Inti Punku, the old Inca Sun Gate, towers above the charming village of Ollantaytambo in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The beautiful hike past the old Inca Stone Quarries, sacred ruins and flowery fields will lead you to the Sun Gate. The hike is 9 km one way with an ascent of 1.100. The sacred site has mighty snow capped mountains looming in the distance. Apu Veronica, the tallest visible mountain, makes a beautiful backrop.
Start your hike in the village of Ollantaytambo, easily accessible by "colectivo" (Peruvian taxi vans) from Cusco or Pisac. The hike starts fairly easy and navigation should be no problem. We picked flowers (panti, a kind of regional flower) and brought them to Inti Punku. On the way back we were greeted by hummingbirds (q'ente in Quechua).
