On the 24th of June every year, in the city of Cusco, the largest religious festival of the ancient Inca Empire, the INTI RAYMI, is celebrated. This festival coincides with the winter solstice and the harvest season.
On this occasion, we invite you to be part of Inti Raymi 2024. To ensure you can enjoy this magnificent celebration, our travel agency, “RAPTRAVEL,” has prepared a program that includes the following itinerary:
Summary
- Day 1 June 22 Lima city tour, where you will explore various attractions and journey through its ancient history in its three historical periods.
- Day 2 June 23 Arrival in Cusco and city tour visiting places like Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay.
- Day 3 June 24 Sun Festival at Saqsayhuaman, with transportation and guide included, starting at Qoricancha.
- Day 4 June 25 Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting sites like the archaeological site of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Day 5 June 26 Tour to Machu Picchu with included lunch. Afterwards, we will board the train back to Cusco.
- Day 6 June 27 Breakfast at your hotel and transfer to the airport. Accommodation is not included on this day.
Itinerary
Day 22nd of June: Lima City Tour.
- At the appropriate time, pick-up from the airport and transfer to your chosen hotel.
- Accommodation at the hotel.
- Free time for independent activities in the city of Lima.
City Tour in Lima:
- At the agreed time, our agency’s staff will pick you up at the hotel lobby to start the City Tour in Lima.
- We will begin by visiting the Huaca Pucllana Pyramid: Also known as the Great Pyramid, you can appreciate a panoramic view at Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca temple from the 4th century AD. This pyramid has 7 platforms, and each platform has an L-shaped plaza. Its construction is truly remarkable.
- Banco Central de Reserva Museum: Visit the Banco Central de Reserva Museum and admire the exhibition of ancient Peruvian cultures, showcasing a selection of objects from the Cohen Gold Collection. The museum has three exhibition areas: the archaeology hall, where you can find ceramics, textiles, gold and wooden pieces from the Vicus, Moche, Chancay, Inca, Lambayeque, Nazca, Chimú, and Chavín cultures.
- You will also find the Pinacoteca de Manuel Moreyra Loredo, which displays different trends, schools, and techniques of Peruvian painters from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
- There is also a popular arts room where textiles, mantles, bags, ceramics, and other items representing different regions of Peru are showcased.
- Plaza Mayor: Also known as the Main Square of Lima, enjoy a walk around the Plaza Mayor while observing the Cathedral, Government Palace, Municipal Palace, and visit the Monastery of San Francisco and its Catacombs. The plaza is a perfect place to pose for photos and share them on your Facebook.
- Monastery of San Francisco and Catacombs: Beneath the church of San Francisco in Lima, there are catacombs where the bones of an estimated 70,000 people are laid to rest, some of them arranged decoratively. These catacombs were rediscovered in 1943, and it is believed that they may be connected through underground passages to the cathedral and other local churches. This experience is unique for all visitors.
- Convent of Santo Domingo: Visit the Santo Domingo Convent, where you can see the Great Library, Main Cloister, and the chapels of the Peruvian Saints: Santa Rosa de Lima and San Martín de Porres. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
- Once you have completed a full day of activities and visited the different places, our transportation will take you back to your respective hotel.
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
- Tourist transportation
- Professional guide
- Entrance fees to the visited sites
- Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CITY TOUR:
- Light clothing
- Small backpack for personal belongings
- Camera
- Cash for purchases
- Mineral water
- Sunscreen and hat
Breakfast – Hotel / Lunch – Passenger / Dinner – Passenger
Day 23rd of June: Arrival in Cusco and City Tour in Cusco.
- At the appropriate time, pick-up from the airport and transfer to your chosen hotel.
Accommodation at the hotel.
- Our tour begins by picking you up at your hotel between 12:50 PM and 1:10 PM, approximately.
- The City Tour in Cusco is a visit to the main attractions of the city. The tour starts with a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco, which houses over 600 paintings from the Cusco School (40 minutes).
- Then, we proceed to the Temple of Qoricancha on foot, walking through beautiful Inca streets (10 minutes). We will enter Qoricancha at around 2:20 PM, the main temple in the Inca era. In the temple of Qoricancha, we will learn about the Inca religion and architecture (40 minutes).
- At approximately 3:00 PM, we will take our transportation and head towards Sacsayhuamán (15 minutes). Here, we will have a guided tour through the enormous walls of this Inca temple, built for the god Illapa (thunder) (45 minutes).
