It is now also the name of the final section of the incan trail between the sun gate complex and the city of machu picchu. Ultimate guide to exploring machu picchu facts, tours. It is located on the side of the machu picchu mountain, high in the andes mountain range. I also went for a hike to gate of the sun while i was there and it was. The large lithic enclosure features big windows and doorways, and once had a thatched roof. Its name is due to the fact that the suns rays pass there during the summer solstices. Gate of the sun at tiahuanaco, bolivia ancient origins. Its location makes historians think the entrance of machu picchu was restricted and guarded by the military back then, making it only accessible to visitors of the imperial inca elite. Embark on a rich and fascinating journey through the gate of the sun to visit the galapagos islands, amazon rainforest, machu picchu, cuzco, chan chan, nazca, paracas, lake titicaca, iguazu, bariloche, peninsula valdez, tierra del fuego, antarctica and more. On this visit we werent able to hike the inca trail, but we decided once we were in the site that we would hike backwards to.
And even better, we also visited the sun gate at machu picchu, as well as the inca bridge two places only a relatively small number of people even. Sun gate machu picchu stock photos download 169 royalty. Mt machu picchu the machu picchu citadel is bookended by two apus, or sacred peaks. There are many things to do in machu picchu, like taking one of the many available hikes. Tourists who make the famous inca trail have the first vision of machu picchu through the intipunku.
This trek combines high mountains and jungles before arriving to machupicchu, the lost city of the incas. Machu picchu and huayna picchu peak from the inca trail below sun gate. Is hiking to the sun gate worth it at machu picchu. Visit machu picchu by train on a fullday trip from cusco that takes the hassle out of exploring the spectacular inca site. The sun gate or intipunku is made of steps that makes believe that these were some kind of control gate for the people who enter and go out of the. We offer a trip for every adventurous spirit with high quality standards, customized, with a strong focus on sustainable travel. It was believed inti punku was the control gate for anyone entering or exiting the citadel in the days of the inca empire. It was believed inti punku was the control gate for anyone entering or.
Tours of machu picchu vary from a few hours guided trip to several days trek and more. Machu picchu one day tour machu picchu tour by train. Considered one of the top treks in the world, adventurous travelers can follow the inka trail through the andes all the way to the sun gate at machu picchu. Is one of the most important archeological constructions that connects with machu picchu, is dedicated also to the cult of the inti, the sun. Jun 18, 2019 when most people think about a hike to machu picchu, they immediately think of the famous inca trail. A guide to hiking to the sun gate inti punku the only. I have been to machu picchu 3 times and on two occasion i walked from machu picchu to the sun gate the first time i went in 2007 i was out of shapefew extra pounds and not used to the high altitude3 days in cuzco. Aside from inca trail, there are numerous paths within the grounds of the site, from a 20minute diversion to the precariouslooking inca bridge to ascents of machu picchu mountain or the more familiar, pointed peak overlooking the ruins, huayna picchu. The sun gate inti punku is at the top of a mountain overlooking machu picchu. The road to the machu picchu mountain and the intipunku forks on a stretch.
Inti punku or intipunku is an archaeological site in the cusco region of peru that was once a fortress of the sacred city, machu picchu. Both sites are some distance away from machu picchu, and both are accessed from within the machu picchu site. Is one of the most important archeological constructions that connects with machu picchu, is dedicated also to the cult of the inti, the sun god, and thats because. The trail continues beyond the sun gate for 2 hours, to another beautiful inca city called winaywayna. The busiest days is june 21, the summer solstice, when hordes arrive hoping to see sun pouring through a perfectly aligned window at the temple of the sun. Machu picchu is one of the most dramatically located ancient sites ive ever been privileged to visit.
The first time i went in 2007 i was out of shapefew extra pounds and not used to the high altitude3 days in cuzco. The hike follows an original inca trail that steadily climbs though machu picchus agricultural terraces high in to the mountains directly south of the citadel. Bingham concluded that the two windows within the temple of the sun at machu picchu were related to the summer and winter solstices, the longest and shortest days of. The trip to the sun gate intipunku begins at the most famous outlook of the whole machu picchu at the house of the watchman of funeral rocks. Sun gate tours is an adventure tour operator and dmc in peru with more than 11 years of experience, dedicated to bringing you innovative and active travel experiences.
Passengers either take the train back that evening and some stay the night in aguas calientes the city at the base of machu picchu citadel. Calculations of sunrise and sunset in machu picchu pueblo cusco peru for april 2020. Hike to the ancient ruins through the inca trail to machu picchu. Admittedly the inca trail is the only trek to machu picchu that actually arrives directly at the famous inca ruin, via the impressive inti punku sun gate. We can customize any trekking tours to machu picchu according to your travel dates. Its precise architecture, erected without mortar, has proven itself. The intipunku, or gate of the sun, is usually associated with hiking the. Though huayna picchu and machu picchu both require additional tickets, anyone can walk up to the sun gate about two hours round trip along a relatively gentle trail. The sun gate trail is also the main entry point for hikers finishing the classic 4 days inca trail to machu picchu, and if decide to trek to the sun gate before 10 am in the morning you will be sure to meet inca trail trekkers coming the other way. Machu picchu is situated above a bow of the urubamba river, which surrounds the site on three sides, where cliffs drop vertically for. Machu picchu inspires awe and elation at first sight. Gate of the sun peru salcantay inca trail to machu picchu.
