Inti Punku — the Sun Gate — is the stone archway above Machu Picchu where the Inca Trail enters the citadel. The classic approach is from the trail at dawn on day four; the shorter approach is a 1.5-hour hike from inside the citadel itself. Peruways runs guided versions of both.
From the Guardian’s Hut up to Inti Punku the path gains about 290 m along original Inca stonework. The gate frames Machu Picchu from above and catches direct sunrise light on the June solstice, which is the alignment the structure was built around.
Peruways’ guides explain the ritual function — Inti Punku was a ceremonial threshold where arriving pilgrims from Cusco first saw the citadel below. On the solstice, the sun rises directly through the gate and lights the Sun Temple on the valley floor.
Book a Sun Gate walk with Peruways paired with your Machu Picchu entrance. We arrange early-entry tickets so you’re on the trail before the main waves arrive.