- We will then take our bus again to Qenqo (5 minutes), where we will tour another ancient Inca temple.
- Once again, we board our vehicle (10 minutes) and head to Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, the water temple. We will finish our tour at around 6:00 PM.
- Upon returning to Cusco, we will drop you off near the Plaza de Armas. You will have the evening free to enjoy local cuisine, music, and the city.
- We will leave you in the city center so that you can have dinner or take a stroll in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco.
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
- Tourist transportation
- Professional guide
- General Tourist Ticket
- Entrance to the Cathedral
- Entrance to Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CITY TOUR:
- Warm clothing
- Small backpack for personal belongings
- Camera
- Cash for purchases
- Mineral water
- Sunscreen and hat
- Valid identification document
Breakfast – Passenger / Lunch – Passenger / Dinner – Passenger.
Day 24th of June: Inti Raymi 2024 – Festival of the Sun
Qoricancha (Public Setting)
7:40 a.m. The Travel Agency will pick you up fromyour hotel with transportation and your guide to take you to the first station of the reenactment, which will be at Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).- 08:00 a.m. We will gather at Qoricancha, wherewe will arrange ourselves to witness the Inca’s emergence with his entourage.
- 09:00 a.m. or 09:30 a.m. If we raise our gaze a little, we will be able to see the Inca performing an invocation to the Sun God.
Plaza de Armas (Public Setting)
- 10:00 a.m. We will walk to Plaza de Armas where we will position ourselves at one of the corners to witness the passage of the Inca’s procession. Then, we will take our transportation at Plaza Regocijo to head to Sacsayhuaman (approximately 20 minutes).
Saqsayhuaman-Inti Raymi (Private Setting)
- 12:00 p.m. Saqsayhuaman (the name derived from the Quechua terms “saqsay” and “waman,” which translates to “satisfy the falcon”): This impressive archaeological site is located at an altitude of 3,555 meters, one kilometer from the Inca neighborhood of “Qolqanpata.”
- 1:00 p.m. We will have our box lunch, and the ceremony will begin. We will be seated in the VIP orange stands to have the best view of the spectacle. This is the only setting where we will be comfortably witnessing this magnificent reenactment of Inti Raymi.
- 3:30 p.m. (approx.) End of the reenactment. We will gather and head towards the transportation to drop you off at your respective hotels. (There will be heavy traffic on this day; some people whose hotels are near the plaza choose to walk downhill to Plaza de Armas, approximately a 15-minute walk).
NOTE: We aim to take you to all the venues where this impressive Festival is staged. The locations suitable for the general public are Qoricancha and the Plaza de Armas. The INTI RAYMI event itself will be presented at Sacsayhuamán. Feel comfortable at each location and enjoy the three stages of Inti Raymi.
The Inti Raymi Tour Includes:
- Tourist transportation
- Professional guide
- VIP seating in Sacsayhuaman
- Box lunch
Recommendations for the Inti Raymi Tour:
- Windbreaker
- Comfortable clothing
- Small backpack with personal items
- Camera
- Cash for purchases
- Mineral water
- Sunscreen and sun hat
Desayuno: Incluye Almuerzo: Incluye Cena: No incluye
Day 25th of June: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour.
- Breakfast at your hotel in Cusco.
- The tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas starts by picking you up from your hotel between 7:50 AM and 8:10 AM.
- We will then begin our journey to the Sacred Valley, making a stop at the Taray Viewpoint to observe the Sacred Valley.
- We will board our transportation again and travel to Pisac at around 11:00 AM. We will visit the archaeological site of Pisac, which includes a visit to the market in the town of Pisac. Approximately 45 minutes.
- We will take the bus and cross the Sacred Valley to the town of Urubamba, where we will have our buffet lunch.
- At 2:30 PM, after lunch, we will head to Ollantaytambo, where the town still maintains its splendor from the time of the Incas (45 minutes).
- After the tour of Ollantaytambo, at 4:00 PM, we will leave you very close to the train station (5 minutes on foot). We will board the train according to the chosen schedule and head to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
- Arrival at Machu Picchu Pueblo, where hotel staff will be waiting for you at the exit of the station, holding a sign with your name.
- In the evening, we will have a meeting with the guide to arrange your visit to Machu Picchu.
