Qoyllur Riti: Peru’s Sacred Pilgrimage of Snow and Stars

Qoyllur Riti is one of the Andes’ most remarkable religious festivals. Each year before Corpus Christi, over 10,000 pilgrims gather in Peru’s Sinakara Valley for a celebration that blends Catholic rituals with ancient Andean traditions.

This extraordinary event, held at an elevation of over 4,600 meters, is one of the most sacred religious gatherings in the region, where faith, endurance, and tradition converge in spectacular form. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ausangate glacier, Qoyllur Riti unites diverse communities in a vivid display of cultural devotion.

Traditional dancers in ornate, symbolic costumes, candlelit nighttime processions, and awe-inspiring glacier rituals all play vital roles in honoring both ancient Andean mountain gods and Christian saints, especially the miraculous image of El Señor de Qoyllur Riti.

What is the Qoyllur Riti Festival?

What is the Qoyllur Riti Festival Qoyllur Riti is a sacred Andean pilgrimage and religious festival held annually in the Sinakara Valley near the Ausangate mountain in Peru, typically around late May or early June. Meaning “Snow Star” in Quechua, the festival honors both Indigenous Andean spiritual traditions and Catholic beliefs, especially the reappearance of the Pleiades constellation, which signals the new agricultural season in the Andes.

Recognized as one of Peru’s most important syncretic events, Qoyllur Riti involves a multi-day trek to a glacial sanctuary over 4,600 meters above sea level, attracting more than 10,000 pilgrims from across the country.

Participants engage in ritual dances, symbolic reenactments, and spiritual rites led by Ukukus—mythical bear-men who serve as guardians of the sacred. Central to the celebration is the Christ of Qoyllur Rit’i, a miraculous image believed to bring blessings and protection.

This unique festival blends cosmic worship, environmental symbolism, and deep-rooted Catholic devotion, embodying Peru’s rich cultural and spiritual identity.

Origin and History of the Qoyllur Riti Festival

The origins of the Qoyllur Riti Festival trace back to a powerful legend rooted in the late 18th century in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. According to tradition, a young shepherd named Mariano Mayta was tending his flock near the sacred Ausangate glacier when he encountered a mysterious boy dressed in a flowing white robe.

This enigmatic child not only helped Mariano care for his animals but also caused them to grow stronger and more robust. Curious about the miracle, local villagers and Catholic priests attempted to learn more. But when they returned to the site, the child had vanished—leaving behind a miraculous image of Christ imprinted on a rock.

This divine revelation transformed the site into a holy sanctuary, and over time, it became the center of one of Peru’s most spiritually significant festivals. The image of Christ, now known as El Señor de Qoyllur Riti (The Lord of the Snow Star), became a revered symbol for both Catholic believers and Indigenous Andean communities.

A sanctuary was constructed at the site, marking the beginning of what would evolve into an annual pilgrimage drawing thousands of faithful pilgrims from across Peru and beyond. While Catholicism officially frames the festival, its spiritual core is deeply rooted in pre-Columbian Andean cosmology.

Indigenous traditions revere Apus—sacred mountain spirits—and Pachamama, the nurturing force of Mother Earth. The timing of the festival aligns with the reappearance of the Pleiades constellation, signaling agricultural renewal. For the Andean people, this is a time to reconnect with the cosmos, the land, and their ancestors.

Today, Qoyllur Riti stands as a living testament to cultural syncretism—a vibrant fusion of Christian faith and ancient Andean spirituality. It is both a religious pilgrimage and a cosmic celebration, where myth, legend, and devotion intertwine atop the sacred heights of the Andes.

Where and When Does the Qoyllur Rit’i Festival Take Place?

Qoyllur Rit’i Festival The Qoyllur Riti Festival unfolds annually in the Sinakara Valley, nestled within the Ocongate District of the Quispicanchi Province, in Peru’s Cusco Region. Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) above sea level, the valley lies at the base of the Ausangate Mountain, a peak revered in Andean cosmology.

This remote sanctuary becomes the epicenter of one of the most significant religious pilgrimages in the Andes. The festival typically occurs in late May or early June, aligning with the full moon preceding the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. In 2025, the pilgrimage is scheduled from June 15 to June 18.

This timing also coincides with the reappearance of the Pleiades constellation—known as Qullqa in Quechua—which holds agricultural significance in Andean traditions. Pilgrims, organized into groups called “nations” based on their regions of origin, embark on a challenging trek to the sanctuary.

The journey involves traversing rugged terrain and enduring cold temperatures, with daytime highs around 12°C (54°F) and nighttime lows dropping below -10°C (14°F).

Despite the harsh conditions, the pilgrimage is a profound expression of faith and cultural identity, drawing participants from across Peru and beyond.

The Pilgrimage: A Sacred Journey to the Heart of the Andes

The Qoyllur Riti pilgrimage is a deeply spiritual journey that draws over 10,000 faithful each year to the Sinakara Valley in Peru’s Cusco Region. Held just before the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi, the pilgrimage reflects a powerful blend of Catholic devotion and ancient Andean cosmology, showcasing the enduring spiritual identity of the Andean people.

1.- The Route: From Mahuayani to the Sanctuary
Pilgrims begin their trek from the village of Mahuayani, covering approximately 8 kilometers to reach the Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllur Riti. This physically demanding journey rises to around 4,700 meters above sea level, with pilgrims passing fourteen ceremonial crosses that mark spiritual milestones along the route.

2.- Rituals and Ceremonies: Sacred Practices in the Snow
Upon arrival, the sanctuary becomes the center of multi-day rituals, processions, and celebrations. Key elements include:

Processions of Crosses: Pilgrims carry large wooden crosses up to the glacier and back, often in candlelit or early morning processions, symbolizing penance and devotion.
24-Hour Procession: The sacred images of the Lord of Tayancani and the Sorrowful Virgin are carried in a non-stop procession to the village of Tayancani, culminating in a symbolic greeting of the sunrise.
Traditional Dances: Over a hundred ceremonial dances are performed by pilgrims representing their communities or “nations,” preserving regional traditions and honoring their heritage.

3.- The Ukukus: Spiritual Guardians of the Andes
A unique and vital part of the festival is the role of the Ukukus, men dressed in bear costumes who embody mythological guardians. These figures enforce order, protect the sacred rituals, and undertake the dangerous nighttime climb up Mount Qullqipunku to retrieve sacred symbols.

Historically, they brought down blocks of glacier ice believed to have healing powers, a ritual now largely symbolic due to climate concerns. The Qoyllur Riti pilgrimage is more than a religious tradition—it’s a living expression of cultural resilience, spiritual endurance, and sacred unity between the Catholic and Andean worlds.

The Future of Qoyllur Riti

Future of Qoyllur Riti Global warming is dramatically impacting the Qoyllur Rit’i pilgrimage. Each year, the trek to the glacier’s base grows longer as the ice recedes, and the practice of taking ice from the glacier has been discouraged.

Over the past 35 years, Peru has lost 22% of its glaciers, and it currently holds 70% of the world’s tropical glaciers, according to the Peruvian Environmental Ministry. In the coming decades, Qoyllur Riti may face a heartbreaking loss—not due to shifts in culture, but because the sacred glacier, central to the celebration, may no longer exist.

For more details on Cusco’s festivals or to plan a trip to Machu Picchu, reach out to one of our expert travel advisors.

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