Sun Gate — Attraction in Machu Picchu

A trip to the Sun Gate is worth the hike. Even if you just climbed the never-ending staircase up to Machu Picchu, find the reserves to do this extra trip. It only takes about 40 minutes to get there, and most of the hike is a gradual incline with a few stairs (this is Machu Picchu after all...). Parts of the trail are shaded and good spots to take a break if needed. Bring water if it's a hot day though, you will be in the sun for most of the hike on a nice day. The views are fantastic, especially if you didn't pay to do the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climbs. There isn't much vertical exposure on this trail, and the path is wide, so it is suitable for people who don't like hights (if you can handle the rest of Machu Picchu you can handle the Sun Gate). Overall a...

The Sun Gate, or Intipunku, is an ancient Inca site located near Machu Picchu in Peru. This stunning structure serves as the main entrance to the sacred city and holds significant historical and cultural importance. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,720 meters, Intipunku offers breathtaking views of the Machu Picchu citadel and the surrounding mountains. It is believed that the Sun Gate was used for ceremonies and to mark the first rays of the sun during the summer solstice. Visitors can reach Intipunku via the Inca Trail, where they are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the ruins. The site is not only a prime historical landmark but also a popular destination for trekkers seeking to connect with the ancient Inca...

This is the entrance to the Machu Picchu archeological site if you do the Inca Trail. After hiking for a few days, you'll finally see the stone walls that conform the Sun Gate as the higher part of the Machu Picchu site. You be able to rest a bit, take some photos of the site and the Waynapicchu mountain, that will look overwhelming if you included it as part of your activities that day. From there, if you got a clear day, the photos of the entire site are awesome, altought not as awesome as from the top of the Waynapicchu peak in my opinion. Then you'll descend more stone stairs to arrive to the upper part of the site, but you won't be able to start exploring it as you have to go down all the way to check in through...