: a serene cloud-forest oasis with stunning cascades and unique Machu Picchu views, accessed via a scenic train track walk.

4.6
(637 reviews)

"A quiet paradise with waterfalls, hummingbird gardens, and cloud-forest trails just outside Aguas Calientes."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Train Track Safety

Hear trains from afar; they move slowly. Stay alert and enjoy the scenic walk!

🦟 Bug Spray Essential

The trails are wooded. Bring repellent or buy small packets at the cafe.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Mandor Waterfall

Mandor Waterfall

Mandor Gardens

A beautiful, cascading waterfall offering a refreshing natural spectacle after your hike.

Machu Picchu Viewpoint

Machu Picchu Viewpoint

Mandor Gardens

A less-common perspective of the iconic citadel, offering a unique photographic opportunity.

Hummingbird Haven

Hummingbird Haven

Mandor Gardens Cafe

Witness multiple species of vibrant hummingbirds flitting around feeders.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

The Scenic Train Track Walk

Access Mandor Gardens by walking along the active train tracks from Aguas Calientes. While it sounds unusual, trains are slow and audible from afar. It's a unique 30-40 minute journey with river views.

Entry Fee & What to Expect

Expect to pay 20 soles per person for entry. The site offers two main trails: one to a stunning waterfall and another to a viewpoint overlooking Machu Picchu. Allow 2.5-3 hours for exploration.

Best Times

When
Morning
Why
Fewer crowds, better light for photos
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon
Why
Hummingbirds are active
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

「 a ♨️ town in 🇵🇪 」| 📍 Aguas Calientes, Peru _______ after days of hauling 🍑 to get to Machu Picchu, it was such a treat to set foot in this beautiful and quaint little town called 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀, which literally translates to "hot water". This place is known for its thermal baths and its proximity to Machu Picchu (all the busses to Machu Picchu start from here!) Given the short visit window and ...
@ivy.noms
32.3K likes • 341.6K views

🚶‍♀️ Train Track Safety

Hear trains from afar; they move slowly. Stay alert and enjoy the scenic walk! Instagram

🦟 Bug Spray Essential

The trails are wooded. Bring repellent or buy small packets at the cafe. Reddit

BEWARE Agua Caliente Resort & Casino.. And NO, we don’t have pets. #hotelnightmare #fleas #aguacaliente #aguacalienteranchomirage #casinohotel
@mariaarerreh
9.6K likes • 159.6K views
🌿 Mandor Gardens is open again! We’re excited to welcome visitors back to explore the waterfalls, hummingbird gardens, and cloud-forest trails just outside Aguas Calientes. Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing more stories about Mandor’s history, biodiversity, and family-run roots soon. Have you visited Mandor before? 💬 ____________________________________ ¡Estamos muy felices de anunciarles que, des...
mandormachupicchu
144 likes • 2.6K views

🥾 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be walking on varied terrain, including some uphill sections. Reddit

🐦 Birdwatching Paradise

Look for Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and hummingbirds. Ask staff for tips! Reddit

Why aren’t we talking about this cute little mountain town more?? Here are some spots we loved: Chullos – perfect for lunch or dinner! Make a reservation ahead of time for a window seat because we’re going into high season Mapacho – great craft beer Kaymanta – simple breakfast but one of the only spots with a river view in the morning Mistura Machupicchu – we only had half hour before catch...
recipeoftheworld
558 likes • 25.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Train Track Safety

Hear trains from afar; they move slowly. Stay alert and enjoy the scenic walk! Instagram

🦟 Bug Spray Essential

The trails are wooded. Bring repellent or buy small packets at the cafe. Reddit

🥾 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be walking on varied terrain, including some uphill sections. Reddit

🐦 Birdwatching Paradise

Look for Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and hummingbirds. Ask staff for tips! Reddit

☕ Cafe Stop

Enjoy coffee and learn about the gardens' history from friendly staff. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(637 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Mandor Gardens is a highly recommended natural escape from Aguas Calientes, praised for its beautiful waterfall, unique Machu Picchu viewpoint, and abundant wildlife, especially hummingbirds and birds. The scenic walk along the train tracks is a memorable part of the experience, though some find the uphill hike to the viewpoint challenging.

"This was a lovely hike near the town of Auguas Caliente. Once you walk out of town, follow the path that’ll lead you on a train track. There are loads of signs so you can’t miss it. The train track is safe as you’ll hear the trains far before you can see it. Plus they are moving very slowly.

It’s about a 30-40 min walk (approximately 1.5 miles) to get to the destination itself. Once you get there, there’ll be a cafe who will provide you with information and grant access to the trail. It is 20 soles pp. the hike has 2 trails, one that is mainly uphill to a viewpoint where you can see Machu Picchu. This trail is bit extensive but nothing too hard. A lot of woods and trees so bring some bug spray. If you forget, the store has small packets you can purchase. It’ll take about an hour or so to do this path. The second path is to the waterfall. The waterfall is amazing. It’s about another 20-30 min but very easy walk.

