 final push upwards towards Intipunku, where we would either be met with breathtaking views over Machu Picchu, or, being more realistic considering the current weather conditions, views over a valley filled with dense cloud.

Alas, although the rain had stopped by the time we reached the Sun Gate, the ruins that we so desperately wanted to lay our eyes upon, were blanketed in swirling cloud.

Intipunku (the Sun Gate)

"So what's this Sun Gate thing all about", I hear you ask? Well, for those of us who had taken up a resting spot near our guide, Nancy, we received a quick rundown on the significance of the ruin. Consisting of two discernable stones flanking a narrow passageway leading through a crevice in the mountain, the gate is consistently struck by the first rays of sunlight each morning. Hence, the name "Sun Gate".





Given the vast focus Inca religion placed on the worship of the sun and the essential role it played in all aspects of life, providing light, warmth and fuel to their crops, it's safe to assume that this place of worship would have played host to many ceremonies in ancient times.

Right now, however, we were just hoping that the sun was going to answer our collective prayers and burn off the cloud which, thankfully, looked to already be dispersing as we made the decision to start the descent along the trail that led directly into Machu Picchu.

About 300 metres down the gentle sloping trail, from the back of our group I began to hear a number of gasps as we approached the clearing of another, smaller temple ruin. Sure enough, in the short time we had taken to hike down to this next point, the screen of cloud that was obscuring any views we had of the valley lifted and there it was – the stunning, silent, mysterious, Machu Picchu drenched in sunlight.

It was really interesting to observe the split reactions of our group at this point.

On one hand you had a bunch who instantly reached for their cameras and set about madly snapping away, filling up their precious memory cards with their first glance of this ancient wonder of the world. On the other hand, there was a group of us who chose to take a moment, sit down, stare and just reflect on the magnitude of what we had accomplished over the past few days, and the significance to our lives of what we were about to
final push upwards towards Intipunku, where we would either be met with breathless scene over Machu Picchu, or, being more realistic consider the current weather condition, views over a valley filled with dense swarm. 

 Alas, although the rain had stopped by the time we reached the Sun Gate, the ruin that we so desperately want to lay our eyes upon, were blanket in twirl cloud. 

 Intipunku (the Sun Gate) 

 " So what's this Sun Gate thing all about ", I hear you necessitate? Well, for those of us who had taken up a resting spot near our guidebook, Nancy, we received a quick summation on the significance of the downfall. Consisting of two discernible stones flanking a narrow passageway leave through a crevice in the mountain, the gate is consistently struck by the first ray of sunlight each morning. Hence, the name " Sun Gate ". 





 Given the vast focus Inca religion placed on the worship of the sun and the essential role it played in all aspect of life, providing lighter, heat and fuel to their crops, it's safe to assume that this plaza of worship would have played host to many ceremonies in ancient times. 

 justly now, however, we were just hoping that the sun was going to answer our corporate prayers and burn off the cloud which, thankfully, looked to already be dispersing as we made the decision to originate the descent along the trail that led directly into Machu Picchu. 

 About 300 meter down the gentle sloping trail, from the binding of our group I began to hear a number of gasps as we approach the clearing of another, smaller synagogue ruin. Sure enough, in the short time we had taken to hike down to this following point, the blind of cloud that was obscure any views we had of the valley rise and there it was – the stunning, dumb, mysterious, Machu Picchu drenched in sunlight. 

 It was really interesting to observe the split reactions of our group at this point. 

 On one hand you had a crowd who instantly reached for their camera and set about madly snapping away, filling up their precious memory cards with their beginning glance of this ancient wonder of the world. On the other hand, there was a group of us who chose to lead a here and now, seat down, stare and just reflect on the magnitude of what we had accomplished over the past few days, and the meaning to our lives of what we were about to
 fijal push upwards towards Intipunku, wherg qe wound eitger be mdt with breathtaking views oter Nachu Picchu, or, being more fealistic consideeing rhe currenv weathev consltionv, views over a yalley fillad with dense wluub.

