Machu Picchu offers new adventure alternatives such as the short Intipunku and the Inca Bridge trekking routes. Both are little-known Inca buildings but were of vital importance during the Inca period. Both served as checkpoints for entering or leaving the citadel. Both places can be reached by hiking through beautiful Andean landscapes. The entrance tickets to both sites also include visiting Machupicchu through Circuit 1, the panoramic circuit. Learn more!

• The new adventure options at Machu Picchu
• The hike to Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun
• The trek to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu
• Visit to the Intipunku: circuit, prices, schedules
• Visit to the Inca Bridge: circuit, prices, timetables
• Differences and similarities between Intipunku and the Inca Bridge
• Questions and answers about the visit to Intipunku and the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu

This is what the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu looks like

The network of Inca roads, the historical qhapac ñan
The qhapac ñan were the historic Inca roads built by the emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century to better organize the nascent empire of Tahuantinsuyo (empire of the four kingdoms). The qhapac ñan covered more than 30,000 kilometers through the Andes Mountains, the coast and part of the tropical jungle of South America. They reached extensive regions of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Argentina. Part of these roads connected Cusco with Machu Picchu. Access to the Inca citadel was through the Intipunku, the Sun Gate, the entry and exit control point. Another control point was the Inca Bridge, located at the eastern end. These roads connected the Inca city with other regions of the Amazon rainforest such as Choquequirao or Vilcabamba. Today, both Intipunku and the Inca Bridge can be visited through two different tickets: a) the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku and b) the Machu Picchu ticket with Inca Bridge.

The new adventure options at Machu Picchu

In Machu Picchu there are new adventure options that did not exist before. These are the hikes to the Temple of the Moon and Intipunku. With these two routes, there are six short hikes in total inside the Inca enclosure. The other four are: the hike to Huayna Picchu, the hike to Huchuy Picchu, the hike to Machu Picchu mountain and the hike to the Inca Bridge.

All the trekking routes in Machu Picchu can be done with different entrance tickets, such as: a) the Machu Picchu ticket with Huayna Picchu, b) the Machu Picchu ticket with Mountain, c) the Machu Picchu ticket with Huchuy Picchu, d) the Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon, e) the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku and f) the Machu Picchu ticket with Inca Bridge.

Some routes such as the one leading to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain are open every day of the year. However, the other trekking routes to Huchuy Picchu, Temple of the Moon, Inca Bridge and Intipunku are only available during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15.

In addition, hiking trails to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, the Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu and the Temple of the Moon are only available to visitors over 18 years of age.

All treks include a visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through one of the three available circuits. The routes to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu and the Temple of the Moon are complemented by the visit to Machupicchu through circuit 3. Meanwhile, the routes to Machu Picchu Mountain, the Intipunku and the Inca Bridge are complemented by the visit to Machupicchu through circuit 1.

On the way to Machu Picchu’s Intipunku (Sun Gate)

The hike to Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun

The hike to Intipunku is a novel option in Machu Picchu. For many years the only way to visit it was through the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which crosses the historic qhapac ñan until reaching the Inca city through the Sun Gate. Later, it was possible to visit freely with the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, although this option was later closed.

In 2024 the Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket was created, which allows you to hike 2 kilometers uphill from the Inca city to the ‘Puerta del Sol’. This route is also through the qhapac ñan and surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. The route is on stone paths built by the Incas. From the top of Intipunku you have beautiful panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

The Intipunku is an Inca building made of stones and formed by doors, walls (control post) and niches for sun worship. The first rays of sunlight reach there with a complete view of the archaeological site and the surrounding mountains.

The hike to Intipunku is available for visitors of all ages because its paths are very safe. However, the tourist visit is only available from June 1 to October 15, a time when the number of visitors to Machu Picchu increases.

The Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket allows you to hike to this Inca building. This ticket also allows you to complement the experience with a visit to the archaeological site through circuit 1, the panoramic circuit.

Intipunku route from Machu Picchu

The trek to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu

The hike to the Inca Bridge is an adventurous option easy to walk on the visit to Machu Picchu. The visit to this Inca construction was always included in the entrance ticket. However, in recent years, due to the large number of visitors, a single ticket was created that allows you to visit it.

The entrance point to the Inca Bridge is located inside Machu Picchu, just a few steps from the area of the Guardian’s House. There, the visitor must register his entrance (as well as the exit) to, then, make the walk of almost 1 kilometer by flat roads but close to frightening cliffs. Tourists can reach the Inca Bridge in only 30 minutes or even less.

The Inca Bridge is made with a solid base of stones and a large wooden trunk. These bridges were characteristic of Inca times. They could be easily removed in case of invasions. In Machu Picchu it communicated the Inca citadel with the eastern kingdoms, through important citadels such as Choquequirao and Vilcabamba.

