DESCRIPTION
Experience the splendor of Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, in Cusco, the most important event of the Inca calendar and one of Peru’s most impressive cultural celebrations. This tour will allow you to witness the three official celebrations of the festival: Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán, accompanied by a professional guide and enjoying preferential areas.
The Inti Raymi tour in Cusco is a unique experience that combines history, spirituality, and Andean pride. You’ll relive the worship of the Sun God, observe traditional dances, imperial costumes, and ancestral rituals in sacred settings. An unforgettable experience to connect with the essence of the Inca world.
ITINERARY
Inti Raymi Tour or Festival of the Sun in Cusco
🗓️ Tour Day – Detailed Itinerary
Meeting at Plaza Regocijo and general orientation
The day begins with a meeting at the historic Plaza Regocijo, just one block from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. There, our professional guide will welcome the group and explain the significance of Inti Raymi, one of the most majestic celebrations of the Andean calendar. During the introductory talk, bracelets and tickets will be distributed, and the day’s itinerary will be reviewed.
Walk to the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
From Plaza Regocijo, we will begin a short walk accompanied by the guide to the Qorikancha, considered the most sacred temple of the ancient Inca Empire. During the walk, you will appreciate the architectural fusion between Inca walls and colonial buildings.
First Performance: Inti Raymi Ceremony in Qorikancha
In front of the imposing Temple of the Sun, the first performance of the day takes place. The Inca, covered in his golden robes and multicolored feathers, appears at the top of the temple, greeting the god Inti. It is a deeply symbolic scene, conveying the Inca people’s devotion to nature and their deities. Visitors enjoy a mystical moment filled with music, color, and solemnity.
Second Performance: Gathering of the Inca People in the Plaza de Armas
After finishing in Qorikancha, the group walks to the Plaza de Armas, the ancient political and religious center of the Tahuantinsuyu. Here, the second part of Inti Raymi takes place, where the Inca receives the delegates of the four suyos—Chinchaysuyo, Antisuyo, Qollasuyo, and Contisuyo—who arrive with dances, songs, and offerings of gratitude.
This point of the tour is open to the public, allowing visitors to enjoy the colorful parade from different angles of the plaza.
Transfer to Sacsayhuamán
After the performances in the center, we will board the tourist transport to the upper part of the city. In about 20 minutes, we will arrive at the monumental Sacsayhuamán fortress, the main stage of Inti Raymi. The guide will accompany the group to the preferential area or reserved seating, from where you can comfortably observe the event.
Third Performance: Grand Inti Raymi Ceremony in Sacsayhuamán
The central act of Inti Raymi takes place on the esplanade of Sacsayhuamán, with more than 800 actors on stage. This theatrical performance revives the ancestral rituals with which the Inca people paid tribute to the Sun.
During the ceremony, you will witness:
- ☀️ The Inca’s speech in Quechua.
- 🔥 Reading of omens by the Willaq Uma (solar priest).
- 🌽 Symbolic offerings to Pachamama.
- 💃 Ritual dances from the four regions of Tahuantinsuyo.
- 🎶 Sacred songs performed by the Acllas.
The show lasts about an hour and a half and combines art, history, and spirituality. It is an event that moves even those who witness it for the first time, thanks to its authenticity and the energy emanating from the place.
Return to Cusco and end of the tour
After the ceremony, the tourist transport will take the group back to the historic center of Cusco. The tour concludes around 5:00 PM. Our guide will bid farewell to the participants with a few words about the legacy of Inti Raymi and its importance as a symbol of identity and cultural continuity in the Peruvian Andes.
INCLUDES
✅Includes
🚐 Tourist transportation throughout the tour
Transfers from Plaza Regocijo to the three ceremonial venues (Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán).
🧑🏫 Professional tour guide
Guide expert in Andean history and culture, who provides detailed explanations about the origin and symbolism of Inti Raymi.
🎟️ Entrance ticket to the main ceremony
Preferential access to the Sacsayhuamán spectator area, with excellent views of the main event.
🪑 Reserved seating in the grandstand (subject to availability)
Numbered space to comfortably watch the grand Inti Raymi ceremony in Sacsayhuamán.
🎧 Welcome kit and personalized assistance
Includes an identification bracelet, logistical guidance, and ongoing support throughout the event.
💧 Bottle of water and light snack
Given while waiting on the Sacsayhuamán esplanade.
NOT INCLUDED
❌Not Included
🍽️ Lunch or additional drinks
The tour does not include lunch. It is recommended to bring snacks, fruit, or arrange a light meal in Cusco after the event.
📸 Private seats or balconies in the Plaza de Armas
The second performance is freely accessible. The colonial balconies offer special views, but are not included.
💰 Voluntary tips for the guide or driver
Given at the discretion of the participant as a token of appreciation.
🛡️ Travel insurance or personal medical assistance
Each visitor must have their own coverage during the tour.
🎟️ Entrance fees to other tourist attractions
The program focuses exclusively on the three Inti Raymi performances.
🧳 Personal expenses or additional purchases
Souvenirs, drinks, photographs, or souvenir items are not included.
RECOMMENDATIONS
✨Recommendations
👟 Comfortable footwear:
Wear sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes, as you will be walking between the event stages and on cobblestone terrain.
🧴 Sun protection:
Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, or a cap. Inti Raymi is celebrated outdoors, and the sun’s rays in Cusco are intense.
💧 Stay hydrated:
Bring water and avoid excessive alcohol consumption before or during the event.
🎒 Pack light:
Only bring the essentials: a water bottle, camera, personal documents, and cash. Avoid large backpacks.
🧘 Arrive well-rested:
Get a good night’s sleep the night before. The Inti Raymi festival is long and takes place in three different locations.
💚 Cultural Respect:
Listen to the guide’s instructions and maintain a respectful attitude toward the ceremonial participants and rituals.
FAQs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
☀️ 1. What is Inti Raymi?
Inti Raymi, or “Festival of the Sun,” was the most important celebration of the Inca Empire. It took place every June 24th to pay tribute to the Sun God and mark the beginning of the new agricultural cycle.
🏛️ 2. What are the locations of Inti Raymi?
There are three:
1️⃣ Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) – Initial ceremony.
2️⃣ Plaza de Armas – Meeting of the four suyos.
3️⃣ Sacsayhuamán – Main ceremony and main event.
🎟️ 3. Do I need tickets to see Inti Raymi?
Only for the main ceremony in Sacsayhuamán. The other two performances (Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas) are free to enter.
👕 4. What should I wear?
Light clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and a windbreaker. The weather changes from morning to afternoon.
🕐 5. What time does the event end?
The tour ends at approximately 5:00 p.m., after the return from Sacsayhuamán to the historic center of Cusco.
📸 6. Can I take photos and videos?
Yes, it is allowed, but it is recommended not to use drones without authorization. Please respect the designated visitor areas.
🚌 7. How do I get back to downtown Cusco?
The tourist transportation returns to the historic center after the ceremony, dropping off passengers near the Plaza de Armas.