Tour guide service Inti Raymi 2026

The Inti Raymi is the great festival of the sun that takes place in the city of Cusco every June 24th. This day, declared a holiday throughout the region, honors the Inca legacy in the capital of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo empire. The main show, with hundreds of actors and actresses representing the festival in honor of the sun, takes place at Sacsayhuamán. The entrance ticket is offered in three seating groups: red seats, green seats, or orange seats. If you purchase the guided tour service, you will have the company of a guide throughout the visit, providing greater security and helping you better understand the context of the performance.

Guia Turistico Inti Raymi

Inti Raymi Ticket Prices and Guided Tour in Sacsayhuamán

The first Inti Raymi show is at the Coricancha at 9:00 a.m. and lasts 45 minutes. The second is at the Plaza de Armas at 11:00 a.m. and also lasts 45 minutes. The main show, the third, is at the Sacsayhuamán fortress at 2:00 p.m. and lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check out the prices for this final show, along with packages that include the professional guided tour service.

INTI RAYMI TICKETS
Stand at Sacsayhuamán Sacsayhuamán Entry Sacsayhuamán Entry + Bus + Guide Coricancha Entry + Sacsayhuamán Entry Coricancha Entry + Sacsayhuamán Entry + Bus + Guide
Green Zone 173 USD 234 USD 243 USD 304 USD
Orange Zone 259 USD 326 USD 329 USD 396 USD
Red Zone 243 USD 315 USD 313 USD 385 USD
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Why Choose a Guided Tour? This is the Inti Raymi Across Its Three Historic Venues

The Inti Raymi takes place on June 24th, starting with the public performance at Coricancha. There, the Inca asks for the sun’s blessing to begin the ceremony. Then, the show moves to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas where the coca leaf ceremony is performed. The third venue, the most important, is at the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Learn how the performance unfolds at each of these venues and why choosing the guided tour service with your ticket is beneficial.

Inti Raymi in Cusco and the Guided Tour Service
What is the show about? Advantages of Choosing a Guided Tour
Show at Coricancha The Inca makes his entrance preceded by his entourage, the high priest, the Sun Virgins, his wife, and representatives of the four suyus or regions of the empire. He then performs a thanksgiving ceremony to the sun, asking permission to start the Inti Raymi. The performance begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 45 minutes.
  • Translation of the performance from Quechua to Spanish, English, Portuguese, etc.
  • Safety by accompanying the tourist throughout the show in the midst of the crowd.
  • Explanation and appreciation of Inca culture.
Show at Plaza de Armas The Inca and his wife (the Coya) are carried in litters surrounded by their personal entourage. Representatives from the four regions dance and sing in honor of the Inca, the Coya, and the sun. Then the Inca and the high priest perform the coca leaf ritual, asking for good times for civilization, success in war, and good harvests.
  • Translation of the performance from Quechua to Spanish, English, Portuguese, etc.
  • Safety by accompanying the tourist throughout the show in the midst of the crowd.
  • Explanation of the meaning of ancestral ceremonies such as the coca leaf ritual.
Show at Sacsayhuamán Representatives of the four suyus make offerings to the Inca with dances and live music. The Inca performs the ritual of sacrificing a llama (mock), the chicha ritual, and the fire ritual in honor of the sun. Then a parade is held around the Sacsayhuamán plaza where visitors can take photos with actors in Inca costumes. The performance starts at 2:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Translation of the performance from Quechua to Spanish, English, Portuguese, etc.
  • Safety by accompanying the tourist throughout the show in the midst of the crowd.
  • Explanation of the meaning of ancestral ceremonies such as the coca leaf ritual.

Why Choose the Guided Tour Service at Inti Raymi?

The guided tour service is highly recommended during the Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán. This performance, the main one of the entire festival, lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and is performed in Quechua. The guide is trained to translate each line of the show and also provides safety to the visitor before, during, and after the performance, one of the largest gatherings in Peru.

  • Performance Translation

    Inti Raymi is a show based on 16th-century chronicles. The script and staging are in Quechua, the language of the Incas. The professional guides are native to Cusco and fluent in Quechua. The service provides translation of the performance so tourists do not miss any detail or context.

  • Safety During the Show

    It is estimated that around 10,000 visitors come to Cusco on June 24th to enjoy the great Inti Raymi show. Combined with local residents, this creates a densely crowded environment where many issues can occur. Having a tour guide provides appropriate safety, not only during the show but throughout the entire visit, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience with full security and confidence.

  • Appreciation of Inca and Quechua Culture

    The true meaning of Inti Raymi is to revalue the importance of Inca culture, a civilization that left significant architectural works such as Sacsayhuamán, Coricancha, Choquequirao, Machu Picchu, and much more. The best way to fully understand the meaning of this ceremony is to have a tour guide who provides the necessary explanation, not only to appreciate Inti Raymi but also to be part of it.

