Location: Canas Province, Cusco Highlights: Annual rebuilding of the last Inca grass bridge using traditional techniques Community participation with offerings to Apus (mountain spirits) UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event
Location: Sinakara Valley (Cusco), near Ocongate Highlights: One of Peru’s most sacred Andean festivals, blending Inca sun worship (Inti) with Catholicism. Thousands hike to 4,800m to honor the Señor de Qoyllur Rit’i (Christ appearing as a mountain spirit). Dancers in colorful masks (ukukus) perform rituals to bless crops.
Location: Cusco Highlights: 15 saints and virgins paraded from churches to Cusco Cathedral Traditional dishes like chiriuchu (cold spicy platter) Q'apaq Negro dance performances
Location: Amazon regions (especially Iquitos, Pucallpa, Tarapoto) Highlights: Celebrates the Amazonian winter solstice with water purification rituals Traditional dances like the pandilla and humisha (tree cutting ceremony) Feast of juanes (seasoned rice wrapped in bijao leaves)
Location: Cusco (Sacsayhuamán fortress) Highlights: The most important Inca festival, honoring the sun god Inti Spectacular reenactment of ancient Inca rituals with 500+ participants in traditional costumes Includes offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and ceremonial coca leaf readings
