Peru is the land of one hundred experiences. Wherever you go, people have reasons to celebrate life. During April, you can experience one of the biggest religious celebrations in Peru, the Holy Week. Both, Peruvian and Spanish cultures are mixed together in a big mixture of traditions and rituals.
If you are thinking of going to Machu Picchu in a travel package or hiking the incredible Huayna Picchu mountain, you and your crew can enjoy the Peruvian culture during Holy Week. Is your luggage ready yet?
Holy Week 101: Seven days of intense faith
Peru is a Catholic country however, Peruvians enjoy their religion in a unique way. Seven days full of faith and reflection with special traditions. The Holy Week is the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, therefore Peruvian people feelings are towards expressing their sins and redeeming them.
This year, this celebrations go from April 12th to April 19th. As Holy Week includes some breaks in schools and businesses, Peruvian families go out for a walk or visit the churches all around the city. The most important days are Holy Monday and Holy Friday.
Holy Monday in Cusco
Holy Monday is the start of the Holy Week. This day is very special as the Lord of the Earthquakes leaves the Cathedral of Cusco and goes on procession along the main streets of the downtown. It is said that many years ago, in 1650, the Lord of the Earthquakes procession helped to stop tremors in the city after they took him out from the Cathedral and the tremors stopped.
The statue is quite different from the other Jesus statues. He has dark skin and his faces looks like Peruvian people. As the patron saint of the city, people of Cusco have special feelings towards it. Women and kids throw faithfully red flowers called ñucchu to the dark statue while they receive his blessings.
Holy Friday, the most intense day
During the early hours of Holy Friday morning, the Main Square turns into a lovable market. Lots of vendors offer medicinal herbs and traditional medicinal in the Hampirantikuy fair. Later, people are ready to honour the Last Supper through the Twelve Dishes. Large and traditional families prepare a banquet including three kinds of bread, three soups, three main courses and three desserts.
There is another special feature: a live performing of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. It is enacted in different locations by young people.
At night, as a representation of the death of Jesus, the procession of the Holy Sepulchre takes place. A glass covered coffin with a statue of Jesus goes over the city
Traveling Machu Picchu on April
April is a great season to visit to Machu Picchu in a travel package. As it is one of the first months of the dry seasons you will have plenty of sunny days and almost no rain so you can enjoy the good weather and the Inca wonder at its best.
Do not forget that you can also visit other amazing destinations like the Maras and Moray Archaeological Complex, the mysterious Titicaca Lake or the amazing Colca Valley.
Our travel packages can be from 3 up to 10 days. You can find options like our 5-day wonderful package Inca Empire or get into the Peruvian culture in a 7-day travel package to Machu Picchu.
Combine these unique experiences in a wonderful trip
You can combine the Machu Picchu trip with Holy Week in a travel Package. Do not wait more and plan a trip to Machu Picchu during Holy Week with us. Cusco offers plenty of alternatives to enjoy Inca culture and history. Get the most of Peru being in one of the most important celebrations of Peru.