PS. If you’re lucky, you might get a guide dog who’ll pop out of nowhere to join your hike. They’re super friendly and cute."

Myat Naing

"We visited Mandor as part of our stay in Aguas Calientes, and it was a wonderful experience. From our hotel near the train station, we walked along the railway tracks to reach the entrance. While it might sound unusual, it actually feels quite safe. The trains are loud enough to hear well in advance, and along the way there are small cafés and stalls where you can grab snacks or drinks.
The entrance ticket costs 20 soles per person. At the ticket booth, we enjoyed a nice coffee, and Erwin, who works there, kindly shared the story of how his mother created the place.

Inside, you can easily spend 2.5 to 3 hours exploring. There are two main trails: one leading to the waterfalls, and another to a viewpoint where you get to see a completely different face of Machu Picchu. The view is absolutely stunning and not to be missed!

On top of that, the wildlife made the visit even more special. We spotted different kinds of butterflies 🦋, a variety of birds, and even a black tayra 🥹.

Overall, Mandor is peaceful, scenic, and full of natural beauty a perfect complement to the bustle of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu itself. Highly recommended."

Amy Hernandez

"We had a wonderful time on this scenic hike. Having a mixup with our Machu Picchu tickets, we were stuck in Aguas Calientes for a few days, and we wanted to make the most of it. On our second day we decided to hike to Mandor to see the falls

The hike is about 1.5hr outside of Aguas Calientes. You will follow the river out of town. Be careful as there are many buses racing by. And then the majority of the hike is along an active railway, so again, be careful

The views are stunning and you can actually see part of the Machu Picchu citadel on the walk

You will pay about 20s per person at Mandor. You will need to fill out a log, and you will need your passport information for this. There’s a little cafe, and you will be escorted to the gate of the trailhead

Once through the gate it’s only about a mile to the falls. And there is a fork in the hike where you can actually go up into the jungle to get a view of Machu Picchu. This is a little less than a mile of a hike, but it is straight up and through a humid jungle. The views at the end of both hikes are spectacular

If you get the chance, stop at either the Empanada cafe (Quinoa Snack Bar), or the Refugio. The Snack Bar has fresh delicious empanadas, and the Refugio is a vibe. The owner is a lot of fun, there’s great views, tasty food, cold drinks, great music, and a relaxing ambiance"

Nicholas Stevenson

What People Like

Beautiful waterfall
Unique Machu Picchu view
Abundant wildlife

What People Dislike

Uphill hike can be challenging

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The most common way is to walk along the train tracks for about 30-40 minutes (approx. 1.5 miles). It's a scenic route along the Urubamba River. Trains are audible and slow, making it a safe, albeit unconventional, path. InstagramReddit

Yes, most travelers find it safe. You can hear the trains well in advance, and they move slowly. There are also small cafes and stalls along the way. Reddit

There isn't direct public transport to Mandor Gardens. The walk along the train tracks is the primary and recommended access method. Instagram

It's approximately 1.5 miles (about 2.4 km) from Aguas Calientes, taking around 30-40 minutes to walk. Reddit

Some visitors mention hiking through lush paths, but the train track route is the most straightforward and frequently cited. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The entrance fee is 20 soles per person. You'll need to fill out a logbook with your passport information. Reddit

The gardens are generally open during daylight hours. It's best to check locally upon arrival in Aguas Calientes for any specific schedule changes. Instagram

No advance booking is typically required. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance booth upon arrival. Reddit

The fee grants access to the trails leading to the waterfall, the Machu Picchu viewpoint, and the hummingbird feeders. Reddit

Information on discounts is not widely available. The standard fee is 20 soles per person. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

The main attractions are the beautiful waterfall, a viewpoint offering a unique perspective of Machu Picchu, and the diverse hummingbird and bird species. InstagramReddit

Most visitors spend 2.5 to 3 hours exploring the trails and enjoying the scenery. Reddit

While not always advertised, friendly staff at the entrance cafe may offer insights or information about the gardens and wildlife. Reddit

You can spot various butterflies, birds (including the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock), and hummingbirds. Some visitors have also seen mammals like the black tayra. Reddit

The trail to the viewpoint is uphill and can be extensive, passing through humid jungle. It requires moderate effort but is generally manageable. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there's a cafe at the entrance that provides information and access. Some reviews mention a 'Refugio' and 'Quinoa Snack Bar' with food and drinks. Reddit

The cafe offers coffee, snacks, and empanadas. The Refugio is noted for tasty food, cold drinks, and a relaxing ambiance. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to consume purchased items at the designated cafe areas. Reddit

