Inti Raymi Full Day 2025 Description

Introduction

Welcome to the Festival of the Sun! Welcome to Cusco, Capital of the Inca Empire.

If you are passionate about ancestral rituals, culture, history, and festivities, you cannot miss the spectacular celebration of the Sun: Inti Raymi 2025. Recognized as one of the most remarkable events of the year globally, this unique celebration offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Incas and marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty of the Andes.

The Inti Raymi 2025 will be celebrated only on June 24th, as it is every year, making it the ideal date to experience the excitement and traditions of this extraordinary festivity up close.

With origins in pre-Hispanic times, Inti Raymi honors the Sun, the main deity of Inca culture.

If you wish to get tickets for Inti Raymi 2025, our agency has them available. We offer various options and prices so you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience. Contact us for more details and secure your participation in this historic event.

Inca Pachacutec, known for constructing the Machu Picchu citadel, established this celebration during his reign around the year 1430. The Festival of the Sun was revived and revalued in 1944, thanks to the efforts of Peruvian writer Francisco Espinoza Navarro, who wrote, directed, and performed the reconstruction of this iconic Inca celebration.

Today, every year, numerous participants dress in traditional Inca attire to recreate this majestic Tahuantinsuyo festival, paying tribute to the Sun God and preserving an essential part of Andean cultural heritage.

DURATION: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The INTI RAYMI ceremony takes place in three different locations:

⮚ Qoricancha: Temple of the Sun
⮚ Plaza de Armas: Main Square - Cusco
⮚ Saqsayhuaman: Inca´s Fortress

Important

To receive all the information on how to make a reservation, please write to us at:

info@viajesmachupicchu.com

Our team will get back to you promptly with all the necessary details and assistance.

Inti Raymi Full Day 2025 Summary

  • 8:00 AM – Hotel Pickup in Cusco

    • Transfer to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun.
    • Opening ceremony with the Inca’s greeting and traditional rituals.

  • 10:00 AM – Ceremony at Plaza de Armas

    • The Inca grants the Sun’s blessing to Cusco’s authorities.
    • Free time (1 hour) to explore and enjoy the celebrations.

  • 11:00 AM – Lunch at La Yunza Restaurant

    • Includes two menu options plus a vegetarian dish.

  • 12:00 PM – Transfer to Saqsayhuaman

    • Journey to the archaeological site for the main event.

  • 1:00 PM – Main Ceremony at Saqsayhuaman

    • Grand reenactment featuring traditional dances, rituals, and offerings.
    • The Inca, priests, warriors, and nobility honor the Sun God.

  • 3:30 PM – End of the Ceremony & Return to Cusco

    • Transfer back to hotels (expect traffic; some guests may prefer to walk).

  • Festival Services by EMUFEC:

    • Comfortable seating at Qoricancha and Saqsayhuaman.
    • Mobile restrooms, tourist information, first aid stations, and security.

Detailed Itinerary: Cusco Sun Festival

Day 1: Full Day Festival of the Sun

Scene 01: The Temple of the Sun – Qoricancha

At 8:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and head to the first location for the ceremony.

Welcome to the grand Festival of the Sun!

The Inti Raymi begins at Qoricancha, the "Great Enclosure of Gold," a sacred site dedicated to the Sun God, Inti, the main deity of the Inca Empire (Tahuantinsuyo).

Every year on June 24th, the festival opens with the Inca’s greeting to visitors and attendees. Dressed in traditional Inca attire, actors reenact the original rituals, honoring the Sun and recalling the ancient offerings once made at Qoricancha to seek prosperity and natural balance.

Inti Raymi at Qoricancha

Ceremony at Cusco’s Main Square

The Inti Raymi ceremony continues at the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, where the Inca meets the people and the local authorities. This reenactment mirrors the event at Qoricancha but focuses on bestowing the Sun’s blessing upon the governor of Cusco, ensuring prosperity and success in the capital of the Inca Empire.

Our guide will provide options to enhance your experience:

  • Free Time (1 hour): Explore at your own pace, enjoy the festive atmosphere, or rest. Entrance is free for everyone.

