Inti Raymi 2024 in Cusco: Everything You Need to Know About the Inca Sun Festival
Welcome to our All Tours Peru blog, where we provide all the essential information to make the most of Inti Raymi 2024, the biggest and most emblematic festival in Cusco.
What is Inti Raymi?
Inti Raymi, also known as the Festival of the Sun, is an ancestral celebration that honors the sun god Inti, the most revered deity in the Inca religion. This event marks the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere and the start of the Inca New Year. Celebrated every June 24th in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Inti Raymi is a vibrant cultural manifestation full of music, dances, and rituals that symbolize the Incas’ deep connection with nature and the cosmos.
The Meaning of the Sun in Inti Raymi
In Inti Raymi, the sun represents the source of life and prosperity. The Incas believed that keeping the sun god Inti content guaranteed abundant harvests and the continuity of life on Earth. The festival includes rituals of gratitude and offerings to the sun to ensure its favor and the fertility of the land.
History of Inti Raymi
In the Inca Era
During the Inca Empire, Inti Raymi was the most important festival. Celebrated in Cusco, it gathered around 25,000 people, including nobles, priests, and leaders of the empire. The ceremonies included parades, llama sacrifices, and feasts that lasted nine days.
Reconstruction and Modern Celebration
With the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, the celebration of Inti Raymi was banned. However, in 1944, Faustino Espinoza Navarro directed a historical reconstruction based on the chronicles of Garcilaso de la Vega. Since then, an annual theatrical representation has been held in Sacsayhuamán, attracting thousands of tourists and locals.
Inti Raymi Today
Currently, Inti Raymi is celebrated with the same grandeur as in the past, adapted to modern times. The festival begins at Qorikancha, continues at the Plaza de Armas, and culminates at Sacsayhuamán, with theatrical representations, traditional dances, and symbolic sacrifices.
The Role of Women in Inti Raymi
Women play essential roles in Inti Raymi, such as the Qoya, the Inca’s wife, and the Ñustas, daughters of the Inca. Mamakuna (priestesses) and other female figures also participate, contributing to the ceremonies.
Importance of Qhapac Ñan
The Qhapac Ñan, the Inca road network, facilitated the participation of people from all regions of the empire in Inti Raymi. This network connected Cusco with the four suyos of the Tahuantinsuyo, allowing essential cultural and logistical integration for the celebration.
Inti Raymi 2024 Calendar
The traditional route of Inti Raymi begins at Qorikancha, continues through the Plaza de Armas, and ends at Sacsayhuamán. Each location has a specific ceremonial importance, from the initial homage to the sun god to the culminating ceremonies at the Inca fortress.
Official Schedule
Monday, June 24th
- Qorikancha Temple (9 a.m.): The Inca, along with the Qoya and the Imperial Entourage, salutes the sun god Inti, marking the beginning of the grandest Peruvian festival of reverence to the Sun.
- Plaza Mayor (Hawqaypata) (10 a.m.): Encounter of the Times and Coca Ceremony where the Inca entrusts the mayor of Cusco with the proper administration of the province.
- Sacsayhuamán (1:30 p.m.): The Festival of the Sun concludes with the Inca’s and the Imperial Entourage’s grand entrance to the Usnu, followed by the presentation of the report from the four suyos: Collasuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo, and Chinchaysuyo. The ceremony ends with the rites of chicha, sacred fire, llama sacrifice, and Q’ochurikuy (burst of popular exaltation).
Ticket Prices and Purchase for Inti Raymi 2024
Ticket prices for Inti Raymi 2024, offered by EMUFEC, vary according to the location and package chosen. Pre-sale took place from March 19th to 20th, and general sales will be available until June 23rd. Below are the detailed prices:
Pre-sale Packages (From March 19th to 20th or until stock runs out)
- Qorikancha + Sacsayhuamán (Orange Tribune): S/783
- Qorikancha + Sacsayhuamán (Red Tribune): S/759
- Qorikancha + Sacsayhuamán (Green Tribune): S/580
Qorikancha (From March 19th to June 23rd)
- General: S/160
- Children / Guides / National Tourists: S/100
Sacsayhuamán Green Tribune (From March 19th to June 23rd)
- General: S/440
- Children / Guides / National Tourists: S/221
Sacsayhuamán Red Tribune (From March 19th to June 23rd)
- General: S/625
- Children / Guides: S/302
Sacsayhuamán Orange Tribune (From March 19th to June 23rd)
- General: S/662
- Children / Guides: S/321
How to Buy Tickets for Inti Raymi 2024
Buying tickets for Inti Raymi 2024 is a simple process. Follow these steps to secure your place at this majestic celebration:
- Go to Teleticket
- Select the Inti Raymi event and click “Buy”
- Choose the date, time, and category of the event (location) and click “Buy” again
- Log in or create your TLK account
- Select sector/quantity and click “Continue”
- Choose your payment method, complete the required information, and you’re done!
Recommendations for Attending Inti Raymi
- Secure your ticket: Bring a small stool to avoid standing the entire time.
- Sun protection: Apply sunscreen every 45 minutes and wear sunglasses and a hat or cap.
- Comfortable clothing: Wear appropriate clothing for Cusco’s variable weather and good walking shoes.
- Hydration and snacks: Bring hydrating drinks and some pre-purchased snacks.
- Personal security: Keep your belongings safe and always carry some cash.
Enjoy Inti Raymi 2024 with All Tours Peru and immerse yourself in a unique experience full of history, culture, and tradition. See you in Cusco!
