Inti Raymi Festival

Inti Raymi festival is goes back to the Inca times. It is a celebration as well as a sacrifice to the sun God, “Inti”. The ceremony begins at the Qoricancha and moves to the Plaza de Armas with dancing and ritual. For tourists, the most comfortable option is to have a ticket in the grand stands where our guide will accompany you and explain the significance of the ceremonies which are performed in Quechua.

What is Inti Raymi?

The Inca Pachacutec, who is credited with the construction of the citadel of Machu Picchu, established this celebration during his reign around the year 1428. Despite having been later unprohibited by Francisco de Toledo considering it a pagan festival, the Festival of the Sun was restored and revalued in 1944 thanks to the work of the Peruvian writer Francisco Espinoza Navarro, who was in charge of writing, directing and representing the reconstruction of this Inca celebration.
Nowadays, to commemorate this festivity, every years, big groups of people dress in Inca garments to recreate this majestic Tahuantinsuyo celebration to honor the Sun God.

When is Inti Raymi celebrated?

The Incas celebrated Inti Raymi during the winter solstice (June 24) in the southern hemisphere. When the sun was farthest from the earth, and the day was the shortest of all year. For this reason, they choses June 24 to call back their god (The Sun).
In addition to asking for a new year with successful harvests and production. they considered June 24 as the first of a new Andean year in the Inca calendar, too. Although the winter solstice begins on June 21. According to the Inca belief, the Sun wasn’t moving from its place until June 24. The festivity used to last 9 days. But three days before, all the participants went through fasting, only eating white corn and a herb called Chucam.

During this period, the Incas celebrated with music, colorful dances, processions, and even sacrifices in the Qoricancha (the Sun temple). Many of these sacrifices were to ensure good harvests for the year.

Animal and Human Sacrifices

Returning to Huacaypata, the priests used to sacrifice a black llama and opened its chest raw to remove its heart. After, they analyzed it to find out if the coming year would be fruitful or drought. After, they burned the heart in honor of the Sun god. While the music and dances around them continued.

However, if the future was not prosperous, they could resort to human sacrifices. Those sentenced were children from the 4 Suyos, west, east, south, and north of Cusco) At the end of the festival, the Inca, his family, and relatives used to return to the sovereign palace following a path of rose petals placed by Ajllas (virgins dedicated to the worship of the Sun).

The Three Stages of the Inti Raymi Show

On June 24, the festival in honor of the Sun god, is performed in the presence of the Inca, the “Willaq Uma” or High Priest, Tarpuntay, Wirapirikuq and Kallparikuy, as well as the nobles and representatives of the Important Inca Panacas, for which three stunning historical and natural settings. For the Inti raymi participate more than 500 actors, it is performed in three places, Qoricancha, Plaza de Armas, Saqsayhuaman.

1.- Qorikancha – First Act:
It was the most important Inca temple consecrated I honor to the Sun. here the festival begins at 8:00 am; when appears the Sinchi (General of the Inca Army); then the Imperial Army and then the Accllas (women chosen); follow the t’ika t’aqaqkunas (women who throw flowers to the ground for the passage of the Inca) and the pichaqkunas (men who clean the ground), all to the son of pututos, quenas, tinyas, where the Inca and his wife (Qoya) appear, followed by his royal entourage and the nobility, accompanied by the high priest (willaq Umu), the Inca in ceremony makes an offering to the god, and then they go to the Plaza de Armas de Cusco

2.- Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas – Second Act:
The Inti Raymi festival continues in the main square, there an altar is erected, it is precisely the sinchi and his guard arriving, inspecting the place and ordering the entrance of the army and the musicians, “La Qoya” (wife of the Inca) enters in walk, accompanied by the Aqllas and Ñustas, followed by the nobility and finally by the majestic inka.

From the Usno (The altar); the Inca gives a special greeting to the sun god; performs the coca rite, throws the three sacred leaves in an offering and asks the high priest to divine the will of the sun; is supported by the kuraq akulliq; this informs that the god will be kind to him Inca and the flame is sacrificed (auquénido native) in his honor, then they go to Saqsayhuaman.

3.- Saqsaywaman Fortress – Thirt Act:
The third act is the most important and impressive, takes place in the esplanade of the fortresses of Saqsayhuaman; at approximately 1.30 pm. To the compass of the pututos, quenas and tinyas enters the Sinchi accompanied by four officers of his guard, it goes to the Usnu (ceremonial platform) as always it revises these facilities, after the good entrance enters the army, the different committees of the four his four places of the empire), when a pututo performed by a chaski enters the great inka, received by the sinchi and his guard.

What Are The Areas Of Entrance To Inti Raymi?

The Inti Raymi Full Day tour includes the entrance to the Sacsayhuaman show (ticket to the orange zone recommended). You can also request a ticket for the green or red zone at the show in Sacsayhuaman. Optionally you can add an armchair in the Coricancha.

Prices also vary depending on the area to choose.

Updated Prices 2023

The Inti Raymi offers the lowest prices in the tourist market. The tour includes everything you need. Learn about the updated prices for this year’s show.

1.- Orange Zone
The orange tribune or orange zone is considered the best tribune for the Inti Raymi. It is located in front of the stage, with a better panoramic view. Therefore, it is the most recommended option for the tour.

2.- Red Zone
The red zone offers an alternative side view of the Inti Raymi show. Despite this, the tourist will not miss anything because the show is designed so that all the stands can enjoy the show without setbacks.

3.- Green Zone
The green area also allows an alternative side view of the Inti Raymi. The tourist will be able to enjoy every detail without setbacks. At the end all the actors and actresses surround the stands so everyone can get great photos.

This celebration is not something to let go unnoticed. June 24 is an emblematic time when Cusco is revitalized, and its colors, traditions, and beautiful legends take shape with this fantastic celebration. Being part of the Inti Raymi, you will be able to understand in greater depth the themes that shape the daily life of Cusco.

Together with Cusco Journeys, we hope we have been of help. If you want to enjoy this celebration on your next vacation, you can consult with our advisors. Our team will be excited to help you make the trip of your dreams come true.

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