New Year in Cusco: An Unforgettable Celebration

Can you imagine welcoming the New Year amidst the majesty of Cusco? Get ready to live a unique experience full of tradition, sightseeing, culture and excitement! In this article, we will take you by the hand to discover how the New Year is celebrated in Cusco, this charming Peruvian city and the exciting tours you can enjoy during this time of the year.

What is New Year in Cusco like?

New Year in Cusco is a vibrant celebration that combines the joy of the season with the ancient traditions of the region. On December 31st, the Plaza de Armas becomes the epicentre of the party, where locals and visitors gather to welcome the new year with a concert of music, dancing and fireworks.

The streets fill with colour and energy, creating a festive atmosphere that will fill you with excitement.

Not to be missed New Year Tours in Cusco

In addition to participating in the festivities and customs of the New Year, Cusco offers a wide range of tours and activities to enjoy during this special season, including special promotions. From exploring the ancient Inca ruins to venturing on exciting excursions through the Sacred Valley, there are options for all tastes and preferences. Here are the best suggestions for this time of year:

1. Free tours through the streets of Cusco:

Be captivated by the beauty of Cusco as you explore its cobblestone streets, free tourist sites, Instagrammable places and museums on a self-paced tour that will lead you to discover this beautiful city. You can tour Cusco by yourself without a tour or through a free tour offered in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas while you acclimatise.

2. Machu Picchu Tour:

Welcome the New Year with a visit to one of the most visited wonders of the world: Machu Picchu. At this time of the year many tourist agencies offer discounts or promotions such as one day tour to Machu Picchu to visit this beautiful place, come and marvel at its landscape and its mysterious history.

3. Humantay Lagoon:

Start the year knowing a natural jewel of Cusco with turquoise waters and framed by the impotent mountains in the background that offers a spectacular view that leaves breathless those who visit it. By hiking to the Humantay Lagoon you can reach this marvel and combine the New Year’s experience with nature.

4. Sacred Valley and Machupicchu Tour:

Another interesting option to get to know Cusco and its wonders is through a Sacred Valley and Machupicchu tour that takes you to discover two of Peru’s most fascinating destinations. During this trip, you will explore the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you will visit ancient ruins, picturesque villages and traditional markets to culminate with the imposing Machupicchu that will make your start of the year the best days of your life.

5. Coloured Mountain and the Red Valley:

This is another of the favourite destinations for tourists in Cusco as it is the mountain of colours together with the red valley that consists of two natural landscapes of fantastic tonalities that offers an unequalled visual experience that you can experience with the tour Mountain of colours and the Red Valley.

6. City tour in Cusco:

A city tour in Cusco will be an exciting experience that takes you to the most emblematic places of Cusco and its stories. During the tour you will get to know the majestic Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara all these are archaeological sites full of Inca walls with expert guides.

7. Inca Trail to Machupicchu:

This ancient route is one of the most famous and exciting treks in the world. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu gives hikers the opportunity to pass through mountains, rainforests, archaeological sites, and archaeological remains before reaching the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.

New Year’s Eve customs and traditions in Cusco

In Peru like Cusco, people make customs and traditions to start and get a better new year, here we will show you the most rooted customs and traditions in Cusco:

• > Payment to the Earth (Pachamama): Before dawn on January 1st, it is common to perform rituals of payment to the Earth, known as Pachamama, as a token of gratitude and to ask for blessings for the new year. Food, drinks and coca leaves are offered as offerings to Mother Earth.
• > Burning of dolls: Some communities in Cusco practice the custom of making rag dolls representing the Old Man (the year that is ending) and burning them at midnight on December 31st as a symbol of leaving behind the old and welcoming the new.
• > Fireworks: The arrival of the New Year is celebrated with spectacular fireworks displays in the Plaza de Armas and other emblematic places in the city, lighting up the night sky and filling the atmosphere with joy and excitement.
• > Flowers and yellow mix: People scatter yellow mix on the corners of houses and decorate vases with yellow flowers. Bouquets of flowers should include male and female rue, decorated with banknotes and ears of wheat.
• > Lighting candles and smoking the house: This Cusco tradition is especially linked to Pachamama to cleanse negative energies and evil spirits. To smoke the house, people usually use palo santo. In addition, candles of seven colours are lit, each one associated with an Archangel and with specific intentions:
  • – Blue: protection and spiritual strength (Archangel Michael).
  • – Yellow: wisdom and progress (Archangel Jophiel).
  • – Pink: love and devotion (Archangel Chamuel).
  • – White: purity and humility (Archangel Gabriel).
  • – Green: healing and health (Archangel Raphael).
  • – Orange: healing and grace (Archangel Uriel).
  • – Violet: change and forgiveness (Archangel Zadkiel).
• > Eating the 12 grapes: In Cusco, as in many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, it is customary to eat the 12 grapes at midnight on December 31st. Each grape represents a wish for the coming year and is eaten with each chime of the clock. It is a tradition that symbolises hope and good luck for the year ahead.
• > Wear coloured underwear: This tradition reflects the influence of colours in our lives and aims to attract different energies and wishes for the coming year:
  • – Red: Love and passion
  • – Yellow: Prosperity and money
  • – Green: Health and personal growth
  • – White: Peace and purity
• > Dried lentils and banknotes in the pockets: This betrayal is performed to attract prosperity and abundance in the year ahead. The lentils represent abundance and good fortune, while the banknotes symbolise economic prosperity. This practice reflects the belief in attracting wealth and success for the new year.
• > Take a suitcase to the street and walk around a block: This is a custom that symbolises the desire for travel, positive changes in the future and exploring new horizons in the coming year.

Tips for spending New Year’s Eve in Cusco

Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s celebration in Cusco with these tips!

1. Book in advance: Due to the high demand during the New Year’s season and Cusco being one of the best cities to spend New Year’s, make sure to book your accommodation and tours in advance to guarantee availability and get the best prices.
2. Dress appropriately: Evenings in Cusco can be chilly, especially in December, so dress warmly and comfortably to enjoy the outdoor celebration.
3. Explore local traditions: Join the festivities in the Plaza de Armas, where you’ll find live music, fireworks and lots of merriment. You can also take part in local rituals, such as the burning of Año Viejo dolls.
4. Taste the local food: Enjoy the delicious Cusquenian gastronomy in the city’s restaurants and street stalls. Don’t miss traditional dishes such as baked guinea pig, baked suckling pig, paneton or quinoa soup.
5. Be part of the culture: Visit museums and archaeological sites during the day to learn about Cusco’s rich history and culture. Take the opportunity to explore nearby Inca ruins, such as Sacsayhuaman or Tambomachay.
6. Respect local customs: Participate in New Year’s rituals, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight or carrying lentils and banknotes in your pockets to attract prosperity.
7. Take care of your health: Remember to drink enough water and get adequate rest, especially if you plan to do outdoor activities or hike at high altitudes.
8. Choose your ideal lodging option: Stay close to the main square to witness the New Year’s Eve customs and enjoy the concert with local music. Also, make sure your hotel has the best services such as hot water, heating, private bathroom, buffet breakfast, luggage store as Cusco Lodge Hotel Boutique to get the experience and comfort in Cusco.

Discover the best accommodation option in Cusco at the best price! At our hotel, we offer you a unique and welcoming experience at an affordable price, contact us through our WhatsApp +51 970 555 777 and book your stay today! Enjoy the comfort and quality you deserve on your next trip to this charming city.