Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) is Inca ruin located along the Inca Trail. Peruvians call it Little Machu Picchu. It’s built into a steep hillside overlooking beautiful scenery of the Urubamba River and Sacred Valley. The site consists of upper and lower house complexes connected by a staircase. A long flight of fountains/baths runs between the two groups of buildings surrounded by agricultural terraces built above and below the houses. Winay Wayna’s location and architecture tell it was an important place of the lost Inca Empire.
Interesting that archaeologists have only partly uncovered the ruins, leaving a chance for discovery to next generations. If you are on the Inca Trail trek going towards Machu Picchu, after passing a waterfall (a few hundred meters from the uncovered Winay Wayna ruins) start looking through the trees on your left-hand side. You should be able to see stone structures taken by jungle.
Click on image to view full size.
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Stone Wall and structures of Winay Wayna still taken by Jungle
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
Winay Wayna – Little Machu Picchu
I really am impressed by the way they so neatly stacked their homes or dwellings . These ruins can easily be used as a meditation walk circle for some .
natasha recently posted..6 reasons to visit Ville Franche along the French Riveria
Yes, Natasha, many use these ruins for meditation. I’ve done so too. It is a quite and powerful place.
Memographer recently posted..EuroTrip 2013: Czech Republic and Belarus
I had no idea this even existed! Am I the only one?
Wonderful photos!!!
Colleen Brynn recently posted..That Time Of Year
Thanks, Colleen! The official Inca Trails go to this place. So, those who had taken one of the official treks would visit Winay Wayna. Others go straight to Machu Picchu and miss it.
Memographer recently posted..Tiger Temple: All-inclusive Resort for Tigers
Absolutely stunning and certainly something I’d love to explore in the future! :D
Yes, it is a great place to explore, Jasmine. Do it!
Memographer recently posted..Stranger Portraits from Archived Thailand
Isn’t it incredible what the Incas created? It never ceased to amaze me to see how beautifully crafted their structures are – the masonry, the design, the terraces.. just amazing.
jill recently posted..Selected Stories and Pictures from Climbing Bugaboos
I totally agree, Jill. Incas were great engineers, architects, and designers.
Memographer recently posted..Old Bangkok Made of Gold
Very interesting – I’d never heard of this place before. I guess it often gets overshadowed by Machu Picchu but it looks like it’s worth a visit.
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted..In Tahiti: Fa’a’ā, Far Away
Yes, it is, Dana! You have to be on the official Inca Trail trek to get there.
Memographer recently posted..Stranger Portraits: Behind the Artist’s Shoulder
I did the Jungle Trail rather than the official Inca Trail, so I missed this, but it looks really cool.
Arianwen recently posted..A Scenic Journey with KiwiRail
Yes, it is cool place, Arienwen. But, probably, you had more fun on the Jungle Trail. So don’t be upset ;)
Memographer recently posted..Stranger Portraits from Archived Thailand
love these photos, I did my Inca trail many years ago but remember this spot well, your sky is much bluer, we had cloud and drizzle so very grey photos but the atmosphere was still incredible!
Vicki recently posted..Kangaroos and Vineyards
Thanks, Vicki! Actually, it was raining all night and morning… then it got sunny for a few hours… and rained again :) But, yes, the atmosphere is incredible any way.
Stunning Photos, the Inca Trail and the ruins on the way are absolutely amazing. Unfortunately I missed this one as it was already getting dark when we arrived on day 3 in this area. Oooh well always a good excuse to go again.
Freya recently posted..Exploring Santa Cruz Island Galapagos
That’s right, Freya. Just make sure you are not getting there in dark again ;)
Memographer recently posted..EuroTrip 2013: Czech Republic and Belarus
I looked at the photos before reading the text, Alex, and thought that they were Machu Picchu. The style is certainly the same. What beautiful detail you’ve captured in that good light.
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..September 11, veletón/candlelight vigil, Santiago
Thanks, Andrew! Winay Wayna is located on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. So, definitely, there is a connection between two places. This place could be a good resting point or a station for frontier guards.
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