Inti Raymi

The Inca Empire's greatest festival, reborn each June on the hills above Cusco.

• When: June 24 (next edition: June 24, 2027)
• Category: Festivity

Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, moves through three real locations across Cusco in a single day, retracing the route of the original Inca ceremony honoring the sun god Inti. It opens at Qorikancha, the former Temple of the Sun, continues with a costumed procession through the Plaza de Armas, and culminates in the main ceremony on the terraced esplanade of the Sacsayhuaman fortress above the city, with hundreds of performers in Inca dress before a crowd of thousands. It is one of the largest and most important festivals in South America and marks the Inca new year and winter solstice.

Highlights

• Three real ceremony sites in one day: Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuaman
• Hundreds of performers in Inca ceremonial dress, including the Sapa Inca carried on a ceremonial litter
• The main ceremony staged on Sacsayhuaman's Inca stone terraces, above a crowd of thousands
• A living tradition revived in 1944 after being suppressed since the Spanish conquest

Ideal for

• History and culture enthusiasts
• Photographers
• First-time visitors wanting to see Cusco at its most spectacular
• Travelers who enjoy large-scale live performances and pageantry

Practical information

Route and schedule

The ceremony follows the same route every year, in three stages: (1) Qorikancha (the former Temple of the Sun), roughly 9-10am -- the Sapa Inca appears and opens the ceremony; free to watch from the surrounding plaza and streets. (2) Plaza de Armas, roughly 11am-12:30pm -- a procession of dancers, musicians and the Sapa Inca's litter crosses the square; free to watch, but the plaza fills up early. (3) Sacsayhuaman, from around 1:30-2pm for about 2.5 hours -- the main ceremony, with the full cast on the fortress esplanade; this stage requires a paid, reserved-seat ticket.

balcony reservations

Along the Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas legs of the route, restaurants and buildings with balconies over the procession rent out balcony seats in advance -- this is the easiest way to see those two stages comfortably, sitting down, above the crowd, instead of standing for hours at street level. Balcony spots are limited and popular, so we recommend reserving with us as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, ideally months ahead.

How demanding it is

A full day following Inti Raymi in person is more physically demanding than it looks: it means being outdoors for most of the day at over 11,000 feet, moving between three different locations (some of it on foot through crowded streets), and standing for long stretches if you don't have reserved seating -- all under intense midday sun at altitude. It is not a good fit for a first day in Cusco before acclimatizing, and travelers with mobility limitations or heart/lung conditions should plan around the balcony/reserved-seating options rather than following the procession on foot.

Tips for watching well

Reserve a balcony seat for Qorikancha and/or the Plaza de Armas if you want to sit and see over the crowd rather than stand. Seating at Sacsayhuaman is assigned by the color zone you purchased, so guests are expected to stay within their own section rather than move between zones once seated -- plan on being in your seat for the full ~2.5-hour ceremony rather than moving around. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a light windbreaker (afternoons at this altitude turn cool and breezy even under full sun), and a sturdy umbrella for shade -- there is very little natural shade at any of the three sites, and the Sacsayhuaman stands sit in direct sun most of the ceremony. A zoom lens or binoculars help too, since even good seating zones can be a few hundred feet from the central altar. Security checks are strict and large backpacks are not allowed.

Booking ahead

Sacsayhuaman tickets for Inti Raymi 2027 typically go on sale several months in advance and sell out well before June -- we recommend confirming your seating zone, any balcony reservations, and your hotel dates with us at least 4-6 months ahead. Cusco hotel availability tightens the same way for the week of June 24, since travelers combine Inti Raymi with the rest of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Contact Lo Mejor de Peru early in the year and we will handle the ticket reservation, seating zone selection, balcony booking, and hotel booking together, so you are not chasing a sold-out ceremony a month before your trip.

ticket zones and prices

Sacsayhuaman seating is sold in three color-coded zones, through private tour agencies rather than a single official box office (there is no government ticket office for this -- multiple authorized resellers handle it): Green (lateral, east side) is the most affordable, roughly USD 170-180 for foreign visitors; Red (lateral, west side, closer to the stage) runs roughly USD 240-250; and Orange (central section, the best overall view of the ceremony) runs roughly USD 255-265. These are approximate 2026 agency prices, not fixed rates -- they vary by seller and season, so always confirm the current price when booking. There are only about 3,500 seats total across the three stands, and Sacsayhuaman is closed to all regular tourist visits on June 24 -- the ceremony ticket is the only way in.

Frequently asked questions

What is Inti Raymi and why is it celebrated?

Inti Raymi ("Festival of the Sun") was the most important religious festival of the Inca Empire, honoring the sun god Inti and marking the Inca new year at the winter solstice. Banned by the Spanish in the 16th century, it was revived in 1944 as a historical reenactment and has grown into one of the largest festivals in South America.

When is Inti Raymi held?

Inti Raymi is celebrated every year on June 24, a regional public holiday in Cusco. The next edition is June 24, 2027.

Where exactly does the festival take place?

In three real locations, in order: Qorikancha (the former Inca Temple of the Sun) in the morning, the Plaza de Armas around midday, and the Sacsayhuaman fortress esplanade in the early afternoon for the main ceremony.

Do I need a ticket to see Inti Raymi?

The Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas segments can be watched for free from public areas, or from a reserved balcony seat above the crowd. The main ceremony at Sacsayhuaman requires an official reserved-seat ticket, sold in advance since seating is limited and demand is very high.

Is following the whole day tiring?

Yes -- it means a full day outdoors at high altitude, moving between three sites, much of it standing in the sun unless you have reserved seating. Balcony seats at Qorikancha and the Plaza, plus a good ticketed zone at Sacsayhuaman, make it far more comfortable, especially for older travelers.

How do I book Inti Raymi 2027 with Lo Mejor de Peru?

Reach out to us as early in the year as possible -- ideally by January or February 2027 -- and we will reserve your Sacsayhuaman seating zone, any balcony seats along the procession route, and coordinate it all with your Cusco hotel dates. Because tickets, balconies and nearby hotel rooms all sell out months ahead of June 24, booking early is the single biggest factor in securing a good experience.

How much do Sacsayhuaman tickets cost and what are the zones?

Seating is sold in three color-coded zones through authorized agencies: Green (side view, most affordable, roughly USD 170-180), Red (side view, closer to the stage, roughly USD 240-250), and Orange (central, best overall view, roughly USD 255-265). These are approximate agency prices that vary by seller and season -- we confirm the current price when we book your seat.