Qoyllur Rit'i

In short: Qoyllur Rit'i: from Mahuayani to Sinakara valley (about 4,800 m). Length: around 8 km climb, duration: several days. Best time: May or June, before Corpus Christi.

Overview

Qoyllur Rit'i, “star snow” in Quechua, is one of the most unusual pilgrimages in the Americas. It combines Catholic veneration of the Señor de Qoyllur Rit'i with the old Andean religion and its veneration of the mountains. The festival is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

It takes place every year before Corpus Christi in the Sinakara valley east of Cusco. From Mahuayani you climb around eight kilometres on foot to heights of about 4,800 metres. Tens of thousands come, including many dance groups in colourful costumes.

You sleep there in a tent in freezing temperatures, and you should take the altitude seriously. Acclimatise in Cusco beforehand. Pilgrims traditionally brought ice from the glacier down to the valley, but this has stopped because the glacier is shrinking.

Who is this route for?

This route is a poor choice for a first attempt. You should be sure-footed and have stamina, and several weeks of training will pay off here.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in the Americas, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.