The main event of Cusco Carnival is held in the city’s Plaza de Armas (Main Square) bringing together an array of public and private organizations to offer an incredible spectacle featuring dances and music performed by different types of troupes known as pandillas and comparsas. Many of these groups have won numerous prizes at the different festivals celebrated in the Sacred Valley and the South Valley.

The Celebration of the Compadres and Comadres
Traditionally, Carnival begins two Thursdays before the main event, with one day dedicated to compadres and the other, to comadres. On these dates, prominent local men visit their female counterparts and vice versa.

One of the defining features of this celebration are the dolls made in the image of well-known public personalities, important workplace figures, and even regional authorities. Some place a humorous emphasis on their subject’s most notable traits, while others carry a powerful symbolic message for society. Whatever the case, these dolls always represent something.

These dolls are generally made from recycled materials such as cardboard, bottles, discarded clothing articles and shoes, plastic, etc. Once they are ready, they are hung from high places as soon as Wednesday ends, the better for all to view them.

Cusco Carnival Main Celebration
The most important day of Carnival is held on Sunday. At this point, everything grows more intense, from the music to the colors, with water, talc, mixtures of the two, and even paint flying everywhere. The winning dolls from the compadre and comadre competitions are paraded through the streets. And of course, you cannot miss the dances performed by numerous public and private organizations.

Traditional Foods at Cusco’s Carnival
With all these lively activities, celebrants’ bellies are sure to require a good meal. Luckily, Carnival comes with its own culinary fair featuring three traditional dishes from Cusco:

• Kapchi: Also spelled capchi, is a dish made with fresh broad beans, seasoned potatoes, milk, and cheese or mushrooms. It is usually accompanied by a stuffed rocoto chili pepper and a bit of rice.
• Timpu: Also known as puchero cusqueño, consists of a mouthwatering variety of stewed meats served with potatoes, chickpeas, rice, whole cabbage leaves, sweet potatoes, peaches, yucca, pears, and a local tuber called moraya. There are two different presentations which can be served on separate plates or together in combination.
• Frutillada: To complement our meal (and quench our thirst) we have the famous frutillada, an iconic drink from the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This beverage is prepared with chicha de jora mixed with boiled strawberries (with lemon verbena and cinnamon). The key step in making frutillada is to leave the chicha to ferment for eight days. By the time Carnival rolls around, it will be ready to drink.
• Chicha de jora: Chicha de jora is a drink made from fermented purple maize. While it is often used as the main ingredient in more elaborate beverages, it is also popular all on its own.

Octava or Kacharpari
Octava or Kacharpari, is celebrated one week after the main event to cap off Carnival festivities for the year. On this date, we can catch a glimpse of the famous yunza or cortamonte, where people get together to dance around an artificial tree that has been adorned with gifts. During this event, participants move in a circle around the tree, using a machete or ax to strike blows until they overthrow it. After the tree falls, you have better be quick and crafty if you want to grab one of the gifts. As a curiosity, this tradition can be found in various celebrations in different regions of Peru that happen to overlap with Carnival season (February and March).

Kacharpari always marks the end of festivities and Cusco Carnival is no exception, where it wraps up one of Peru’s most important celebrations.

Carnivals in Cusco’s Provinces
The city of Cusco isn’t the only place where Carnival is celebrated; these unforgettable festivities can be found in the different provinces throughout the department, as well. To name just a few, we have:

• The Sacred Valley of the Incas: Calca, Urubamba, Qoya, Pisac, Lamay, Yanahuara, etc.
• South Valley: Canchis, Oropesa, and San Jerónimo.
  While these events share many features, each community has its own traditions. For example, women take charge of Carnival in the District of Tinta. Towns such as Calca and Mollepata celebrate a yunza for singles and married couples, very similar to the traditional yunza, where participants take part in chopping down the tree to the beat of traditional songs such as huaynos.

Thinking of visiting Cusco during Carnival season? Then be sure not to miss the view from the PeruRail Vistadome train, which offers exceptional comfort and an unrivaled experience on your journey to Machu Picchu. Get your tickets here.

There is no better way to start off your February than by reveling in Cusco’s incredible Carnival!

