Inti-raymi-sun-festival-samtravel-peru-cusco

Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun in Cusco

The Inti Raymi “Festival of the Sun”) was a religious ceremony  of the Inca Empire in honor of the God Sun, one of the most venerated gods in Inca religion. According to chronicler Garcilazo de la Vega, Sapa Inca Pachacuti created the Inti Raymi to celebrate the winter solstice and a new year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere. During the Inca Empire, the Inti Raymi was the most important of four ceremonies celebrated in Cusco. The celebration took place in the Wakaypata or the main plaza in Cusco city. The ceremony was also said to indicate the mythical origin of the Incas, lasting 9 days of colourful dances and processions, as well as animal sacrifices to ensure a good cropping season.The last Inti Raymi with the Inca Emperor’s presence was carried out in 1535, after which the Spanish conquest and the Catholic Church suppressed it. Some natives participated in similar ceremonies in the years after, but it was completely prohibited in 1572 by the Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, who claimed it was a pagan ceremony opposed to the Catholic faith.

After four centuries, in 1944, a historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi was directed by Faustino Espinoza Navarro and indigenous actors. The first reconstruction was largely based on the chronicles of Garcilazo de la Vega and only referred to the religious ceremony with a theatrical representation of the Inti Raymi and took place at Sacsaywaman. Now, in the actuality, the festival is developing in three different places, which are Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), Wakaypata (Main square of Cusco) and Sacsaywaman, attracting thousands of visitors and local people.
The Inti Raymi contemporary version is developed each June 24 since 1944, when the festivities were instituted in Cusco in memory of their ancient origin and cradle of Inca civilization.

ITINERARY FOR INTI RAYMI FESTIVAL

We leave the hotel at 8:30 am and we walk to the Koricancha temple, according to the program, the ceremony starts at 9:00 am. Here begins the festival with the participation of the people that arrive from the Four Suyos (Four Regions), each region dressed with special costumes for this occasion. Then the Inca makes his entrance accompanied by his entourage to begin the ceremony  a greeting to Sun God. Then we will transfer to the main square where at 11:00 am the imperial entourage will move to play in scene the second part of the ceremony, the rite, “The Meeting of Two Worlds”.
Completed the second part of the festival, we will transfer our passengers by bus to the esplanade of Sacsaywaman; the principal scenery to play in scene the Inti Raymi. In the place we take a lunch box while awaiting the arrival of the Inca and his entourage. At approximately 1:30pm, the Inca makes his entry into the esplanade carried by his soldiers, in the Ushnu (Ceremonial Platform). The Inca and the principal authorities of the Empire celebrate with offerings, rituals and give worship to the Sun God.  We return to the hotel at approximately 3.30pm.

WE STAND OUT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CARE & DEDICATION TO OUR CLIENTS AND WORK TEAM

We are ISO 9001 certified, which ensures that all our customers get consistent, good quality services and products. Sam Travel honors and is committed to these principles.

ISO 14001 sets an internationally agreed upon standard for Environmental sustainability. They encourage organizations to protect the environment through the efficient use of resources and reduction of waste. Sam travel adopts a holistic approach to environmental sustainability and management.

We are honored to have been chosen by our travelers as their travelers’ choice of 2022. Trust us to plan your travel, for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. We are humbled and proud to provide the best tours to Machu Picchu, trekking the Inca trail and other tours and treks throughout the Cusco region and beyond.

Sam Travel is committed to a greener earth. We make direct contributions to counter the carbon emissions created by our website and its foot traffic. We play our part in reducing the impact on our environment by neutralizing our carbon emissions.

What Defines Us !



Chat with Us