Peruvian Festivals
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Immerse yourself in the annual Senor de Torrechayoc held in Urubamba where the town comes alive following a terrible earthquake in 1650 which cut off the busy trade route. Hugh Thomson has experienced this festival and speaks about it in his book Cochineal Red
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Experience the second most important festival for Peruvians, Corpus Christi, which offers incredible processions in Cusco’s main square and in the Cathedral
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Witness the Senor de los Temblores festival from a balcony on Cusco’s main square. The procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes in Cusco takes place on the moveable feast of Holy Monday
Peru is a spiritual and religious country which hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year. Predominantly in Cusco and the surrounding Andean highlands the festivals are nothing short of spectacular and pay homage to Christ, Inti (sun god) and Pachamama (mother earth) where offerings are made.
Festival sizes range from small villages to those seeing crowds approaching 100,000. Costumes are beautiful and Peruvian speciality dishes often accompany the festivities.
January sees the epiphany celebration of the three kings where the visit is marked with local Peruvian specialities such as Rosca de Reyes, crown-shaped bread.
February is carnival season not only in Brazil but also in Peru with colourful processions, water fights and feasting markets. Festivals normally take the route of folkloric dancing around the main square, plaza del armas, with a huge number taking place in Cusco.
May sees the fiesta de la Cruces, the festival of the crosses, set on top of San Cristobal Hill and June sees the festival of the saints Peter and Paul, Corpus Christi and the most famous festival of all Inti Raymi the winter solstice festival of the sun on the 24th June. There are many Inca celebrations in Cusco such as street dancing and pageantry around the Koricancha temple and the main square, at Sacsayhuaman a theatrical re-enactment is held as it has been since 1944. The citadel of Pachacamac outside of Lima also holds festivities of offerings being a sacred ceremonial site. During the Inca Empire this was the most important of four ceremonies held to the god Inti, the sun.
July to October offers Independence Days, Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima and Peruvian Paso Horse festival, a leading equestrian event. October brings bullfighting, parades and a pilgramige through the lord of the Miracles Procession, El Senor Luren Pilgrimage and bullfighting festival dating back to the mid 1940s.
November hosts the day of the dead and All Saints Day, important dates in the Latin America year. Most cemeteries are polished, and covered in a whole rainbow of flowers to pay respects to loved ones. The Peruvian year ends with the Immaculate Concepcion and Santuranticy Artisan Crafts Fair on the 24th December which occupies the main square where local craftsmen offer the perfect place to buy saints for last minute Christmas gifts.
If you would like to include these celebrations in your holiday to Peru, please contact our Peru specialist, Emma on 01285 651 010.
Alternative Suggestions
North Peru
Following the route of the Moche, an 11 day journey to the north.
Lodge to Lodge Trek
Trek high in the Sacred Valley in comfort.