This package provides your entry ticket to the Inti Raymi festival for the green seating area at Sacsayhuaman (approximately 3,701 meters or 12,142 feet). These seats are located approximately 25 meters or 82 feet from the main stage.
Inti Raymi, known as the Festival of the Sun, is celebrated in Cusco (approximately 3,399 meters or 11,152 feet) every year on June 24th. Thousands of visitors gather to witness a spectacular reenactment of the most significant festival of the Inca Empire. This event celebrates the winter solstice and the harvest season, marking the beginning of the Sun’s New Year.
Inti Raymi is now the second-largest festival in South America, so it’s important to book your tour well in advance. The week leading up to the main festival features various celebrations, including concerts and street markets.
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM: Bus Boarding
Our friendly staff will be waiting for you at Plazoleta Santa Teresa (a 5-minute walk from the Main Square) between 10:15 AM and 10:45 AM. You will check in at our designated table by showing your passport. After the check-in process, you will board the Inti Raymi tourist bus that will transport you to the Inti Raymi celebration site, which is the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
10:45 AM: Bus Departure
The tourist buses will start the approximately 45-minute journey to Inti Raymi. You will also receive a packed lunch to take with you, as there will be no food available for purchase at the event.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Arrival at the Venue and Seating
The tourist bus will arrive at the Inti Raymi venue, where you will pass through an official control point. At the entrance, you will receive a program booklet for Inti Raymi, which will help you understand what is happening during the ceremony. You will also receive a DVD as a souvenir of the event. Our tour guide will assist all participants in finding their assigned seats in the green section.
1:00 PM: Inti Raymi Begins!
The reenactment features the Inca ruler Pachacutec, the Inca during whose reign the sun god (Inti) revealed his power and strength. Groups representing the four regions of the Inca Empire will perform different ceremonies, dances, and fire rituals. The ceremony lasts about 90 minutes and is performed in Quechua, but it is visually very impressive. You can follow along with the booklet provided to all attendees.
3:00 PM: Boarding the Tourist Bus
As soon as the ceremony concludes, you will be directed to board the Inti Raymi tourist bus for the return trip.
4:30 PM: Arrival in Cusco City Center
The bus will drop you off at Plazoleta Santa Teresa. Sometimes, traffic police may direct the drop-off to Limacpampa Plaza.
Transportation from your hotel to Plazoleta Santa Teresa is not included. This is because many streets in Cusco’s historical center are closed for the Inti Raymi celebrations. You are responsible for arriving at Plazoleta Santa Teresa between 10:15 AM and 10:45 AM to check in.
The Inti Raymi TOUR is considered very easy. However, you should be able to comfortably walk for about 10 minutes from the bus to your assigned seat.
The Inti Raymi tour is available ONLY once a year, on June 24th, and requires booking in advance.
We hope you have an incredible time at Inti Raymi! Remember to book your tickets early, ¡para que no te lo pierdas! (so you don’t miss it!).