The Inca Bridge hike is available for visitors over 18 years of age. Although its paths are safe, there are some scary stretches due to its proximity to cliffs. The tourist visit to this Inca building is only available from June 1 to October 15, a time when the number of visitors to Machu Picchu increases.

The Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket allows you to hike to this Inca construction. This ticket also allows you to complement the experience with a visit to the archaeological site through circuit 1, also known as the panoramic circuit.

Machu Picchu Inca Bridge Route

Visit to the Intipunku: circuit, prices, schedules

The Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku allows you to do the trekking route to the Sun Gate. It also allows you to visit Machu Picchu through circuit 1. This circuit includes a visit to the Guardian’s House, the best viewpoint of the archaeological site. From there you can see the main Inca constructions in the distance, such as: the Intihuatana, the Main Temple, the top of Huayna Picchu and more. The visit to the Intipunku is allowed to visitors of any age so it is suitable for the whole family. The route is open to the public from June 1 to October 15. It is recommended to purchase this ticket online two or three months in advance. It is also possible to make the purchase in person in Cusco, although there is a risk of not finding availability.

The Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku offers promotional rates for citizens of the Andean Community of Nations: Peruvians, Colombians, Bolivians or Ecuadorians. It also offers discounts for undergraduate university students (under 25 years old). Finally, it offers discounts to visitors under 18 years of age. Minors must always be accompanied by a person of legal age.

These are the admission schedules:

• Group 1: entrance to Machu Picchu from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 2: entrance to Machu Picchu from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 3: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 4: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (route available for all ages but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).

These are the prices to Intipunku:

Visit to the Inca Bridge: circuit, prices, timetables

The Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket allows you to make the trekking route to this little-explored Inca construction in its eastern limits. It also allows you to visit Machu Picchu through Circuit 1. This circuit includes a visit to the Guardian’s House, the best viewpoint of the archaeological site and the best point to get the classic photo. From there you can see the main Inca constructions in the distance, such as: the Intihuatana, the Main Temple, the top of Huayna Picchu, the Huchuy Picchu and more. The visit to the Inca Bridge is allowed only to visitors over 18 years old. The route is open to the public from June 1 to October 15. It is not allowed to cross the bridge, only to observe it from a viewpoint. Purchasing this ticket online two or three months in advance is recommended. It is also possible to make the purchase in person in Cusco, although there is a risk of not finding availability.

The Machu Picchu ticket with Inca Bridge offers promotional rates for citizens of the Andean Community of Nations: Peruvians, Colombians, Bolivians or Ecuadorians. It also offers discounts for university students (under 25 years of age). Visitors under 18 years of age are not allowed to enter, so it does not offer such discounts.

These are the admission schedules:

• Group 1: entrance to Machu Picchu from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (route available for people over 18 years old but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 2: entrance to Machu Picchu from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (route available for people over 18 years old but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 3: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (route available for people over 18 years old but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).
• Group 4: Entrance to Machu Picchu from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (route available for people over 18 years old but only in high season, from June 1 to October 15).

These are the prices to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu:

Differences and similarities between Intipunku and the Inca Bridge

Questions and answers about the visit to Intipunku and the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu

• 1) How much does it cost to visit the Intipunku of Machu Picchu?

  This ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults. It also offers discounts for children under 18, university students and citizens of Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador.

• 2) How much does it cost to visit the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu?

  This ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults. It also offers discounts for university students and citizens of Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador.

• 3) How long does it take to visit Intipunku?

  This trekking route is 4 kilometers round trip. It takes an average visitor 2 hours or a little more.

• 4) How long does it take to visit the Inca Bridge?

  This hiking trail is less than 2 kilometers round trip. It takes an average visitor 1 hour or a little less.

• 5) Is the Intipunku tour available all year round?

  No, this trekking route is only available during the high tourist season: from June 1 to October 15.

• 6) Is the Inca Bridge tour available all year round?

  No, this hiking route is only available during the high tourist season: from June 1 to October 15.

• 7) Is access to Intipunku for all ages?

  Yes, Intipunku allows access to visitors of all ages.

• 8) Is access to the Inca Bridge for all ages?

  No, the Inca Bridge allows access only to visitors over 18 years of age.

• 9) Which is better the Intipunku or the Inca Bridge?

  The Intipunku is a more adventurous route with better views so it is considered one of the best in Machu Picchu.

• 10) What is the circuit included in the tickets to Intipunku and Inca Bridge?

  Both tickets include circuit 1 of Machu Picchu. This circuit includes the visit to the Guardian’s House.

Advice from people who have been there

Intipunku

By: Pedro V.

“A dream come true“

“It was four days of Inca Trail and reaching Intipunku is a very special experience, with beautiful scenery. We are going to come back for another year to do more treks and visit places we did not know in Machu Picchu. It is worth it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 17, 2024