The Inti Raymi is the great festival of the sun that takes place in the city of Cusco every June 24. That day, declared a holiday throughout the Cusco region, people take to the streets to pay homage to their Inca roots, in none other than Cusco, the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo empire. The main show, with hundreds of actors and actresses representing the Inca festival in honor of the sun, takes place in Sacsayhuamán. The entrance ticket is offered in three groups of seats: red seats, green seats or orange seats. The tourist, optionally, can add to his ticket the service of a professional tour guide who will accompany him, helping him to better understand this show in the Quechua language (the language of the Incas).
Inti Raymi’s first show is at Coricancha (9 am and lasts 45 minutes). The second, in the Main Square (11 am and duration of 45 minutes). The main show is in the Sacsayhuamán fortress (2 pm and duration of 2 hours 30 minutes). He knows the prices for this latest show, with the option of a professional tour guide who will help you understand the great festival of the sun.
INTI RAYMI TICKETS | Show in Sacsayhuamán | Guide + show in Sacsayhuamán | ||
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Foreign | Peruvian | Foreign | Peruvian | |
Green Zone | 150 USD | 75 USD | 165 USD | 90 USD |
Orange Zone | 225 USD | 225 USD | 240 USD | 240 USD |
Red Zone | 215 USD | 215 USD | 230 USD | 230 USD |
The Inti Raymi is on June 24 and begins with the public show in Coricancha. There the Inca asks for the blessing of the sun for the beginning of the ceremony. Afterwards the show takes place in the Main Square of Cusco where the coca leaf ceremony takes place. The third stage, the most important, is in the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Learn what the show is like in each of these scenarios and why choose a tour guide.
The Inti Raymi in Cusco and the tour guide service | ||
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What is the show about? | Advantages of choosing a tour guide | |
Show at Coricancha | The Inca enters preceded by his entourage, the high priest, the virgins of the sun, his wife and the representatives of the four regions of the empire. He then performs a ceremony of gratitude to the sun requesting permission to start the Inti Raymi. The show starts at 9 in the morning and lasts approximately 45 minutes. |
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Show in Main Square | The Inca and his wife (the coya) are carried on litters surrounded by his personal entourage. Representatives of the four regions dance and sing in honor of the Inca, the coya and the sun. Then the Inca and the high priest perform the coca leaf ritual asking for good times for civilization, successes in war and good harvests. |
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Show in Sacsayhuamán | The representatives of the four of them make offerings to the Inca with dances and live music. The Inca performs the ritual of sacrifice of a (false) llama, the chicha ritual and the fire ritual in honor of the sun. Then the parade takes place around the Sacsayhuamán esplanade where visitors can take photos with the actors and actresses in Inca costumes. The show starts at 2 in the afternoon and lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. |
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The tour guide service but highly recommended during the Inti Raymi show in Sacsayhuamán. This show, the main one in this ceremony, lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is performed in the Quechua language. The guide is trained in the translation of each line of the show. It also provides security to the visitor before, during and after the show, one of the most crowded in Peru.
The Inti Raymi is an Inca ceremony that was reorganized by the citizens of Cusco to revalue its glorious past. Today, every June 24, three important performances are held in the city of Cusco, resembling the ancient Inca celebration. How is each of these stagings celebrated? Learn what the Inti Raymi is like step by step through this video!
Cusco has many stories to tell. Since before the Inca era there were important cultures whose traditions remain in force to this day. Not to mention the Inca culture and the passage of colonialism in this Andean region. Today this mix of cultures is reflected in the main festivities: Inti Raymi, Corpus Christi and the Paucartambo festival. Learn how they are celebrated, their cultural manifestations and get excited to discover the festive side of Cusco.
The tour guide service at Inti Raymi is optional but recommended, especially for visitors with a cultural interest with a penchant for history. All the guides are professionals specialized in the festival of the sun and the main tourist attractions of Cusco. Learn the main questions and answers about this service.