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This is a one-day guided tour of Inti Raymi, the most important cultural event in Cusco!
Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, was the most important celebration for the Incas. Even to this day, Inti Raymi continues to be the largest and most important festival held in Cusco. The sun was the center of worship for the Andean people. It is no surprise, then, that Inti Raymi coincides with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere.
>> Read more about this fascinating piece of cultural history!
The Inti Raymi tour happens only one day of the year – June 24th – the day of the Inti Raymi festival itself. This is an incredible opportunity to witness history come to life. Be transported back to the time of the Incas and see what life might have been like. The Inti Raymi tour is the perfect tour for both history buffs and cultural enthusiasts alike.
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trip and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades.
All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.
Important:
Cusco can experience every season in a single day, so you should be prepared for sun and rain, cold and hot weather! We recommend a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sweater, rain gear or plastic poncho, winter hat or toque and gloves. In addition, you should bring:
You can also see What To Bring for our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack for a trek in the Andes. For more great suggestions, check out our blog about How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.
Remember that scans of the student card (for students) or passports (for children) need to accompany the booking in order to be eligible for the discount.
Our whole trekking team know Cusco like the back of their hand! They are some of the warmest, endearing and wonderful people you are ever likely to meet.
Our guides are all licensed and receive regular training. They share their experience, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm with our passengers on every trek.
Get to know our team!
Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
JUNE 24TH
Today is the famous Inti Raymi celebration! The whole of downtown Cusco will be packed with dancers, members of the procession and spectators.
We will collect you from your hotel in the morning and then walk together to the Q’oricancha temple which is the Temple of the Sun and where the day’s festivities begin. Here are many typical musicians and they open the festival with a great amount of music. When the Inca Court with its many nobles enter there is silence. Finally, the Inca and his Q’oya (wife/sister) enter and there is a ceremony to venerate the sun.
The Inti Raymi procession then continues to Huakaypata (the Plaza de Armas). Here, the Generals inspect the guardians of the city and the imperial army, and the Inca performs another ceremony. After this, the Inca Court makes its way to Sacsayhuaman. You, too, will walk up to this impressive fortress.
The principal Inti Raymi ceremony is held at Sacsayhuaman, beginning around 1 pm. Pachacutec represents the Inca, as he was the Inca to which the sun god (Inti) revealed his might and strength. Incan armies come from the four quarters (suyos) of Tahuantinsuyo (the Inca Empire) and there are different ceremonies for fire, coca, and the four quarters of the empire, as well as for the future of Tawantinsuyo.
The Inti Raymi ceremony lasts about 90 minutes. It is performed in Quechua but is visually powerful. Your guide will also be able to translate sections of the ceremonies.
In the late afternoon, when the Inti Raymi celebrations have ended, your guide will walk you to your hotel.