Seasons

Inti Raymi in Cusco

When June 24 June, every year.

Typical duration 1 day

Book 6–12 months ahead

Groups & MICE Avoid for MICE

Peru's largest festival falls at the peak of the dry season and takes the city's entire availability with it.

What it is

The re-enactment of the Inca festival of the sun runs across three settings on the same day: Coricancha in the morning, the Plaza de Armas at midday and the Sacsayhuamán esplanade in the afternoon, which is the part with seating and admission. The whole of Cusco turns out: on 24 June the city does not work like a normal day.

What to offer

Six nights in Cusco with acclimatisation settled before the 24th: the Sacred Valley first, Machu Picchu next and Inti Raymi as the closing act, not the opening one. A programme that puts the client at Sacsayhuamán, at 3,700 metres, the day after arrival is selling a bad experience.

How it operates

Access to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade is by numbered seat in zones and capacity is limited; it is confirmed at quotation with the Local Supplier, who is the one buying the seat. The city runs with closed streets that day, and transfers and train times are planned accordingly.

When to book

Six to twelve months ahead — the longest lead time in the Peruvian programme. It coincides with the peak of the dry season and with the limited Inca Trail permits, so hotel, train and seat compete with each other for the same week.

Groups & MICE

A window to avoid for a congress in Cusco: the city is occupied and the graded hotels are committed far in advance. As a small incentive, by contrast, it is a reason to travel in itself.