Video Review

Video Walk Location: Chachabamba to Winay Wayna Inca Ruins near Machu Picchu, Cusco Province, Peru

YouTube Video Title and Link: INCA TRAIL VIRTUAL HIKE - Alpaca Expeditions

AHH Virtual Walker Profile:  Alpaca Expeditions

On a cloudy day, the videographer leaves the train near the Urubamba River at km104 to hike the "Short Inca Trail". After crossing the river (forward is south), at 6:55, the walker reaches the Chachabamba Incan ruins and explores them. No other people are shown so it feels as if you are exploring on your own.

The hike continues west with a view of the Andean peaks shrouded in low level clouds and the Urubamba River at the bottom of the gorge. The walker approaches the Winay Wayna ("Forever Young") Waterfall at 1:21:35. So gorgeous!

Five minutes later, at 1:27:22, the walker enters the base of the Winay Wayna ruins which were skillfully carved into the mountainside. Then the walker climbs upward on the Winay Wayna steps and explores the stone ruins. The distance walked is about half of the hike (4 miles?) up the trail to Machu Picchu. The trail is well maintained with many stone steps and wooden hand-rails. Although it has likely been improved, it is fun to imagine the Inca people in the 1500s walking up and down the trail to Machu Picchu.

Don't miss this video!  The walk is over 90 minutes, so if you only can watch 30 minutes, watch the first 10 minutes and the last 20 minutes. I enjoyed it so much, I watched the full video twice over a number of days.

See AHH's Post Dreaming of Old Granite Incan Places for some maps, information and other links.

Video Details