The city of Cusco is one of the places where many festivities are held. Most of the festivities celebrated in Cusco are in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Christian calendar adopted in colonial times, although they have been mixed with the magical beliefs of ancient forms of worship. The celebration of Holy Week, Carnival, Corpus Christi and the feast of the "Señor de los Temblores", have a special meaning for the people of Cusco, becoming a great folkloric expression of their people.
Carnivals are the most symbolic expression of merriment in the Cusco calendar. Although it is celebrated in all Andean towns, in Cusco it acquires a particular characteristic due to the colorful costumes and choreographies of its inhabitants.
Carnivals are celebrated on Sundays in the streets of the city of Cusco. However, they are also celebrated in the towns of the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Pisac, Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, etc.
The Cusco carnivals are characterized by dances, water games and the famous yunzas (trees decorated with balloons and gifts for people).
A week before the main carnival day, the people of Cusco celebrate the 'Compadres Day' (friendship between men) and the 'Comadres Day' (friendship between women).
It is a traditional festival held between January and March, traditional for its colorful dances and games accompanied with water and talcum powder. The celebrations begin with the party of compadres and comadres, the main day is always celebrated on a Sunday and seven days later the octava or farewell is held.
This part of the celebration is characterized by its uniqueness at the time of elaborating the "compadres" and "comadres" dolls, satirizing some character of the neighborhood, the work center and in some cases the authorities themselves, its objective is to highlight qualities of the character and send messages to society, these do not incur in disrespect or spoiledness.
For their elaboration, recycled elements such as cardboard boxes, plastics, bottles, clothes and shoes in disuse must be used. After their elaboration, they are usually placed at midnight on Wednesday on poles or high areas for their better appreciation.
CENTRAL DAY (SUNDAY).
It starts very early in the morning with games that use water and mistura as the main elements that men and women of different ages throw at each other. It is traditional in Cusco to see groups of Cusqueños mixed with national and foreign visitors who delight with all this festivity.
OCTAVA OR KACHARPARI (SUNDAY).
As its name indicates, a week later takes place the octava or carnival finale characterized by dances, games and a variety of dishes typical of the festivities. In some areas of Cusco, the Yunzas or Cortamontes are held, which consists of artificially planting a tree decorated with various gifts, around which people dance in a round, with the help of a machete they try to knock down the tree so that the attendees can win some of the gifts. With the octave of carnivals this important festivity is said goodbye.
GASTRONOMY:
It is characteristic of this season:
Timbu or Puchero: It consists of boiling a variety of meats, and then adding whole cabbage leaves, potatoes, moraya, chickpeas and rice. In a separate pot, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears and yuccas are boiled. Both foods are served in separate dishes, similar to "sancochado", but covering the ingredients with a cabbage leaf.
Kapchi: It is a fresh dish with beans, onions, potatoes seasoned with milk and cheese, mushrooms are added and it is accompanied with stuffed rocoto and rice, another typical dish of the Carnivals.
Frutillada: It is a drink made with jora (blackberry) and strawberries boiled with cinnamon and lemon verbena, after 8 days it becomes a delicious drink that is served with sugar cane brandy
Date of the festival: Every Sunday in February.
The Taytacha de los Temblores (Saint of the Tremors in Quechua language) is one of the most important religious images of Cusco. It is an effigy of Jesus Christ crucified that has a dark complexion.
The Lord of the Tremors is considered the 'Sworn Patron Saint of Cusco'. The image stopped a plague in the city after being carried in procession. Likewise, when the city was devastated by earthquakes, the inhabitants of Cusco prayed to the image to stop the misfortunes. This is how he became known as 'The Lord of the Earthquakes'.
Since then and for many years, the image is venerated in the Cathedral of Cusco. It is carried in procession every 'Holy Monday' in the midst of a large crowd of parishioners.
The procession of the 'Taytacha de los Temblores' is characterized by the religious manifestations as well as the tasting of the Cusquenian gastronomy.
The history of the Lord of the tremors goes back to the colonial times, when in the year 1620 a Christ different from those venerated in Spain was worked, with the aim of consolidating the process of evangelization in Peru, to fulfill this objective this Christ had to have a copper color and mestizo features.