Photo 1: Holy Tabernacle in procession for Corpus Christi

History of Corpus Christi
During the time of the Incas, there were many fiestas dedicated to their ancestors and the gods. Among these were the Taita Inti, the goddess Killa, Kuychi, etc., which were very significant to them. Of course, the most important feast of all was the fiesta in honor of the Inti (the Sun) and in ancient times they would carry the mummies of their former rulers in a procession before the big celebration.

The Spaniards were amazed at what they saw and took advantage of the festivity in their process to “evangelize” the people to Christianity. And so, in 1572, they decided to replace the procession of mummies with a procession of the 15 saints and virgins that to this day is known as the Cusquenian Corpus Christi.

When is Corpus Christi held?
Following the church calendar, Corpus Christi is held nine weeks after Maundy Thursday (Holy or Easter Week). This year, in 2022, the festivities will be held on June 16.

Photo 2: Ukuku dancer in Corpus Christi procession

How is Corpus Christi celebrated?
Preparing for the feast of Corpus Christi

We mentioned that this was a very important festivity and so, quite naturally, the organization prior to the feast day is equally important. The hosts, also known as the carguyoq, are in charge of offering the food, beverages and a band of musicians to accompany the followers when the saints are brought out in procession.

Cusqueño food is certainly a highlight, especially in these festivities. The Chiri Uchu is an iconic dish during Corpus Christi and you won’t want to miss it for the world.

Entry of the saints

On the eve of the eucharist celebration of Corpus Christi, the effigy of each of the saints leaves their church or temple, accompanied faithfully by their followers with dances and music typical of each region. One would think they were all close to the main venue of the event, but many come from as far as 10 kilometers away from the main plaza.

The destination of all the saints is the Arco de Santa Clara (St. Claire’s Arch) and then to the church of San Pedro, where you can see the symbolic handing over of the keys to the cathedral by Saint Peter to Saint Anthony. When all the saints are gathered, the procession then continues towards the entry of the cathedral, in which they will spend a whole week until the Octava, the eighth week after Easter.

Photo 3: Procession of various Saints through Corpus Christi

Which are the saints that participate?

1. San Antonio from the San Cristóbal Parish
2. San Jerónimo from the District Parish of San Jerónimo
3. San Cristóbal from the Parish of San Cristóbal
4. San Sebastián from the District Parish of San Sebastián
5. Santa Bárbara from the District Parish of Poroy
6. Santa Ana from the Parish of Santa Ana
7. Santiago Apóstol from the Parish of Santiago
8. San Blas from the Parish of San Blas
9. San Pedro from the Parish of San Pedro
10. San José from the Parish of Belén
11. Virgen de la Natividad (Our Lady of the Nativity) from the Parish of Almudena
12. Virgen de los Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies) from the Church of Santa Catalina
13. Virgen Purificada (Holy Virgin) from the Parish of San Pedro
14. Virgen de Belén (Our Lady of Bethlehem) from the Parish of Belén
15. Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción (Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) also known as “La Linda” from the Basilica of the Catedral

The Main Feast of Corpus Christi
The celebration of Corpus Christi itself is understood to mean the celebration of the body of Christ at the Eucharist and fidelity to that devotion, and the main event is the mass —which is held in Quechua — with the presence of all the saints.

The event that everyone waits for on that day is the procession of the 15 saints, which are carried to the beat of the festive traditions and the music of innumerable huaynos. The musical arrangements are personalized for the different saints by their followers.

The ceremony generally ends as night falls, when the last effigy has entered the cathedral and each congregation leaves to the rhythm of their dances and to drink until the following day.

Photo 4: Patron San Cristóbal in procession through Corpus Christi

The Octava of Corpus
The Octava is the date on which the procession of the 15 saints takes place around the main plaza in Cusco. The usual time for the events begin is after lunch, around two o’clock in the afternoon, and it ends close to seven o’clock at night.

Lowering the Saints
This usually starts on the day after the Octava and the ‘lowering’ actually means the return of the sacred images to their respective churches (or temples). However, some of the protocols differ, as is the case with Our Lady of Bethlehem.

Words are not enough to describe the fervor and excitement that this fiesta offers. If you have the opportunity to travel to Cusco for these events, don’t think twice and do it. If it was already in your plans and you have the time available, how about a visit to the Citadel of Machu Picchu? The PeruRail Vistadome train has every comfort to make your trip the best experience of all. Buy your tickets here!