The Refugio is mentioned as having great views and a relaxing ambiance, making it a good spot to enjoy food and drinks. Reddit

Specific dietary options are not detailed, but empanadas and general cafe fare are available. It's best to inquire directly. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The waterfall, the unique Machu Picchu viewpoint, the vibrant hummingbirds, and the lush cloud-forest trails offer excellent photographic subjects. InstagramReddit

Absolutely! Mandor Gardens is renowned for birdwatching, especially for spotting Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and various hummingbird species. Reddit

Mornings generally offer softer light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the natural beauty. Instagram

While you'll see trains, it's advisable to maintain a safe distance and be mindful of operational safety when photographing them. Instagram

No specific restrictions are mentioned, but always be respectful of the natural environment and other visitors. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Mandor Gardens offers a refreshing break for families visiting Aguas Calientes. The walk along the train tracks, while requiring supervision, is an adventure in itself for children. Instagram The main trails are manageable, with the waterfall path being particularly easy. The abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds is sure to captivate young minds. Reddit

Consider bringing bug spray as the trails can be wooded. The cafe at the entrance is a good spot for a snack break, and the chance to see unique wildlife like the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock can make the visit educational and exciting. The 20 soles entry fee is reasonable for a family outing. Reddit

🐦 Birdwatchers & Nature Lovers

For avid birdwatchers, Mandor Gardens is a must-visit. It's one of the prime locations near Aguas Calientes to spot the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, a highly sought-after species. The feeders attract a variety of hummingbirds, offering incredible close-up viewing opportunities. Reddit

Beyond birds, the gardens boast diverse insect life, including numerous butterfly species, and the possibility of spotting mammals like the black tayra. The cloud-forest environment provides a rich backdrop for observing nature in its element. Don't forget your binoculars and camera! Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Hikers & Adventure Seekers

The hike to Mandor Gardens itself is part of the adventure, with the unique train track path offering scenic views. Instagram Once inside, the trail to the Machu Picchu viewpoint provides a good workout with an uphill climb through jungle terrain. Reddit

While not an extreme trek, it offers a satisfying physical challenge and the reward of a less-common perspective of the famous citadel. The trail to the waterfall is a more relaxed option for those seeking a gentler walk. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Unique Access: Walking the Train Tracks

The journey to Mandor Gardens is as memorable as the destination itself. Visitors access the gardens by walking along the active train tracks that run from Aguas Calientes. This might sound unconventional, but it's a well-trodden path for those seeking this natural escape. The trains are slow-moving and audible from a significant distance, allowing ample time to step aside. This unique approach offers stunning views of the Urubamba River and the surrounding cloud forest, setting a tranquil tone for the visit. InstagramReddit

Along the 30-40 minute walk, you'll pass small cafes and stalls, adding a touch of local life to the experience. It's a gentle introduction to the natural beauty that awaits, and many find the walk itself to be a highlight. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and enjoy the rhythmic sounds of the river and the occasional train. Reddit

This method of access is a testament to the less-developed, more authentic experiences available just outside the main tourist hubs. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding paths are the ones less traveled, or in this case, the ones shared with the railway. Instagram

Biodiversity Hotspot: Flora and Fauna

Mandor Gardens is a haven for biodiversity, particularly for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The cloud-forest environment supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. Visitors often report sightings of numerous butterfly species, adding a splash of color to the lush greenery. Reddit

The gardens are especially famous for their birdlife. The elusive Andean Cock-of-the-Rock can be spotted and heard here, making it a prime location for birdwatching tours. Furthermore, the hummingbird feeders near the cafe attract several species, including the Long-tailed Sylph, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, and Bronzy Inca. Reddit

Beyond birds and butterflies, some lucky visitors have even encountered mammals like the black tayra. The trails are designed to immerse you in this natural environment, offering opportunities to observe wildlife in its habitat. It's a perfect complement to the historical wonders of Machu Picchu, showcasing the region's incredible natural heritage. Reddit

The Dual Trails: Waterfall and Viewpoint

Upon entering Mandor Gardens, you'll find two primary trails to explore, each offering a distinct experience. The first leads to a beautiful, cascading waterfall. This path is generally an easier walk, taking about 20-30 minutes, and provides a refreshing natural spectacle. It's a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature. Reddit

The second trail is more challenging, involving an uphill hike through humid jungle to reach a viewpoint overlooking Machu Picchu. While extensive and requiring more effort, this path rewards hikers with a unique and stunning perspective of the iconic citadel, different from the usual views. It's a less-crowded way to appreciate the grandeur of Machu Picchu. Reddit

Both trails offer a chance to connect with nature and appreciate the diverse landscapes surrounding Aguas Calientes. Allow ample time to explore both, as they provide contrasting yet equally rewarding experiences of Mandor's natural beauty. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2