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.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not Allowed:

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

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

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

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.