Machu Picchu offers new adventure alternatives such as the short Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun
• The trek to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu
• Visit to the Inti Punku: circuit, prices, schedules
• Visit to the Inca Bridge: circuit, prices, timetables
• Differences and similarities between Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge
• Questions and answers about the visit to Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu

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 Inti Punku, 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 Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge can be visited through two different tickets: a) the Machu Picchu ticket with Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku. 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 hiking routes in Machu Picchu can be done with different entrance tickets, such as: a) the ticket Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A), b) the ticket Machu Picchu with Inti Punku (Route 1C), c) the ticket Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge (Route 1D), d) the ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A), e) the ticket Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) and f) the Machu Picchu ticket with Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D).

Some trails, such as the one leading to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, are open every day of the year. However, the other hiking trails to Huayna Picchu, the Temple of the Moon, the Inca Bridge, and Inti Punku are only available during peak tourist season, from June 19 to November 2.

Additionally, hiking trails to Huayna Picchu, the Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu, and the Temple of the Moon are only available to visitors over 12 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 Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge are complemented by the visit to Machupicchu through circuit 1.

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

The hike to Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun

The hike to Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku you have beautiful panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

The Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku hike is open to visitors of all ages, as its trails are very safe. However, the tour is only open from June 19th to November 2nd, a time when the number of visitors to Machu Picchu peaks.

The Machu Picchu with Inti Punku (Route 1C) 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.

Inti Punku 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 hike to the Inca Bridge is open to visitors ages 12 and older. While the trails are safe, there are some daunting sections due to their proximity to precipices. Tourist visits to this Inca structure are only available from June 19th to November 2nd, a time when the number of visitors to Machu Picchu peaks.

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 Inti Punku: circuit, prices, schedules

The Machu Picchu ticket with Inti Punku 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. Visiting Inti Punku is open to visitors of all ages, making it suitable for the whole family. The route is open to the public from June 19th to November 2nd. It is recommended to purchase this ticket online one or two months in advance. It is also possible to purchase it in person in Cusco, although there is a risk of availability.

The Machu Picchu ticket with Inti Punku 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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).

These are the prices to Inti Punku:

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. Visitors over 12 years of age are only allowed to visit the Inca Bridge. The route is open to the public from June 19 to November 2. Crossing the bridge is not permitted; visitors can only observe it from a viewpoint. It is recommended to purchase this ticket online one or two months in advance. It is also possible to purchase it in person in Cusco, although there is a risk of 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). Finally, it offers discounts for visitors under 18 years of age. Minors must always enter when accompanied by an adult.

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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).
• 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 19 to November 2).

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

Differences and similarities between Inti Punku and the Inca Bridge

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

• 1) How much does it cost to visit the Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku?

  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 Inti Punku tour available all year round?

  No, this trekking route is only available during the high tourist season: from June 19th to November 2nd.

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

  No, this hiking route is only available during the high tourist season: from June 19th to November 2nd.

• 7) Is access to Inti Punku for all ages?

  Yes, Inti Punku 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 12 years of age.

• 9) Which is better the Inti Punku or the Inca Bridge?

  The Inti Punku 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 Inti Punku 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

Inti Punku

By: Pedro V.

“A dream come true“

“It was four days of Inca Trail and reaching Inti Punku 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, May 27, 2025