Peruvian Festival offers you the opportunity to live the Inca culture in 6 days visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machupicchu, the Inca city of Cusco, the wonderful Rainbow Mountain and above all it allows you to be a part of the live culture of Cusco through the Inti Raymi, the most great worship of the Sun God.The arrival of the Inti Raymi is an event that without a doubt paralyzes the city of Cusco, filling the streets with joy and the population in general. Your experience will undoubtedly turn out to be one of the best visits before encountering the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Inti Raymi is a festival that celebrates the Sun God of the Incas, today it is recreated on June 24 of each year as the most solemn and grandiose festivity of the vanished Inca Empire. The Inti Raymi is celebrated since the time of the Incas during the winter solstice to worship the sun god, it involves colorful costumes, luxury banquets, festive music, and historical memories that take place in the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, located in the northern area of the city of Cusco, according to the Inca Gracilazo de la Vega, Sacsayhuaman is "the greatest and most magnificent work that the Incas had built to show their power and majesty ".Inti Raymi was a religious ceremony in which homage was paid to the Sun God at the time of the winter solstice. It is said that in the ceremony there were legends about the origin of the Incas. It lasted nine days in which there were many dances and processions, as well as animal sacrifices to give thanks to the gods and to ensure a good harvest.June is probably the most colorful month in the city of Cusco, it is full of events and activities. The most important day is the 24th.It is celebrated throughout the territory of the ancient Inca empire, which included Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Argentina. But of course the largest was made in Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, Tahuantinsuyo.
Day 01 - 21st June : Cusco
Day 02 - 22nd June: Sacred Valley Tour
Day 03 - 23rd June : Machu Picchu Tour
Day 04 - 24th June : Inti Raymi Tour (inca festival of the sun)
Day 05 - 25th June : Rainbow Mountain Tour
Day 06 - 26th June : Flight to Lima
As the Quechua word says "Inti Raymi" festival of the sun, since its etymological interpretation is almost simple. The feast pays tribute and thanks to its natural divinity "The Sun" because it intervened in its greatest activity Agriculture, then as an agricultural society needed to pay such homage to the divinity that contributed most to this civilization.
There are many references and discrepancies regarding the date, according to Cristóbal de Molina, Inti Raymi was celebrated on May 24, who demonstrated this statement was Tom Zuidema a great anthropologist of Andean ethnohistory, he demonstrated using an astronomical clock taking advantage of the first sunlight of 24 to being perpendicular to the alley between the temples of the sun and the moon located in the Qoricancha, is an idea that we can not leave aside in turn other chroniclers mention it on the date of June 21 and others in dates very distant to the already mentioned. However, the day that we will approach the most is on June 21 because in this it begins with the winter solstice because that is where the sun reaches its most distant point towards the earth a very special moment for the ancient Andeans. However, today is celebrate on June 24 this due to an act more formal than natural and below we will see the reason for this date.
Augusto Bernardino Leguía and Salcedo twice president of Peru, by supreme decree promulgated on May 23, 1930 with reference to the festival of the Inti Raymi of the chronicles and resemble the date of June 24 as the "Day of the Indian" For the 8 of January of 1944 the celebration of the Day of the Cusco and the "Inti Raymi" was arranged outside the 24 of June of each year. On this day the law of agrarian reform was also promulgated by the military government of General Juan Velasco Alvarado, the law that gave back the land to those who worked it, that day also changed the name of the day of the Indian as day of the Peruvian peasant on June 24, 1969. The officialization of the "Inti Raymi" and Cusco Feast as a holiday was achieved by decree law 21860, promulgated on June 7, 1977 by the then General Francisco Morales Bermúdez, who in his unique article declares June 24 as non-working holiday in the department of Cusco.
All the important palaces and squares were properly prepared with colorful ornaments and decorated kijllus (Inca streets) All the inhabitants with the best costumes waiting for this great day. The priests and a large part of the population are deprived of chili condiments, salt and even sexual relations, this form of fasting was very typical in front of any great celebration. Before starting the day when the last star said goodbye to the night to welcome the sun before its first rays illuminate the city of Cusco. The plaza of Huacaypata (current main square) and the Qoricancha was filled with Many of the faithful, barefoot and in penance, knelt, waiting for the first rays of the sun in their cold and hungry bodies.
