Inti Raymi Tour 2025: The Festival of the Sun in Cusco

Detailed Itinerary of the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour

Experience the magic of Inti Raymi in the way that suits you best!

Main Option: Sacsayhuamán – The Great Sun Ceremony

Recommended for those seeking the best experience, with comfort and assigned seating.

Start of the Activity

• Pick-up time: Between 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Transfer by tourist van: Depending on your location, we will pick you up on foot from your hotel in the city center or coordinate a meeting point, as the streets of the historic center will be closed to vehicular traffic due to the event. We will then head to the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán (approximately 20-minute transfer).
• Box lunch (snack type): During the journey, a box lunch will be provided, ideal for recharging energy before the ceremony.

Activity Development

• Ceremony Start Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Sacsayhuamán. In this majestic setting, the most emblematic and significant part of Inti Raymi takes place, where over 300 artists bring to life the ancestral rituals in honor of the Sun. The event is held in grandstands with a capacity of up to 4,000 spectators, who enjoy this unique experience every year.
• Show Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Seating Arrangement: Numbered seats in stepped grandstands, ensuring an unobstructed privileged view of the show. The grandstand will depend on the selected option and its availability.
• Included Headphones: We will provide headphones so you can listen to the guide’s live narration and understand each part of the ceremony.

End and Return to Cusco

At the end of the ceremony, we will return to Cusco at approximately 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

• The final drop-off point will be near the Plaza de Armas, in an accessible location for all passengers.

Additional Option: Complete Experience with Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas

For those who wish to experience the full event from dawn, we offer the option to attend, in a shared group with a bilingual guide, the initial ceremonies at Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas. However, these locations do not have assigned seating, the terrain is flat, and visibility depends on arrival order. As an agency, we strive to secure a good spot, but due to high attendance, we cannot guarantee an exact location. In Qorikancha, there is an additional paid option to access a closer area to the ceremony, though without numbered seating or guaranteed spots.

Qorikancha Temple – The Beginning of the Ritual

• Start Time: 6:00 a.m. (hotel pick-up). We will arrive early since seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Ceremony Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
• Description: The first part of the event, featuring the appearance of the Sapa Inca and the Qoya, followed by their royal court heading towards Plaza de Armas.
• Show Duration: 40 minutes.
• Seating Arrangement: No assigned seats, first-come, first-served basis. The terrain is flat, and due to the large crowd, visibility may vary.
• Optional: Additional paid tickets (subject to availability) allow access to a closer area of the ceremony, though these are also unnumbered and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Plaza de Armas – The Encounter of Two Worlds

• Walking transfer: 10 minutes from Qorikancha.
• Description: Representation of the encounter between the Inca and the mayor of Cusco, symbolizing the fusion of cultures.
• Show Duration: 1 hour.
• Seating Arrangement: No assigned seats, first-come, first-served basis. The terrain is flat, and visibility depends on arrival time due to the large crowd.

Sacsayhuamán – The Great Sun Ceremony

We will then proceed to the Sacsayhuamán area, following the detailed itinerary in the main option.

Important: At Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas, we strive to arrive early to secure the best possible location, but due to the large number of attendees, we cannot guarantee an exact spot with optimal visibility.

Which Option to Choose?

• If you prefer comfort and the best visual experience, we recommend going directly to the ceremony in Sacsayhuamán.

• If you want to experience the event in its entirety and immerse yourself in the excitement of Inti Raymi’s folklore and tradition from the beginning, you can choose to start at the Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas ceremonies and finish at Sacsayhuamán. However, keep in mind that the first two locations do not have seating or guaranteed spots, requiring you to stand among a large crowd. Therefore, we recommend this option for those without mobility issues who are comfortable participating in large outdoor events.

Reserve in advance, as tickets to Sacsayhuamán are limited.

