The Raymi Llaqta of the Chachapoya is the main traditional and tourist festival of the Amazonas region. It is celebrated in the city of Chachapoyas and brings together communities, districts, and provinces who come to present their dances, songs, rituals, traditional clothing, music, gastronomy, and ancestral customs.
Unlike a simple artistic performance, the Raymi Llaqta is a collective celebration of the cultural memory of Amazonas. Each delegation represents a part of the region’s diversity: Andean peoples, Amazonian communities, rural expressions, religious customs, agricultural traditions, patron saint festivals, and symbolic elements linked to the Chachapoya world.
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Origin of Raymi Llaqta
The Chachapoya Tourism Week began as an initiative to strengthen regional identity and promote tourism in Amazonas. Over time, the Raymi Llaqta festival has become its most representative event and one of the most important cultural celebrations in northeastern Peru.
The celebration is also linked to the historical memory of Chachapoyas and the commemoration of the Battle of Higos Urco, which took place on June 6, 1821, a significant event in the Amazonas independence process. Therefore, the festival combines civic, historical, cultural, and touristic elements.
In recent years, the Raymi Llaqta has gained greater national visibility. In 2025, Congress passed a law declaring the traditional festival of the Raymi Llaqta of the Chachapoya people, from the province of Chachapoyas, department of Amazonas, a matter of national interest and intangible cultural heritage.
What does “Raymi Llaqta” Mean?
Raymi Llaqta is a Quechua expression that is usually translated as “the people’s festival” or “the festival of the people.” The word raymi means festival or celebration, while llaqta refers to the town, community, or territory.
In their dances, costumes, rituals, and performances, they express pride in belonging to a land marked by the Chachapoya legacy, the Andean-Amazonian landscapes, and the continuity of traditions.
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When is Raymi Llaqta 2026 Celebrated?
The Raymi Llaqta 2026 will be celebrated within the XXX Chachapoya Tourism Week, scheduled from May 31 to June 13, 2026. Official information released by the Peruvian State indicates that the 2026 edition will be dedicated to the rituals and customs of ancestral peoples, with the aim of showcasing the most representative expressions of the intangible cultural heritage of Amazonas. The main day will be Saturday, June 13, 2026, the date on which the grand reenactment and main parade of Raymi Llaqta are expected.
Raymi Llaqta Tourist Week 2026
The 2026 Raymi Llaqta of the Chachapoya will take place as part of the 30th Chachapoya Tourism Week, a celebration that seeks to promote cultural identity, tourism, and the living traditions of the Amazonas region. This year’s theme will focus on the rituals and customs of ancestral peoples, and the program is expected to highlight cultural memory and community expressions.
Event: 30th Chachapoya Tourism Week “Raymi Llaqta 2026”
This will be the thirtieth edition of Chachapoya Tourism Week, one of the most representative events on the Amazonas cultural calendar. The Raymi Llaqta is its central activity and serves as a grand showcase of the region’s traditions. During the celebration, Chachapoyas welcomes delegations, visitors, tour operators, artisans, musicians, dancers, and representatives from various communities.
Dates: May 31 to June 13, 2026
The celebration will last approximately two weeks. This period will allow for preliminary activities, cultural events, artistic performances, fairs, tourist activities, and the main events. For travelers, these dates are important because they allow them to plan their stay in advance and decide whether they wish to experience only the main day or enjoy several days of Tourism Week.
Theme: Rituals and customs of ancestral peoples
The theme of the 2026 edition highlights the importance of traditional practices that form part of the intangible cultural heritage of Amazonas. This includes rituals, dances, songs, clothing, stories, symbols, ceremonies, patron saint festivals, agricultural traditions, and expressions inherited from Andean and Amazonian communities. This focus seeks to show that the culture of Amazonas does not belong only to the past, but continues to live on in its people.
Location: Chachapoyas, Amazonas Region, Peru
The event will take place in the city of Chachapoyas, capital of the Amazonas Region and the main starting point for exploring attractions such as Kuélap, Gocta, Karajía, Quiocta, Huancas, and the Sonche Canyon. During Raymi Llaqta, the city’s streets, plazas, and public spaces become open-air cultural stages, where visitors can closely observe the traditional expressions of the participating delegations.
Main Day: Saturday, June 13, 2026
The main day will be the most important date of Raymi Llaqta 2026. On this day, the grand reenactment and main parade are expected, where delegations will travel through Chachapoyas with music, dances, traditional costumes, rituals, and symbolic representations.
