The Ancient Festival Of Inti Raymi In Peru

Have you heard of the Inca festival of Inti Raymi?

One of the most important dates on the Peruvian calendar, Inti Raymi celebrates the inspiring Inca civilization who built the Machu Picchu citadel and once ruled the vast majority of the South American continent. Falling on the 24th June annually - Andean hub cities like Cusco descend into street-filled celebrations and ancient reenactments, making it an unforgettable experience for any tourist that visits the country during this month.

In this definitive article we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Inti Raymi festival. This includes the early beginnings of this important event, how it survived the colonial era despite the fall of the Inca, as well as how luxury tourists can best enjoy this cultural festival. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions later in this guide.

Everything You Need To Know About The Inti Raymi Festival

The History Behind One Of Peru’s Most Important Ancient Festivals

Inti Raymi (also known as the Festival of the Sun) was first organized by Emperor Pachacutec in the 1430s, in order to worship the Inca Sun god of Inti and ensure warmth for the upcoming crop cycle. Falling on June 24th annually - right on the day of the winter solstice - it was the grandest Ancient celebration in the entire Andean world and the most important state ritual of Tahuantinsuyo.

Lasting between 9-15 days, major cities like Cusco would descend into massive celebrations of colorful dances and rituals such as animal sacrifices, fasting and toasts of the Chicha drink (fermented corn beer). It would then be celebrated annually for the next 100 years, until the arrival of the Spanish Conquest.

How Inti Raymi Survived The Colonial Period After The Fall Of The Inca

The last recorded public Inti Raymi celebration was held in 1535 and led by Manco Inca - two years after the Spanish Empire had taken control of Cusco and executed his half-brother Atahualpa. Most interestingly, the Spanish permitted Manco to hold Inti Raymi despite the major spread of Catholicism at the time - however this was entirely strategic since they were preparing to invade Chile and needed cooperation from local Inca soldiers and porters.

Spanish Viceroy Francisco de Toledo would then formally ban the festival in 1572 for being pagan, with Inti Raymi then disappearing from major cities and busy plazas. However, for the next 400 years, many Andean communities continued to secretly preserve elements of Inti Raymi through traditional ceremonies, oral traditions and the passing down of ancient knowledge. Interestingly, the festival date coincided with the Spanish Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24th, which allowed indigenous communities to continue practicing their ancestral customs and offerings under the appearance of a Christian celebration.

The Resurrection And Modern Day Celebrations Of Inti Raymi

During the Spanish Colonial Period, isolated and remote Andean communities would continue practicing simplified versions of Inti Raymi behind closed doors - allowing the knowledge of complex agricultural calendars, Quechua prayers and traditional dances to be passed down orally through dozens of generations.

While Peru gained full independence from the Spanish in 1824, it wasn’t until 1944 when Faustino Navarro brought back the first public performance of Inti Raymi in Cusco - which took place after months of studying Inca traditions since no living person had seen the original imperial festival. Inti Raymi has since been reinstated as an annual celebration, featuring colorful dances, ancient offerings and reenactments at sites such as Sacsayhuamán.

How Luxury Tourists Can Best Enjoy The Cultural Festivities And Celebrations During Inti Raymi

For luxury travelers visiting Peru during June, Inti Raymi offers one of the most unforgettable opportunities to experience one of the country’s most important ancient Andean traditions. Securing premium seating at Sacsayhuamán Ruins is essential, where we will enjoy the closest views of performances and rituals, as well as have private transport from your hotel and an expert bilingual guide included in your VIP package.

Booking a luxury Cusco hotel in or near the Plaza de Armas puts you just footsteps from the main celebrations and parades here, where you can also enjoy five-star amenities and on-site gourmet restaurants. However it’s important to book your vacation in Cusco a few months in advance, as it’s a very popular celebration where hotels have very high demands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Inti Raymi

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about Inti Raymi, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Is Inti Raymi Still Practiced Today?

Yes - Inti Raymi continues to be practiced today and has been held annually since the first resurrected performance in 1944. The only year where it wasn’t celebrated during this period was in 2020 - due to the COVID pandemic. The following year in 2021 it would then return, however did not feature a live audience as a safety measure.

Why Was Inti Raymi Banned?

Inti Raymi was banned in 1572 by the Spanish Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, as it was pagan and the Spanish wanted to spread Catholicism as the main religion throughout Peru. Despite being officially outlawed, Inti Raymi was still practiced in secret by the Inca either in homes within remote Andean villages, or by pretending their celebrations were instead for the Spanish holiday of St, John the Baptist - which is held on the same day.

What To Wear To Inti Raymi?

Tourists who want to enjoy the festivities and ancient reenactments of Inti Raymi don’t need to wear anything special in particular - since colorful costumes are only required for the local dancers and performers. However as celebrations take place outside, wearing comfortable clothing is best - either short layers for the warm days, thick jumpers and a coat for the evenings, or rainproofs if visiting during the rainy season.

Overview Of The Inti Raymi Festival In Peru

And that’s all for this guide on the Inti Raymi celebration.

The most important Andean festival on the Peruvian calendar, Inti Raymi celebrates the most important beliefs and ancient practices of the Inca civilization. It’s one of the very best historic events for luxury tourists to experience if traveling to Peru during June, where we can see Cusco transform with atmospheric parades, traditional music and dance, along with opportunities to get up and close with the famous Inca reenactments at sites like Sacsayhuamán.

Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company, we have decades of experience tailoring the most unforgettable vacations for our guests. Get in touch with our expert team now, where we can create your dream Peru itinerary with the very best five-star hotels, private tours and seamless transport all included.