The image was a gift from the then King Charles and was sent across the ocean in a closed ark, which was taken out in the middle of the voyage when a storm threatened the crew. The religious placed the crucifix on the mast of the ship and prayed. The storm subsided and calmed the fury of the sea, which is why the travelers at that time baptized it as "The Lord of the Storms".
When the image arrived in Peru, it was entrusted to a Spanish muleteer to be transferred to the city of Cusco, after many circumstances arrived at Mollepata in the province of Anta and just when they intended to continue with the trip the image of Christ became so heavy that the people interpreted this fact as a divine purpose. "Christ wanted to stay" with time a temple was built for him and he was baptized as "Señor Manuel Exaltación de Mollepata" and this is how he is currently known in the province of Anta.
The old Chronicles tell that after the disastrous earthquake occurred on March 31, 1650. It was on this occasion when he was baptized as the "Lord of the Tremors".
They also tell the story that the holy image was taken in procession in 1720, after the plague that devastated the population, stopping the disease. Before this miracle, the population proclaimed him "Patrón Jurado del Cusco" (Patron Saint of Cusco).
At present the image of the Lord of the Tremors is in the Cathedral Basilica of Cusco with less fine and hard features, with rough but striking anatomy, the image was worked secretly in order to fulfill the order of the king, as the original was left in distant lands.
It is said that the color of her skin changed due to the smoke and the contact of the resin of the Ñuqch'u, sacred flower that symbolizes the blood of the "Pachamama" in the magic Andean religious world. Since 1741 it goes out in procession on Holy Monday with the purpose of blessing its people.
Date of the festivity: Every 'Holy Monday'.
Corpus Christi is a Christian festivity with indigenous roots that takes place in Cusco every year nine weeks after Holy Thursday. It is characterized by the multitudinous procession of the 15 saints and virgins of the main temples of the city.
The saints and virgins that to the procession:
Each image is accompanied by its group of parishioners to the rhythm of music bands. After gathering at the Cathedral of Cusco, they are carried in procession through the streets of the city of Cusco.
The Corpus Christi festivity has its origins in the Inca tradition of carrying in procession the mummies of the Inca rulers. The Spaniards, after the conquest, replaced the Inca mummies with Christian images.
The festivity of 'Corpus Christi' is a multitudinous event in Cusco, whose streets offer a variety of gastronomic dishes such as 'Chiri uchu'.
The traditional dish of this festivity is the Chiriuchu, a cold and spicy dish exquisite for all demanding palates. A mixture of 10 ingredients such as: baked guinea pig (it should be taken into account that the meat of this rodent should be tender, so that when someone consumes it, it is soft and the characteristic flavor is preserved), cau cau (fish roe), boiled chicken, jerky, qochayuyo (seaweed), chorizo, white corn, cheese, sliced red pepper and the typical torreja. This torreja of spongy consistency is the combination of some ingredients such as: corn, pumpkin and a little chicken broth during the preparation so that it has a characteristic flavor at the time of serving.
Date of the celebration: Every year 9 weeks after Holy Thursday.
The Feast of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i is one of the most fervent and ancient religious festivals of the Cusco region. It is celebrated in the town of Ocongate (province of Quispicanchis) at the end of May or beginning of June (the date is movable).
The origins of the image of the 'Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i are not clear. It is believed to have taken place more than 2 centuries ago in the vicinity of the snowy Sinakara. Legend has it that an indigenous boy named 'Marianito Mayta' found sudden friendship in a blond boy. After several days, they were found in the icy snows, one becoming the image of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i and the indigenous boy dead.
The pilgrimage of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i is the most multitudinous of the Peruvian Andes. It gathers more than 10 thousand people to the nearby snows of Ausangate, more than 5 thousand meters above sea level (16,400 ft.). There, the religious festivity takes place, characterized by dances, songs and fervent religiosity.
Date of the festival: Every year on the Christian Ascension Day.
The Inti Raymi is the Inca festival that worships the sun, the highest Inca deity. It takes place every June 24 during the beginning of the winter solstice.
