Inti Raymi 2025 Full Day Tour – Cusco Sun Festival Experience

At 8:00 AM
we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and head to the first location for the ceremony.
Scene 01: The Temple of the Sun – Qoricancha.- Welcome to the Sun: Welcome to all participants in the grand Festival of the Sun. The Inti Raymi begins at the Qoricancha Temple, the "Great Enclosure of Gold." It was held in honor of the Sun God, Inti, considered the main deity of the Tahuantinsuyo (the name of the Inca Empire). Today, every year on June 24th, the Festival of the Sun begins with the Inca's greeting to all visitors and attendees. Actors dressed in traditional Inca clothing recreate the original rituals.
The Qoricancha temple is a sacred space that served as the spiritual heart of the Inca Empire. Today, it serves as a stage to remember the offerings and tributes the ancient Peruvians made to the Sun, seeking its blessing for prosperity and the balance of nature.

PLaza de Armas of Cusco - From 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
The Inti Raymi ceremony in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco: This is the meeting between the Inca and the people, along with the authorities of Cusco. It is a recreation similar to the one held at the Qoricancha Temple, but it is more focused on the current authorities of Cusco. The purpose is to deliver the Sun's blessing to the current governor, ensuring a prosperous and successful governance in the capital of the Inca Empire.

In this second scene, our guide will provide options to maximize your experience:

• Free time: 1 hour maximum, to enjoy this scene at your own pace and discretion. "Entrance is completely free for everyone." You can rest or immerse yourself in the joy of the people of Cusco.
• 11:00 AM – Lunch at Restaurant LA YUNZA, "The Museum of Latin American Music." Choose from 2 options, plus 1 vegetarian option.

12:00 PM – Transfer to ascend to the Saqsayhuaman 

Saqsayhuaman: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Main Ceremony) Transfer from Cusco to Saqsayhuaman. 12:00 PM – Transfer from Cusco to Saqsayhuaman (The name derives from the Quechua terms "saqsay" and "waman," which translates to "satisfy, falcon" in Spanish). This impressive archaeological site is located at 3,555 meters above sea level, just one kilometer from the Inca neighborhood of Qolqanpata.

1:00 PM – The most important ceremony begins:

The Inti Raymi concludes in the imposing Saqsayhuaman esplanade, one of the most iconic locations for this celebration in honor of the Sun God (Inti). This ceremonial fortress, located just a few kilometers from the historic center of Cusco, provides a majestic setting that enhances the historical and spiritual significance of the event.

In the modern recreation of the Inti Raymi, thousands of spectators gather at Saqsayhuaman on June 24th to witness the central representation of the ceremony. Here, the Inca, accompanied by the Coya, priests, warriors, and Inca nobility, performs rituals and offerings in gratitude to the Sun. Among the most notable activities are traditional dances, chants in Quechua, and the symbolic sacrifice of a llama as an act of renewal and a plea for prosperity for the people.

The monumental surroundings of Saqsayhuaman, with its gigantic stone blocks and connection to the sky, reinforce the sacred nature of the Inti Raymi. This event combines history, art, and spirituality, making the experience unique for both the people of Cusco and visitors from around the world. The ceremony not only commemorates the grandeur of the Tahuantinsuyo, but also preserves and celebrates the deep Andean cultural roots.

3:30 PM approx. – End of the performance. We will gather and head to the transportation, taking you back to your respective hotels. (Please note that there will be heavy traffic on this day. Some guests whose hotels are near the Plaza may choose to walk to the Plaza de Armas, approximately a 15-minute walk downhill).

To attend the INTI RAYMI, the EMUFEC (Municipal Company of Festivals of Cusco) provides the necessary services: grandstands at Qoricancha and Sacsayhuaman, equipped with modern and comfortable seats, mobile restrooms, a tourist information booth, first aid stations, and security surveillance (both police and private), ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience of the festival.

Finally, the event concludes at the most special scene at the Saqsayhuaman Fortress (3 km from Cusco). Afterward, we will be transferred by bus to the historic center of Cusco, where the tour will end