The Trail
The newer, shorter, alternative to the full Inca Trail is a very beautiful two-day walk that is an excellent alternative for people who do not have the time for the full Inca Trail. This includes some stunning views and some very beautiful Inca ruins. The first day the walk starts from km 104 of the train line to Wiñay Wayna, The path climbs steeply, and the walk takes about two to three hours. From there, you carry on to Machu Picchu, taking about two hours. You then descend to the valley for the night. You return to Machu Picchu the following day to explore the site, before returning to Cusco in the afternoon.
From km104, you cross the river, with a very beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the Urubamba River. There are some modern buildings on the other side of the river where you must register and show your entrance ticket. There are also toilets here. Just beyond the first checkpoint are the interesting ruins of Chachabamba. The trail climbs rapidly from the starting point, taking about two hours to get to Wiñay Wayna, or longer if the walk is taken leisurely. The walk offers some very beautiful views, with the ruins of Choquesuysuy visible below next to the hydroelectric plant, and the Inca terracing of Inti Pata on the hill in front. Just before arriving at Wiñay Wayna the trail passes a beautiful waterfall.
The ruins of Wiñay Wayna, discovered in 1941 by Paul Fejos, are some of the most beautiful in the Inca Empire, and seeing them for the first time is an amazing experience – perhaps even more so than seeing Machu Picchu for the first time as the image is not as familiar. The site was mainly agricultural, and the curved terraces on an incredibly steep slope are breathtaking. The name Wiñay Wayna comes from a variety of orchid, meaning forever young in Quechua, as the orchid blooms all year round. This orchid is abundant in the area, and you are likely to see many by the sides of the trail.
Apart from the terracing, the site includes a complex of accommodation and ceremonial structures. Next to the structures there is a series of ten baths, joined by small waterfalls. Given the importance of water in Inca ceremonies, this seems to indicate the religious importance of Wiñay Wayna. The location of Wiñay Wayna was probably chosen due to its relationship to certain mountains in the area, including the Apu Veronica.
The Short Inca Trail continues from Wiñay Wayna to the Intipunku - the Sun Gate, a walk of about one and a half hours. As you climb the final few steps and arrive at the sun gate you are greeted by your first, spectacular view of Machu Picchu. This is truly an awe-inspiring sight, and not even having seen the image in hundreds of photos, or seeing the modern hotel below the ruins, can ruin this moment. The trail down to the ruins themselves takes about half an hour. You normally do not visit the site on the first day, as it is too late, so you descend into the valley for the night, returning the next day for a tour of the ruins.