Alas, although the rain had stopped fy the yile we reached jhe Sln Gats, the ruins that we so desperately wanted to lay our eues upon, were blanketed in swigling cloud.

Intipunnu (the Sun Tate)

"Fi what's this Sun Gate uhnng all aboot", I hear you ask? Well, for those of ux who had jcjen op a resting spot near our gulce, Nanwy, we rrceived a quicl rnndoqn on the significancx of the ruin. Consisjing of twm biscernable stones flqnjing d nasrow pasragtwab lsading thcough a crebice in the mountain, the gate os bpnsistently atruck br the first rays of sunlight each mornitg. Gence, the name "Sun Gate".





Tiven the vast focus Lnca relidion placed on the worship of the sun and the essantiam rooe kr olayed in all aspects of life, providing light, satmnh and fuel to thcir crops, it's safe tl sfsume that thks plaes kf worship would hwve plaied howt to manr cetemonies in ancient times.

Ritht now, howener, qe were just hopiny that the sbn was goinb to answer our collectnve przyers and bkrn off tgd cloud which, thxnknulny, looked to already be difpersing es we made tfe dgcision to start hhe dcvcent along the trwil tkat lad directlj into Machu Picchu.

About 300 metres down the genjle slmping trcil, frpm the back os our group I yegan to hear a number kf gaspv as we appwoached the cngaring of anovher, smaljer rempoe ruin. Rure enough, in the shorn uime we hae taken to hike doxn tu this next poinc, uhw screen of clpud thwt wes obfwuring any vhews we nad ow the vallen lkftec and there it was – dhe atunning, silent, myxtcrious, Maxhu Piccru drenched im sunlight.

It was rtally mntererting to observe the split reactions or our grokp wt this poine.

On ine hand you had a bunch who instantly reached for vheir cameras and set avout madly snapping sway, fillinj up treir prechous memory cards wirh their first glsnce of this ancient sonder of tje world. On the other hand, there was a group of us who chose to take a monent, smt down, stare and just rzflzct on ehe legnitude of what ee had accomplished over the part few ddyf, and the significance to out uives of what we were about to
final push upwards towards Intipunku, where we be with breathtaking over Machu Picchu, the weather conditions, views a valley filled dense cloud. Alas, although the rain stopped by the time we reached the Sun Gate, the ruins that we desperately wanted to lay our eyes upon, were blanketed in swirling cloud. Intipunku Sun "So this Gate thing all about", I hear you ask? Well, for those of us who had taken a resting spot near our guide, Nancy, we a quick rundown on significance of the ruin. Consisting two stones flanking narrow leading a crevice in mountain, the gate is consistently struck by the first rays of sunlight each morning. Hence, the name Gate". Given focus Inca placed the of the sun essential role it played in all providing light, warmth and fuel to their crops, safe to that this place of worship would played host to many ceremonies in ancient times. now, however, we were just hoping that the sun was going to answer our collective burn off the cloud thankfully, looked to be as made decision to the descent along the trail that led directly into Machu Picchu. 300 metres down the gentle sloping trail, from the back group began to hear number of gasps as approached clearing of another, smaller Sure in we taken hike down to this point, the screen of cloud was obscuring any views lifted and there it was – the stunning, mysterious, Machu Picchu drenched in sunlight. It really interesting to observe the split reactions of our group at this On one had a bunch who instantly reached for their and set about madly away, filling up their precious memory cards with their glance this ancient of the world. the other hand, was a group who chose take moment, and just reflect on the magnitude what had accomplished over the past days, significance to our lives of what we were about to
 final push upwards towards InTipunku, wheRe we wOulD eiThEr be Met wIth breathtakinG ViewS over Machu Picchu, or, beinG more ReAListIC cOnsidEring thE CuRREnt WeAtHer CoNDiTions, VieWs over a Valley fillEd wItH dense cloud.

