These sites are located in the Vilcanota-Urubamba Valley, in a cloud forest area connected to ancient Inca trails that led toward Machu Picchu. Despite river floods, landslides, and the natural deterioration of the cloud forest landscape, terraces, enclosures, channels, fountains, and ceremonial spaces are still preserved.
They are located between kilometers 95 and 121 of the railway to Machu Picchu, on the left bank of the Vilcanota-Urubamba River.
This archaeological group is located around km 95 of the railway to Machu Picchu, in an area surrounded by mountains. Today, a group of terraces with walls parallel to the river is still preserved, along with remains of paths that connected this sector with other archaeological sites.
Chachabamba is located around km 104 of the railway. It is advisable to specify on which bank of the river it is located to avoid confusion. Chachabamba is considered to have been an important settlement that may have fulfilled ceremonial functions within the sector. At the site, ritual fountains and channels, a shrine carved into a large rock, two plazas, one to the north and one to the south, a main building, and two terraces are preserved.
Choquesuysuy is located around km 107 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway and extends along both sides of the stream of the same name. Today, around twenty-five enclosures of different types can be seen. A tall main building with a finer finish stands out. In front of it, there is a semicircular platform that may have functioned as a plaza, along with a sequence of terraces.
Intiwatana is located west of the Inca city of Machu Picchu, around km 121 of the railway toward Hidroeléctrica, near the western base of Machu Picchu Mountain. This group includes the western slope of the mountain and preserves a ceremonial sector with elements associated with observation, water, and worship, such as a carved stone linked to solar observation, a water system that functioned as a fountain, and a carved rock that may have had ceremonial use. The complex also preserves enclosures and terraces that help us understand how this sector was organized.
The riverside archaeological groups of the Inca Trail show how the Incas integrated the Vilcanota-Urubamba Valley with the network of roads that led to Machu Picchu. These sites were not isolated. They formed part of a network where paths, terraces, channels, enclosures, and ceremonial spaces worked together along the route to Machu Picchu.
These sites help us understand the relationship between Inca architecture and the landscape. When visiting them, it is possible to appreciate how the Incas made use of water, adapted to the cloud forest climate, and organized spaces for rest, control, and worship along the route to Machu Picchu.
It is recommended to bring hiking shoes, light clothing, and a rain jacket, as the area is located in the cloud forest and the weather can change quickly. It is also important to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, personal documents, and always follow the instructions of authorized staff.
Do not enter restricted sectors, climb on walls, move stones, leave trash, or alter channels or archaeological structures.
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