Peru is famous for its rich culture and colorful festivals, Qoyllur Rit’i festival is an impressive high-altitude pilgrimage in the Cusco region.

Qoyllur Rit’i Festival

This festival is held annually on the north face of Ausangate mounta, on the Sinakara glacial mountain. A world-renowned pilgrimage, it involves a rigorous trek and 2 or 3 nights camping at high altitude, with a high point of around 4,700 metres – although some dedicated revellers will climb right up next to the glacier at 5000 metres.

Worshiping Apu Ausangate Mountain

The festival, which is attended by as many as 50,000 Peruvians, entails the worship of the “Apu” and Lord of Qoyllur R’iti at the same time, merging the traditions of native religion and Catholicism: there is a legend that an image of Christ appeared here in 1780 to a shepherd boy named Mariano Mayta.

The festival has been shown several times by the the BBC as well as other major Television programmes and documentaries. This year’s Qoyllur Rit’i will be held between Saturday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 21st with Corpus Christi on Thursday, June 23rd.

Apu Ausangate

Even if you don’t visit for the tough pilrgimage for Qoyllur Rit’i, it’s still possible to enjoy the wonder of the scenery of Apu Ausangate either by hiking one of the lodge-to-lodge Ausangate trek routes around the mountain, or with a multi-day camping trek. Read more about all of Aracari’s Peru trek options.

Freewheeling across the Andes: Peru Motorcycle Tours Peru Motorcycle Tours Coasting along the open road, the exhilarating feeling of cruising through wild mountain landscapes between multiple points of ...

The Northern Circuit: Tying together destinations in northern Peru With such destinations as Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Nasca lines, a well-established tourist circuit has been etched for those wanting...

Firing up the Best Pizza Around: Spizza Lima Restaurant Review Spizza Lima Restaurant Review Despite the ridiculously fresh seafood and a variety of tasty food options here in Lima, I’ve had a hard time finding s...

Pinta 2011: Aracari at Contemporary Latin American Art Show in London If you’re in London next week, well then Aracari will be too: Marisol Mosquera is assisting with Tasneem Gallery's exposition at PINTA LONDON 2011, Th...

Santa Cruz II Review: Galapagos cruise Santa Cruz II Review: Best Large Galapagos Cruise A land of active volcanoes brimming with unbeatable diversity in wildlife, the Galapagos Islands is...

What makes the Inca Trail so unique? Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: What makes the Inca Trail so unique? The Answer: Next week on CNN en Español, viewers from across the...