If you want a journey full of adventure and lots of history, Cusco is the best choice to learn more about its natural landscapes. You will not only appreciate a world wonder like Machu Picchu, but you will also discover more about the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place with green mountains, particularly relevant for the Inca Empire because of its fertile lands.

Located in the region of Urubamba, the Sacred Valley was a source of food for the Incas because of its incredible ecological floors at different altitudes. Its main crops were white corn, potatoes, coca, fruit, and vegetables, which continue being grown to date. Presently, lucuma, avocado, peach, and the best Peruvian grains of corn are added to the vast list of crops.

Rural or Experiential Tourism in the Sacred Valley
Visitors will not only be mere spectators of the wonderful natural landscape which will fill their lungs with the purest air; but they will also have the opportunity to engage in experiential travel, which consists of staying in the house of locals and learn through them more about their customs, culture and traditions such as plowing the fields, participate in rituals of payment to the Earth (Pachamama, Mother Earth), baking bread, sowing, among other activities.

There are three communities for experiential travel: Pumahuanca, where the traveler will be guided by locals and learn how to perform certain farming techniques; Salineras de Maras, where the tourist will engage in the salt extraction process in any of the 3,000 salt wells thereat, and Yucay, a place where the tourist can practice ecotourism and mountain biking

What to do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley is a territory that extended across the River Vilcanota-Urubamba that links the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. In this place, the traveler will have fun doing extreme sports surrounded by magnificent landscape. Mountain cycling, paragliding, trekking and rafting are some of the activities that any adrenaline lover will experience in heights.

Here is a list of places that you must visit:

Pisac
It was the biggest fortress of the Inca civilization. Pisac, a remarkable and charming town located at the bottom of Intihuanata Hill, at 2 972 m.a.s.l., owns the best terraces system developed by the Incas.

This town is famous for the mass celebrated every Sunday, the “Catu” (a local fair in which people exchange agricultural products, in some kind of barter), the craft market and the imposing Pisac Archeological Complex, known for its amazing buildings considered as Inca architectural jewels.

Calca
This little town has beautiful Andean scenery ornamented by two snowy peaks, Pitusira and Sahuasiray. You can also enjoy the relaxing Machacancha (medicinal hot spring) and Minasmoqo, (cold sparkling mineral spring). The Huachuy Inca Archeological Complex is also nearby.

Urubamba
Its fertile agricultural land makes it one of the most important cities in the Valley. This land was highly valued by the Incas because of its excellent quality crops. Urubamba, also known as Perla del Vilcanota (Pearl of Vilcanota), means “Pampa to one-day journey of the trail” and it’s an important place for extreme sports such as paragliding, canopy, canoeing, balloon flights, etc.

Ollantaytambo
The origin of Ollantaytambo is based on the play of The Legend of Ollantay, a commoner who was deeply in love with the Princess Cusi Coyllor, daughter of the Inca Emperor Pachacutec, who didn’t approve such relation. The Inca decided to punish her daughter, sending her to the house of the Virgins. For that reason, Ollantay decided to rise up against Pachacutec in gory battles; upon winning them, the Inca decided to forgive the commoner’s life.

Ollantaytambo fortress, located in the same town, was erected during the Tahuantinsuyo era and has outstanding buildings such as Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) and its monoliths, such as Mañaracay, Incahuatana and Baños de la Princesa (Bath of the Princess).

Enjoy a wonderful journey through these beautiful landscapes! Depart from the heart of the Sacred Valley towards the Inca Citadel Machu Picchu aboard our PeruRail Vistadome panoramic train.

The History of Intipunku
The inhabitants of the Andes have always been avid stargazers, interacting with the stars and investigating everything the cosmos has to offer. Their knowledge and beliefs were entirely based on these observations. Starting in Incan times there was an increasing need for multifunctional constructions such as terrace systems for farming, temples, observatories, storage facilities, places of worship, watchtowers, etc.

The Intipunku, located in Ollantaytambo, played the important role of a control gate and at the same time an astronomical observatory. Its position was ideal, since it was perfectly aligned with the constellation of the Pleiades (the Qollqa, as the Incas called it) and the snow-capped mountain of Verónica (Huacayhuilque or Waqaywillki). It was closely associated with the winter solstice and the Andean New Year.

