Best Tips and news about Traveling in Peru Cusco Machupicchu & Bolivia

Inti Raymi Cusco 2023

yure_c@yahoo.com (Yure Chavez) — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:06:57 GMT

Book any of our packages and Join the Inti Raymi: The Festivity of the Sun

Inti Raymi is an ancient Incan festival celebrated in Peru, particularly in the city of Cusco, as well as other Andean regions. The festival honors Inti, the Incan sun god, and is held on June 24th each year, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Inti Raymi has its roots in the Incan Empire, which existed from the 13th to the 16th century. The festival was of great importance to the Incas, as it marked the beginning of a new agricultural year and was a time for giving thanks to Inti for the abundance of the harvest. It was also a way for the Incan ruler, the Sapa Inca, to demonstrate his power and authority to his subjects.

During the celebration, participants dress in traditional Incan attire and reenact various rituals and ceremonies that were performed by the Incas centuries ago. The festival begins with a procession from the Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. The Sapa Inca, portrayed by an actor, leads the procession while being carried on a golden throne called a "qhapac ñan."

Upon reaching the Plaza de Armas, the Sapa Inca delivers speeches in the ancient Quechua language, expressing gratitude to Inti and asking for blessings for the coming year. The ceremonies involve offerings to Inti, including the sacrifice of llamas, which symbolize the reciprocity between humans and nature in Incan cosmology.

Today, Inti Raymi is a significant cultural event that attracts both local and international visitors. It serves as a way to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of the Incan civilization and is recognized as one of the most important festivals in Peru.

Join any of our packages that visit Cusco and we will give organize the tour for the Inti Raymi for you!!

https://www.perutrek4good.com/packages

Inti Raymi: 15 interesting facts you didn't know about the great Sun Festival: June! it's the month of Cusco!

1. The Inti Raymi is one of the biggest festivities in Peru. According to some historians, it was founded by the Inka Pachacutec (1349-1408 AD).

2. “Inti Raymi' is a runa simi expression (Quechua), the language of the Inkas, which means “Sun Festival”

.3. It is an Andean celebration held in honor of the Apu Inti (sun god), which is held on June 24 every year. Some chroniclers point out that the celebration of the sun marked the end of the agricultural year and gave way to the new agricultural cycle of July, which is why the period between the last week of June and the beginning of July is a transitional interval. The celebration was dedicated to that event.

4. It was the most lavish celebration held in the city of Cusco. Sacrifices were made to the sun to prevent it from leaving Earth and its offspring during its long journey into space, as well as for its return, providing the heat needed for agriculture.

5. The original setting of Inti Raymi was the Haucaypata (Main Square of the city of Cusco), where representatives of the empire came from the Four Suyos: Collasuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo and Chinchaysuyo.

6. In ancient times, on the day of the opening of the ceremony, the Inka left the palace towards Haucaypata, with a procession of more than 300 orejones, members of the Inka elite who had this name because they wore large gold earrings.

7. In Inka times, up to 50,000 people came to Cusco from all parts of the empire to be part of the celebrations, which lasted about 15 days.

8. In the past, Inti Raymi lasted several days and began with the winter season. Nowadays it lasts approximately 7 hours.

9. Today, the festival has 3 scenarios for its development: the Qorikancha or temple of the Sun, the Main Square of Cusco and, finally, Saqsaywaman.

10. We are currently keeping this festival alive through a theatrical performance full of mysticism and spirituality. The route starts at Qorikancha, an ancient religious center of the city of Cusco, where an offering is made to the sun god with dancing and singing.

11. The Inti Raymi consists of songs in Quechua, typical music and colorful characters wearing costumes of the Inka era.

12. There is a collection of around 300 costumes that the organization responsible for giving life to this lavish ceremony has.

13. Around 750 to 800 actors perform the staging of Inti Raymi.

14. Every year it is witnessed live by nearly 100 000 people.

15. Inti Raymi is not an exclusive celebration of Cusco, as many Andean populations continue to make their offerings every June 24 in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, northern Argentina, and Colombia.

The Sun Festival is really a celebration that every visitor must witness at some time. We hope that this June 24, everyone can enjoy it, even if it is from a distance. Let's keep the traditions of Peru alive!

Best Tours in Cusco The Sacred Valley Machupicchu

yure_c@yahoo.com (Yure Chavez) — Thu, 18 May 2023 02:43:39 GMT

In all our Good Value packages we include all the Best Tours in Cusco

Cusco, Peru, is a beautiful and historic city with plenty of attractions to explore. Here are some of the best tours you can take in Cusco:

Machu Picchu: A visit to Cusco is incomplete without a tour to the iconic Machu Picchu. There are various tour options available, including one-day and multi-day tours. You can choose to hike the famous 4 Days Inca Trail , the 1 Day Inca Trail or take a train and bus combination tour .
Sacred Valley Tour : The Sacred Valley, located just outside Cusco, is home to numerous Inca ruins and picturesque villages. A tour of the Sacred Valley allows you to explore sites like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about traditional weaving techniques and visit local markets.
Cusco City Tour : Discover the rich history and architecture of Cusco by taking a city tour. Visit the main attractions such as the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun). The tour often includes visits to nearby ruins like Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
Rainbow Mountain Tour : Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, has gained popularity in recent years due to its vibrant colors. The tour takes you on a hike through stunning Andean landscapes to reach the top, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the multicolored mountains. You can also take the ATV tour .
Maras and Moray Tour : Explore the unique agricultural terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras. Moray features circular terraces believed to have been used for agricultural experiments by the Incas. In Maras, you can witness the intricate salt pans that have been harvested for centuries. You can also take the ATV tour .
Inca Trail Trek : For adventurous travelers, the multi-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is a must-do. This challenging hike takes you through breathtaking scenery, ancient Inca ruins, and diverse ecosystems. Permits are required, and it's advisable to book well in advance.
Choquequirao Trek : If you're up for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, the Choquequirao trek is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail. This multi-day trek takes you to the lesser-known archaeological site of Choquequirao, often referred to as the "sister city" of Machu Picchu.

Remember to choose a reputable tour operator (Peru Trek 4 Good) that offers knowledgeable guides and prioritizes sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Additionally, consider your fitness level and acclimatize properly to the altitude before embarking on any high-altitude treks.

Peru: Ollantaytambo named among Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO

yure_c@yahoo.com (Yure Chavez) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:38:31 GMT

In all our trips you visit and spend 1 night in this Amazing town

Ollantaytambo — located in Cusco's Urubamba province — has been selected as one of the 'Best Tourism Villages' 2021 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during a ceremony held in the Spanish city of Madrid.

With this recognition, Ollantaytambo stood out as the only district that represented Peru among a total of 44 villages from 32 countries.

Every village was selected after a tough competition in which innovative approach and contribution to tourism were taken into consideration.

According to the municipal authority, Ollantaytambo is now one of the best examples of villages embracing tourism to provide opportunities and drive sustainable development.

At the ceremony —celebrated during the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly— Rios gave a colorful traditional poncho, which represents the district's living culture, to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili —a gesture that provoked congratulations and applause from hundreds of attendees, including authorities and tour operators from all over the world.

On the other hand, the Municipality of Ollantaytambo highlighted the support of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) and Turismo Cuida (Tourism Cares) in this selection process and in the achievement attained by the Living Inca City —as Ollantaytambo is known— which once again puts Peru in the global spotlight and will help reactivate the tourism sector in Urubamba province (Cusco region).

Ollantaytambo is an architectural gem that is on the way to Machu Picchu —one of the New Seven Wonders of the World as well as a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity.