Inti Raymi
Photo: Mme Berthe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Every 24 June, Cusco stages the great sun festival of the Inca Empire — a procession from the temple of Qorikancha through the Plaza de Armas to the stone terraces of Saqsaywaman, with hundreds of performers, revived in 1944 from the accounts of a sixteenth-century chronicler.
The festival of the sun
Inti Raymi is Quechua for “the festival of Inti”, the sun, the most venerated deity of the Inca religion. It marked the winter solstice of the southern hemisphere — the shortest day of the year — and the Inca New Year, when the days begin to lengthen again. According to the chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, it was the most important festival of the empire. He wrote that the ruler Pachacuti created it, that it lasted nine days, and that it was held in Haukaypata, the main square of Cusco, with dances, processions and sacrifices.
The last Inti Raymi attended by the Inca emperor took place in 1535. After that, the Spanish colonial authorities and the Catholic clergy banned the ceremony along with other Inca religious practices. In many parts of the Andes, the celebration has since merged with the feast of Saint John the Baptist on 24 June.
Revived as theatre
In 1944, Faustino Espinoza Navarro directed a reconstruction of the ceremony with indigenous actors, based largely on Garcilaso’s account. It has been performed every year since.
Today more than eight hundred performers in costume take part. The day begins at Qorikancha, once the main temple of sun worship, and the Inca’s retinue then moves to the Plaza de Armas. There the Inca meets the mayor and other leaders and exchanges a khipu, a knotted cord. The central ceremony takes place at the archaeological park of Saqsaywaman, about two kilometres from the old square. It includes reports from the four regions of the empire, rites of chicha and of the sacred fire, and traditional dances.
When it happens
Inti Raymi is held every year on 24 June, a few days after the southern winter solstice and on the Catholic feast of Saint John the Baptist.
- June 24, 2027Calculated
- June 24, 2028Calculated
- June 24, 2029Calculated
- June 24, 2030Calculated
Visiting with respect
Good to know
- The ceremony moves through three places during the day — Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas and Saqsaywaman — so decide in advance where you want to watch, and arrive early.
Stay safe
- Cusco lies at high altitude, and altitude sickness is a serious risk. Give yourself time to adjust before a long day outdoors.
- Street crime, including theft, is a significant problem in Cusco. Be alert in crowds and when withdrawing cash.
- Use licensed or app-based taxis, or ask your hotel to book one, rather than hailing a car on the street.
Sources
This entry was written from the following sources.
- Inti RaymiWikipedia · read September 16, 2026
- Peru travel advice: healthUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · read September 16, 2026
- Peru travel advice: safety and securityUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · read September 16, 2026
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