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Intipata
Intipata means Sun Place. When I first walked the Inca Trail in 1989,
Intipata was not visible as it was covered by vegetation but it has since been
cleared. Most hikers by-pass it as the Trail descends steeply in what feels
like many hundreds of steps to Wiñawayna which is a little bit further
on and lower down. The terraces of Intipata have a convex shape whereas those
of Wiñawayna are concave.
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Wiñawayna
Wiñawayna or Forever Young is the romantic name of these ruins
that were only discovered in 1941. They are as beautiful as the name - a lot
more impressive close-up than seen from a distance - with many buildings in
addition to the terraces. There are good views of Wiñawayna from lower
down on a recently opened branch of the Trail which joins the main branch near
the ruins.
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View of the Intipunku from Machu Picchu
Intipunku, or the Sun Gate is in the notch on the hillside. It is at the
Sun Gate that hikers get their first sight of their destination - Machu Picchu,
the so-called Lost City of the Incas.
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