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The Parade of the Chachapoya People
A local tourism announcement also describes the 2026 celebration as a “call of our peoples,” with more than 60 native and rural communities preparing to take part. This gives the parade a deeper meaning: it is not only a colorful street event, but a gathering of communities that come to Chachapoyas to show their history, music, costumes, and pride in belonging to Amazonas.
During the parade, delegations from Amazonas usually walk through the streets of Chachapoyas wearing traditional clothing, playing local music, dancing, and representing customs from their towns. The 2026 edition will focus on “rituals and customs of ancestral peoples,” so travelers can expect performances connected to community memory, traditional ceremonies, rural life, local legends, and the cultural identity of the region.
Raymi Llaqta Chachapoyas and the cultural identity of Amazonas
Raymi Llaqta Chachapoyas is one of the strongest expressions of Amazonas’ cultural identity. It brings together Andean towns, Amazonian communities, rural villages, and indigenous traditions through music, dance, clothing, food, rituals, and local customs. More than a festival, it connects the living culture of today’s communities with the legacy of the ancient Chachapoya people, while also supporting local tourism, artisans, guides, restaurants, and small businesses in Chachapoyas.
Traditional food to try during the festival
Food is a big part of any trip to Chachapoyas, especially during the festival days. Around the city, you’ll find local restaurants, markets, food stalls, and fairs where travelers can try some of the most traditional flavors of Amazonas. The food here mixes Andean ingredients like corn, potatoes, beans, and cheese with Amazonian products such as plantain, yuca, bijao leaves, smoked meat, herbs, and tropical fruits.
One dish you should try is purtumute, a simple but very local stew made with corn and beans. It is often served with cecina or other meats, and it is the kind of filling homemade food you’ll find in traditional restaurants around Chachapoyas.
Another classic is locro, a warm stew usually made with potatoes, corn, squash, beans, herbs, and meat. It is perfect if the weather gets cool, especially in the evening after walking around the city or watching the festival activities.
If you want something more Amazonian, try juanes. They are usually made with rice, chicken, spices, and sometimes egg, all wrapped in bijao leaves. You may also find versions made with yuca, which are common in parts of the Amazon region.
Tacacho with cecina is another favorite. It is made with mashed green plantain and served with smoked pork. It is hearty, tasty, and a good option after a long day of walking, touring, or watching the parade.
You may also see humitas, cuy with potatoes, cazuela, trout, regional cheeses, traditional breads, and local sweets. For drinks, try Amazonas coffee, fruit juices, or local herbal drinks.
Travel tips for visiting Raymi Llaqta
Planning ahead is essential if you want to enjoy the festival in Chachapoyas without stress. The 2026 edition will take place from May 31 to June 13, with the main celebration scheduled for Saturday, June 13, so hotels, tours, restaurants, and transportation services are likely to be busier than usual during those days. The safest option is to book your accommodation and main excursions before arriving.
La Xalca Hotel, associated with Casa Andina
A good option if you want to stay close to the city center. It is located just a few blocks from Chachapoyas’ main square, making it convenient for walking around during the festival days.
Casa Hacienda Achamaqui
Recommended for travelers looking for peace, nature, and a more countryside-style stay. It is located outside the urban center, surrounded by greenery, around 25 minutes from Chachapoyas.
Gocta Andes Lodge
Ideal if you want to combine your trip with a visit to Gocta waterfall. It is located in Cocachimba and stands out for its waterfall views, gardens, pool, and rooms facing the landscape. It is not in central Chachapoyas, but it is a great option for spending a night near Gocta.
Chachapoyas sits at about 2,335 meters above sea level, so most travelers do not experience the same altitude issues as in Cusco, but it is still a good idea to take the first day slowly, drink enough water, and avoid overpacking your itinerary.
During the main parade, arrive early and choose your viewing spot before the streets get crowded. Bring water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, and some cash in Peruvian soles for snacks, local food, crafts, or short taxi rides. Many small vendors and local services may not accept cards, so carrying cash is practical during festival days.
Another useful tip is to leave your most demanding day trips for before or after the central celebration. Places like Kuélap, Gocta waterfall, Karajía, and Quiocta cave require walking, road travel, and several hours of your day. Keeping the main festival date free will help you enjoy the cultural program without rushing.
How to get to Chachapoyas
The fastest way to reach Chachapoyas is by flying from Lima to Chachapoyas Airport. ATSA Airlines promotes direct flights from Lima to Chachapoyas, with a flight time of less than two hours, and the airport is located about 6 km from the city. This is the most convenient option for international travelers arriving first in Lima.
