Digital magazine ‘Inti Raymi in Cusco’.
At Machupicchu Terra we offer the digital magazine ‘Inti Raymi’ completely free of charge. Learn about the history, the origins, the Inca festival and everything you need to know to appreciate the festival of the sun, which is celebrated every June 24 in the city of Cusco. The show takes place in three historical settings: the Coricancha temple, the Main Square of Cusco and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Find out what this digital magazine offers and get excited to enjoy Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun.
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What to see in the magazine?
The digital magazine ‘Inti Raymi’ offers complete information about the great Cusco event of Inca origin recognized as the festival of the sun. Download is free in PDF format. The magazine has six chapters: a) What is Inti Raymi?, b) Why is Inti Raymi celebrated?, c) History of Inti Raymi, d) Inti Raymi today, e) How to witness the Inti Raymi? and f) Everything you need to have a perfect day during Inti Raymi. Learn a little more about the content of each of the chapters!
| Inti Raymi Magazine | |
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| What is Inti Raymi? | Inti Raymi is a cultural and tourist festival that is celebrated in the city of Cusco every June 24. The festival has its origins in the Inca sun festival, established by Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century. The ceremony has three large stagings in: the Coricancha, the Main Square and Sacsayhuamán. |
| Why is Inti Raymi celebrated? | The Inti Raymi is celebrated as a vindication of the Inca culture in the inhabitants of Cusco. The city of Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire where the Inti Raymi ceremony was held during the winter solstice. The Incas considered this date sacred, worshiping the sun god (Inti) with ceremonies of sacrifice of llamas, alpacas, offerings of chicha, precious stones and the presence of thousands of people. |
| History of the Inti Raymi | The Inti Raymi has a history that goes back several centuries. It is believed that the first Inca religious manifestations are present in the mythical era of the Inca Manco Cápac. Approximately two centuries later, Emperor Pachacutec reorganized this important religious celebration, making it the most important in the Inca calendar. In the 20th century, Cusco citizens once again valued this festivity with a giant staging in the Coricancha, the Main Square and Sacsayhuamán. |
| Inti Raymi today | Currently, Inti Raymi is celebrated every June 24 in three stagings that feature the collaboration of hundreds of actors and actresses interpreting the ancient Inca sun festival. That day is a non-working holiday throughout the Cusco region. Tourists can witness the shows at the Coricancha, the Main Square and Sacsayhuamán. This last event is private and entry is with a ticket purchased online. The Inti Raymi is a famous event in the world. |
| How to witness Inti Raymi? | Inti Raymi can be witnessed with the purchase of an entry ticket online to one of the three stands available around the main stage in Sacsayhuamán: the red seat, the orange seat and the green chair. In addition, you can enjoy the event for free in Coricancha and the Main Square. However, these shows are surrounded by a crowd of people. Only at the Coricancha show there is the option, for an extra cost, to rent a seat in front of the show. |
| Everything you need to have a perfect day during Inti Raymi | On June 24, the city of Cusco receives hundreds of visitors because that day is the famous Inti Raymi. The first show at Coricancha starts at 9 am. The second show in the Main Square starts at 11 am. The main show in Sacsayhuamán is at 2 pm. It is recommended to protect your personal belongings as the crowd of people can be taken advantage of by cell phone or wallet thieves. The weather is hot so you should bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water and snacks. |
The historical settings at the Inti Raymi
The Inti Raymi takes place in three historical settings: the Coricancha, the Main Square and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. The first two shows are public and last approximately 45 minutes. The show in Sacsayhuamán, the most important of all, is private (entry with a ticket purchased online) and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes on average. All the settings have great historical importance as they were considered sacred during the Inca era.
| Inti Raymi Scenarios | |
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| Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun | Coricancha was the temple of the sun (god Inti) during the Tahuantinsuyo empire. It stood out for its carved and fitted walls with such perfection that to this day they remain unscathed. This religious site is located just five hundred meters from the main square of the city of Cusco. It is famous for its shrines honoring the sun, stars, rainbows, lightning, and more. Every June 24, the first major performance of the Cusco Inti Raymi is held on its esplanade (the start is at 9 in the morning). |
| El Huacaypata, the Main Square | Huacaypata was the old main square of Cusco during the Incan period. It was ten times larger than the city’s current Main Square. The main Inca palaces and temples had been built around it, such as the palace of the Inca Pachacutec, the palace of Huayna Cápac, the palace of the Inca Wiracocha and more. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, these were destroyed and the Cathedral of Cusco, the church of the Company of Jesus, the church of San Francisco and more were built in their place. The square was reduced to the figure that today appears in the heart of the city. |
| The fortress of Sacsayhuamán | The Sacsayhuamán fortress is one of the most impressive and visited Inca religious sites in Cusco, even above the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It has the most solid, resistant and largest walls. The Incas cut, moved and perfectly fit giant rocks weighing more than 120 tons. It is located just 1 kilometer above the city of Cusco. There, every June 24, the main ceremony of the Cusco Inti Raymi is held. The rest of the year, the visit is made with the Cusco Tourist Ticket. |
Book your ticket to the Inti Raymi in one of the three available stands
The main show of Inti Raymi takes place in the Sacsayhuamán fortress. There are three groups of seats to choose from: the red seats, the green seats and the orange seats. All offer maximum comfort when watching the show. The purchase of each of these seats is online through the official website or with an authorized tourism agency. Learn more about the three types of tickets to Inti Raymi.
