Inti Raymi returns in 2025 with great energy, and Cusco is preparing to welcome it with vibrant festivities and allegorical celebrations. The Cusco 2025 festival kicks off in the first week of June, marking the beginning of the Festival of the Sun and the anniversary of the Cusco region.
Every June 24th, the city of Cusco turns into the place for one of the most amazing cultural and religious events in the world: the Inti Raymi, also known as the Sun Festival. This old event, which honors Inti, the sun god of the Incas, is a show of an old tradition that has lasted through the years.
In this article we will look closely at what this festival means, the times, the places of celebration, helpful tips, how to get tickets, and some fun facts that will make you like this special experience even more.
Inti Raymi: Time and Plan
The Inti Raymi is celebrated on June 24th, marking the winter solstice in the southern half of the world. Traditionally, the celebration is set up in three moments or “stages,” each with its own time and ritual:
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Scene 1 – Qoricancha (Sun Temple) The day starts around 8:00 a.m. at the old Qoricancha temple, lasting about 1 hour, where the “Greeting to the Sun” ceremony takes place. Here, with songs in Quechua, the old rituals begin that aim to call the energy of the sun god (The sun).
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Scene 2 – Main Square Around 11:00 a.m., the celebration moves to the famous Main Square of Cusco, also traditionally known as Auqaypata. At this point, the “Meeting of the Times” takes place, where the Inca, with his people and the queen, gives respect, and does the coca leaf ceremony.
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Scene 3 – Sacsayhuaman The main ceremony is held on the Sacsayhuaman field, just a few miles from the center of Cusco, around 1:30 p.m. Here, the main show happens, lasting between 2 and 3 hours, where they show things like the pretend killing of a llama, gifts of holy bread (sankhu), and old dances that show the greatness of the Inca empire.
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How to See in the festival of Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi has become a must-see attraction, which many foreign and local visitors attend. So, if you don’t find a good place to see the event, the experience won’t be the same. Therefore, we advise you the following:
1. Entrance to Coricancha and Main Square: These first two parts of the celebration are free and open to the public. However, because of the large number of people, it is important to arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy the show without problems. Although in the case of Qoricancha, it has its own space where 350 seats are offered right in front of the stage, which guarantees a great view of the start of the show.
2. Seats and Stands in Sacsayhuaman: The main show is in Sacsayhuaman and requires buying tickets, since it is set up in stands (orange, red, and green) that offer the best views of the stage. Each area has different features; the orange stand is, for example, the most popular for offering a central view of the show.
Tips to Enjoy the Experience
To make the most of the Inti Raymi day, here are some helpful tips:
- Plan Your Arrival: Because many people come, it’s important to arrive early. To see the Qoricancha ceremony, for example, it’s best to be there at least one or two hours before it starts to get a good spot.
- Dress Right: The weather in Cusco can change a lot. Even though the sun is strong during the day, mornings and evenings can be cold. So, it’s good to wear layers of clothes: a light layer closest to your skin, a middle layer for warmth, and an outer layer that stops rain or wind.
- Protect Your Health: The high place and strong sun mean you must use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Also, drink water all day long and if you can, bring snacks for energy.
- Hire a Local Guide or Book a Tour: A guide who knows the place will not only help you understand the meaning of each ritual and ceremony, but will also help you with plans, tell you the best places to see the show, and give you important history and culture info. Also, it’s better to choose a tour which will help you directly by giving you comfort, information and a guide during the entire Inti Raymi.
Additional Tips
- Record the Experience: Take a camera or smartphone with enough battery to catch the most memorable times, from the rituals in Qoricancha to the big view of Sacsayhuamán.
- Talk to the People: Use the chance to talk with the local people and learn first-hand about the history and ways of the area. Many times, the stories and tales told by word make your knowledge of the event better.
- Plan Your Trip: Besides going to Inti Raymi, make time to explore Cusco and the places around it. Places like the San Pedro Market, the Quenqo ruins and the San Blas area give a good extra cultural experience.
The Meaning of Inti Raymi
The term “Inti Raymi” comes from Quechua: “Inti” means sun and “Raymi” party or celebration. Started by the Inca Pachacutec around the 15th century, Inti Raymi was the most important celebration of the Inca calendar, celebrating the winter solstice. This event marked the start of a new sun cycle and meant the renewal of life, the hope of a good harvest and the continuation of Inca power.
Ritual Elements
During the ceremony, different offerings and rituals are done that connect with the Andean way of seeing the world, these are:
- Greeting to the Sun: At sunrise, the Inca gives a greeting to the sun, showing the direct connection between the god and the people.
- Coca Leaf Ceremony: Coca leaves, respected since old times, are used to make offerings and rituals that set up a symbolic talk with the spirit world.
- Symbolic Llama Sacrifice: Even though today it is done as a play, in old times sacrifices were offered to honor the sun and make sure life and the land’s fertility kept going.
- Dances and Music: Traditional dances, with local instruments, are a big part of the ritual, because they show the happiness, connection, and shared memory of the Inca people.
The Legacy of Inti Raymi
Even though the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century made many Inca traditions stop, Inti Raymi stayed in people’s memories and was brought back in 1944 thanks to the idea of Faustino Espinoza Navarro and other cultural leaders. Today, the festival is not just a reminder of the great Inca past, but also a sign of identity and pride for the people of Cusco and the whole Andean region.
Tickets and Access to Inti Raymi
How to Buy Your Ticket? Access to the show in Sacsayhuaman needs ticket buying. You can buy them on official websites or trusted travel agencies. It is important to check these things:
- Zones and Stands: There are three kinds of stands – orange, red, and green – each with its own things. The orange stand is usually the most wanted because it has the best center view, while the red and green can be cheaper choices.
- Buy Early: Because many people want to go, it is best to buy your ticket at least three months before to make sure you have a place.
- Check if It Is Real: Make sure you buy tickets from official places or well-known agencies to avoid being tricked or having problems on the day of the event.
Prices and Deals
Prices change depending on the stand and if you are a Peruvian or a visitor from another country. Some agencies give discounts for groups or for buying early, which can make the final cost much less.
Inti Raymi Fun Facts
- A Festival of Rebirth: Although originally Inti Raymi lasted up to 15 days during the Inca era, today it focuses on a day full of intense rituals and performances. This change is the result of the cultural rebuilding started in 1944, which made it possible to bring back a thousand-year-old tradition, changing it for modern times.
- The Power of the Sun: The Incas saw the sun as the giver of life and a source of endless energy. It was believed that every sun ray was a gift that made the empire stronger, so the Inti Raymi ceremony was full of thanks and requests for blessings.
- The Legacy of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega: The writings by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega have been very important to rebuild the ceremony, as they have details about the rituals, clothing and the feeling that made the original Inti Raymi special.