This is Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun

Inti Raymi is an Inca ceremony that was reorganized by the citizens of Cusco to revalue their glorious past. Today, every June 24th, the city of Cusco hosts three major performances resembling the ancient Inca celebration. How is each of these performances celebrated? Discover through this video how Inti Raymi unfolds step by step!

Inti Raymi

The 3 Best Festivals in Cusco

Cusco has countless stories to tell. Even before the Inca era, important cultures thrived here whose traditions are still alive today. Not to mention the Inca culture and the impact of colonialism in this Andean region. Today, this mix of cultures is reflected in the main festivals: Inti Raymi, Corpus Christi, and the Paucartambo festival. Discover how they are celebrated, their cultural expressions, and get inspired to explore the festive side of Cusco.

  • Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun

    Inti Raymi (the Festival of the Sun) is the most important and famous festival in Cusco and Peru. It is an Inca-origin ceremony that today takes the form of three major shows in three historically significant locations from the Inca era: the Sun Temple Coricancha, the main square (Plaza de Armas), and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. On this day, thousands of visitors arrive in Cusco to witness the revival of the Incas. The festival takes place every year on June 24th.

  • Corpus Christi, the Festival of the Saints

    The Incas had the religious tradition of parading the mummies of Inca rulers, who were revered as protective gods. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, unable to suppress this tradition, the Inca mummies were replaced with statues of virgins and saints. The syncretism of these historical periods is reflected in Corpus Christi, where 15 saintly figures are paraded through the city. The festival takes place on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday (usually late May or early June).

  • The Paucartambo Festival

    Cusco is famous for its dances that highlight the cultural symbiosis between its Inca past and colonial period. This religious festival, which showcases these dances and various expressions of cultural syncretism in Cusco, honors the Virgin of Carmen. The celebration is characterized by the use of masks, colorful costumes, and the joyful spirit of the local population. It takes place from July 15th to 18th each year. The town of Paucartambo is located 105 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco.
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Questions and Answers about the Guided Tour Service at Inti Raymi

Having a guided tour service is highly recommended during Inti Raymi, especially for visitors with a cultural interest in Inca history. All guides are professionals specialized in the Festival of the Sun and Andean culture. Learn the main questions and answers about this service.

1) Why choose the tour guide service at Inti Raymi?
The tourist guide service at Inti Raymi is practically essential during the festival, since the performances are given in Quechua, the language of the Incas. The guide is a native of Cusco; his first language is Quechua, and he has knowledge of the historical significance of the Sun Festival. Additionally, he is responsible for ensuring the safety of visitors during this large-scale event.
2) Are the guides professionals?
Yes, all guides are certified professionals, trained and experienced in the Inti Raymi festival in Cusco, Peru.
3) What are the languages ​​of the tourist guide at Inti Raymi?
The tour is conducted in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and the guide also has knowledge of Quechua. Additionally, tourists can request a guide who specializes in another language (private service).
4) How long does the tour guide service last at Inti Raymi?
The tourist tour is conducted in groups (tourists who booked the same service). The service lasts approximately 4 hours, covering the time before, during, and after the main Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán.
5) Does the tour guide accompany the visitor throughout the Inti Raymi?
The tour guide accompanies the visitor from the meeting point at Plaza Regocijo, where transportation to the Sacsayhuamán show is arranged. The guide is present throughout the entire show and during the return trip.
6) What does the tourist guide service include?
The tourist guide service is included as part of a package that covers entrance to Inti Raymi and transportation. It is also included in the Full Day Tour, which offers all services included (entrance to the main show at Sacsayhuamán, professional guide, transportation, and a boxed lunch).
7) How to purchase the tour guide service at Inti Raymi?
You can book the tourist guide service by purchasing one of the Inti Raymi packages: - Inti Raymi: Entrance to the Sacsayhuamán Show, tourist transportation, and guide service. - Inti Raymi Full Day: Entrance to the Sacsayhuamán Show, tourist transportation, guide service, and boxed lunch. - Inti Raymi Full Day with Coricancha: Entrance to the Sacsayhuamán Show, entrance to the Coricancha show, tourist transportation, guide service, and boxed lunch.
8) Can I cancel the tour guide service at Inti Raymi?
Both the entrance to Inti Raymi and the tour guide service are not subject to cancellation. It is recommended to choose safely when booking your service since it is carried out only once a year: June 24.
9) If I book the Inti Raymi Full Day Tour with Coricancha, will the guide also accompany me?
Yes, when booking the Inti Raymi Full Day Tour with Coricancha, the guide will accompany you from the moments before the first show, which begins at 9:00 a.m.
10) Does the tour guide service include transportation to Inti Raymi?
Yes, the tourist transportation service is included in the classic Inti Raymi package, which also includes entrance to the main show at Sacsayhuamán, as well as the guided tour.