Inti Punku, the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, is the original gateway into the Incan city.
If you are doing the Inca Trail hike, you will get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu when entering the site via Inti Punku.
However, even if you are not doing the Inca Trail, you can hike up to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.
In this guide, we are going to share with you everything about Inti Punku – how to access it, which circuit ticket to buy, best time to visit, how long does it take for hiking to the Sun Gate and how to prepare for it.
🌟 IMPORTANT: Remember to bring your passport (original, not copy) for any transaction related to Machu Picchu – buying the entrance tickets, buying the Machu Picchu bus tickets, boarding the bus and visiting the Machu Picchu site.
➡️ Read our Machu Picchu visit guide for everything you need to know about visiting this Wonder of the World.
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Visiting Inti Punku Machu Picchu – Quick Resources
✨ What: Machu Picchu Sun Gate, the original entrance to the Inca city.
🪧 Altitude: 2720 meters (8923 feet)
🥾 How to access Inti Punku: Either of the two ways:
| If doing the Inca trail hike | On the last day, enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku and get the first glimpse of the site. |
| If NOT doing the Inca trail hike | Hike from the Guard House to Inti Punku. Machu Picchu Circuit 1/ Route 1C ticket needed. |
⛰️ Read about the different ways to get to Machu Picchu
🗓️ Tickets for Inti Punku circuit/route is available only in high season.
☀️ Do not forget sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and hat or cap.
Visiting Inti Punku: Plan Your Visit
Here are 10 things to know for planning your hike to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, Inti Punku.
Significance of the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu
Inti Punku, the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, held immense cultural significance for the Incas.
It served as the main entrance to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for people arriving by the Inca Trail route.
But it wasn’t merely an entrance gate.
Inti Punku is another demonstration of the fine engineering skills and astronomic knowledge of the Incas. They built the Sun gate with precise astronomical alignments to frame the first rays of the sun at certain times of the year, especially during solstices.
The position of Inti Punku also offers a remarkable panoramic views of the ancient city of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.
How to Access Inti Punku?
Accessing Inti Punku is relatively straightforward. You just need to buy the right Machu Picchu ticket (more on that later).
From the main Machu Picchu complex, you need to embark on a short trek, ascending gradually along a well-marked path, comprising mostly of stone steps.
The trail starts near the Guard House and winds its way through lush vegetation and scenic vistas. Look for the signage at the beginning.
Unless you are doing the Inca Trail hike, you do not need any special permit to hike to Inti Punku. It lies within the general circuits network of the Machu Picchu site.
➡️ Read our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu.
Inti Punku Hike Difficulty Level
For visitors in a good physical condition, Inti Punku hike is a fairly easy trek.
The midday heat and the altitude can make it a bit tiring though, particularly during the ascent. The return hike, however, all downhill, seems like a breeze.
So, remember to take your time, not just to preserve your energy but also to savor the incredible views along the way.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit Ticket to Buy?
To protect this historic site and manage its tourist influx, Peru government implemented new circuits and ticketing system for visiting Machu Picchu.
According to this new ticketing system, to visit Inti Punku Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, you will need to buy tickets for Circuito 1 – Panorámico, Ruta 1-C: Ruta Portada Intipunku.
This Circuit 1 – Route 1C allows you to enjoy panoramic views of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains, as well as hike to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, Inti Punku.
Reserve your Machu Picchu tickets online here. For high season, plan and book well in advance as tickets tend to sell out fast.
Note that, this Circuit 1 – Route 1C is open only in high season.
➡️ For Machu Picchu circuits options and tickets buying process, read our Machu Picchu visit guide.
Cost for Visiting Sun Gate at Machu Picchu
There is no additional cost for visiting Inti Punku Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. You just need to buy your Machu Picchu tickets and remember to select the correct circuit, which is Circuit 1 – Route 1C.
The prices are higher for Machu Picchu Tickets that include certain hikes like climbing Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain, or visiting the Great Cavern sector. However, that is not the case for hiking to Sun Gate at Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu tickets with access to Inti Punku cost the same as tickets to other regular sectors. For foreigners, those prices are:
- 152 soles (~54 USD) for adults (18 years and above)
- 70 soles (~19 USD) for children (3-17 years)
- 77 soles (~21 USD) for students (any age)
- Free for children below 3 years
🌟 IMPORTANT: If you avail the student discount while purchasing your Machu Picchu ticket, you have to bring your student identity card – original, not copy. Else, entry may be denied.
➡️ Read our Machu Picchu visit guide for ticket prices of all circuits and routes.
Visit Timings for Inti Punku
For most circuits and routes of Machu Picchu, the entry times start as early as 6:00 am and the last entry slot is at 3:00 pm. However, it is different for Inti Punku.
If you plan to hike to Inti Punku, you need to choose from these four available entry time slots for your Machu Picchu visit: 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am.
For our Circuit 1 visit, we chose the 8:00 am entry and it worked out fine for us.
➡️ To know more about Machu Picchu entry time slots, read our Machu Picchu visit guide.
Best Time to Visit Inti Punku
🌄 If arriving at the end of the Inca Trail hike, you are likely to enter the Inti Punku Sun Gate to see Machu Picchu for the first time at sunrise.