Just as Andean inhabitants stored their most precious food in special storage facilities, they believed that all things which endured beyond earthly life should be immortalised and preserved. Intipunku was the interdimensional spiritual bridge that acted as the portal between the world of the living and the afterlife.

How to get to each of the two Intipunku? Here we detail the route of each of them: in Ollantaytambo and in Machu Picchu.

How to Reach Intipunku in Ollantaytambo?
This Sun Gate is located 9 km away from the Ollantaytambo district, in the Kachi Qhata (Salt Slope) sector in the upper part of the archaeological site, on the banks of the Vilcanota River and 3,900 meters above sea level.

There are two ways to reach this Intipunku:

Route Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Intipunku
We head towards Pavitos street, in the same city of Cusco, to board a minivan that will take us to Ollantaytambo. It is recommended to go very early, as it is a trip of at least 2 hours.

Then, we have a stretch of 9 km to go until we reach the Sun Gate. We dare to say that it is one of the most beautiful walks you can experience, because you will be able to appreciate the beautiful landscape that the Sacred Valley offers; nature, mountains and snow-capped mountains. We can hardly ask for something better!

Of course, remember that this is a trek of at least 5 hours at height, so you must be in good physical condition.

Route Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Kachi Qhata – Intipunku
Here we will also take a minivan to Ollantaytambo, but now we will take a detour (by taxi or private car) to Kachi Qhata. From this place, we will begin our ascent to Intipunku, which consists of 6 km and lasts approximately 3 hours.

Like the first route, you will be able to rest and appreciate the beautiful landscape at the end of the route. Similarly, you will return the same day by the same path you took. If you wish, you can camp in the surroundings.

How to get to the Intipunku of Machu Picchu?
Although there are currently more entrances to Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate is still considered the most important due to its history and construction. It can be reached in two ways: by hiking from the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and by taking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Visitors usually use the second way, since it is the usual tourist route.

Route to Intipunku from Machu Picchu
This hike starts at Machu Picchu’s entrance gate and runs for a distance of about 2 km (1.2 mi) along farming terraces. Any visitor can take this optional short trip, but remember, it is not included in guided tours of Machu Picchu. The path is closed in February due to heavy rainfall.

Route to Intipunku along the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail itself is a whole excursion, taking two or four days depending on the type of route you choose. You will arrive at the Sun Gate on the last day of the trek, as the final stop before reaching Machu Picchu.

The four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu covers a distance of approximately 39 km (24 mi) long. It usually starts at Wayllabamba (Km Marker 82), continues via Pacaymayo on Day 2, and Wiñayhuayna on Day 3, before finally arriving at Intipunku on Day 4 after trekking 37 km (23 mi).
The two-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu covers approximately 12 km (7.5 mi). It starts at Km Marker 104 of the railway that connects Ollantaytambo and the town of Machu Picchu.
The return from Machu Picchu depends on the tour you take but remember that you will have to catch the train back to the city of Cusco. The PeruRail Vistadome train has all the amenities you will need on your return trip, offering a complete immersion in nature as you travel, not to mention onboard cultural events. Ready to see what it’s all about? You can buy your tickets here.

Activities at Machu Picchu’s Intipunku
Activities along the trail to Intipunku and at the site itself include the following:

• Enjoy the walk. They say that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination, and that’s certainly the case here. The ascent from Machu Picchu to the Sun Gate is extremely scenic, offering you the same views the Incas enjoyed hundreds of years ago along the actual paths they built.
• Take in the dazzling landscape. The views here are truly unparalleled: the mountain of Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River and the town of Machu Picchu together with its beautiful surroundings.
• Birdwatching. If you’re lucky, at this altitude you can find the birds that call Machu Picchu home. These species include the chestnut-breasted coronet, the Andean guan, the famous Andean cock-of-the-rock, the blue-grey tanager, and others.

Did any of these two Intipunku catch your attention? It is a beautiful experience to take these tours and get to know everything around you, but taking all the necessary precautions. We recommend going in times when the rains are not so frequent (May – October), always with sunscreen and waterproof clothing, as the weather can change drastically from one moment to another.

In addition, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is enough to enter the Sun Gate.

Remember that you can take a train to Machu Picchu and hike to the Sun Gate from there. The PeruRail Expedition train is ready to offer its services to more adventurous visitors at a modest price, with all the amenities you could possibly need. Get your tickets here.