This celebration is characterized by vindicating the ancient Inca tradition that worshiped the sun god through a massive religious celebration in Cusco. Since 1944, the people of Cusco perform a gigantic staging simulating the Inca tradition in the sacred places: the Coricancha, the Plaza de Armas and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress.
During the Inti Raymi Festival, the people of Cusco take to the streets to celebrate their Inca past with typical dishes, dances and music. This day is even declared a holiday in the region.
Many tourists come from all over the world to appreciate the staging of the Inti Raymi. The performances in the Coricancha and the Plaza de Armas are free but not the presentation in Sacsayhuaman. This must be purchased through a tourist agency on the Internet.
Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun, beginning of the Inti Raymi tour with the ceremony called "Salute to the Sun".
This first part begins with the sound of the pututos and the entrance of the acllas, musicians and dancers, to later give the reception to the Inca, this place starts the first rituals. Duration approx. 1 hour.
2. Main Square of Cusco or Huaqaypata, is the second point of celebration of the Inti Raymi. Here takes place the ceremony "Meeting of the times and ceremony of the coca leaf", where the Inca and his entourage gather in the great ushnu or ceremonial stage.
This second part begins with the entrance of the musicians giving the beginning of the whole presentation, so that then the Inca goes to the main altar installed in the center of the square, starting with a greeting to the sun god, then, the provincial mayor of Cusco is present, having a meeting with the Inca, giving him a quipu as a symbol of organization, work and commitment, finally the Inca and the qoya surround the main square and then go to the last stage of this ceremony, sacseywaman.
This staging is mostly visualized standing up. Duration approx. 1 hour.
3. Esplanade of Sacsayhuaman, is the third epicenter of the Inti Raymi and the central ceremony, since this is where most of the staging of the Inti Raymi is concentrated, starting with the entrance of the Qoya and the Inca accompanied by dances, music and chants, Then the central ceremony begins with the appearance of the chiefs of the 4 suyos announcing the state in which their regions are, so that finally the Inca begins the rite of the offering, sacrificing a flame in honor of the Sun God. Duration approx. 2 hours.
The first and second staging are free so try to go early as there will surely be a large crowd.
The peasant communities near the village of Q'ehue celebrate every year the reconstruction of the Inca bridge of Q'eswachaka. This rustic construction is one of the last Inca suspension bridges still in use in Peru.
Every year, both men and women from the communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Ccollana, Q'ehue and Pelcaro work as a team for four days to replace the old Inca bridge with a new one. The work is accompanied by music, dance and typical Cusquenian dishes.
The reconstruction of the Inca bridge is a very popular tourist event. Many visitors are encouraged to cross the Inca suspension bridge suspended 30 meters above the Apurimac River.
The Q'eswachaka Bridge was considered 'Cultural Heritage of Humanity' by Unesco in 2013.
Date of the festival: Every year on the second Sunday of June.
On July 7, 2007 Machu Picchu was chosen as one of the new wonders of the modern world in a worldwide vote organized by the New Open World Corporation.
The celebration is characterized by cultural events in the streets of the town of Aguas Calientes: drawing contests, recitals, dances, music and more.
In the evening, the population and tourists gather at the Aguas Calientes town stadium for a music concert show with popular Peruvian groups.
The festivities continue until the early morning.
Definitely visit Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes on July 7 is a good date to learn more about Peruvian culture.
Machu Picchu receives more than 1.5 million people every year.
Date of the festival: July 7.
In Cusco there are many religious festivals that worship different images of saints and virgins. One of the most fervent and celebrated festivities is the one that worships the Virgin of Carmen in the town of Paucartambo, located a little more than 2 hours from the city of Cusco.
This religious festivity is characterized by the different groups of dancers who worship the image of the virgin through difficult dance steps and music.
The celebration lasts for 5 days where the excitement is general. The central day is July 16, in which all the groups of dancers go out to the streets and squares mingling with the general public.
In the town of Paucartambo, thousands of believers venerate the Virgen del Carmen, also called "Mamacha Carmen", patron saint of the mestizos. The meeting that starts these days takes place in the Main Square where bands of musicians play their instruments, while richly dressed choirs sing in Quechua, starting ingenious choreographies that represent passages of the history of Peru.
