bring thousands of pilgrims It takes place on the moveable feast of Trinity Sunday, through the following Tuesday, usually in late May or early June. More than 10,000 pilgrims climb to the snowline, accompanied by all sorts of dancers in full costume. The ukukus or bears, dress in wool masks and shaggy tunics, are the guardians of the Lord and the Apu mountain spirits, they maintain order during religious ceremonies. On their way back down to their communities, pilgrims haul massive blocks of ice on their backs for the simbolic irrigation of their.

THE CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION – JUNE - Cusco:

The festival of Corpus Christi has been celebrated all over Peru since colonial times, but reaches a high point in Cusco. Fifteen saints and virgins from various districts are borne in a procession to the Cathedral where they "greet" the body of Christ embodied in the Sacred Host, kept in a fabulous gold goblet weighing 26 kilos and standing 1.2 meters high.All the figures are dress with elegant clothes, as well as gold and silver jewellery and are always accompanied by music bands, dancers and fireworks. The Corpus Christi is held between May and June, 60 days after Easter. In the main square people raise very big altars adorned with mirrors, flags, flowers, tree branches, some images, etc.In ancient times those altars were more numerous and showy, adorned with silver frontals, Cusquenian school paintings, statues, etc. Near the main square many merchants place their typical food stands for attendants to the "entrance", where the traditional "Chiri Uchu" or "Cold Chili" is served; some other stands also serve pork "chicharrones", "anticuchos" (skewered cow-heart), etc. and of course, industrial amounts of beer and chicha. After the entrance of images into the Cathedral, people will eat and drink at the main square.

Festival of the sun – the INTIRAYMI  -JUNE 24 - Cusco:

Every year on the 24th of June Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi, the winter solstice, in the southern hemisphere. Inti Raymi was the most majestic and greatest festival of the Inca empire to honor the sun god. Today, the Inti Raymi evokes the splendid Inca ritual of yore, being carefully scripted by Cusco professors, archaeologists and historians. For more than half a century the festival takes place at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman (2 km outside Cusco). There, step by step, thousands of actors proudly bring the past alive, giving thanks to sun god. the Inti Raymi starts in the square in front of the Qorikancha,also known as the Santo Domingo.

 The sapan Inka honors, with an eloquently strong voice, the blessings of the Sun and this most sacred day. After this initiation the procession moves with imperial dignity to the Sacsayhuaman. At the top the Inca is carried on a royal litter. At the fortress the high priest performed the llama sacrifice offering a black and white llama. With a sharp ceremonial golden knife called “Tumi" he had to open the animal's chest. With his hands pulled out its throbbing heart, lungs and viscera, so that observing those elements he could predict the future. Later, the animal and its parts were completely incinerated. After the sacrifice, the High Priest had to produce the "Sacred Fire". Staying in front of the Sun he had to get its rays in a concave gold medallion that contained some soft or oily material in order to produce the fire that had to be kept during next year in the Qorikancha and Aqllawasi. Once that all ritual stages of the Inti Raymi were finished, all the attendants were located in the southwestern Plaza's sector named "Kusipata" (Plaza del Regocijo) where after being nourished, people were entertained with music, dances and abundant chicha.

Peruvian Aniversary Independence day of Peru - July 28-29