A second option is to fly from Lima to a nearby city such as Jaén, Tarapoto, Chiclayo, or Cajamarca, and then continue by road to Chachapoyas. This route can be useful if direct flights are unavailable, fully booked, or affected by weather. It also works well for travelers who want to combine Amazonas with other destinations in northern Peru.
Traveling by bus from Lima is possible, but it is a long journey. RedBus indicates that the Chachapoyas–Lima route covers around 1,114 km and can take about 24 hours by road, depending on the bus company and conditions. This option is usually better for travelers with more time and a flexible itinerary.
How many days should you stay in Chachapoyas?
For a short but complete trip, plan to stay 4 to 5 days. This gives you enough time to enjoy the main festival activities, walk around Chachapoyas, and visit one or two major attractions such as Kuélap and Gocta waterfall.
For foreign travelers, 6 to 7 days is a better option. With a full week, you can attend the main celebration on June 13, visit Kuélap, hike to Gocta, take a day trip to Karajía and Quiocta, and still include Huancas and Sonche canyon without rushing.
A smart plan is to arrive around June 10 or 11, enjoy the central events on June 13, and stay a few extra days for nature, archaeology, and local culture. For a slower trip, 8 to 10 days lets you add places such as Leymebamba, Revash, Yumbilla, or the Utcubamba Valley.
Things to do in Chachapoyas during the festival
During the celebration, start with the city itself. Walk around the Plaza de Armas, visit cafés and local restaurants, look for artisan stalls, and pay attention to the cultural events organized in public spaces. Chachapoyas is compact and walkable, which makes it easy to enjoy the festive atmosphere without needing complicated transport.
The main highlight is the central parade, where delegations from different parts of Amazonas present traditional dances, music, clothing, rituals, and symbolic scenes from their communities. This is the best moment to see the region’s cultural diversity in one place, especially if it is your first time in northern Peru.
Food is another essential part of the trip. Use these days to try local dishes such as purtumute, tacacho with cecina, juanes, humitas, regional cheeses, local sweets, and Amazonas coffee. During the festival, food fairs and small vendors usually become part of the experience, so it is worth leaving time to eat locally instead of rushing between tours.
Outside the city, the best day trips from Chachapoyas include Kuélap, located at around 3,000 meters above sea level; Gocta waterfall, one of the most famous natural attractions in Amazonas; Sonche canyon, located in Huancas and known for its deep viewpoints; and Huancas, a traditional pottery town close to the city.
Frequently asked questions about Raymi Llaqta
This FAQ section brings together the key details travelers need to know to enjoy Raymi Llaqta with fewer doubts and better preparation. From the official 2026 dates and the meaning of the festival to how to get to Chachapoyas, what to wear, where to go nearby, and whether tickets are needed for the main parade.
1. When is Raymi Llaqta 2026?
Raymi Llaqta 2026 will take place from May 31 to June 13, 2026, as part of the XXX Tourist Week of the Chachapoyas. The main celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026.
2. Where is Raymi Llaqta held?
Raymi Llaqta is held in Chachapoyas, the capital city of the Amazonas region in northern Peru. Most activities take place in the city’s streets, public spaces, and main cultural areas.
3. What does Raymi Llaqta mean?
Raymi Llaqta is commonly translated from Quechua as “the people’s festival” or “the festival of the people.” The name reflects its community spirit and the participation of towns and provinces from Amazonas.
4. How do you get to Chachapoyas?
You can get to Chachapoyas by flying from Lima to Chachapoyas when direct flights are available, or by flying to nearby cities such as Jaén, Tarapoto, Chiclayo, or Cajamarca and continuing by road. Long-distance buses from Lima are also available, but the journey is much longer.
5. What should you wear to Raymi Llaqta?
Wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothes for the day, a jacket for cool evenings, sunscreen, a hat, and a light rain jacket. If you plan to visit Gocta, Kuélap, Karajía, or Quiocta, bring hiking-friendly clothing.
6. How much does it cost to visit Chachapoyas?
The cost depends on your travel style, transport, hotel, tours, and food choices. During Raymi Llaqta, prices for accommodation and services may rise due to higher demand, so booking early is recommended.
7. What places can you visit near Chachapoyas?
Near Chachapoyas, you can visit Kuélap, Gocta waterfall, Karajía sarcophagi, Quiocta cave, Huancas, and Sonche canyon. These are among the most popular cultural and natural attractions in Amazonas.
8. Do you need tickets to watch the Raymi Llaqta parade?
The main Raymi Llaqta parade usually takes place in public streets, so visitors can generally watch it without a ticket. However, some special events, reserved areas, tours, or complementary activities may require payment or prior registration.
