The Mandor Gardens represent a little-explored gem within the natural environment surrounding Machu Picchu. Located a few kilometers from Aguas Calientes town, this tranquil spot offers an accessible walk of approximately one hour, ideal for those who wish to enjoy a serene environment away from the usual routes. The route runs along paths surrounded by lush vegetation, home to diverse species of native flora and fauna.
Among wild orchids, brightly colored butterflies, and birds like the Andean cock of the rock, the walk takes on a special character. At the end of the journey, a 30 meter waterfall breaks the silence of the forest and becomes the central point of the landscape. Despite its proximity to one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, the Mandor Gardens receive relatively few visitors, which allows enjoying the place calmly.
The Mandor Gardens are a tourist attraction in the town of Aguas Calientes, which has areas of abundant vegetation, fauna and flora characteristic of Machu Picchu. It offers a pleasant short walk as well as a 30 meter high waterfall, the most famous point in the gardens. Despite being a very beautiful place, few tourists visit it.
The Mandor Gardens are located almost 2 kilometers from the town of Aguas Calientes in Cusco, Peru. It could also be said that it is located at the foot of Machu Picchu, on one side of the Vilcanota River and within a tropical forest with abundant flora and fauna.
To get to the Mandor gardens, you must follow the train rails in the direction of the Hydroelectric station. Almost 2 kilometers from the route, you will see on one side of the road a sign that announces the entrance to Mandorpampa. You just have to follow the path that leads to the ticket office. After paying the entrance ticket, you follow a path surrounded by trees to finally arrive at the falls, the central point of the Mandor gardens.
The route that leads to the Mandor gardens is a very attractive adventure for visitors. It starts in the town of Aguas Calientes, located 2 kilometers from the tourist attraction. The walk follows the same route as the train rails in the direction of the Hydroelectric station (alternative route to Machu Picchu). After walking for about 30 minutes, at kilometer 114 of the train route, a sign indicates the detour that leads to the Mandor waterfalls.
Once at the detour, you must follow a path full of vegetation that leads to the Mandor gardens. A booth indicates that you have arrived. To enter you must buy a ticket, which includes the camping right (optional). Finally, once in the gardens, you must follow another route of approximately 30 minutes to reach the falls, the greatest attraction of the place.
The Mandor gardens offer a short walk where the landscapes full of vegetation and beautiful landscapes with mountains, rivers, flowers, butterfly and more stand out. In total, from the town of Aguas Calientes, approximately 2 kilometers are traveled. The roads are simple and pleasant.
The Mandor Gardens feature a wide variety of plants and trees, which bear their name. Thus, the place is a kind of botanical garden that captures the attention of botany lovers. Among all the species, the orchids stand out and their more than 200 species present in Machu Picchu.
The Mandor Falls are the biggest attraction of the gardens. It is a waterfall up to 30 meters high. Some tourists dare to bathe in these waters. The place is one of the best landscapes that Aguas Calientes offers. As few visitors go there, tourists will be almost alone in this magical place.
Orchids are abundant in the gardens of Mandor, flowers characterized by their bilateral symmetry and their beautiful and diverse colors. In the entire Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu Peru there are more than 400 types of species, where the ‘Wiñayhuayna’, the ‘Waqanki’ and others stand out.
Cedar is a tree native to the Andes. This leafy tree with a strong trunk is abundant in the Mandor sector as well as in Machu Picchu. The branches prevent the filtration of the sun during the walk. Therefore, it is advisable to wear a jacket or sweater to reduce the cold.
The proliferation of plants and flowers attract various species of butterflies, famous for their beautiful and peculiar colors. It is estimated that in the entire Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu there are more than 500 species of butterflies, some are native to this part of Peru. There is even a place near the town of Aguas Calientes called ‘The butterfly house’ where you can appreciate the diversity of these insects.
One of the smallest species of deer in the world, it prowls the forests of Machu Picchu and the gardens of Mandor. It is the Sachacabra, also known as the rabbit deer or small pudu. It measures a maximum of 70 centimeters (that between 3 to 6 kilos). Currently, this species is in a vulnerable situation.
This species of bird is one of the most beautiful in South America. In Peru it is considered its national bird. Its habitat is tropical forests such as Machu Picchu or the Mandor gardens. Males have deep orange and black plumage. The Incas also had great appreciation for this bird native to South America.
The thick vegetation of the Mandor Gardens attracts diverse species of hummingbirds such as giant hummingbirds, chestnut-breasted hummingbirds, white-bellied hummingbirds, the mountain watchmaker hummingbird and more. The entire environment of Machu Picchu is considered a paradise for bird watching. The song of these birds makes the visit more incredible.
Mandor Gardens welcome tourists every day of the year from 6.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon. At night, tourists can camp on the spot.
The Mandor gardens do not represent any danger for the visitor. Of course, bring repellent against mosquitoes, whose bites are uncomfortable for tourists.
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