Inti Raymi Cusco 2023

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!