They called to the sun with weeping and sad songs, because at this time the sun was moving away from the earth, generating a cold and very discouraging frost. In their cries they asked this God not to leave them or abandon them because without that which would be the life of This town, the pain was such that the cries were contagious making the streets cry with one voice. When the first rays of the sun embraced the city and illuminated the squares all attendees including authorities, visitors and the same priests stuck their heads to the ground in reverence, kneeling with their heads on the frigid ground full of frost. Then "El Inca" (Sole Ruler) stood up because he was the only one who did it and with a golden akilla (ceremonial vase) filled with chicha (fermented corn drink) he gave his words of welcome and gave him full gratitude for one more day to appear in the life of his people, in turn, he promised that he would have the same welcome each year so as not to affect the progress of his people.
Later in the ceremony they went to the main square of Cusco and finally they arrived at the Sacsayhuaman temple because that is where all the assistants of the different Suyos (provinces of the Inca empire) gave their tribute and thanks through dances, songs and grandiose staging, sacrifices were part of the gratitude; they started from 100 black llamas to 500 or thousands, history tells us that if the year that passed was not very productive in terms of agriculture and livestock, it was sacrificed twice as much as it was normal because it was a sign that sacrifices were not enough.
For a long time the Andean festivities were banned in the colony although these will be carried out clandestinely, they were totally abolished by the viceroy Toledo in the year 1572 this meant the eradication of the Andean festivals and including the "Inti Raymi" in almost all its entirety. For the "Inti Raymi" had to spend more than 4 centuries to return to make it, of course not as formal as the original but entertaining to give an idea of what was the feast of "Inti Raymi" to our current time. In 1944, Humberto Vidal Unda, a prominent character from Cusco, accompanied by Faustino Espinoza Navarro who was also the one who created the script for the first staging,reconstructed the history, based on recommendations and ancient chronicles such as those of Inca Garcilaso De La Vega Chimpu Occllo. That year was the first staging after more than 400 years of the first "Inti Raymi" brought together thousands of people and different actors of the region the festival was attended by the then President of the Republic, Manuel Prado Ugarteche.
This tour is an ideal option for people who want to learn a little more about our beautiful Inca culture. The City Tour Cusco combines not only attractions belonging to the Inca Culture, but also attractions from the times of the colony. We offer guaranteed daily departures for single people or groups of all ages; The tour is done by tourist bus.Our tour will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Main Square. The City tour in Cusco is the beginning of contact with the Inca culture, the wonderful city of Cusco, "Navel of the World, Archaeological Capital of America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Starting, the tour will begin with an introduction to the History of Cusco by our Proffesional Guide.Our first visit will be to the Temple of Qoricancha, considered the most important Inca temple in antiquity, then we will address Our transportation to the archaeological park of Saqsayhuaman,Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. At the end of these four important archaeological sites make the descent to the city of Cusco, culminating in this way the tour at approximately 6:30 pm.
This tour starts at approximately 08:00 hrs. and ends at 6:30 p.m., we pass by your hotel, to have a guided tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, over theVilcanota River, for a panoramic view of the Inca citadel of Pisac and visit the typical cultural market of Pisac, where we will have the opportunity to learn about the customs of its inhabitants and haggle prices with sellers, then we go to the city of Urubamba, traveling along the Vilcanota river, returning toCusco between 18:30 and 18:40 hrs .Remember,the Sacred Valley of the Incas is also known as the Vilcanota Valley or the Urubamba Valley, and is itself a picturesque valley full of beauty and history. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo in Cusco and is in itself the place of Peru where the largest number of archaeological attractions of Inca origin is concentrated. The Sacred Valley of the Incas, comprises in its vast territory an average of 350 discovered archaeological structures, among which besides complexes, cave paintings are also recognized. Of the impressive amount of archaeological resources that the valley possesses, it is possible to highlight structures such as the Archaeological Complex of Pisaq, where an archaeological complex is recognized in which the presence of the Inca solar calendar stands out; In addition, there are complexes such as the Archaeological Zone of Ollantaytambo, the Archaeological Zone of Moray, the Archaeological Complex of Sacsayhuaman, Piquillacta, Tambomachay, Chincheros, Quespihuanca, Yucay, among many others. In addition to archaeological resources, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is also interesting because of the diversity of peoples that inhabit its territory. Among these towns is the Town of Urquillos, which is one of the most representative communities of the valley in whose dwellings both the Inca and Colonial architectural influence is evident, and it is not for less, since for what is known, Urquillos was formerly an Inca ayllu, known as Urcos or Urcosbamba, in which we can still observe the permanence of old prehispanic traditions, mainly related to agriculture.
