Sacsayhuaman and Inti Raymi

About Sacsayhuaman and Inti Raymi

Sacsayhuaman crowns a hill above Cusco with three tiers of zigzag walls built from enormous stones, some weighing well over a hundred tons, fitted without mortar. The Spanish saw it as a fortress, yet it was also a ceremonial complex with towers, water channels and a great esplanade for gatherings. Some scholars suggest the plan of Cusco was laid out in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman forming its head, a sign of how city and cosmos were linked.

Each 24 June the plaza becomes the stage for Inti Raymi, a revival of the Inca festival of the sun that marked the winter solstice and the new year. A performer playing the Sapa Inca addresses the sun in Quechua, surrounded by hundreds of dancers in costume. Above the walls sits the Rodadero rock and the carved Throne of the Inca, where local families picnic on clear days. Book seats early, as the festival draws huge crowds.

What to see

• Zigzag megalithic walls
• Inti Raymi ceremony on 24 June
• Rodadero rock and Throne of the Inca
• Views over Cusco
• Nearby Qenqo carved shrine

Visiting Sacsayhuaman and Inti Raymi: practical guide

Best time

May to September; 24 June for Inti Raymi

Hours

Open daily, roughly 7:00 to 17:30

Entry

Included in the Boleto Turistico del Cusco; Inti Raymi seats sold separately

Dress code

Layers, sun hat and sunscreen

Nearest airport

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), Cusco, 6 km

Tips from experienced pilgrims

• Free hillside viewing at Inti Raymi fills before dawn
• Walk up from San Cristobal church for exercise
• Visit Qenqo and Tambomachay on the same ticket

Festivals and special days

• Inti Raymi (24 June)

Etiquette for visitors

Guidance drawn from Inca Religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.

• Book Machu Picchu tickets and circuits well in advance; entry is timed.
• Acclimatize to altitude in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before strenuous hikes.
• Do not touch or lean on Inca stonework, which is fragile despite appearances.
• Respect offerings, such as coca leaves, left at shrines and mountain passes.
• Ask before photographing people in traditional dress, and offer a tip if expected.
• Use licensed guides, which are required at Machu Picchu.

Location map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions

Frequently asked questions