TrekUnity
When
June
Attendance
hundreds of thousands
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Inti Raymi, the "Festival of the Sun," is the great Inca celebration of the winter solstice — revived in Cusco, Peru each June 24 as a spectacular, colorful re-enactment with hundreds of costumed performers that moves from the Qorikancha temple to the Plaza de Armas and culminates at the Sacsayhuamán ruins above the city, where the Inca gives thanks to the sun god Inti.
One of South America's largest festivals, it's a moving immersion in Andean and Inca heritage, set in the historic gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
Want to go? Turn Inti Raymi into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
June 24 (Cusco's Inti Raymi day)
Admission
Free in the plaza · Sacsayhuamán grandstand seats ticketed
Parking
Cusco's center is walkable; take a taxi up to Sacsayhuamán or walk the hill.
Nearest airport
Cusco (CUZ) — ~15 min (acclimatize to the 11,000-ft altitude)
Typical weather
Dry, sunny Andean winter — 60s °F days, cold nights at high altitude; sun protection and warm layers.
Official website
Location
Cusco, Peru
Where to stay
Belmond Hotel Monasterio
A former monastery near the Plaza de Armas.
Palacio del Inka
Historic luxury hotel by Qorikancha.
San Blas guesthouses
Charming stays in the artisan quarter.
Where to eat & drink
Cuy & alpaca
Traditional Andean dishes (guinea pig, alpaca).
Ceviche & lomo saltado
Peruvian classics in the city center.
Coca tea
The traditional aid for the high altitude.
Nearby attractions
Sacsayhuamán
The Inca fortress-temple where Inti Raymi culminates.
Plaza de Armas & Qorikancha
Cusco's colonial-on-Inca historic heart.
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
The Inca heartland and the wonder of the world.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + acclimatize
- •Fly into CUZ
- •Afternoon: gentle Plaza de Armas stroll + coca tea
- •Evening: early night
2Inti Raymi
- •Morning: Qorikancha ceremony
- •Midday: Plaza de Armas re-enactment
- •Afternoon: Sacsayhuamán finale
3Sacred Valley + depart
- •Morning: Sacred Valley (or onward to Machu Picchu)
- •Head out
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Arrive a couple of days early to acclimatize to the altitude.
- Get a Sacsayhuamán grandstand ticket for the main finale.
- Extend the trip to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
Frequently asked questions
When is Inti Raymi?
June 24 each year in Cusco, Peru.
Do you need tickets?
The Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas scenes are free to watch from the crowd; grandstand seats at Sacsayhuamán are ticketed.
What about the altitude?
Cusco sits at ~11,000 ft — arrive a day or two early to acclimatize, and take it easy at first.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Inti Raymi or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.