Overview
Inti Punku or the Sun Gate located in the heart of the famous Sacred Valley, towers above the Colonial town of Ollantaytambo, this challenging hike is scenic from the begining to the end and passes by beautiful viewpoints to the Sacred Valley and Urubamba mountain range including the tallest snow caped mountain of Veronica, ancient Inca Stone Quarries, old Inca trail and a few sacred ruins. The ultimate reward is Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, built amazingly on top of the Mountains. Be in awe of this buzzing sacred site with mighty snow capped mountains looming in the distance. Mount Veronica or Waqaywillka meaning in the language of the Incas THE SACRED TEARS, the tallest visible mountain in the Urubamba mountain range, makes a truly epic backdrop at almost 19,300 feet.
This hike is a full day trip starting in the Ollantaytambo town and Peru by Locals organizes this hike as guide supported trip and all inclusive.
HIGH LIGHTS
- Enjoy the spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and Urubamba mountain range
- Learn the Inca History while exploring the Inca sites
- Experience the Sacred Inca place of Sun gate
- Hike with one of our top guides
Details
- Type of transport: Van transport and hike
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours up the Sun gate and 2 down back to trailhead
- Type of tour: Hiking, scenic, cultural
- Distance covered: 16 km /9.9 miles
Our guides: PERU BY LOCALS was a dream that came true on 2015 for Jose Condor who guided treks TO Machu Picchu from 2004 until today and have been to Machu Picchu for over 1000 times, now Peru by Locals has a groups of top guides around among men and women that had a professional degree and get refresh training with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Peru by Locals is not only a travel company but a group of great leaders that love sharing our culture with you and love being with travelers.
Location: This trip starts in Cusco city or Sacred Valley at your request, you will need to fly to Lima which is the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete of Cusco airport which is a small domestic airport.
Departures: This hike is operated by PERU BY LOCALS 100%, when you book your hike or take any tour package. You go with us, we don’t rearrange tours, and we depart every day and year-round; the size of the groups is from 2 to 5 people on average, which allows us to give you personalized service.
We take bookings year round and this hike does not need to book with a long time in advance so, anytime you are ready join us and reach us for any questions you have to our 14/7 number +51 989585967 or email us to info@perubylocals.com
Itinerary
DAY 1.- CUSCO – Ollantaytambo
Your designated guide will meet you at your hotel in Cusco by 6 am for 1.5 hours’ drive to Ollantaytambo through scenic trip by farm lands and the Sacred Valley. If you are staying in the Sacred valley, such as Urubamba, Yanahuara, Yucay, Ollantaytambo or any other location that is any issue for us, because we can coordinate so, you can be picked up from where ever you spend the night prior your hike. Your hike begins along the Urubamba river and starts with a gradual uphill hike for about 3 hours all the way to Sun gate, along the way you will have great views to snow capped mountains and have great spots for pictures as well as you will encounter some Inca ancient historical remaining such Inca trail, some big rocks that were in process of being transported to be part on Incan temples in Ollantaytambo but they never ended up on their destination. After arriving to Sun gate we will have a good time to rest enjoying the spectacular views and have history lessons, then we will start descending back to the Village of Cachijata where your driver waits for us in order to drive us back to Sacred Valley hotel or Cusco hotel.
Services
INCLUDED IN THE SUN GATE HIKE
- Transport to and from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
- Trekking guide, knowledgeable in history, tradition, fauna and flora (WFRs trained)
- Entrance tickets to the área
- Box lunch carried by your guide
- Hiking snacks
SERVICES NO INCLUDED IN THE SUN GATE HIKE
- Tips for guide and driver (recommended 15% of the total cost)
Additional Options
- Personal horse: You can have a horse to ride all the way from the beginning to the end of the rainbow mountain trek. The cost is USD 30 per person, this price also includes a horseman.
