The Incas were extraordinary builders. Machu Picchu itself is located in a very odd spot, a challenge even for today’s technology. The Inti Punku (Sun Gate) in Machu Picchu is the entrance point to the citadel, from where you can have an awe-inspiring view. Nowadays it is one of the highlights of every Machu Picchu tour. Here we will give you great information about this place.
Back in Inca times, the royals left from Cusco city which was the empire’s capital on a path that included today’s sections of the Inca Trails. Like now, the arrival at the Machu Picchu area was signaled by the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) which was a place of control, a checkpoint for people in and out of the citadel, secured by elite soldiers of the Incas. As we said, from this place you can see the citadel and the entire valley.
The Inti Punku owes its name, once again, to the Incas’ religious beliefs. For their official religion, the Sun was the main god, so this gate framed the sunrise at some times of the year, making an undoubtedly amazing view. This also means that the Incas already had good astronomical notions.
The Inti Punku displays the Inca imperial architecture, more sophisticated than the previous ones, which shows more polished stones, perfectly fitted, massive, with doorways and windows, and back in the day, covered with straw roofs, like all the Machu Picchu citadel.
As was the rule for the Incas, the Inti Punku is skillfully, and wonderfully integrated into nature, becoming a harmonic part of the natural landscape although built by men. Thus, it was aligned with the positions of the Sun at specific times of the year.
There are several ways to access the Inti Punku:
Following are some ways to get to Inti Punku, the famous Sun Gate:
- Directly from the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail, which right after 3 hiking days and 3 camping nights along the incredible path the Incas built, you will get to One of the New 7 Wonders of the World- Machu Picchu!
- Also directly from the Short 2-Day Inca Trail which usually includes the visit and sightings of the Sun Gate the day before the tour of the Machu Picchu citadel.
- Direct hikes to the Sun Gate, which are usually included -upon request- in the Machu Picchu regular tour. If you already are in Machu Picchu, the hike to the Sun Gate takes around 1 hour.
This wonderful construction is located at 8,923 feet (2,720 meters), which means it is lower than Cusco city -located at about 11,154 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level- as the Machu Picchu citadel is close to the border of the Peruvian western jungle, below the Andes mountain range.
The visit to the Inti Punku is surely one of the highlights of any tour to Machu Picchu; from there you will have the most amazing view of the citadel and of the whole large valley and below to the side, the beautiful Urubamba river. TOUR IN PERU offers daily tours to Machu Picchu and the Inca trail that include a visit to this wonderful historical and architectural place.
Contact our professional staff for your next vacation, in Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate, and other wonderful top locations!
