Inti Punku or Intipunku (
Quechua ''inti'' sun, ''punku'' door, "sun gate", Hispanicized spellings ''Intipunco, Intipuncu, Inti Puncu'') is an archaeological site in the
Cusco Region
Cusco, also spelled Cuzco (; qu, Qusqu suyu ), is a department and region in Peru and is the fourth largest department in the country, after Madre de Dios, Ucayali, and Loreto. It borders the departments of Ucayali on the north; Madre de D ...
of
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
that was once a fortress of the sacred city,
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain range.UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It is located in the Machupicchu District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, whic ...
. It is now also the name of the final section of the
Incan Trail between the Sun Gate complex and the city of
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain range.UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It is located in the Machupicchu District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, whic ...
. It was believed that the steps were a control gate for those who enter and exited the Sanctuary.
It is one of the most important archeological constructions around the Machu Picchu site. Inti Punku was once the main entrance to Machu Picchu, in particular it was the primary approach from the then capitol city of Cusco to the southeast. The gate likely would have been protected by Incan military. Inti Punku is dedicated to the cult of the Inti, the Sun god. Because of its location on a ridge southeast of Machu Picchu, the rising sun would pass through the Sun Gate each year on the summer solstice. It is located 2745 meters above the sea level. The altitude of the climb to Inti Punku from Machu Picchu is 290 metres. It is a wide archaeological site with windows and gates that are held up by terraces. This is the first place that tourists can see the whole sanctuary. Tourists are able to see the sun rise over the whole mountains by Machu Picchu.
Route description
The route covers a distance of approximately a mile, eventually rising above the ruins of Machu Picchu
The ruins themselves serve as a final stop for hikers completing an optional five-day hike from a point far back from
Aguas Calientes Agua Caliente, Aguas Calientes or Aguascalientes (Spanish for 'hot/warm water(s)' or 'hot spring(s)') may refer to:
Places Central America
* Agua Caliente, El Salvador
* San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Guatemala
Mexico
* Aguascalientes, a state in ...
, the city at the base of Machu Picchu. This hike has been recommended by many tour guides as giving a great view of the city of Machu Picchu.
In order to get to Inti Punku, the Inca Trail must be trekked, which takes about three to four hours round trip to complete. There are visible signs throughout the
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (also known as ''Camino Inca'' or ''Camino Inka'') is a hiking trail in Peru that terminates at Machu Picchu. It consists of three overlapping trails: ''Mollepata'', ''Classic'', and ''One Day''. ''Mollepata'' is ...
indicating directions of the Sun Gate. From the Sun Gate, the Machu Picchu Mountain,
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu, qu, Wayna Pikchu, is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu, the so-called lost city of the Incas. The ...
Mountain, Vilcabamba/
Urubamba River
The Urubamba River or Vilcamayo River (possibly from Quechua ''Willkamayu'', for "sacred river") is a river in Peru. Upstream it is called Vilcanota River (possibly from Aymara ''Willkanuta'', for "house of the sun"). Within the La Convención ...
, and Putukusi Mountain are all visible.
Although the trail to Inti Punku is open all year, there is more rainfall from November to April. Due to the region's unpredictable weather, tourists are advised to be prepared with rain gear and sun protection.
Gallery
File:Wayllabamba Puesto de Vigilancia sign.jpg, Sign at check-point near Willkaraqay showing the location of Inti Punku
File:Camino-inca-dia4-c03.jpg, First view of Machu Picchu before sunrise from Inti Punku
See also
*
Patallaqta
Patallacta (possibly from Quechua ''pata'' elevated place / above, at the top / edge, bank (of a river), shore, ''llaqta'' place (village, town, city, country, nation), "settlement on a platform" pronounced "pahta-yakta"), Llactapata or Q'ente ...
*
Phuyupatamaka
*
Runkuraqay
*
Warmiwañusqa
*
Willkaraqay
References
External links
{{Archaeological sites in Peru
Inca
Archaeological sites in Cusco Region
Archaeological sites in Peru
Tourist attractions in Cusco Region