While that is obvious from anywhere in the ruined city, a 2km walk up the inca trail brings you to the sun gate where its possible to get the view of the city. The trek to the sun gate machu picchu useful information. It was believed inti punku was the control gate for anyone. Bingham concluded that the two windows within the temple of the sun at machu picchu. It leads at the beginning along the terraced fields and in a short time you have this little bit different, but still very nice view of the ruins of this inca town. The walls of the megalithic complex have the same characteristic perfect fit as the walls of machu picchu and were built leaning inward to withstand earthquakes.
Day 3, sunday discover machu picchu early this morning, transfer to the sacred valleys ollanta station and board the expedition train for the ancient citadel of machu picchu, a unesco world heritage site. Hiking to the sun gate machu picchu inti punku couples. One you should not miss is the sun gate at machu picchu also known as intipunku. Intipunku or sun gate at machu picchu ticket machu picchu. Download 169 sun gate machu picchu stock photos for free or amazingly low rates. We can customize any trekking tours to machu picchu. Hiking to the inti punku sun gate from machu picchu cusco. Jul 22, 2011 mt machu picchu the machu picchu citadel is bookended by two apus, or sacred peaks.
The inca trail to machu picchu is rated among the ten best trekking trails in the world. Description this is the descent from the sun gate to machu picchu. It is located on the side of the machu picchu mountain, high in the. Gate of the sun peru, bolivia, ecuador, antarctica. The sun gate is in a narrow notch high above machu picchu machu picchu viewed while descending from the sun gate we wandered down a long stretch of inca road from the sun gate, enjoying the view of the site below us and feeling good about having hiked. Did the day trip to machu picchu involving the train and it was good times. Aug 31, 2016 the sun gate inti punku is at the top of a mountain overlooking machu picchu. Machu picchu features wet humid summers and dry frosty winters, with the majority of the annual rain falling from october through to march. Urubamba village, archeological site of ollantaytambo, town of machu picchu, vistadome, sun gate, and huayna picchu. Descending from the sun gate, we continue along the beautiful paved stone path to machu picchu, but only to the famous lookout point above the central part of the citadel. There are two inca entrances to machu picchu, inti punku the sun gate and puente inca inca bridge. Oct 17, 2019 today trekkers doing the iconic inca trail enter machu picchu through this iconic stone gate on the last day of their adventure. The trail enters straight into machu picchu citadel through the sun gate. The sun gate in machu picchu was once one of the main entrances of the citadel, considered at that time as a strategic point to guard the magical citadel.
Short inca trail to machu picchu information travel guide. This requires either a guide to get you onto the inca trail or ticket entry into machu picchu. The sun gate 2,720 m 8,924 ft, also known as inti punku sun gate in quechua, is a viewpoint of machu picchu on one side of the machu. The sun gate in machu picchu blog machu travel peru. Prebooking a tour ensures you have a ticket for the. The path to the sun gate is more gradual, the steps ascend at an angle of 30. Machu picchu is a 15thcentury inca citadel, located in the eastern cordillera of southern peru, on a 2,430metre 7,970 ft mountain ridge. The hike follows an original inca trail that steadily. It is located in the cusco region, urubamba province, machupicchu district, above the sacred valley, which is 80 kilometres 50 mi northwest of cuzco. A lone hiker walking the path from the sun gate downhill towards the inca site of machu picchu, peru in late. A guide to hiking to the sun gate inti punku the only peru guide. The sun gate also called intipunku in quechua was once a guardhouse that marked one of the principle entrances to machu picchu. It offers striking beauty, ancient incan ruins and diverse ecological zones from high desert plateau to tropical andean rainforest.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from may until october. Generic astronomy calculator to calculate times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset for many cities, with daylight saving time and time zones taken in account. Here we present all the information you need to organize your trip. One of the most spectacular tours inca trail to machu picchu and the best package that sun gate tours offers. Most trekkers come in through the sun gate, as it is the end of the inca trail. The socalled sun gate the incas called it inti punku is the inca trail entry into the valley and plateau of machu picchu, which sits about 1,000 feet 305 meters below the portal. Huayna picchu which in quechua means young mountain, is next to the machu picchu mountain old mountain from here you have a wonderful panoramic view of machu picchu ruins, this is an amazing experience you ever had. We have seen some remarkable hikes along our journey together, but one that might take the cake is hiking to the sun gate machu picchu. Nov 23, 2019 today, we are visiting the machu picchu ruins. We offer yachts, cruises, amazon jungle lodges, hiking, trekking, rafting, and other. Machu picchu ruins sun gate machu picchu hike and visit to. Hiking guide to sun gate inti punku ticket machu picchu. Visit machu picchu on a trip to peru audley travel. The temple of the sun is located in the urban sector and can be only entered through a large access gate, gate which was provided with double beams and a closure mechanism to provide the city with the necessary means of protection and security.