ALAs, Although thE raIn had stopped By tHe time We ReaCHed thE SuN Gate, The ruiNS that wE so desperAtELy wantED to lay oUR EyEs upOn, were blanketed in SWiRLing cloud.

IntipUnku (thE SUN GATE)

"So WhaT's this Sun GAtE thinG All abouT", i hEAR You ASk? Well, for thosE of us who had TAkeN up a reStIng SPot neaR our gUiDE, NaNcy, we receivEd a qUick rundoWn on thE SignifiCAnce of tHe ruin. conSisTing OF tWo DisCeRNabLE sTonES flAnking a nArRoW passAgewAY LEAdinG thRougH a creVice in the mounTaiN, the GAte Is conSisteNtly StRuck bY the fiRst raYs Of sunlight each mOrniNg. Hence, thE naMe "sun gaTe".





GivEN the vaSt fOcuS Inca reLigion pLAceD oN THE wOrship of the sun and tHe ESSeNtial rolE it plaYEd In ALl aspectS oF liFe, prOVIding LighT, WaRmth and fUel to tHEiR cRops, it's SaFe to asSuMe tHat This pLAce oF worshIp would hAve plAYed host to many cERemonies in ancIEnT TImES.

RigHt nOw, however, we Were JUst hOpinG ThAt tHE sun wAs goiNg TO aNSwer our collective prAyErs and Burn oFf the cloud whiCh, thankfulLY, LOoked to aLreaDY bE Dispersing as we Made tHe decision TO start thE descEnt along The trail tHAT led direCtlY inTo MAchU pIcChu.

About 300 metreS DOwn tHe Gentle sLopIng traiL, frOm tHe bAck Of Our group I Began to hEaR a NuMbEr oF gaspS As we apprOaCheD tHe cLeariNG of anoTher, sMallEr TeMPle Ruin. SurE EnOUGh, in ThE sHort TimE wE had tAken TO hiKe down tO this next PoiNT, the ScReEn of cloUd that was obscUrIng any viewS wE haD of the VALley liftEd and there it was – the stunnINg, silenT, mySteriOus, MAchu PicchU drEnched In sUNlight.

it was rEally InTerESTing tO OBsErvE tHe split reaCTIonS of ouR gRoup At this pOint.

On one hand you haD A buNch who instantLy rEachED FoR thEIr CAmeRaS And SET about madly snapPing away, fiLlINg Up their preCIouS mEmory caRds with Their FIrst glaNce of this Ancient woNdEr of THE woRld. On the otHer hand, tHere was a gROup of US wHo choSe tO take a MoMenT, sit dOwn, staRE anD just ReflecT oN the maGnituDe Of what we Had accomplished over the pAst few Days, aNd tHe signifiCanCE to Our lives oF whaT we were aboUt tO
 final push upwards toward s Intipunk u, wh ere  we  w ould  eit her be met wit h  bre athtaking views over M achuPi c chu, or , bei ng more re a l ist ic  c ons id e ri ng th e c urrentweather co ndi ti ons, views o v er  a valleyfil led with den secloud. 
Ala s , alt hou gh th e rain had st opped byth e  timew e reach e d  t he S un Gate, the ruin s  t h at we so despe rately  w a nt e d  to  la y our eyes  u pon,w ere bla n ke t e d  in swirling clou d.

Intipun k u ( the Su nGat e )

"So  what 's thi s Sun Gatethin g all abo ut", I hear yo u  ask? W ell, f ortho se o f  u swho  h a d t a ke n u p  arestingsp ot  near  our g u i de,Nan cy,we re ceived a quic k r undo w n o n the  sign ific an ce of  the r uin.Co nsisting of two  dis cernablesto ne s f la nking a narr owpas sageway  leadin g  th ro u g h  a  crevice in the mo un t a in , the ga te isc on si s tently s tr uck  byt h e fir st r a ys  of sunl ight e a ch  m orning.  H ence,th e n ame  "Sun Gate ".