11:00 AM – Lunch at La Yunza Restaurant

  • Enjoy a meal at La Yunza, known as The Museum of Latin American Music.
  • Choose from two main dishes or a vegetarian option.

12:00 PM – Transfer to Saqsayhuaman

  • Travel to Saqsayhuaman Fortress, the site of the main Inti Raymi ceremony.
Inti Raymi at Cusco’s main square

Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuamán

12:00 PM – Transfer to Saqsayhuaman

  • Travel from Cusco to Saqsayhuaman, a ceremonial fortress at 3,555 meters above sea level, located 1 km from Qolqanpata, an ancient Inca neighborhood.
  • The name Saqsayhuaman comes from the Quechua words "saqsay" (satisfy) and "waman" (falcon).

1:00 PM – Inti Raymi Main Ceremony Begins

  • The most important event of the festival takes place at Saqsayhuaman, a sacred site for the Inca Empire.
  • Thousands of spectators gather here every June 24th to witness the reenactment of the traditional rituals.
  • The Inca, accompanied by the Coya (Queen), priests, warriors, and nobility, offers rituals of gratitude to the Sun.
  • Highlights include:
    • Traditional dances and chants in Quechua.
    • Symbolic sacrifice of a llama, representing renewal and prosperity.

3:30 PM – End of Ceremony & Return to Cusco

  • After the performance, guests will be transported back to their hotels.
  • Due to heavy traffic, those staying near Plaza de Armas may choose to walk (15 minutes downhill).

Facilities & Services Provided by EMUFEC

  • Grandstands at Qoricancha and Saqsayhuaman with modern seating.
  • Mobile restrooms, first aid stations, tourist information booth, and security surveillance (both police and private).
  • Ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for all visitors.

The festival concludes at Saqsayhuaman, followed by a bus transfer back to the historic center of Cusco.

GRANDSTANDS AT SACSAYHUAMÁN

The main Inti Raymi performance takes place on the central esplanade of Sacsayhuamán. Grandstands can accommodate approximately 3,906 spectators, offering comfortable seating. The VIP area consists of three sections (orange, blue, and green) providing the best views of the ceremony.

Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuaman

Inti Raymi Full Day 2025 Includes:

  • Entrance tickets to the grandstands
  • Official tour guide
  • Box lunch
  • Bus transportation service
  • Shared service with other tourists
  • Audio transmitters

Not Includes:

  • Entrance tickets to a grandstand other than the selected one
  • Entrance tickets to the reenactment at Qoricancha (optional for an additional $60)
  • International airfare
  • Domestic flights within Peru
  • Meals not mentioned in the program

We recommend you to bring

  • Comfortable clothing (layers recommended for changing temperatures)
  • Hat or cap for sun protection
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Sunscreen (high SPF)
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
  • Light rain jacket or poncho (Cusco's weather can be unpredictable)
  • Small backpack or bag for personal items
  • Camera or smartphone for photos
  • Personal identification (passport or ID)
  • Cash (Peruvian soles) for souvenirs or additional expenses
  • Snacks (optional, but useful)
  • Earplugs or headphones (for audio transmitters if provided)

SERVICES AVAILABLE AT SACSAYHUAMAN

EMEFUC (Municipal Festival Company of Cusco) provides essential services for the Inti Raymi, such as VIP seating for spectator comfort, hygienic restrooms, first aid services, and security police, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience of this ancestral ceremony.

Reservation Requirements

  • Full name
  • Nationality
  • Passport number
  • Date of birth
  • Phone number for contact

Services Provided by EMUFEC

At Qoricancha

  • Comfortable seating for all spectators.
  • Hygienic mobile restrooms for convenience.
  • First Aid posts for medical assistance.
  • Police surveillance to ensure safety.
  • Designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience during the ceremony.

At Saqsayhuaman

  • VIP Comfortable Seating: Premium seating for an enhanced viewing experience.
  • Hygienic Mobile Bathrooms: Clean and accessible restrooms.
  • First Aid Posts: Medical stations available for emergencies.
  • Police surveillance: Ensuring safety and security throughout the event.
  • Services aim to provide a secure and pleasant experience for all attendees of this ancestral festival.