“Inti Raymi” is a Quechua word for “Sun fest”, it is the most important religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god “Inti”, one of the most venerated deities in the Inca religion; this celebration take place in the the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year in terms of the time between sunrise and sunset and the Inca New Year.
According to chronicler “Garcilaso de la Vega”, the Sapa Inca Pachacuti created the Inti Raymi to celebrate the New Year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere. The ceremony was also said to indicate the mythical origin of the Incas. It lasted for nine days and was filled with colorful dances and processions, as well as animal sacrifices to thank the mother earth or the “Pachamama” and to ensure a good harvest season.
The history said that the sun was moving away (June – winter solstice), the cold increased, in the dawns the water was frosty, therefore, it was necessary to ask the Sun to return, that the morning sun would not continue advancing towards the north. Finally, it was necessary to witness to the god Sun the “Inti”, the eternity and total surrender of his children, with submission and respect.
Sapa Inca Pachakuti ordered the construction of the Qorikancha, a magnificent temple dedicated to reverence the Sun, a god whom the Incas called Apu P`unchao or Apu Inti, in whose honor the imposing festival of the INTI RAYMI was consecrated, which reaches outlines of solemnity and splendor, as described by the most important chroniclers.
Featured Inti Raymi Tours
INTI RAYMI DAY TOUR
The Inti Raymi is an important Inca festival in Peru celebrated on 24th of June, it is known as the “Inca Sun Festival”. It is the religious festival is in honor of the Sun God (INTI-SUN). This wonderful festival of Inti Raymi is celebrated in the city of Cusco – Peru… LEARN MORE
INTI RAYMI 2 DAYS TOUR
This festival commemorates the beginning of the year of the Andean word, the sun is returning from the shortest day to the summer time where the fields get more productive and the animals can find more grass to consume. Inti Raymi Tour usually takes… LEARN MORE
INTI RAYMI & MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS
Inti Raymi Machupicchu Tour in Peru is a tour of a life time; an opportunity to see the most important highlights of Cusco region; the holy pilgrimage site of the Incas also several other incredibly popular historical sites in Cusco… LEARN MORE
INTI RAYMI & MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
The Inti Raymi Machu Picchu Trip lets you eyewitness the religious tolerance and harmony found among religions in Cusco which is a very unique example to the world. This tour includes highlighted site in Cusco and Machu Picchu like “Sacsayhuaman”… LEARN MORE
