Machu Picchu hike to Gate of the Sun

Machu Picchu Evening Inca Trail Hike to Gate of the Sun

We began the hike to the Gate of the Sun in late afternoon, stopping often to marvel at the stupendous views as the sun set gradually over Machu Picchu and Putucuci mountain-almost a religious experience. We also viewed the steep13 switchbacked bus road from Aguas Caliente to Machu Picchu, the surrounding mountains including Huayna Picchu and Putucuci and the Rio Urubamba snaking around the base of Machu snf Huayna Picchu and its neighboring mountains.

The trail was paved with stones–a bit hard on the joint and feet. At times, a little acrophobia hit us as we gingerly stepped around corners or went up stairs with a lot of “exposure”, a mountaineering term meaning it will scare the hell out of you!The altitude gain was 1000 feet.

The Gate of the Sun was mostly a beautiful Inca trapezoidal arch sans capstone.It lacked the close-fitting stones characterizing sacred places. The views from the Gate are the first of Machu Picchu that Inca Trail rekkers see, and they are marvelous. The Inca trail on the other side of the saddle quickly is swallowed up in chapparal.

After sunset, we began the descent. Our guide, Reuben tarried, saying he would catch us. We were surprised to see him smoking and teased him.

At the bottom of the trail the exit gate was locked. A light push opened it and we went to the hotel, cleaned up and had another great dinner.