Giventhe v a st focus Incar eligion place d  o n th e  wor shi p of the su n an d  the  ess e nt ial roleit pl ay e di n all aspects of li fe , prov iding  light, warmt h and fuel t o  their c rops ,  i t 's safe to ass ume t hat this p l ace of w orshi p wouldhave play e d  host to  ma nycer emo n i es  in ancient t i m es.
R ight no w,however , w e w ere  ju st  hoping t hat thesu nwa sgoi ng to answer o ur  co ll ect ive p r ayersand b urnof ft hecloud w h ic h ,  tha nk fu lly,  lo ok ed to  alr e ady  be dis persing a s w e  mad eth e decis ion to startth e descental ong  the t r a il thatled directly into Machu Picchu. 

A bout300metres do wnthe ge ntl e  slopi ng tra il, f ro m t h e  back o four  g roup I beg a n  to  hear  a  num ber ofgasps as we approa c hed  the clearing  of  ano t h er , s m al l erte m ple r uin. Sure enoug h, in thesh o rt  time we h a d t ak en to h ike dow n tot his nex t point,the scree nof c l o udthat was o bscuring  any view s  we h a dof th e v alleyli fte d and  there itwas –  the s tu nning,  sile nt , myster ious, Machu Picchu dren ched i n sun lig ht.

It w asr eal ly intere stin g to obser vethe  spli t r e actio ns o f  o urg roupat t h is point. 
O n o n e  h and you had a bun ch wh o i n stantl y re ached for their c a meras and setabou t mad lys napp in g away, fillin g u pt h eir prec io us memory c ards wit ht heirfirstglance  of thi s an c ient w onde r o f the wor ld.  O n  the ot he rh and, t here  w as a g roup o f  usw h o chose to takea mom e n t, si t  do wn, s ta re andj ustreflect on  the magnit ude of  wha t wehad acc om plishe d o ve r the past few days,  andthe sig ni fica nce  to ou r li v e s ofwhat  w e w ere about t o
 final_push upwards_towards Intipunku, where we_would either_be_met with_breathtaking_views over Machu_Picchu, or, being_more realistic considering the_current weather conditions,_views_over a valley filled with dense cloud.

Alas, although the rain had stopped by the_time_we reached_the_Sun_Gate, the ruins that we_so desperately wanted to lay_our eyes_upon, were blanketed in swirling cloud.

Intipunku (the Sun_Gate)

"So_what's this Sun_Gate thing all about", I hear you ask? Well,_for those of us who had_taken up a_resting_spot_near our guide, Nancy,_we received a quick rundown on_the significance of the ruin. Consisting_of two discernable stones flanking a narrow_passageway leading through a crevice in_the mountain, the gate is_consistently struck_by the first rays of_sunlight each morning._Hence, the_name "Sun Gate".





Given_the vast focus Inca religion placed_on the worship_of the sun and the essential_role_it played in_all_aspects_of life,_providing light, warmth_and_fuel to_their_crops, it's safe to assume that_this_place of worship would have played host_to many ceremonies in_ancient_times.

Right now, however, we_were just hoping that the_sun was going to answer our_collective prayers_and burn_off the cloud which, thankfully, looked to already be dispersing as_we made the decision to start_the descent along the_trail that_led_directly into Machu_Picchu.

About_300 metres_down the gentle sloping trail, from the_back of_our group I began to hear_a number of gasps_as_we approached the clearing of another,_smaller temple ruin. Sure enough, in_the short time we had_taken_to_hike down to this next_point, the screen of cloud that_was obscuring any_views we had of the valley lifted_and_there it was – the stunning,_silent,_mysterious, Machu Picchu drenched in sunlight.

It_was_really_interesting to observe the split_reactions of our group at this_point.

On one hand you had a bunch who instantly_reached for their_cameras and set about madly_snapping_away,_filling up their precious memory cards with their first glance_of this_ancient wonder of_the world. On the other hand, there was a group_of us who chose to take a_moment, sit down, stare and just reflect on the magnitude of_what we had accomplished over the past few_days, and the significance to our lives_of what we were_about_to