The Sacred Valley Tour Includes:
- Tourist Transportation
- Professional guide
- Tourist Ticket
- Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
- Expedition Train tickets round trip Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu Pueblo
Breakfast: Included Lunch: Included Dinner: Not included
Day June 26th, Machu Picchu Tour
- At the agreed time, after breakfast at your hotel, we will meet the guide at the bus station to board the bus that will take us to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. The travel time is approximately 30 minutes.
- Upon arrival at the bus stop, we will find the entrance gate to the Machu Picchu sanctuary, where we will present our tickets, passport, or identification document.
- Together with the guide, we will enter the Machu Picchu sanctuary and embark on a guided tour lasting approximately 2 hours, during which we will explore the important points of the Inca citadel.
- At the end of the tour, we will have free time for taking photographs in Machu Picchu.
- Afterward, the guide will bid us farewell, and we will board the bus for our return to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we can enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant of your choice.
- In the afternoon, we will have time to visit the artisan markets or take a short stroll around the town.
- At the appropriate time, we will board our Expedition train, which will arrive at Ollantaytambo. After a 1 hour and 40-minute journey, we will reach the Ollantaytambo train station, where agency personnel will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city of Cusco. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The Machu Picchu tour includes:
- Tourist transportation: Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Cusco
- Roundtrip train ticket: Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu
- Professional guide
- Bus transportation to and from Machu Picchu
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
Recommendations for the Machu Picchu tour:
- Warm clothing
- Small backpack for personal items
- Camera
- Cash for purchases
- Mineral water
- Sunscreen and hat for sun protection
[icon name=”coffee” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Desayuno: Pasajero
[icon name=”cutlery” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Almuerzo: Pasajero
[icon name=”cutlery” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Cena: Pasajero
Day 27th of June: Cusco Out
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning free for independent activities: shopping, visiting the central market, or optional visit to a museum in Cusco.
- At the appropriate time, transfer to Cusco airport.
Breakfast – Hotel / Lunch – Passenger / Dinner – Passenger
END OF SERVICE
Prices
Hotels and Prices for Inti Raymi 2024
| GROUP SERVICE
Price per person in Double or Matrimonial Room Minimum 02 persons |
| TOURS + 2* TOURIST HOTELS
Hotels in Cusco:
Hotel Príncipe III, Hotel Mayu Cusco, Miski Tayta
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotels:
Inkas Land, Mapi Seven, Andino Machu Picchu
TYPE OF TOURIST TRAIN
Round Trip: Expedition (Perú Rail) or The Voyager (Inca Rail) |
$ 913.00
|
| TOURS + 3* EXECUTIVE HOTELS
Hotels in Cusco:
Hotel Saska Boutique, Hotel Inca Wasi, Munay Wasi
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotels:
Hotel Hatun Inti Classic, Hotel Ferré Machu Picchu, Hotel Santuario
TYPE OF TOURIST TRAIN
One-way: Expedition (Perú Rail) or The Voyager (Inca Rail) |
$ 1044.00
|
| TOURS + 4* SUPERIOR HOTEL
Hotels in Cusco:
Hotel Xima Cusco, Hotel Sonesta Posada, Casa Andina Catedral
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotels:
H. Taypikala Machu Picchu, H. Casa Andina Standard, H. Tierra Viva
TYPE OF TOURIST TRAIN
Round Trip: Vistadome Observatory or 360 Lounge (Inca Rail) |
$ 1189.00
|
| Important Note:
If you prefer to add the Vistadome train service to the 2** or 3*** hotel service, there is an additional cost of US$40.00 per person for round trip.
Different prices for students, children, infants. |
| PRIVATE SERVICE
Price per person in Double or Matrimonial Room Minimum 02 persons |
| TOURS + 4* SUPERIOR HOTEL
Hotels in Cusco:
H. Sonesta Posada Cusco, H. Xima Cusco, H. Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotels:
H. Taypikala Machu Picchu, H. Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
TYPE OF TOURIST TRAIN
Expedition (Perú Rail) or Voyager (Inca Rail) |
$. 1372.00
|
| 5* HOTEL – DELUXE SERVICE
Hotels in Cusco:
El Convento Marriot – Casa Andina Premium, Libertador Palacio del Inca
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotels:
Belmond Santuary Lodge, Inka Terra Machu Picchu, Sumaq Machu Picchu
TYPE OF TRAIN
Round Trip: Vistadome Observatory or 360 Lounge (Inca Rail) |
$. 2409.00
|
| Important Note:
If you prefer to add the Vistadome train service to THE VOYAGER – Inca Rail or EXPEDITION – Perú Rail, there is an additional cost of US$45.00 per person for round trip.
