TOUR CUSCO AND INTI RAYMI

3 Days | 2 Nights

Experience a unique experience in Cusco by participating in one of its most representative festivities: Inti Raymi, the traditional Festival of the Sun. This 3-day, 2-night program is designed for those who wish to learn about the history and cultural richness of the ancient Inca Empire.

Cusco, recognized as the capital of the Tahuantinsuyu, was the starting point of an empire that rapidly expanded from northern Ecuador to southern Chile and parts of Argentina. The Incas left a monumental legacy, not only in architecture and organization, but also in their connection with nature and their community way of life.

During your visit, you will not only take part in the impressive Inti Raymi ritual, but you will also have time to explore the city, which during this time is filled with life, color, and tradition.

Inti Raymi is much more than a cultural performance: it is a living manifestation of respect for nature and spiritual unity. This celebration allows visitors to experience the hospitality and festive spirit that characterizes Andean culture, where sharing and giving thanks are fundamental values.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO - CITY TOUR

Upon arrival in the historic city of Cusco, our team will be waiting for you at the airport or bus terminal. You'll be able to easily recognize us, as we'll be holding a sign with your name on it. Afterward, we'll comfortably transfer you in our tour vehicle to your selected hotel, where you'll have time to rest or prepare for your city adventure.

At the previously scheduled time, we'll begin the city tour, picking you up at your respective accommodations to explore the most iconic sites in Cusco and its surroundings:

• Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun): Considered one of the most important sacred sites in the Inca civilization, this temple was dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, the principal deity of the Empire. It was notable for its precise architecture and walls covered with gold plates. Inside, it housed animal figures crafted from precious metals, as well as the mummies of ancient Inca rulers and their wives.
• Sacsayhuamán: Located about three kilometers from the historic center, this impressive construction of giant stone blocks symbolized the head of the puma, a figure used to represent Cusco. It is also the main stage of the Inti Raymi festival.
• Qenqo: A sacred space linked to rituals honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth), where offerings and sacrifices were made, especially during the winter solstice. The natural phenomenon of the "Awakening of the Puma" occurs here, a projection of shadows that marked the beginning of the Inti Raymi festival for the Inca.
• Pucapucara: Also known as the Red Fortress, it served as a checkpoint and refuge for travelers from the empire. Its reddish hue is due to the way the stones reflect the sunset light. It is believed to have been a transit point for those entering or leaving the sacred city.
• Tambomachay: Popularly known as "the Baths of the Inca," this ceremonial complex, located seven kilometers from Cusco, is closely linked to the cult of water. Believed to have been an exclusive resting place for the Inca and the Ñusta, it is notable for its advanced hydraulic system with canals and fountains.

Around 6:30 p.m., we will return to the city, thus concluding our tour of the majestic capital of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo.

Overnight stay: Cusco

DÍA 2: INTI RAYMI THE FESTIVAL OF THE SUN

If you're passionate about ancestral traditions, history, culture, and celebrations, you can't miss the Inti Raymi 2025 festival, also known as the Festival of the Sun. This festival holds a prominent place in Peru's cultural landscape and represents a special opportunity to connect with the Inca heritage.

The event begins at approximately 8:00 a.m., when we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin this enriching experience.

• Qoricancha – Temple of the Sun (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.):
  This temple was the main center of worship for the god Inti (the Sun) throughout the Tahuantinsuyu Empire. Here, the Inca's departure from the temple is reenacted in an act of homage to the Sun, accompanied by traditional dances, ancestral music, and ceremonial offerings.
• Cusco's Plaza de Armas (10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.):
  This plaza recreates the meeting between the Inca, his people, and local authorities. In this part of the ceremony, the Inca bestows the blessing of the Sun on the current ruler, wishing for peace and progress for the city of Cusco.
• Sacsayhuamán Fortress (1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.):
  The celebration culminates in this spectacular setting. The central part of Inti Raymi takes place between stone terraces, a majestic performance that combines dance, song, and ritual, symbolizing the sacred connection between the Inca, the Sun God, Pachamama, and the four Suyos of the empire.

Inti Raymi is not only an ancestral ceremony, but a living expression of the deep connection that the people of Cusco maintain with their culture. Through songs, dances, and rituals, identity and belonging are experienced. Furthermore, this festival is a time for family and community gatherings, where traditions such as the preparation of huatia, a typical Andean dish cooked underground with hot stones, are shared.

We're about to experience the Inti Raymi festival once again. This event preserves the cultural richness of Cusco and, each year, offers a renewed staging with new nuances and details. For this reason, anticipation grows among attendees to discover what surprises this edition will bring and what Inti Raymi 2026 might offer.

The Tour Includes:

• Pickup from your hotel
• Tourist transportation service
• Bilingual guide service (English and Spanish)
• Entrance tickets to Saqsaywaman (GREEN SEAT)
• Lunch
• Box lunch
• Overnight stay: Cusco

Overnight stay: Cusco

DAY 3: RETURN

At the scheduled time, we will transfer you from your hotel to the airport or bus terminal, depending on your tour ticket.

Meals: Breakfast at the selected hotel.

INCLUDES:

• Transfers from the airport/bus terminal to the hotel and from the airport/bus terminal
• 2 nights of accommodation in Cusco
• Tours via regular or shared service:
  • Cusco City Tour + Nearby Ruins
  • Inti Raymi "Fiesta del Sol" (Sun Festival)
• Shared service guide
• Entrance tickets to the attractions to visit
• Entrance tickets to Saqsaywaman (GREEN SEAT)
• Professional Spanish or English guide
• Meals according to the itinerary and breakfast if you choose a hotel

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Air Tickets
• Meals not mentioned
• Others not mentioned

RECOMENDACIONES DE VIAJE:

• Small backpack
• Light clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Jacket to keep warm in the early morning or at night
• Hat or sun cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Camera