The Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun, was the most important celebration in the Inca Empire, dedicated to the Sun God "Inti" and held every June 24th in the city of Cusco, Peru. The festivities traditionally included dances, music, feasts, and animal sacrifices as expressions of gratitude to the Sun God "Inti", seeking a bountiful harvest and blessings for the upcoming year. Surprisingly, this festival was once prohibited due to its perceived "pagan" nature. Nowadays, it brings together thousands of people and over 800 participants, including actors, dancers, and musicians dressed in traditional attire. They take part in dances, performances, and praises held outside the Qorikancha temple, the Main Square of the city, and finally in the Archaeological Park of Saqsayhuamán.
The ceremony of INTI RAYMI has three different scenes in three different places:
08:00 a.m.
We’ll pick you up directly from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the starting point of your visit.
The Inti Raymi ceremony begins at the Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, in Cusco at approximately 8:00 a.m. There, the Inca, accompanied by royalty and La Qoya, bows to the Sun God, Inti.
He invokes the mighty sun and seeks success in the ceremony. "Oh, sun god, our father, powerful sun of eternal happiness, warm source and principle of life. From this sacred dwelling in Cusco, where you reside with the Moon, the Lightning, and the Thunder, your children from the Empire of the Four Regions humbly greet you on your jubilee day." This marks the beginning of the Inti Raymi, a ceremony that celebrates life and fertility, and is one of the most important in Inca culture.
If you purchased a ticket for Qoricancha, you'll have access to a VIP seat directly in front of the site. Otherwise, we’ll have designated areas for you around the ceremony.
10:30 a.m.
At the conclusion of the Inti Raymi initiation ceremony at the Qoricancha, the Inca, his royal entourage, and the Imperial Army embark on a solemn procession through ancient Inca streets, including Loreto Street, leading them to the Plaza de Armas or main square of Cusco, specifically to Aucaypata.
In this location, the Ñustas, Aqllas (chosen women), and the entire imperial army are already present, positioning themselves in the Plaza de Armas to await the arrival of the Inca. In this setting, the Inca, as the supreme ruler of the empire, performs the Coca ceremony, invoking the Apus through it to grant them protection and guidance.
In this second stage, our guide will provide options to enhance your experience:
01:00 - 02:30 p.m.
After concluding the Coca ceremony at Aucaypata Plaza, the cast proceeds to the impressive esplanade of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park (3 km from Cusco). There, a crowd of approximately 80,000 people, including 3,500 tourists who have purchased tickets for the stands set up on the esplanade, eagerly await the start of the central ceremony of Inti Raymi.
The central staging of Inti Raymi takes place on the main esplanade of Sacsaywaman. There are grandstands that can accommodate about 3,906 people. All seats are very comfortable for the spectators. The VIP area consists of three grandstands (orange, red, and green) that offer a better view of the ceremony.
Here, the Inca, accompanied by the Coya, priests, warriors, and Incan nobility, performs rituals and offerings to honor the Sun. The ceremony highlights traditional dances, Quechua chants, and the symbolic sacrifice of a llama, representing renewal and a plea for prosperity for the people.
The majestic setting of Sacsayhuamán, with its massive stone structures and connection to the heavens, enhances the sacred atmosphere of Inti Raymi. This event blends history, art, and spirituality, creating a unique experience for locals and visitors from around the world. The ceremony not only commemorates the grandeur of the Tahuantinsuyo empire but also preserves and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Andes.
After the most special event at the Sacsayhuamán Fortress, located just 3 km from Cusco, we will board a bus to return to the historic center of Cusco, where the tour will conclude.
Note: To send you all the information about how to book please email us and we will respond as soon as possible by sending all the necessary information and / or answering your concerns.
| Main Event VIP, Inti Raymi (Green Zone) - 2025 | $ 206.00 USD |
| Main Event VIP, Inti Raymi (Red Zone) - 2025 | $ 279.00 USD |
| Main Event VIP, Inti Raymi (Orange Zone) - 2025 | $ 293.00 USD |
EMUFEC provides essential services for attending the Inti Raymi, including comfortable spectator seating, hygienic mobile bathrooms, first aid stations, and police security, ensuring you can enjoy this Inca ceremony safely and comfortably.
At the conclusion of the main event in Sacsayhuamán, we will gather and board the transport to take you back to your respective hotels. Alternatively, you may choose to be dropped off at the Plaza de Armas. Due to heavy traffic on this day, some visitors with accommodations near the plaza may prefer to walk downhill for approximately 15 minutes to reach their destination.
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Anastasia E
December 12, 2024
We did the 4D, 3 nights Inca Trail with Jorge the first week of December 2024. The tour was incredible with beautiful views along the way and of course a worthwhile final destination. The Inca Trail team was great and our guide was very knowledgeable the only thing to note was that we wish that the guide matched our walking pace more. We were happy with the equipment borrowed/rented that were in fair condition. Food was overall very tasty and varied but the portions were a bit small for some. Very value for money, would recommend.
Thomas M
December 10, 2024
Tout était très sympa ! grâce à Javier, le voyage a été différent avec lui. Je recommande extrêmement cette entreprise et vous avez également la chance de choisir Javier comme guide !
GoPlaces708610
December 9, 2024
Io e la mia compagna abbiamo fatto un trekking di 2 giorni per visitare Machu Picchu. Lo abbiamo fatto durante la stagione delle piogge, quindi ci siamo dovuti equipaggiare di conseguenza, perché abbiamo avuto pioggia per quasi tutte le 6 ore di camminata. Il percorso è stato eccezionale, una bellezza mozzafiato. La nostra guida, Henrry, ci ha accompagnato durante la camminata, raccontandoci la storia dell'impero Tahuantinsuyo e spiegandocela perfettamente e con passione. Ne siamo rimasti davvero colpiti. A causa del cattivo tempo, il primo giorno non siamo riusciti a vedere tutto il sito, ma grazie al suo impegno è riuscito a farci recuperare il giorno successivo! Esperienza davvero raccomandata: la camminata è intensa e la pioggia rende tutto più complicato, ma ne vale davvero la pena.
Ruben S
December 7, 2024
I recently completed the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish. The communication with the company ITEP beforehand was outstanding—every question was answered promptly and clearly, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into the adventure. My guide Jorge Calderón was exceptional. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also extremely attentive to needs and individual pace. He tailored the experience to match my abilities, ensuring I felt comfortable and supported throughout. His explanations about the landscapes, history, and culture were fascinating, and he always had answers to my questions, no matter how detailed or specific. The entire trek felt incredibly safe, and I always knew what to expect thanks to the Jorge’s clear instructions and thorough preparation. The route itself was breathtaking, and every day brought new highlights—whether it was the stunning views of the Salkantay Pass, the lush cloud forest, or the incredible final approach to Machu Picchu. Even the occurring rain couldn't diminish that. These four days were incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If you’re considering this trek, I highly recommend it—you won’t be disappointed!
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