Includes:

Both options include:

• Bilingual guide in Spanish and English. Other languages available for private tours.
• Shared group tour.
• Round-trip transfer by tourist van from the Historic Center of Cusco to Sacsayhuamán.
• Box lunch (snack type).
• Walking pick-up from your hotel to the van boarding point in the historic center.
• Headphones with an audio guide (only for the Sacsayhuamán ceremony).
• Entrance ticket for the ceremony in Sacsayhuamán.

Not Included:

• Tips.
• Pick-up or return to areas outside the Historic Center of Cusco.

What to Bring

• Comfortable clothing and a sun hat.
• Comfortable footwear, especially if choosing the complete experience.
• Water, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sun exposure is intense in Sacsayhuamán.
• Cash for purchasing souvenirs or snacks.

Considerations

• The ceremony takes place entirely outdoors.
• The complete experience is not recommended for people with mobility issues or those unable to stand for long periods.
• Due to environmental, climatic, or other factors beyond our control, the itinerary may vary. If so, you will be notified in advance. At Guru Explorers, we value your time and strive to adhere to the tour schedule. However, unforeseen events such as weather conditions, natural disasters, or on-site situations may arise. In the event of any changes, we will do our best to offer you efficient options and solutions to ensure your enjoyment.

Not Allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

• NO SHOW: Any reservation cancellation after the FINAL PAYMENT is considered a NO-SHOW.

WHY CHOOSING US?

The experience that makes you live the beauty of this mountain of colors is inexplicable, it is really a personal encounter between you and nature. We want to be part of that experience that you will live in the Inti Raymi Tour. If you are still wondering why choose us? We would like you to read 7 outstanding characteristics of our service:

QUALITY: 

When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. In a matter of travel, money, time and enjoyment, you have to choose the best options available and that is what “Guru Explorers” is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.

EXPERIENCE: 

To become “Guru Explorers”, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We lived bad and good experiences, valuing that the main difference lies in the details, so we know what elements are essential for your trip. We are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!

TRANSPARENCY: 

We are here to provide you with the best and most accurate information and description of our tours. We are not supporters of hidden costs, that is why we provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.

SECURITY: 

You entrust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.

FLEXIBILITY: 

Although we have pre-established packages; they can be adapted to your needs and to make plans that are suited to you, so that you can visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of “Guru Explorers”. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate trips, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sports event during your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations.

PASSION: 

Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; That makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for yourself and those you love.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: 

We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, not affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive it or their environment. We create more human and respectful experiences of Heritage.

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What is Inti Raymi?

Inti Raymi is an ancestral festival in honor of the Sun, celebrated by the Incas during the winter solstice. Today, an impressive reenactment is held in Cusco, reviving this tradition with dances, music, and ceremonies that connect with Andean culture.

When is Inti Raymi celebrated?

Inti Raymi is celebrated every June 24th in Cusco, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This date marked the beginning of a new agricultural cycle for the Incas, who honored the Sun God (Inti) to thank him and seek his blessing for their crops.

Why is Inti Raymi celebrated?

Inti Raymi is celebrated as a reenactment of the most important ancient festival of the Inca Empire, dedicated to the Sun God (Inti). It was performed to give thanks for the harvests and seek blessings for the new agricultural cycle. Additionally, it coincided with the winter solstice, the day when the Sun appeared to be farthest away, prompting the Incas to perform rituals to ensure its return and the fertility of the land.

Where is it celebrated?

Inti Raymi is celebrated in Cusco, Peru, at three main locations:

• Qorikancha – The ancient Inca Temple of the Sun, where the ceremony begins.

• Plaza de Armas of Cusco – Represents the historic "Haucaypata," where the Incas held the festival.

• Sacsayhuamán – The main stage, where the grand reenactment takes place with over 300 artists.

This event revives the Inca tradition in a spectacular setting filled with history and culture.

Is it worth attending Inti Raymi?

Absolutely! Inti Raymi is a unique spectacle with over 300 performers reenacting the greatest Inca festival through dances, music, and ancestral rituals. It is the best way to experience and immerse yourself in Inca folklore, history, and energy in an awe-inspiring setting like Sacsayhuamán. An unforgettable experience!