Inti Raymi 2027: How to Experience the Festival of the Sun and Pair It with Machu Picchu
Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, is held in Cusco every June 24. In 2027 it falls on Thursday, June 24, right in high season. It is one of the most striking experiences you can have in Peru, and also the week when Cusco and Machu Picchu are at their busiest. With a little planning you can enjoy both.
What the day is like
The re-enactment recreates the Inca ceremony to the Sun across three stages over the day:
- Qorikancha, the old Temple of the Sun, in the morning.
- Plaza de Armas, mid-morning, where the Inca receives the city's greeting.
- Sacsayhuamán, the esplanade above Cusco, where the main ceremony takes place in the afternoon.
All of June is festival month in Cusco: there are parades, dances and processions almost every day, and the week before the 24th the city is full of life.
Grandstand or free view
At Sacsayhuamán there are grandstands with numbered seats, sold by Cusco's municipal festivals company (EMUFEC) through its official channels. There are few of them, just over three thousand seats, and in 2026 they sold out completely, so for 2027 buy them as soon as they go on sale.
The other option is to watch the ceremony for free from the hillsides around Sacsayhuamán. Get there early to find a spot, bring water, a cap and sunscreen, and be patient with the crowd.
Beware of resale: every year there are fake or resold tickets at hugely inflated prices. Buy only through official channels.
How to fit in Machu Picchu
June 24 already falls within Machu Picchu's high-demand days, which in 2027 run from June 19 to November 2. Our advice is not to visit Machu Picchu on the 24th itself and to plan the trip like this:
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| June 20 | Arrive in Cusco and rest |
| June 21 | Afternoon city tour |
| June 22 | Full Sacred Valley |
| June 23 | Free day for the city's festivities |
| June 24 | Inti Raymi |
| June 25 and 26 | Machu Picchu in 2 days |
That way you arrive acclimatized for Inti Raymi and visit Machu Picchu afterward, as the city starts to empty out. If you prefer to go before, June 22 and 23 work too.
What cannot wait is your Machu Picchu ticket: that week it sells out before anything else, along with Cusco's hotels.
Tips for that week
- Book your Cusco hotel well in advance: prices rise and rooms run out.
- Arrive with two days to spare to acclimatize before the 24th; at Sacsayhuamán you are above 3,500 meters and spend hours in the sun.
- Bring warm clothes: June is winter in the Andes and nights are very cold.
- Watch your belongings in the crowds at the Plaza de Armas.
For the rest of your planning, see the 2027 high-season dates and the Machu Picchu 2027 guide.
Check 2027 availability
See our pre-booking spots day by day and lock in your date, route and time on our Machu Picchu 2027 tickets calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is Inti Raymi 2027?
On Thursday, June 24, 2027, as every year on June 24.
Where do you buy Inti Raymi tickets?
The Sacsayhuamán grandstands are sold by Cusco's municipal festivals company (EMUFEC) through its official channels. Avoid resale: there are fake tickets every year.
Can you watch Inti Raymi for free?
Yes, from the hillsides around Sacsayhuamán. Arrive early to get a good spot.
Should I visit Machu Picchu on June 24 itself?
No. It is better to go one or two days before or after, so you do not miss the festival or rush to make your train.
How far ahead should I book Machu Picchu for that week?
As early as possible, as soon as 2027 ticket sales open. It is one of the most requested weeks of the year.
