Inti Punku Sun Gate

Ask ThatchGPT
Suggest a local expert to plan my trip
Suggest an unique itinerary for my Peru trip
What foods do Peru locals eat
What are some true hidden gems in Peru
Help me brainstorm trip ideas for Peru
Help me plan a family-friendly trip to Peru

What people say

"The Sun Gate, or Inti Punku, is an archaeological site near Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. The gate serves as an entrance to Machu Picchu and is an important waypoint in the Inca Trail trek. The place offers panoramic views of the surrounding Andes mountains, including the iconic Nevado Veronica. The name "Inti Punku" translates to "Sun Gate" in Quechua, the language of the Incas. This name reflects the site's astronomical importance, as it was designed to align perfectly with the sun's movements. During the solstices, the first rays of the sun pass through the gate, creating a dramatic and spiritually significant moment that emphasizes the Inca's deep connection with celestial splendors. 🏅 ACTIVITIES The main activity in this place is the hike to the top of the mountain where the gate was built. You can aim to reach the top to watch the sunrise, creating a magical moment and experience for you. Photography is also a good activity in the area since it offers excellent views of Machu Picchu. 🚶‍♀️HIKING This hike starts from the center of Ollantaytambo and goes up to the sun gate. It's a demanding hike, and good physical condition is required. The uphill is very steep, and sun exposure is high, but the reward of having fantastic views at the top is worth it!! If you can, spend the night in Ollantaytambo and start hiking very early in the morning the next day. Otherwise, try to leave Cusco as early as possible. I suggest starting the hike around 6 am in Ollantaytambo. There's no way to protect yourself from the sun during the hike. Only at the gate, you can find a bit of shadow from the wall. This hike is 18km long with an elevation gain of 1292m. If you make the loop by Canteras, you will see the train station in Ollantaytambo and the river Urubamba when you are near the Qelloraqay site. The views from the area around the river are nice. 🚃 TRANSPORTATION Colectivos departs from Pavitos Street and goes to Ollantaytambo all the time. Please make sure to always ask the price before entering the colectivo. Often, drivers can charge you more based on your look, so it's always good to ask a local inside the Colectivo how much they paid for the ride. "
Justina Chioma
"A popular hike that offers stunning panoramic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley. This ancient Inca path leads to the main entrance to the citadel, offering breathtaking photo opportunities, especially at sunrise."

Mentioned in these guides

💪This is a travel guide to the ecotourism scene in the Cusco province in Peru. It's a great place for ecotourism, with several options, some affordable and others not so much. I did most of the activities myself, so I added all my experience and what I have learned about each place in this guide. 🏞️ This guide shows an active but cultural side of Peru, where your adventurous spirit will flourish as you explore the best Cusco has to offer. It will help you quickly identify the main activities and adventures available in the province. ✅ You will use this guide well if you are in Cusco and want to dive into the ecotourism scene in the province and be active while traveling. This guide is useful for those who enjoy doing activities by themselves. While most of the activities can be done with a tour agency, I did most of them by myself, so you will find recommendations for agencies only for the few activities where it is hard to do without an agency. ❌ You will not use this guide well if you are looking for recommendations for restaurants or hotel accommodations in Cusco. One section in this guide only provides recommendations for places where I ate and stayed in Cusco. However, it is not the focus of this guide; it only includes places where I had good experiences and want to recommend them to you. 💡You will find tips on arranging transportation, which tour agencies to contact if you prefer to tour with a group, and general tips about the activities. This guide will save you hours of research for activities in Cusco and give you a clear insight into what's available. After that, you need to book the tour with the recommended agency or do it yourself if you prefer. 💰 This travel guide is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase; I am continuously on the road, traveling and exploring new places. Whenever I uncover a new gem or get more information about a place I explored, I will add it here, and you will receive the updates automatically at no extra cost. 🍲 Most of the time, I brought food with me on my adventures, but in some, I found great restaurants in Cusco. One section of the guide covers all my recommendations to you. 📕I run a travel blog (https://helpmezuka.com/) where I write about ecotourism and tips for travelers about the destinations I uncovered in my journey. If I covered one adventure in this guide, you will find a link to the blog post where you can find complementary information about it. 🛄 Are you ready to be the next Cusqueño/a EcoTourist? Embark on this journey and let this guide help you uncover the best of the ecotourism scene in Cusco.
$15.00
1

About Inti Punku Sun Gate

Get the inside scoop on Inti Punku Sun Gate from local experts, travel creators, and tastemakers. Browse genuine trip notes, Inti Punku Sun Gate reviews, photos, travel guides, and itineraries from real travelers and plan your trip with confidence.
Save this spot for later or start mapping out a new trip today
Try our AI Travel Assistant and get instant answers to any questions about your trip.
Ask ThatchGPT