The Intipunku was the entrance and control gate of Machu Picchu in Inca times. The visit to this Inca building is done in two ways: through the Inca Trail or through the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’. The latter ticket allows the entrance of about four hundred visitors per day divided into four groups and admission schedules. Visiting hours to the ‘Gate of the Sun’ are strict and allow an adventure of approximately two hours. What are the visiting hours? Learn more about the schedules to this famous Inca construction!

• The Intipunku, the famous entrance gate and control of Machu Picchu
• Visiting times to the Sun Gate, the Intipunku
• Time of visit to Machu Picchu with the ticket to Intipunku
• Price of the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku
• What timetable to choose to visit the Intipunku in Machu Picchu?
• Intipunku schedules: differences and similarities
• Questions and answers about the Intipunku visit to Machu Picchu

View of the Intipunku buildings of Machu Picchu

How is the visit to Intipunku with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a trekking route considered one of the best trekking routes in the world. Either in its four or two day version; this tour includes the visit to the Intipunku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. This famous Inca building is visited on the fourth and last day of this trekking route. To do so, we leave from the Wiñayhuayna camp or from another camp farther away. In any case, we leave very early, approximately at 5:00 a.m., in order to arrive at Intipunku with the first rays of dawn. The visitor will appreciate there a first image of Machu Picchu that takes the breath away from many. The view is incredible, even many visitors cry with emotion. After visiting the Intipunku there is a descent of 2 kilometers until arriving at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. The Intipunku can be visited only with this trekking route or with the Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket.

The Intipunku, the famous entrance gate and control of Machu Picchu

The Intipunku (in Quechua ‘door of the sun’) was the control point and access to Machu Picchu during the Inca period. This important Inca building is located at the highest point of the citadel, whose access is through the qhapac ñan, the Inca roads.

The Intipunku is located at 2,745 meters above sea level, approximately 2 kilometers from Machu Picchu. From there you have a beautiful panoramic view of the archaeological complex and the surrounding mountains.

The Intipunku consists of stone walls, windows, niches and roads that served as a checkpoint for people entering and leaving Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail. From there, in addition, the rays of the sun (considered the most important Inca god) fall during the mornings.

Nowadays few people are lucky enough to visit Intipunku and appreciate the views of Machu Picchu from there. A few do it through the Inca Trail tour, either in the four-day or two-day version. The other way is by acquiring the ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ ticket, the only one that allows you to hike all the way up there.

The hike from Machu Picchu to Intipunku is almost 2 kilometers through original Inca trails. For the average person this takes 1 hour or a little more. The return trail is downhill so it takes longer. This short trekking route is suitable for visitors of all ages. However, it is open to tourists only during the high tourist season: from June 1st to October 15th.

The Intipunku is one of the new tourist attractions inside Machu Picchu. The visit offers adventure through a safe hike and beautiful landscapes. In addition, it allows to know an Inca building little explored by most visitors. The tourist visit is done through the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’.

On the way to Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate

Visiting times to the Sun Gate, the Intipunku

The ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ offers up to four visiting hours. All schedules allow the tour of Machu Picchu through circuit 1 (the so-called panoramic circuit) and then make the tour of the Intipunku. The visit is suitable for tourists of all ages, so it is recommended for the whole family.

Entrance times for the ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ ticket:

• 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).

Tourists at Intipunku (Sun Gate)

Time of visit to Machu Picchu with the ticket to Intipunku

The ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ ticket allows the following approximate visiting times:

• In Machu Picchu – The visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is done through circuit 1 or panoramic circuit. This circuit allows you to ascend to the area of the House of the Guardian (also called the House of the Watchman). There, the classic photo of Machu Picchu is taken, as well as the complete view of the archaeological site. This tour can be completed in 1 hour 30 minutes or less. The ticket allows a maximum time of 2 hours on average.
• Intipunku – The visit to Intipunku takes 1 hour uphill and 45 minutes downhill. The ticket allows up to 2 hours to do this tour. It is recommended to visit Machu Picchu first and then complete the hike to Intipunku.

Price of the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku

These are the prices of the ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ ticket:

What timetable to choose to visit the Intipunku in Machu Picchu?

• Why choose Group 1?

  The first schedule allows the entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am. This schedule is preferable for visitors who spend one night in the town of Aguas Calientes and want to visit from the early hours of the day. This way the tourist can enjoy more free time in Machu Picchu (circuit 1) and return the same day to the city of Cusco (on the train at 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm or 5 pm).

• Why choose Group 2?

  The second group allows entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am. This schedule is preferable for visitors who start their day in the town of Aguas Calientes -Machu Picchu village- but do not want to get up too early. The visit to Intipunku is at 10 or 11 a.m., when the sun can wear the visitor out. However, the chances of finding clear skies at Machu Picchu (at the Guardian’s House) and at Intipunku are greater.

• Why choose Group 3?

  The third group allows entrance to Machu Picchu from 10 am. This schedule is preferable for visitors who leave very early from the city of Cusco, with trains departing from Ollantaytambo at 5 am or 6 am. This schedule allows a quick visit to the sector of the House of the Guardian of Machu Picchu and then make the hike to Intipunku around noon, when the views are clearer, but with a more intense sun. The return to Cusco can be done the same day with the 4 pm, 5 pm or 6 pm trains.

• Why choose Group 4?

  The fourth group allows the entrance to Machu Picchu from 11 am. This schedule is preferable for visitors who also leave very early from the city of Cusco and seek to visit the Inca city for only 1 day, to return to Cusco that same day. In this case the return train can be for 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm or even later. This schedule allows you to enjoy the Intipunku under an intense sun.

Guide explaining to tourists at Intipunku

Intipunku schedules: differences and similarities

Questions and answers about the Intipunku visit to Machu Picchu

• 1) What is the Intipunku?

  The Intipunku (the Sun Gate) was the entrance control gate to Machu Picchu in Inca times.

• 2) How many schedules does the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku have?

  The ticket offers 4 entrance hours, from 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

• 3) How long does the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku take?

  The ticket offers approximately 45 minutes of delay.

• 4) How much time does the Intipunku ticket offer to visit Machu Picchu?

  The ticket offers the tour of Machu Picchu through circuit 1, which can be covered in 2 hours maximum.

• 5) How long does Intipunku offer a visit?

  Intipunku offers a short hike with a maximum visiting time of 2 hours.

• 6) What is the best schedule for the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku?

  All the schedules are excellent options. Group 1 and 2 are recommended for visitors who start their visit in Aguas Calientes. Group 3 and 4 are recommended for visitors who start their visit in Cusco.

• 7) How many days in advance should I buy the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku?

  This ticket must be purchased 1 or 2 months in advance. Therefore it is best to do it online.

• 8) Is the ticket to Intipunku for people of all ages?

  Yes, this ticket is for visitors of any age, including children and senior citizens.

• 9) Is the visit to Intipunku available all year round?

  No, the visit to Intipunku is only open to tourists from June 1st to October 15th.

• 10) How much does the ticket to Intipunku cost?

  The ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults. There are also discounts for children under 18 years old and visitors from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Bolivia.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Ramona C.

“Excellent experience“

“I had one of the best vacations in Cusco and Machu Picchu is a very special place, I would come back without hesitation. Greetings from New Jersey!“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, June 28, 2024