Sun Gate or Bust!

 Woke the next morning to leave at 8am for the hike to Sun Gate, a much more strenuous hike.  Wasn’t sure if I was gonna go when I went to bed the night before… sore knees and bruised tendon… but, next morning, was rearing to go.

So many more people going to the city area of the temple… glad we went yesterday when there were much fewer people!  Fortunately, not as many wanted to go to Sun Gate.  Sun Gate (Inti Punku) once was the main entrance to Machu Picchu.  The hike follows an original Inca Trail that steadily climbs through Machu Picchu’s agricultural terraces, south of the city itself.

Our whole group went, but ¾’s of the way up, three of us decided we had done our best and needed to go back.  The climb up is harder, but the one down is at times harder! 

Jerry and the rest of the gang proceeded up and got a pic of Jerry there.  Bill, one of our cohorts on this journey, when he saw me back at the sanctuary, he said I made the right decision.  Well, duh, I knew that!!! But very glad to have it confirmed.

Check out was 11, so we had to hustle to get out on time.  Then, down the switchback hill to the train station… a 90 minutes ride.  Then off the train and back on a little van for the two hour ride to Cusco.  We were beat and not much conversation on the way home.

Got to our hotel… an old monastery and it’s very unique and beautiful!  They have done a great job refurbishing it.  

Train Entertainment