
Inti Raymi is celebrated every year on June 24th. This religious festival, which dates back to the Inca era, was led by the emperor himself. Since the early 20th century, the people of Cusco have paid tribute to their Inca ancestors with a grand performance staged at three historic locations: Coricancha, Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán. Discover what this grand celebration is like, one of the most iconic festivals in Peru.

There are three types of seating: red, green, and orange, all offering exclusive views of the show.
The tourist transport takes visitors from the city of Cusco to Sacsayhuamán, located on the outskirts of the city.
The tour guide allows visitors to learn about the meaning of the show in Quechua, the language of the Incas.
The box lunch allows you to enjoy the show at Sacsayhuamán without missing a thing, all while having the best food.
Inti Raymi is a large-scale show whose main performance takes place at the historic Sacsayhuamán fortress. This show lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are three types of seating available with your ticket: red seating, green seating, and orange seating. All offer a good angle for viewing the show. When choosing your ticket, you must select one of the three available seating types.
Red seating offers a side view of the Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán. Visitors will be able to enjoy the show up close. It has wide availability. It is recommended to reserve this seating about one month in advance.
Green seating also offers a side view of the Inti Raymi show at the Sacsayhuamán fortress. The view is privileged. Tickets are widely available. It is recommended to reserve this seating about one month in advance on average.
Orange seating offers a central view of the Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán. This is one of the best vantage points. Tickets are widely available, but it is recommended to reserve tickets at least 2 months in advance.
The Inti Raymi takes place in three locations: the Coricancha esplanade, the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. The first two are accessible on foot, while Sacsayhuamán, although reachable by walking, is quite far from the city center. Therefore, the most recommended way to reach this location is by hiring tourist transportation. Discover the routes of the tourist transportation service for Inti Raymi.
The route from the city of Cusco to Sacsayhuamán is almost 1 kilometer. Although the distance is short, the walk is challenging because the entire route is uphill. The transportation service departs from the Regocijo square (adjacent to Plaza de Armas), making the journey easier.
The return journey, after the Inti Raymi show, starts from Sacsayhuamán back to the city of Cusco. You can decide whether to take the transportation or walk down, as the route is easier. The transport will safely take visitors back to the starting point (Regocijo Square).
The Inti Raymi is a performance whose script is written in Quechua, the language of the Incas. Because of this, having a tour guide is essential, as they can provide a more complete context for the performance and answer any questions you may have. The guide is also responsible for ensuring your safety and helping you enjoy the show to the fullest.
The Inti Raymi performance at Coricancha lasts an average of 45 minutes. The show depicts the appearance of the Inca with his entourage offering a tribute to the sun. The tour guide accompanies you, translating the dialogues and providing relevant information about this historic performance.
The Inti Raymi performance at Plaza de Armas lasts about 45 minutes. The show features the offering of coca leaves to the sun god. The Inca and his wife are led around the square. The guide explains the Quechua dialogues, providing security and information.
The Inti Raymi performance at Sacsayhuamán is the most important event. It lasts an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The show features music, dances, and offerings to the sun god. The guide is highly recommended to fully understand this historic performance.
The main Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán starts at 2:00 PM and ends at approximately 4:30 PM. Because of this, most visitors do not have enough time to have lunch and still make it to the venue. However, you can add the box lunch service to your ticket (available only with the Full Day tour). The lunch includes a starter, a main dish, as well as drinks and snacks.
The starter includes a quinoa salad with boiled vegetables and fresh fruits. All ingredients are highly nutritious. The starter is prepared by the best chefs in Cusco.
The main dish includes boiled potatoes, grilled chicken, noodles, and more. You can also choose a vegetarian option. The box lunch offers high nutritional value, perfect for enjoying during Inti Raymi.
The box lunch also includes bottled table water, juice, candies, nuts, chocolates, and more. During the show, there are staff members who collect the waste. The box lunch is suitable for children, adults, and seniors.
Discover the ticket prices for Inti Raymi 2026. Remember that you can add additional services such as: tourist transportation, professional guide, box lunch (only available with the Full Day tour), or the ticket for the first show at Coricancha.
| INTI RAYMI TICKETS | Sacsayhuaman | Coricancha + Sacsayhuaman | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigner | Peruvian | Foreigner | Peruvian | |
| Green Zone | 173 USD | 86 USD | 243 USD | 156 USD |
| Orange Zone | 259 USD | 259 USD | 329 USD | 329 USD |
| Red Zone | 243 USD | 243 USD | 313 USD | 313 USD |
| INTI RAYMI TICKETS + BUS + GUIDE | Sacsayhuaman | Coricancha + Sacsayhuaman | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreigner | Peruvian | Foreigner | Peruvian | |
| Green Zone | 234 USD | 148 USD | 304 USD | 218 USD |
| Orange Zone | 326 USD | 326 USD | 396 USD | 396 USD |
| Red Zone | 315 USD | 315 USD | 385 USD | 385 USD |
The Inti Raymi celebration takes place at three venues: the Qoricancha Temple, the Plaza de Armas, and the Sacsayhuamán Fortress. Learn what the experience is like at each of these locations and enjoy the celebration to the fullest.
Inti Raymi at the Qoricancha Temple
The first performance takes place at the Qoricancha Temple, where the Inca appears alongside his entourage and the Coya. The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. and is free of charge, although there is a limited seating area with tickets available. During the ceremony, the Inca delivers a speech and performs a small ritual with coca and chicha to inaugurate the festivities. After 45 minutes, the Inca and his entourage move to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, where the second performance of Inti Raymi continues, one of the most important celebrations in the Andean calendar.
Inti Raymi at the Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas hosts the second part of Inti Raymi, starting at 11:00 a.m., with free access. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a good spot. In this performance, the Inca appears with the nobility, accompanied by chants and dances from the four regions of the Tahuantinsuyo. A highlight is the “encounter of the times,” where the mayor of Cusco receives a Khipu, a symbol of ancestral wisdom. The coca leaf reading ritual is also performed, seeking good omens for the prosperity of the empire. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes and symbolizes the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Andes.
Inti Raymi at the Sacsayhuamán Fortress
The third and most important performance of Inti Raymi takes place at the Sacsayhuamán fortress, starting at 2:00 p.m. With the participation of 300 actors, offerings and dances from the four regions of the Tahuantinsuyo are portrayed. Here, the main rituals take place: the Llama Sacrifice, the Chicha Rite, the Sacred Fire, and the Sankhu Rite (sacred bread). To witness this ceremony, it is necessary to purchase a ticket for one of the three available seating areas (red, green, or orange), each offering privileged views. This performance is the most symbolic and significant of Inti Raymi, encapsulating the spirituality and culture of the ancient Inca Empire.
Discover the ticket prices for Inti Raymi 2026. Remember that you can add additional services such as: tourist transportation, professional guide, box lunch (available only on the Full Day tour), or entry to the first show at Coricancha.