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.

5 Ways to Enjoy Peru’s Independence Holiday Fiestas Patrias in Peru On 28 and 29 July each year Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays to commemorate the country's independence....

New to the Miraflores Neighborhood in Lima: Hotel de Autor (Autor I) Luxury hotels in Peru Blog post update in 2016: Hotel de Autor has been renamed Autor I, with the addition of sister property Autor II, also located ...

5 unforgettable days on the Ausangate Trek The Ausangate Trek is the highest trek in Peru. It takes you through some of the country’s wildest scenery, and is the perfect opportunity for travele...

10 Ideas for your 2018 Travel Bucket List Setting travel resolutions and dreaming about where you'll explore in 2018? As the year draws close, we've put together a rundown of one-of-a-kind ins...

An Insider Art Experience at Casa Jaime Liébana For art aficionados visiting Lima, Aracari’s special-access visit to the workshops and home of Lima’s renowned family of artists, the Liébanas, is an ...

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...