| Grandstands available | |
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| The red armchair | The red seat is located on the western side of the main stage in Sacsayhuamán. These seating groups offer space for approximately 800 spectators. All seats have close views of the show. The advantage is that it allows you to protect yourself from the intense Cusco heat. Because of this it has one of the highest prices in the show. It is ideal for visiting with family, children or older adults. The purchase must be made online two or three months in advance. |
| The green armchair | The green seat is located on the eastern side of the main stage in Sacsayhuamán (Inti Raymi’s third show). These seating groups offer space for approximately 700 spectators. All seats have close views of the actors and actresses who make their entrance performing dances. It is the only entrance that offers discounts for Peruvian citizens. It has the cheapest prices but the most limited availability. It is recommended to purchase the ticket online one or two months in advance. |
| The orange armchair | The orange seat is on the north side of the main stage of Inti Raymi in the Sacsayhuamán fortress. These seating groups have spaces for two thousand spectators on average. All seats are numbered and with complete views of the show, the tourist will not miss any details. It is one of the favorite entrances for visitors. The purchase of the ticket must be made online two or three months in advance. |
Questions and answers about the Inti Raymi
The event is perhaps the most famous Peruvian cultural event in the world. It is held once a year, every June 24, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago. The show includes three stagings with actors and actresses playing the role of the Incas: the show in Coricancha, the show in Main Square and the show in Sacsayhuamán. Learn the most frequently asked questions and answers about the Inti Raymi!
1. What is Inti Raymi? Where does he celebrate?
Inti Raymi is a cultural and tourist festival that resembles the Inca celebration in honor of the sun. The people of Cusco revalue their Inca past through three gigantic stagings in the Coricancha temple, the Plaza de Armas of Cusco and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. That day is a non-working holiday throughout the Cusco region.
2. How much does Inti Raymi cost?
The Inti Raymi shows in Coricancha and the Main Square are free and open to the public. Only the main show in Sacsayhuamán is private for people who purchase a ticket online. There are three types of tickets: the red seat (approximate cost of 195 USD), the orange seat (approximate cost of 195 USD) and the green seat (approximate cost of 125 USD).
3. When was the first Inti Raymi celebrated?
The first festivals in honor of the sun god date back to the legendary time of the Inca Manco Cápac (12th century). Then, in 1430, Emperor Pachacutec ordered its reorganization as a great religious event. In 1944, the citizens of Cusco once again valued this festivity through a gigantic performance with actors and actresses from Cusco.
4. What are the historical settings where Inti Raymi takes place?
There are three historical settings of Inti Raymi: the Coricancha (the temple of the sun), the Main Square (called Huacaypata in Inca times) and Sacsayhuamán (the Inca fortress with amazing stone walls).
5. How long does Inti Raymi last?
The first Inti Raymi show takes place at the Coricancha temple (starts at 9 am and lasts 45 minutes on average). The second show takes place in the Plaza de Armas (starts at 11 am and lasts 45 minutes on average). The third show takes place in Sacsayhuamán (starts at 2 pm and lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes).
6. How to appreciate the Inti Raymi show in Cusco?
To appreciate the Inti Raymi show in Coricancha and the Main Square, it is enough to be there before the start of the show (it is recommended to find a place in the crowd 1 or 2 hours in advance). Access to the main show in Sacsayhuamán is with an entrance ticket. This ticket is purchased online through the official website or with an authorized tourism agency. It is recommended to do so 2 or 3 months in advance (limited availability).
7. How much does the entrance to Inti Raymi at Coricancha cost?
In addition to the seats for the Inti Raymi show in Sacsayhuamán, there are spaces available to appreciate the show in Coricancha. The cost of these seats is 45 dollars on average per person.
8. What to bring to a visit to Inti Raymi?
If you visit Cusco during Inti Raymi, it is recommended to bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, water and whatever you consider necessary to take a walk around the city on its holiday (June 24).
9. Is the Inti Raymi in Cusco dangerous?
No, the Inti Raymi is a very safe event. However, due to the crowd of people, it is recommended to be careful with personal belongings such as cell phones or wallets.
10. What is the weather like during Inti Raymi in Cusco?
The city of Cusco during Inti Raymi presents temperatures that can reach 23ºC. At night the temperature can drop to 2ºC. That day there is little chance of rain. It is recommended to protect yourself from high solar radiation.
1. What is Inti Raymi? Where does he celebrate?
Inti Raymi is a cultural and tourist festival that resembles the Inca celebration in honor of the sun. The people of Cusco revalue their Inca past through three gigantic stagings in the Coricancha temple, the Main Square of Cusco and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. That day is a non-working holiday throughout the Cusco region.