Peru has festivals to celebrate many different occasions. One that is important is the festival of Qoyllur Riti. So Peru travel guide what is Qoyllur Riti?
4. Machu Travel Peru
The South America country of Peru is famous for many things including its
fascinating ancient history and its natural beauty. The grand Andes mountain
range also comes to mind when thinking of the Peru. You may have seen
documentaries featuring the colorful locals in their traditional clothing, a
colorful contrast to the backdrop of the Andes Mountains. All throughout the
year Peru has many festivals to celebrate many different occasions that are
important to the Peruvian people.
One that is important to the people
in Cusco is the festival of Qoyllur
Riti. So Peru travel guide what is
Qoyllur Riti?
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5. Machu Travel Peru
Qoyllur Riti is a massive religious pilgrimage that takes place every June, you
will need to take the bus four hours from Cusco than take a five mile walk to
the Sinankara Valley and then to glacier at the foot of Mount Ausangate.
Thousands of devotees trek the path that is around 15000 feet above sea
level wearing colorful capes and hats, they carry their provisions in striped
blankets and seem happy with the effort.
Qoyllur Riti remains today very
traditional and has retained a
sense of authenticity, alcohol is
banned and there are no venders
allowed, this gives the festival a
spiritual emphasis. Like most
Peruvian traditions, Qoyllur Riti is
now a mix of indigenous and
catholic heritage.
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In the Seventeen hundreds, the church believed that Christ appeared to a
local boy and there is said to be a stone with Christs foot print that is now
stored in a mountain sanctuary. Since this time, the festival has also had a
strong Catholic influence.
The transformation of indigenous religious site into a Catholic shrine began in
1783 when the cult of Senor de Qoyllur Riti was started by the appearance of
Christ, the trend continued with the efforts of a Roman Catholic brotherhood.
The high mountain shrine of
Qoyllur Riti is a difficult to reach
so is not often visited and only
then by religious pilgrims
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The site is mostly visited in the Andean summer and in June with the
pilgrimage to Qoyllur Riti, which take place on the full moon and prior to
Corpus Christy. Another date the site is visited is on September 14, which is
mostly unknown. If you have the opportunity to visit in September do not miss
out on the colorful spectacle of dance and devotion that characterizes the
traditional pilgrimage.
Prior to the festivals the local
communities organize feasts to
celebrate and usually, a member of
the town or village is responsible for
the feast, which means they have to
give the partygoers food and
provide music for the endless
dancing.
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8. Machu Travel Peru
You will need to be fit to take on this hike, the walk is strenuous and the
freezing cold and altitude do not make it any easier. In addition to the religious
shrines and the church located at Qoyllur Riti the local people want to touch
the sacred snow or holy water. In the past, many have broken off a piece of
the glacier to take back to their homes. This is now discouraged and as global
warming has seen a reduction in the size of the glacier.
Also worth researching, is the
festivity of Cruz Velacuy in Cusco,
this festival you will need to travel
from Cusco, another religious
festival that also should not be
missed.
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9. Machu Travel Peru
Peru is home to many beautiful festivals and if you are lucky enough to see
one you will understand what all the fuss is about. Holy week in Cusco is one
of the most spectacular times you can visit the Inca City. Statues are paraded
around the city and the devotees throw rose petals to show their faith.
On any tour to Peru you may ask why visit Cusco city? The answer is quite
simple, Cusco was the heart of the Inca empire, here is where the Spanish
conquered the Inca Empire and executed the last Inka, here the Spanish built
there houses and churches on the foundations of the Inca temples.
Today you can still see and visit the
Spanish churches and most of the
houses have been converted into
luxury hotels for you to stay.
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10. Peru tourism is growing yearly with the famous Inca sites like Machu Picchu on
top of every ones list. Travel from Cusco by train and visit the Inca citadel. Year
round tourists make the trek from Cusco on the famous Inca Trail. If you want to
experience the Inca Trail than you will have to book months in advance as the
trail sells out quickly. On your tour to Peru take the time to see the all the other
attractions that Peru has to offer, like Lake Titicaca with its fascinating Uros
people who live on the lake on islands built out of reeds.
Alternatively, why not take a tour to
the Amazon region of Peru to visit all
the nature that you will ever want to
see. Peru is full of wonderful places
to visit and is consider one of the
most diverse countries on the planet.
Getting to Peru is easy with flights
from the US, Europe and Australia
daily.
Machu Travel Peru
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