Inti Raymi, The festival of the Sun

Peru is a country with a long history, many ancient cultures and many stories to excite the traveler. None more than the legends of the Inca, their strength, their genius, their sites and the way they built thier civilzation that spread across several countries.

Legends of gold temples and battles with the Spanish abound. Today in the Imperial city of Cusco you can see the reminants of the famous culture and its people, layed out before you in this exciting high Andean city.

One day In June every year, the city of Cusco come alive to celebrate the ancient Inca Sun King. This day is celebrated every June 24 and is called Inti Raymi.

Inti Raymi (the "Festival of the Sun") is the most important cultural and historical celebration in Cusco, and one of the largest festivals in all of South America. It is a massive, highly vibrant reenactment of the ancient Incan winter solstice ceremony, honoring the Sun God (Inti) and marking the Inca New Year.

If you are planning to attend or just want to understand how it works, here is everything you need to know:

When and Where Does It Happen?

The festival takes place every single year on June 24th. While Cusco celebrates its jubilee month all of June with parades and music, the main event is a single-day theatrical masterpiece that unfolds across three historic stages:

Stage 1: Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun)

 ~9:00 AM

The festival begins at the ancient temple foundations of Qorichanca (now the Santo Domingo Convent) in the front courtyard. Be early to get a good spot. The "Inca" emerges to greet the sun and invoke blessings, which is the start of Inti Raymi.

Stage 2: Plaza de Armas (Cusco’s Main Square)

 ~10:30 AM

The royal entourage marches into the bustling main plaza. Here, the Inca performs a traditional coca leaf ceremony and meets with the modern Mayor of Cusco to offer ancestral guidance. This take place in the main square and the parade continues around the square, get for photos.

Stage 3: Sacsayhuamán Fortress

 ~1:45 PM

This is the grand, primary event. Set against the massive megalithic stone walls of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, on a high hill overlooking the city. Hundreds of actors, dancers, and musicians perform rituals, ancestral dances, and symbolic offerings.

Tickets and Seating: Paid vs. Free

How you experience Inti Raymi depends entirely on your budget and how well you handle crowds.

The Paid Route (Grandstands): To sit comfortably, you must buy tickets for Stage 1 (Qorikancha) and Stage 3 (Sacsayhuamán). Sacsayhuamán features massive temporary grandstands divided into colored zones (Orange, Red, and Green). Tickets range from $140 to $220+ USD and are sold online via official channels (like Teleticket) starting in April.

The Free Route (The Local Experience): Stage 2 (Plaza de Armas) is completely free, but you will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of people. For Stage 3, locals gather on the two natural hills overlooking the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. It is incredibly high-energy and authentic, but you must arrive as early as 6:00 AM to claim a patch of grass.

Crucial Logistics & Survival Tips

Book Months in Advance: June is Cusco's absolute peak tourism season. Hotels, flights, trains, and Machu Picchu permits sell out months ahead. Many hotels even require a minimum 2-night stay around June 24th.

The Language: The entire ceremony is spoken and chanted in Quechua, the ancestral language of the Incas. Even if you don't understand the words, the visual storytelling, dramatic music, and intense energy make it easy to follow.

Cusco is Closed to Traffic: On June 24th, the entire historic center is pedestrian-only. Taxis and buses are blocked. You will be walking everywhere, including the steep, 45-minute uphill trek to Sacsayhuamán if you don't have a tour package with designated transport.

Dress in Layers: June is winter in the Andes. When the sun is out, it is intensely hot and bright (around 68°F/20°C). The moment the sun goes behind a cloud or sets, the temperature plummets instantly toward freezing.

Packing Checklist

Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. The high-altitude sun at 11,000 feet (3,400 meters) will burn you quickly.

Cash (Peruvian Soles): Street food vendors and water sellers do not take credit cards.

Daypack Essentials: A portable power bank (you will take hundreds of videos), plenty of water, snacks, and pocket tissues/hand sanitizer (public restrooms on the hills are basic).

Comfortable Shoes: You will be standing and walking on cobblestones and dirt paths all day.

Water: You will need to take plenty of wáter and snacks if you plan to arrive at Sacsayhuaman early in the morning, there will be food sellers, but be careful on what you eat.

What to Eat

Don't miss out on Chiri Uchu, the official festive dish of Cusco served everywhere during June. It is a cold platter featuring a mix of ingredients from Peru’s different regions: roasted guinea pig (cuy), chicken, jerky, Andean cheese, corn cakes, and seaweed. You will also find plenty of street vendors selling choclo con queso (giant Andean corn with cheese) and fresh anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers).

We hope you have all the information you need for Inti Raymi, if you plan to visit Cusco during Inti Raymi be prepared to pay more for hotels and transport. You will need to book in advance not to be disappointed.

Here at Peruvian Sunrise we can advise you on where to sit for the best views. Contact us today.

Published 2026-09-05