OVERVIEW

Tour: Tour Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun – 6 Days
Destinations: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Description: Cusco, Perú is the site of Latin America’s second-largest festival; The Inti Raymi- Festival of the Sun. Every June 24th in Cusco, Peru the most important day of the Incan empire is celebrated with dancing, music and ancient ceremonial offerings to their Sun God- Inti.  Now Inti Raymi week is the greatest festival week in Cusco each year.

The all-day Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun takes place at 3 sites in and around Cusco:  Koricancha, The Main Square (Plaza de Armas) and Sacsayhuaman. Dancers, animals, musicians, the Inca’s Military advisors, his court, Shaman’s and bodyguards prepare the Inca and his wife’s (Qoya) way from site to site to celebrate the lengthening of the days and the Sun’s returning back closer to the earth.

Now all animal sacrifices, a very important part of the day, are simulated. We know how to navigate this very busy day in and around Cusco with minimal hassles, optimal fun and enhanced crowd avoidance with personal service and attention throughout the day. Lunch, drinks, snacks, and transportation are included this day. Email or call a tour specialist for more details or a custom itinerary to suit your travel dates.

Day 1 (June 20, 2024): Arrival to Lima.

Day 2 (June 21, 2024): Lima, Cusco (City Tour).

Day 3 (June 22, 2024): Sacred Valley.

Day 4 (June 23, 2024): Cusco, Machu Picchu, Cusco.

Day 5 (June 24, 2024): Inti Raymi or festival of the Sun.

Day 6 (June 25, 2024): Return to Lima.

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: (Jun 20, 2024) Arrive to Lima

Lima airport reception and private transfer to your hotel. (If you arrive to Lima early in the morning you can fly to Cusco the same day.)

Day 2: (Jun 21, 2024) Lima, Cusco City Tour

After your breakfast and check out your private car will transfer you to the Jorge Chavez international airport in Lima for your 1 hour flight to Cusco. You will be greeted at the Cusco airport and taken by private car 15 minutes to your hotel in the historic district. Rest, breathe and drink the coca tea provided by your hotel to acclimate to Cusco’s 11,000 ft (3300 meter) elevation. After a nice afternoon rest you will be able to take the guided Cusco City Tour. Visit the Temple of the sun (Coricancha), The Cathedral and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. You will be returned to your hotel around sundown.

Day 3: (Jun 22, 2024) Tour the Sacred Valley

After breakfast drive north out of Cusco for about an hour with your private bilingual guide and driver to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the ruins at Pisac, a beautiful place to observe archaeological remains and visit the famous Indian market. Afterwards continue west along the Urubamba River and stop for a fine lunch before stopping in Ollantaytambo.

After lunch visit the archaeological city of Ollantaytambo which remains largely as it was in the time of the Incas. Here where you will be able to appreciate the amazing complexity of Inca construction and climb and walk amongst the magnificent wall. If time permits you can visit the traditional town of Chinchero on your way back to Cusco. Return to your hotel in Cusco a little after sundown.

Day 4: (Jun 23, 2024) Cusco, Machu Picchu

In the morning after breakfast you will be greeted in your hotel by your driver and driven to the train station for your train to Aguas Calientes (3.5 hours) in the valley below Machu Picchu. Here your Machu Picchu guide will greet you and take you on a tour of the magnificent Machu Picchu. Enjoy a few hours with your guide then explore the park on your own. After visiting Machu Picchu you will return to the majestic city of Cusco by train where our staff will be waiting to return you to your hotel.

Day 5: (Jun 24, 2024) Inti Raymi

Now that you’ve visited a few of the great Inca architectural achievements it will be apparent to you that the Sun was the main deity worshiped in the Inca culture. In today’s Inti Raymi Festival all of the significant Sun Festival rituals are re-enacted. Today’s festivities include the New Fire Celebration. All fires this day were to be created from the fire The Inca started with a parabolic mirror that concentrated the suns rays onto animal fur and kindling. Only then were all other fires started from this source.

You will also see the Inca representative carried on a litter and toasted with chicha (a fermented drink). With an the appropriate finale the Inca gives a speech in the native language quechua. Return to your hotel before sundown.

Day 6: (Jun 25, 2024) Return to Lima

After breakfast and check out you will be greeted in your hotel and driven by private car to the Cusco airport for your 1 hour flight to Lima and return home.

Our Services Include:

• All private transfers.

• Lima, Cusco, Lima roundtrip airfare.

• Accommodations in selected hotels.

• Professional guides.

• Private Tours.

• Tourist tickets.

• Train Tickets.

• Bus tickets in Aguas Calientes.

• Meals according to itinerary.

• Breakfasts included in hotels.

• Inti Raymi Reserved Seats (optional).

• Personal assistance every day.