Inti Raymi Full Day Tour Cusco 2026

After the initial ceremony at Qoricancha, the Inca, accompanied by his royal court and the imperial army, proceeds in a solemn parade toward the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, known as Aucaypata. The route follows ancient Inca streets, including Loreto Street.

In the Plaza de Armas, the Ñustas, the Aqllas, and the rest of the imperial army are already present, waiting for the arrival of the Inca. Once there, the Inca, in his role as supreme leader, performs the Coca ceremony, invoking the Apus (the sacred mountains) to ask for protection and guidance.

In this second stage, our guide will offer you options to make the most of your experience:

• 12:00 p.m. Transfer to ascend to the fortress of Saqsayhuamán, where the most important ceremony of the Inti Raymi will take place.
• Free time (maximum 1 hour) to enjoy this part of the event at your own pace — “Admission is completely free for everyone”; rest or immerse yourself in the joy of the Cusco people.

After the Coca ceremony in the Plaza of Aucaypata concludes, the cast heads to the impressive esplanade of the Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park (3 km from Cusco). There, a crowd of approximately 80,000 people — among them about 3,500 tourists who have purchased tickets for the stands set up on the esplanade — eagerly await the beginning of the central ceremony of the Inti Raymi.

Stands in Sacsayhuamán
The main staging of the Inti Raymi, the festival in honor of the Sun God (Inti), takes place on the main esplanade of Sacsayhuamán. There are stands with a capacity for about 3,906 people. All the seats are very comfortable for the spectators. The VIP area consists of three stands (orange, red, and green) that offer the best view of the ceremony.

Here, the Inca, accompanied by the Coya, priests, warriors, and Inca nobility, performs rituals and offerings in gratitude to the Sun. Among the most notable activities are traditional dances, songs in Quechua, and the symbolic sacrifice of a llama as an act of renewal and a request for prosperity for the people.

The monumental setting of Sacsayhuamán, with its gigantic stone blocks and its connection to the sky, reinforces the sacred meaning of the Inti Raymi. This event combines history, art, and spirituality, making the experience unique both for Cusco’s residents and for visitors from around the world. The ceremony not only recalls the greatness of the Tahuantinsuyo but also preserves and celebrates the deep Andean cultural roots.

After this most special event at the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán (3 km from Cusco), at the end we will be transferred by bus to the historic center of Cusco, where the tour will finish.