Peru Holidays: Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco

The Winter Solstice in Cusco and the local harvest are the driving force behind the greatest, most majestic, pre-Hispanic ceremony, know as Inti Raymi, rendering homage to the Sun God. The legend tells that the sun god had his children, Manco Capac and his sister, Mama Ocllo, spring from the lake Titicaca to found Cusco and the Inca dynasty. The Spanish suppressed the Inca religion and the last royal Inti Raymi was celebrated in 1535.
Nowadays the Inti Raymi festival, reborn since 1944, evokes the splendid Inca ritual of yore, being carefully scripted by archaeologist and historians, putting it together from chronicles and historical documents. The central event is acted out on the plaza below the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, just outside the city of Cusco. There, step by step, thousands of actors enact a ceremony, giving thanks to the sun god, Inti. The Inca ruler is carried on a royal litter from the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun to the Huacaypata, the city's main square, where he commands the local authorities to govern fairly.
Then, all the participants set out for Sacsayhuaman, where the ceremony calls for the sacrifice of two llamas (faked), one black and one white. The llamas entrails and fat are handed to a pair of high priests: the first, the Callpa Ticuy, examines the intestines to predict what sort of year lies ahead; while the second priest, the Wupariruj, makes its prediction from the smoke that wafts up from the burning fat. Willac Umo, the lord high priest, interprets the predictions and bears the news to the Inca. Finally, at sunset, the Inca orders all to withdraw from the site and the entire city breaks out into festivities that rage for several days.

After having attended the celebration as a privileged guest, the program includes a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Inca and its numerous well preserved Inca remains as well as to the citadel of Machu Picchu, the hidden sanctuary of the Incas.

23 June:
Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Cusco, now a wonderful colonial city, but once the capital of the Inca Empire. Visit to the main colonial and Inca sites of Cusco and its surroundings (B).

24 June:
Witness the ceremony of the Inti Raymi, starting at the Koricancha, the former Sun Temple, and in the afternoon at Sacsayhuaman, the Inca fortress overlooking Cusco. You are awarded a first class location as well as a detailed program of the event in order to understand fully what is going on (B).

25 June:
Drive to the Sacred Valley and visit the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Return to Cusco (B).

26 June:
Transfer to the railway station and train to km 104. From here we hike to the Winay Wayna ruins, a splendid site only discovered in 1947. We continue to the Machu Picchu, where we visit of the site time permitting. Overnight next to the ruins (first class) or in Aguas Calientes (economy class), the nearby town (B).

27 June:
Full day to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu and enjoy the majestic views of the surrounding mountains, before returning to Cusco by train. On arrival in Cusco, transfer to your hotel (B).

28 June:
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima or continuation of your journey (B).

Rated: Easy

Fixed departure: Once a year from the 22nd of June till the 28th of June.
Do not miss it!

All prices upon request

Included in price:
Accommodation in double bedroom with private facilities either in first or tourist class hotels, breakfasts, bilingual guides, all terrestrial transport, flight Lima/Cusco/Lima, National Park and ruins entrance fees, transfer to and from hotel.

Not included:
Drinks except water, tips, airport taxes,

Inti Raymi Festival

Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

Peru