THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTI RAYMI

INTRODUCCTION

Inti Raymi is a festival that reverts back to the Inca'sAnd this is because on June 24 it seems as if the city were cloaked in the past and the days of the Tawantinsuyo have returned. Once again, it is Inca who rules; once again, the sun is the Supreme God to whom to pray for abundant harvests and for famine to be vanished.

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Inti Raymi was the Empire's foremost celebration. It was held during the winter solstice, when the sun is at its furthermost distance from the Equator. The children of the Empire feared that their God, the source of life, would disappear into the vastness of the universe; to prevent this from happening, they implored and begged for him to stay and therefore the Empire would not be overcome by famine.

Our service consists of:

1.-Pickup at your hotel and transport to the Temple of the Sun, the Qorikancha, to hail the sun

2.-Procession to Auqaypata (main square of Cuzco)

3.-Procession to the sacred square of Saqsayhuaman

4.-Presentation of typical dances from all regions of the Inca Empire and presentation of worship of the sun

5.-We can appreciate different Andean groups and their offerings, rituals, typical clothing and dances

6.-Entrance to the festival

7.-English speaking guide

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FESTIVAL OF LORD QOYLLUR RÍTI

This pilgrimage draws over 20,000 worshippers, many of them dancers and masked characters, and is considered one of the most important in the America.

The event is one of the most significant manifestations of Andean religion, in which much importance is given to the indigenous cult to the mountains and the spirits that dwell within them:

Four hours of pilgrimage brings us to the Qoyllur Riti sanctuary up on the Sinakhara plain at an altitude of 4600 meters. Many people take a wash in the icy waters that run down from the snowy peaks above. The water purifies the people and is necessary to enter into a new dimension where the divine energies flow between nature and man.

The route is full of processions made up of dance groups and music bands; there are fireworks and also small artisan markets. The festival unites the Andean and Catholic religions and as such the people worship and image of Christ on a magical rock at 4750 meters and the Apu Ausangate cult at the same time. l with a mix of pre Hispanic and Christian tradition, five days of dancing and offering honor the mountain spirit or Apu of Ausangate and the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’Y.

Itinerary

Program 3 days 2 nights

Day 1: leaving Cuzco by bus to the village of Mawayani, a long ride but with beautiful views. There will be a lot of pilgrims on their way so you have a lot to look at. Camp in Mawayani.

Day 2: Mawayani - chapel of the Lord of Qoyllur R'iti a 5 to 6 hours walk uphill, with lots of time to take pictures of all those people carrying their stuff up there.

In the festival place you can walk around, enjoy the dances and ceremonies or even climb more, to the glaciers.

Day 3: chapel - Mawayani - Cuzco

This is the last day of the festival. People have danced all night; there is a last mass and then the walk down.

In Mawayani you get on the bus back and arrive in Cuzco late that night.

Included

1. Transport by bus

2. Guide

3. Cook

4. Food from lunch 1st day until lunch last day

5. Camping equipment; tents and mattress

6. Horsemen and horses to carry food and equipment

Payment Facilities: Booking Conditions | Credit Cards | Money Transfer