Book the most popular machu picchu hiking tours with sun gate tours. Machu picchu was covered by clouds, which then burned away leaving an awesome view. Sun gate inti punku the sun gate or intipunku is made of steps that makes believe that these were some kind of control gate for the people who enter and go out of the sanctuary. On this visit we werent able to hike the inca trail, but we decided. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from march until december.
Those who have limited time can book a 2hour guided tour of machu picchu with a small group to explore the ancient culture and the architectural marvels of the incas. But for those of us who didnt trek, the sun gate is about a mile up from the main site of machu picchu. The socalled sun gate the incas called it inti punku is the inca trail entry into the valley and plateau of machu picchu, which sits about 1,000 feet. The ultimate trekking adventure to the inca trail to machu picchu.
Machu picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world that you must visit in your lifetime. Imperial guards used the sun gate to control entrance to machu picchu. The sights machu picchu, eros, and colca canyon were fabulous, the food wonderful, and the people very welcoming to tourists. Straddling a saddleback mountain, the magnificent lost city of machu picchu is one of travels great milestones, to say nothing of its place as one of the worlds great mysteries. Views of the ruins and the surrounding mountains, and distant views from the sun gate and machu picchu mountain. The sun gate machu picchu is the place where people enter the inca trail to machu picchu.
The sun gate at machu picchu blog cusco peru travel. Abel was friendly, very knowledgeable, approachable and above all a fixer when it came to minor issues that occur during any tour. A first view of machu picchu from the inca trails sun gate. Steep climb to the sun gate from machu picchu hiking adventure. You get a private tour visiting all of the hidden corners of the inca monument. Mar 07, 2020 i have been to machu picchu 3 times and on two occasion i walked from machu picchu to the sun gate. Another way to visit the sun gate is to enter machu picchu with your general admission ticket and then hike up. Sun gate machu picchu sun gate inti punku i exploor peru exploor.
A moderately challenging trek to the sun gate inti punku that was once the main entrance to machu picchu. The view of machu picchu from the inti punku sun gate is one of perus most unforgettable and iconic sights, most famous for being the first glimpse of the citadel for hikers on the classic inca trail. The sun gate is in a narrow notch high above machu picchu machu picchu viewed while descending from the sun gate we wandered down a long stretch of inca road from the sun gate, enjoying the view of the site below us and feeling good about having hiked the inca trail. Also known as the lost city of the incas, machu picchu was built circa 1450 and abandoned only 100 years later. Panoramic view of machu picchu, peru, from the inca trail, descending into the valley from the sun gate. Inti punku or intipunku quechua inti sun, punku door, sun gate, hispanicized spellings intipunco, intipuncu, inti puncu is an archaeological site in the cusco region of peru that was once a fortress of the sacred city, machu picchu. The best tourist attractions in machu picchu huayna picchu. Prebooking a tour ensures you have a ticket for the unesco world heritage site, where daily visitor numbers are capped, and you explore the sprawling site with a guide. It is located at 2,720 meters 8,924 feet above sea level, and 290 meters 951 feet above the urban sector of machu picchu. According to studies made by hiram bingham, the temple of the sun has resemblance to the koricancha, or the temple of the sun, in cusco where the inca worshiped inti, the sun god. Our tour manager abel ranks as the best weve every had with gate 1. The hike follows an original inca trail that steadily climbs though machu picchu s agricultural terraces high in to the mountains directly south of the citadel. Perus machu picchu, discovered 100 years ago by hiram bingham iii.
We arrive later to machu picchu lost city of the incas a new and different alternative for the conventional inca trail trekking route on the south face of the salcantay glacier. Inca trail to machu picchu machu picchu trek, inca trail. Steep climb to the sun gate from machu picchu hiking. From here we will descend to the town of aguas calientes in the valley, where we will have dinner and do the hotel checkin. We actually werent planning to walk to the sun gate on our free morning at machu picchu. Forgotten after the fall of the inca empire, and then rediscovered 400 years later, machu picchu is without a doubt perus top attraction. Machu picchu is simply one of those places that everyone should visit in his or her life and the sun gate hike is a hike that everyone who visits machu picchu should do. So it took me about 4050 minutes because i was constantly stopping to catch my breath. While that is obvious from anywhere in the ruined city, a 2km walk up the inca trail brings you to the sun gate where its possible to get the view of the city that those who walk the. The ultimate guide to machu picchu times expert traveller. Walks to the inca bridge and the sun gate, or climb huayna picchu and machu picchu mountain.
Hiking to the inti punku sun gate from machu picchu. They had a lot of human sacrifices and their religious sites such as the machu picchu were where they performed human sacrifice. There was a light rain and cool temperatures this morning. Reentry to machu picchu with wayna picchu climb if you are physically fit and want a postcard view of the citadel of machu picchu, then be among the first in the morning at the gate of machu picchu as you explore on your own the mountain opposite the ruins, wayna picchu.