Different prices for students, children, infants. |
Includes / not included
Includes:
- 1 night hotel in Lima
- 3 nights hotel in Cusco, including breakfast
- 1 night hotel in Machu Picchu
- All transfers
- All tickets or entrance fees to archaeological sites
- Lunch: Inti Raymi, Sacred Valley
- Transfer from Terminal or Airport to Hotel in Cusco
- Guide and Tourist Transportation
In Machu Picchu Tour:
- Round trip tourist train
- Bus ride up and down to Machu Picchu
- Entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
- Professional guide in Machu Picchu
- Transfer from Ollanta train station to Cusco.
Not included:
- International/National flights
- Meals not indicated in the Program
- Tips, drinks
- Personal expenses
Hotels
| TOURIST ★★ |
EXECUTIVE ★★★ |
TOP ★★★★ |
DELUXE ★★★★★ |
| HOTELS IN CUSCO |
- H. Príncipe III
- H. Mayu Cusco,
- H. Misky Tayta
|
- H. Saska Boutique
- H. Inca WasiH. Munay Wasi
|
- Casa Andina Catedral
- Xima Cusco
- Sonesta Posada
|
- El Convento Marriot
- Casa Andina Premium,
- Aranwa
|
| HOTELS iN MACHU PICCHU |
- H. Inkas Land,
- H. Mapi Seven,
- H. Andino Machu Picchu
|
- H. Hatun Inti Class,
- H. Ferr
- é Machu Picchu
|
- H. Taypikala,
- H. Tierra Viva,
- H. Casa Andina Estándar
|
|
Recommendations
We recommend bringing:
- Original passport
- Small backpack for personal belongings.
- Hiking shoes.
- Water bottle, flashlight, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
- Comfortable clothing for walking.
- Camcorder and/or camera, batteries.
- Snacks: Cookies, candies, chocolates.
What is Inti Raymi?
Inti Raymi is the most important festival of the Incas, celebrated to give thanks to the sun for its generosity and to ask for a good harvest. Currently, the celebration of Inti Raymi takes place in the city of Cusco, Peru, and is a manifestation of Andean culture that brings together people from different parts of the world to experience and appreciate the rich history of the Incas. To attend Inti Raymi, it is necessary to purchase a ticket well in advance, as it is a highly popular event and tickets sell out quickly.
When is Inti Raymi celebrated?
Inti Raymi is celebrated on June 24th each year in the city of Cusco, Peru. If you plan to attend the ceremony, it is recommended to book a trip and purchase a ticket at least a month in advance to secure a good spot in the Inti Raymi stands. As it is one of the most important and popular events of Andean culture, tickets sell out quickly, and it’s important to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Where is Inti Raymi celebrated?
Inti Raymi is a ceremony celebrated in the city of Cusco, Peru. The ceremony consists of three scenes or acts that take place in different locations within the city. The first scene is held at Qoricancha, an ancient Inca temple dedicated to the sun. The second scene takes place at the Main Square of Cusco, also known as the Plaza de Armas. The third and final scene is celebrated at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, located on the outskirts of the city. This last scene is considered the most important and the longest in duration. To witness the ceremony from close and reserved locations, it is necessary to purchase a ticket in advance.
What activities take place during Inti Raymi?
During the celebration of Inti Raymi, various activities and rituals are performed in the three stages where the ceremony takes place. In the first scene, at Qoricancha, offerings and religious ceremonies dedicated to the sun are performed. In the second scene, at the Main Square of Cusco, a procession takes place with the participation of priests and local authorities. In the third and final scene, at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the main ceremony is held, paying homage to the sun with Andean dances and music. The ceremony includes the representation of the Inca, who is carried on a litter by priests and local authorities, and offers a tribute to the sun.
How much does the entrance to Inti Raymi cost at the different ceremony locations?
The cost of entrance to Inti Raymi varies depending on the location and type of seating desired, as well as the nationality, age, and origin of the attendees. In the ceremony at Qoricancha, the cost per seat can range between $10 and $25. Entrance to the Plaza del Cusco is free and open to the general public. In the case of the third and final scene at the Sacsayhuamán complex, the entrance fee ranges from $100 to $150 per person. It is important to mention that these prices are subject to change and may vary according to the policies of each year and the current situation.
