Although there is no winter here, the winter solstice is still very important in the Inca calendar. Traditionally, sacrificial ceremonies were carried out on June 21st to ask the gods not to take the sun any further away, and to mark the beginning of a new year. We had barely arrived in Cuzco when we found ourselves watching long elaborate processions passing through the ancient plaza, followed by fireworks and music in the evening.

After a three day trip to the Sacred Valley we returned in time to follow the huge crowds onto the hills around the ruins of Saqsayhuaman, passing vendors selling everything from ponchos to baked guinea pigs. We acquired a good spot from which to see the finale of the week-long festivities - the re-enactment of the Inti Raymi ritual in which hundreds of costumed dancers parade over this natural amphitheatre to the sound of Andean music.

Posted from Copacabana, Bolivia on 3rd July 2012.