Packing list
- Day bag for carrying your belongings
- Phone or camera for pictures
- Clothes (hiking shoose, warm fleece jacket, rain jacket)
- Snacks, is always good to bring your favorite snacks so you can enjoy while hiking
- Water (2 litter person recomended), we really recomend you to bring a wáter bottle or camel bag, so that help us to protect our home
- Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
- Sunglasses
- Repelent
- If you have any medications you use, please don’t forget to bring them with you
Important information
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the terrain like? How challenging is it?
The hike is rated as moderate to Challenging since is all uphill but very reguarding.
How long before should I book this journey hike?
This hike does not require permit but Peru by Locals still needs at least a week to put everything together.
What is the weather like during the year?
The Cusco area has only 2 well-defined seasons: the wet season and dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but also there are several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically at noon the temperatures can reach 23 °C (77°F), the annual highest temperature.
Should I tip to the guide and driver? If I do, how much I should I tip?
Our guides are paid fairly according to Peruvian labor laws – that is why, we don’t force our clients to tip the crew. However, most of our clients want to give them an appreciation for the work they do and the service they receive so, if you feel like giving them an appreciation or tip them, feel free to do it at the end of their work. If that’s the case we recommend to tip with 15% of the total cost.
Is there any age limit?
In this hike there is not a minimum age or limit ,- any person who is prepared for hiking can do it., This day hike is short but it can be challenging for someone that never hiked.
PERUVIAN CURRENCY
The Peruvian sole is the currency of Peru, and usually fluctuates in the 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo sol to 1 US Dollar
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the national language of Peru, also a 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (Inca language) Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours and we cater to your interests when we plan your tour
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members which have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protect our environment.
- We are committed to creating Jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to education of needed once.
- Our trips are designed carefully to your needs and we create diverse unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length, a we offer a wide range of tours and treks and all the tours. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes free worry trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru small group specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, like history or photography for all ages whether you are traveling alone, with friends, in couples, family. At Peru by Locals, we dont tolerate racism, religións, sex, etc
Small groups are the best and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Price
Best Seller
Sun Gate Hike in Ollantaytambo 1 Day | Peru by Locals

Inti Punku or the Sun Gate located in the heart of the famous Sacred Valley, towers above the Colonial town of Ollantaytambo, this challenging hike is scenic from the begining to the end and passes by beautiful viewpoints to the Sacred Valley and Urubamba mountain range including the tallest snow caped mountain of Veronica, ancient Inca Stone Quarries, old Inca trail and a few sacred ruins. The ultimate reward is Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, built amazingly on top of the Mountains. Be in awe of this buzzing sacred site with mighty snow capped mountains looming in the distance. Mount Veronica or Waqaywillka meaning in the language of the Incas THE SACRED TEARS, the tallest visible mountain in the Urubamba mountain range, makes a truly epic backdrop at almost 19,300 feet.
Product Brand: Peru by Locals
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 80
Product In Stock: InStock
5
GROUP SERVICE
Our tour groups are very important, we run tours from 2 to 8 people usually per group and we open any tour dates with 2 guests, this service is considered semi-private for personalized experiences so, you can take advantage of your valid time.
Accommodations
Costs are based in doublé bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy contact us to info@perubylocals.com or to our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To asure your booking with us we will require 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost and the outstanding remaining will be paid 30 days prior your trip.
Choosing this option
- Once a date tour is opened with 2 guests, the travel date won’t be probably changed later.
- This a great option to meet other travelers and hang out during the trip.
- The quality of service is the same as the private.
- If for any reason one of yo, the plans will or others can’t continue the tour for any reason the tours will go as planned from the beginning to the end.
PRIVATE SERVICE
Our private service is can be start from 1 person to any number you desire and you can choose your travel date.
Accommodations
We run all our tours with 3 start hotels but we can costumize with 5 star hotels.
Costs are based in doublé bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy contact us to info@perubylocals.com or to our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To asure your booking with us we will require 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost and the outstanding remaining will be paid 30 days prior your trip.
Choosing this option
- We cater this tour to you need with flexibility.
- Once a date tour is opened it can be still changed if the time allows it at your requested time.
- This a great option to spend time with your parent, family, and friends or travel for especial occasions as honeymoon.
- The quality of service is the same as other tours.