The Inti Raymi Festival is one of the Peruvian celebrations that celebrates the sun god of the Incas, today it is recreated on June 24 of each year as the most solemn and grandiose festivity of the vanished Inca Empire.
The Inti Raymi is a festival celebrated since the time of the Incas during the winter solstice to worship the sun god, it involves colorful costumes, luxury banquets, festive music, and historical re-enactments.
The Inti Raymi scenario is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, located in the northern area of the city of Cusco, according to the Inca Gracilazo de la Vega, Sacsayhuaman is "the greatest and most magnificent work that the Incas had built to show their power and majesty "
To the beat of millenarian musical airs, delegates with their typical clothes, and also, like coming from other times, ñustas, coyas and pallas, advance in rows. Finally, suddenly, the Inca lets himself be seen. The sovereign is transported on a litter, which in the legendary era was of gold and silver, and accompanied by a retinue of dried apricots and other dignitaries who walk behind him.
7:00 Pick you up from your hotel
9:30 Start the Sun Festival in Qoricancha
11:00 Walk up to Plaza de Armas and enjoy the festival in the main square
13:00 Appreciate the rituals in Sacsayhuaman, such as the rites of the New Fire, Coca, the offerings of the Four Suyos and the prediction of future times, among others.
The Inti Raymi is celebrated in 3 scenes:
At 8.30am we will collect you from your hotel and then go to the Koricancha where the festivity begins. Musicians open the festival with typical music. Then the music stop to receive the Inca court. Finally the Inca and his wife come in and takes place a ceremony of veneration to the sun.
The procession then continues to the main square, where another ceremony begins with the imperial army. After this the Inca court go to Sacsayhuaman. You too will walk up to this impressive fortress.
At 1pm, the main ceremony is held at Sacsayhuaman. The armies come and takes place different ceremonies for fire, coca, and the four quarters of the empire as well as for the future of the empire. The ceremony lasts about 90 minutes in Quechua language, that visually is powerful. Your guide will also be able to translate the ceremony.
Between 3 and 4pm your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
June 24 is a very sunny day, remembered for the heat and the dry temperature. We recommend you bring the following:
It is celebrated on June 24th every year. It is an only day tour which is usually included in larger tour packages which include visits to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and many other tourist attractions.
The ceremony begins at the Temple of the Sun in Cusco’s downtown, continues at the Main Square and finishes at the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Centre
Winter in Cusco is dry season, so there’s no rain. Temperature on daytime can vary from 12°C to 25°C , sometimes a little lower. On winter this region is really cold at night (5°C and sometimes below zero) and early in the morning (around 5°C).
Only need your valid passport.
At higher altitudes above sea level, lack of oxygen can cause discomfort like shortness of breath, headache, tiredness. During the tour you should drink plenty of fluids, coca leaves tea is recommended.