There are three ceremonial sites on each side; the whole group has a central element of an ancient Waka (proper Inca stone). We take a slow ascent that shows an impressive landscape with a change in ecological levels. The mountains and the murmur of the Vilcanota River dominate the trail. We will find Tiana’s (places of rest) on our trek.
This road runs parallel to the creek, connecting this group with Wiñaywayna. The Incas took great care to achieve this harmonious combination of architecture and nature. Choquesuysuy is one of the places where both fuse.
The road crosses the middle of the mountain and is covered with straw and small bushes.
Wiñaywayna means “always young.” The Peruvian scientist Dr. Julio C. Tell discovered this archaeological site. After minutes of walking between platforms covered with moss and flowers, we arrived at Wiñaywayna.
It is located at the crossroads of the Inka road and the sacred road, ideally suited to the topography of the green Andes Mountains.
This area is in the form of a hill, where it was built. Their architectural expression, appropriate to this topography of nature, is worthy of being imitated today. This spiritual mixture of reverence and everyday water use is standard in many parts of the Inca construction area.
The turret’s interior is semicircular, with trapezoid windows offering an impressive valley view. The back part of the turret has spaces for domestic use.
The platforms of Intipata, whose name means “heights of the sun,” are formed by sequential convex media. These platforms are oriented toward dawn in a pyramidal way to capture the first sunrises. Intipata indicates that the Inca acclimatized or adapted to new species in a different ecological area. These structures are in the top and bottom parts of the terraces.
The hike from Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu is only six kilometers, or approximately an hour and a half.
Everything is surrounded or hugged by the sacred river and its wide bend, a jealous guardian of Machu Picchu. We are only one kilometer from the city, along the low path directly leading to the town.
This town is known for its flourishing thermal, mineral, and curative waters. In this place, one can enjoy the comforts of a tourist town, which is atypical.