As travelers reach the main gate they encounter an example of the creative sensibilities of the Inca. Their first sight of the inside of the city is spectacular.

In a breathtaking enlightening experience they view Huayna Picchu Mountain impressively framed by the carefully carved doorway with its huge stone lintel.

Throughout the city one observes mountain views through doorways and windows, vistas seemingly in a huge natural gallery — scenes always on exhibit changing moment by moment with rolling clouds and dramatic lighting.

Before continuing on a tour of the city to see its astronomical alignments, abstract sculpture and sacred sites, we will return up the steep steps to the Guardhouse and ponder its interesting features.

Before sunrise one morning Nile and Abby climbed up from the Tourist Entrance to the Guardhouse to reach the Inca Trail. They hiked on the Trail for about one mile to experience the higher elevation environment and to admire the Trail’s construction. They then returned to the Main Gate.

They met weary but exhilarated trekkers on the Trail who had traveled the difficult route which starts between Machu Picchu and Cuzco. It took the hikers four days and nights to reach the Main Gate. Nile and Abby had reached the city by train and bus from Cuzco, about a five hour trip.

At the Main Gate one can see the city wall. Steps next to the wall follow down a long dry moat which is an important main water drain. This drainage trench separates the agricultural sections from the urban sections of the city.