Cuzco: the Inca capital

 Cuzco: in the heart of the Inca empire

Cuzco, also named Cusco, is a city in southeastern Peru, situated in the Andes mountain range. It was the Inca Empire capital’s, which was one of the largest and most powerful empires in pre-Columbian America. Today, Cuzco is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, stunning architecture, and close proximity to the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Cuzco's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many beautiful examples of colonial and Inca-era architecture, including the iconic Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. The city also boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and cultural events throughout the year.

In addition to Machu Picchu, Cuzco is also a popular starting point for exploring other nearby attractions, such as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Inca Trail, and the Amazon rainforest.

The best time to visit Cusco

The best time to visit Cusco, Peru depends on your preferences and interests. Cusco has a mild climate with two distinct seasons - the dry season (May to October) and the wet season (November to April).

The dry season is generally considered the best time to visit Cusco, as the weather is sunny and dry with clear blue skies, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the city's historical sites. This is also the peak tourist season, with high demand for flights and accommodation, and higher prices.

The wet season, on the other hand, can be characterized by daily afternoon rain showers and occasional thunderstorms, which can affect travel plans and outdoor activities. However, the countryside is lush and green during this time, making it a beautiful time to visit for nature lovers.

If you're interested in attending some of the festivals that take place in Cusco, the best time to visit would be during June or July, when the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) takes place.

Overall, the best time to visit Cusco really depends on your preferences and priorities, but if you're looking for good weather and fewer crowds, then the dry season from May to October is generally recommended. 

The Inti Raymi the festival of the sun in Peru

Every June 24, the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, is set ablaze at the time of the most grandiose of the Peruvian festivals: the Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun.

The Inti Raymi Peru 2023 draws its origin in the Inca tradition. Nine days during, on the occasion of the winter solstice, the Incas celebrated the Inti, the father sun, by dedicating him dances and sacrifices.

Although it was forbidden from 1572, with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the ceremony of the Inti Raymi continued to be practiced clandestinely.

Since 1944, the most important of the four Inca celebrations revives thanks to the description made by Garcilaso de la Vega in his chronicles.

The celebration gathers thousands of people, spectators, and participants, for a colorful historical reenactment, full of dances, music, songs, and colorful costumes, all mixed with a sense of cultural pride.

The ceremony begins in the heart of Cusco, in the Qorikancha, the ancient temple of the sun, on which stands now the Santo Domingo convent. An actor plays the role of the Inca, emperor of an immense kingdom that extended from the South of Colombia to the North of Chile. Carried on a litter in a long procession, the Inca reaches the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the most beautiful part of the show takes place. There, for a few hours, you will find yourself immersed in the heart of a mythical time, the time to relive the epic of the fascinating Inca empire.

Cuzco celebrates Corpus Christi

A trip to Peru in June is an opportunity to celebrate! If we already know the Inti Raymi, which marks the winter solstice in the country, the festival of Corpus Christi is less famous. In Cuzco, it offers however a unique spectacle between Catholic fervor and pre-Columbian heritage. Not less than 15 saints assure the spectacle, accompanied by thousands of parishioners and travelers. The first ones move in procession from their parish to the cathedral and the second ones follow the rhythm of the music and the dances.

The saints procession's at the heart of the celebrations.

The feast of Corpus Christi takes place on a Thursday, but preparations begin the day before. On Wednesday, the main churches of the Diocese of Cuzco take out the representations of the saints that they keep all year long. One transports then these 15 saints to the church of Santa Clara. It is here that the statues will spend the night before the beginning of the celebrations. But they are not alone! Believers have the honor and responsibility of watching over them. Moreover, they prepare them and dress them meticulously.

Catholic festivals and Inca rituals

• Corpus Christi, also called Corpus Christi, is a Catholic holiday. Its date is set on the Thursday following the Sunday of the Feast of the Trinity, celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. For 2022, it falls on Thursday, June 16.
• This feast commemorates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. It was introduced in Peru by the Spanish colonists in the XVIth century and was gradually substituted to the Andean rituals. Instead of the parade of the Inca mummies of pre-Columbian America, we now attend the processions of the saints.
• Likewise, the 15 saints are transported to enter the cathedral. A mass takes place then on the occasion of which the bishop of Cuzco blesses the believers. After the procession, the saints return to the main temple of the city and remain for 8 days. It is the week of the Octave of Corpus Christi, at the end of which the statues will return to their usual parish.

Beer and chiriuchu: the traditional meal

During this festival, the cuy (guinea pig) is also honored! A quality dish served for special occasions, it contributes to the success of the Corpus Christi celebration.

The municipality of Cuzco organizes indeed a provincial fair of several days in the Plaza San Francisco, during which 150 mamitas concoct the famous chiriuchu. This traditional cuy-based dish is cooked with cheese, sausages, chicken, corn tortillas, fish eggs, seaweed, and grilled corn.

Some 850 visitors enjoy chiriuchu every day, a cheap dish (25 soles or about 6.30 € in June 2022), a symbol of sharing and conviviality. With family and friends, we meet around the chiriuchu and refreshing Cusquenian beers!

The festival of Corpus Christi Cusco was declared Cultural Patrimony of the Nation in 2004, it is easy to understand why!