Get to know Machu Picchu with us, recharge your energies in this magical city of the Incas and enjoy! We will have everything organized for you. This day, very early we leave from your hotel in Cusco towards the train station of Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes, then we will take the bus that will take us to our final destination the citadel Inca of Machu Picchu, feel the unique energy of the Machu Picchu mountains. In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco.
We will pass by your hotel at 7:00 a.m and then go to the esplanade of Qoricancha, immediately start the ceremony. From the Qoricancha the Inca and all his entourage goes to the Main Square, to later move to the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman where the most important part of the ceremony will take place. At At the end of the ceremony we will return to the city of Cusco.
The festival in honor of the Sun God, is performed in the presence of the Inca, the Willaq Uma or High Priest, Tarpuntay, Wirapirikuq and Kallparikuy, as well as the nobles and representatives of the panacas, for which three impressive historical and natural scenarios are used :}
Early, around 03:00 a.m, we will pick you up from the hotel in Cusco to make the trip to Qollasuyo / Pampachiri, southern part of the ancient Quechua (Cusco), which was an important part of the Tawantinsuyo (4 ancient regions of the Incas ) ,from the beginning we will travel for 3 to 4 hours by transport, first we will go through the village of Checacupe, then continue through Pitumarka, where we will take the breakfast and then we will arrive at Quechuyno where we will start the trek, after a brief talk, we will start our walk at the foot of the Ausangate mountain, a climb of approximately 2 hours to the highest point of the colored hill, during this journey we will have the opportunity to see the different varieties of South American camelids, come to the red hill, we will have time to take pictures of this enigmatic place. Afterwards, we will continue with our 2 hours descent and flat parts to the starting point of the trek (Quechuyno), then we will go by car to Pitumarka where we will have lunch, finally we will return to Cusco, where we will arrive at 7:00 p.m. approx.
This day you will be transfer from your hotel to the International Alejandro Velazque Astete Airport of the City of Cusco.Hoping you had the best experiences in the imperial city of Cusco.
Cusco; cultural, magical and unforgettable destination. Cusco is fascinating because it is a destination where you will find history, nature, adventure, art, gastronomy and customs that are kept alive. Come and enjoy the warmth of a town that enjoys visitors, Cusco waits for you. You can not miss the opportunity to know it!. Also known as Qosqo, archaeological capital of America, it was the main city of the Inca Empire, considered by them as "Navel of the world". It was the vital center of the millennial Tahuantinsuyo (Empire of the Incas) and is currently the most visited city in Peru for offering great architectural and spiritual richness.
Once the travel date is chosen, the most important thing is to determine how to get there, choose a hotel and what activities to do during your stay. The options are many and we will help you make the best decision. Our 6-day tour will allow you to see the great attractions of Cusco and especially the main festival Inti Raymi. At night, do not forget to go to the traditional and picturesque San Blas neighborhood, where you will find high quality local crafts, bars and traditional cafes always surrounded by cobbled streets and balconies from where you can see this neighborhood and the entire city of Cusco. Around Cusco the Incas built Fortresses like Sacsayhuaman, temples like Qoricancha, Qenko and Tambomachay, you will be able to know these impressive places in our City Tour, in the tour you will see the ingenuity and art of the Inca constructions. We invite you to know this extraordinary and fascinating metropolis in all its diversity, and we offer you the most complete, safe and updated guide to make your trip unique and unforgettable.
Days | 6 |
Code | PVF |
Activity level |