🕰️ If hiking to the Sun Gate as part of regular Machu Picchu visit, start your Inti Punku hike after you are done exploring the main areas/ circuits/ routes/ hikes that you had intended to do at Machu Picchu.
How Long is the Hike to Sun Gate of Machu Picchu
The hike to Inti Punku typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour for the ascent, depending on your pace and fitness level. The descent is quicker.
Inti Punku Machu Picchu is about 4 km (2.5 miles) out and back trail from the main Machu Picchu complex.
Once you reach the Sun Gate, you will want to spend some time soaking in the surroundings. The views are awe-inspiring and the history is fascinating.
So, you should plan for a total of about 2.5 hours round trip for your hike to Inti Punku Sun Gate at Machu Picchu.
What to Pack/Bring for Visiting Inti Punku
The list of things you need to bring for hiking to Inti Punku will essentially be the same as what you bring for visiting Machu Picchu.
🥾 Put on comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes for the trek
😎 Use hat or cap and sunglasses to protect from the sun
🎒 Carry a lightweight water-resistant daypack of dimensions NOT exceeding 40 X 35 X 20 cm (that is, 16 X 14 X 8 inches), and include the following items:
- Plenty of water to stay hydrated. Consider putting a leak-proof hydration bladder in your hiking backpack.
- Dry non-perishable snacks or energy bars to keep your energy levels up
- Sunscreen to prevent sunburn
- Rain poncho for unexpected showers
- Photography gear to capture the stunning views
- Portable charger to ensure your devices remain powered
Be prepared for your visit and check Machu Picchu’s comprehensive list of prohibited items and forbidden behavior for entering the site.
🏞️ The list will be much more elaborate than this for multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu. For ideas, check what to pack for 5-day Salkantay Trek.
Is the Hike to Sun Gate Machu Pichhu Worth it?
In 2018, after climbing the Huayna Picchu mountain, we said, you get the best views of Machu Picchu from the summit of Huayna Picchu.
Now, in 2024, after hiking to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, we think there is a strong contender of competition. Inti Punku, and the way to it, offer some of the best views of Machu Picchu.
In both scenarios, the views are different from what you see in the classic photos of Machu Picchu, and that is what makes these perspectives even more interesting.
However, at Inti Punku, you do not just get a vantage point and the sweeping panoramic views from there. Because of the significance of the Machu Picchu Sun Gate in the Incan history, visiting Inti Punku is like standing at a historic threshold. So yes, hiking to Sun Gate Machu Picchu is totally worth it.
Our Experience of Hiking to Inti Punku
The Start
We enjoyed the panoramic views of Machu Picchu, waited for the morning weather to change from light clouds to bright sun, listened to the explanations by our Machu Picchu guide, walked up to and back from the Puente Inka (Inca Bridge), and then commenced our leisurely hike to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu.
So, it was past 11:00 in the morning when we started the hike to Inti Punku.
This timing worked well for us, because we had already explored what we had to that day in the main areas of Machu Picchu, and were in no rush to return from our Inti Punku hike by a stipulated time.
The Views
As we proceeded closer to the Sun Gate, expansive views started to reveal, with the Inca citadel in the distance and the mountains surrounding it, creating spectacular landscapes.
From along the way as well as after arriving at Inti Punku, we could appreciate the sheer scale of how hidden the site of Machu Picchu is in the context of the overall topography. No wonder, the Spanish never found it!
At Inti Punku
When we arrived at Inti Punku around noon, there were only a handful of people there, including a group of friends.
We checked out every detail about the place with curious observations – where does the Inca Trail end, what is the first view of Machu Picchu like from behind the Sun Gate, how are the walls structured, and how are the stones laid.
From the viewpoint at Inti Punku, we could even see the winding bus route that snakes up the mountain, on the way from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the Machu Picchu site.
We felt thrilled to be there at Inti Punku!
We told each other that we had made a good choice selecting Circuit 1/ Route 1C for our second visit to Machu Picchu. On our previous visit, we had already explored the key places of Circuit 2 and Circuit 3, including the Huayna Picchu hike.
So, this time, it was nice to get a new and unique perspective of Machu Picchu.
Soon after, most of the people started for their return hike. So, for a bit, we had the entire place to ourselves.
We hung out at Inti Punku for a while. It was an incredible feeling, being able to soak in the silence of the atmosphere, pierced only by the sounds of the wind, the rustlings of leaves, and the whispers of history.
This is THE SUN GATE where the Incas first used to arrive at when accessing their breathtaking secluded city of Machu Picchu. Goosebumps!
The Return Hike
The return hike from Inti Punku to the Machu Picchu main complex felt even more relaxed. Also, we encountered fewer people on the way back compared to when we were ascending.
Along the way, we did stop at couple of places that had caught our attention while going to Inti Punku, like the giant rock.
At the end of the Inti Puntu hike, we took one last glimpse of the Machu Picchu citadel and concluded our second visit to this Wonder of the World, our hearts full with contentment and stomachs yearning for a hearty lunch.
Plan Your Machu Picchu Trip
- 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Trek Packing List
- Salkantay Trek: Review of Machu Pichhu Reservations
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