Danzaq
"Danzaq or "Tusuq", dance where those who are attributed with seductive abilities over the young fifteen-year-old girls, conqueror of married women and consoler of widows, constitute one of the best dressed groups for their color and elegance when dancing. They cover their heads with chucos, wear short ponchos with ornaments and blue pants divided into stripes with the colors of the rainbow, is undoubtedly one of the most representative of the province of Paucartambo.
Chunchachas
This dance represents the women of the jungle of Kosñipata, but it has a clear mestizo influence due to the costumes and the music that accompanies it. Their costume consists of a crown of amazons, with their hair, a breastplate representing the Virgin, two "ch'uspas" that serve to carry their wayruros, a suitable dress in which they wear a chonta and the sinehon.
Black Qhapaq
This dance, which in Spanish means "Rich Negro", recalls the servile and slave era of the black population, for which they wear chains as a sign of submission. Nowadays, the blacks of Paucartambo are considered the slaves of the Virgin of Carmen, to whom they offer their beautiful and wonderful dance and their sentimental songs.
Qhapaq Qolla
It is a representative dance of the inhabitants of Qollasuyu, its origin dates back to colonial times when the Qolla traders arrived in Paucartambo. The dance has its essence in faith to the "Mamacha del Carmen", and it is to whom during the party they sing, dance and cheer in the guerrilla. The dancers wear beautiful and decorated monteras, the waq'ollo and lliclla made of vicuña, the q'epi contains a stuffed vicuña.
Qhapaq Ch'uncho
This dance represents the jungle warriors of Qósñipata (district of the province of Paucartambo). In their clothing they use multicolored feathers called "ch'ucu", long hair, mesh mask, unku as a skirt, wire mesh mask, carrying a spear of "chonta". The band is typical (two whistles, drum and bass drum).
Date of the festival: July 16 (Central day).
Every August 1st in all the Andean towns of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina celebrate the 'Day of the Pachamama'. This celebration of Inca origin revalues the cult of 'Mother Earth', a sacred entity who was believed to have life and rule over the lives of the population.
In Cusco, on this day, the so-called 'Pagos a la tierra' (payments to the earth) take place. These ceremonies have their origins in Inca times. It is a ritual of gratitude to the 'Pachamama', in which coca leaves, chicha, corn and other Andean products are offered.
Although the 'Pagos a la tierra' are usually performed in the high mountains, it is also possible to perform it at home. These rituals are performed by a witchdoctor or 'shaman' who has knowledge of the ritual passed down through his or her family.
Tourists can also participate in the 'Day of the Pachamama' through tour packages that include 'Pago a la tierra' ceremonies.
Date of the festival: Every year on August 1st.
One of Cusco's own cultural expressions is, without a doubt, the traditional festival of Santuranticuy ("Sale of Saints" in Quechua). This festivity is celebrated every December 24th through an artistic fair where images of virgins, saints and other Christian figures with Andean characteristics are sold.
This traditional celebration takes place in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, which is filled with people including artisans, locals and tourists.
In Cusco it is a tradition that each family has their own saints or virgins of different sizes. During the Santuranticuy these people come to repair their religious images or renew them.
Among the most important religious images in Cusco are the so-called 'Niños Manuelitos', handicrafts with characteristics of the 'Baby Jesus'.
On that day, paintings, ceramics, sourvenirs and even typical dishes of Cusco are also offered. At night, Cusco families enjoy a succulent Christmas dinner.
Date of the celebration: Every year on December 24th.
¿WHY TRAVEL WITH ANDINO PERU TOURS?
We are a Peruvian Agency with Cusco roots, committed to providing you with unique tourism experiences. With our own transportation and a team of dedicated professionals, we aim to show you the best of Peru.
Striving to provide freedom in your travels, through specialized and quality service that ensures a worry-free experience. We take care of every aspect of your journey organization so you can fully enjoy.
We focus on creating unforgettable experiences through an expert team and carefully selected providers. We keep small groups to ensure exceptional service and that you make the most of each tour.
Monday to Friday: 8:00 - 20:00
Saturdays: 8:00 - 13:00
Sundays: Cerrado
