Andean Wedding Ceremony: The Kasaracuy Ritual in Cusco
A symbolic Inca wedding ceremony on the shores of Piuray Lagoon, led by an Andean priest.
The Kasaracuy — also known as Sawachikuy — is a symbolic Andean wedding ceremony rooted in the traditions of the Pongobamba community, part of the Huaynas de Pumapata association near Chinchero. This isn’t a legally binding marriage, but a ritual union performed by an Andean priest on the shores of Piuray Lagoon, complete with traditional dress, floral crowns, alpaca-wool rings, and offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) — a way for couples to mark or renew their commitment in a genuinely rooted cultural setting, whether newly engaged or renewing vows after years together.
The full day includes far more than the ceremony itself: a Pachamanca — meat, legumes, and grains slow-cooked underground with heated stones, a technique that predates the Inca — prepared and shared afterward in the community’s own hall, alongside a demonstration of traditional Andean textile techniques.
| 💰 From | $149 USD per person (group of 10) |
| ⏱️ Duration | Full day, 8:40 AM–evening |
| ⛰️ Altitude | Cusco 3,350 m up to Pongobamba/Piuray Lagoon 3,800 m |
| 🚶 Physical level | Easy |
| 📅 Season | April–December |
| 👥 Group size | 2+ (available daily) |
| 🎂 Minimum age | 18+ |
| ⚠️ Important | This is a symbolic ceremony, not a legally binding marriage |
A symbolic Inca wedding ceremony, rooted in a living Andean tradition rather than staged for tourists. – Dress in traditional Andean wedding attire, borrowed from the Pongobamba community. – Receive floral crowns and rings woven from alpaca wool during the ceremony itself. – Exchange vows on the shores of Piuray Lagoon, guided by an Andean priest. – Share a traditional Pachamanca feast, cooked underground with heated stones. This is the Kasaracuy Andean Wedding Ceremony, start to finish.
The Kasaracuy is a living cultural practice of the Pongobamba community, part of the Huaynas de Pumapata association near Chinchero — not a ceremony invented for visitors, but a genuine tradition adapted to welcome couples from outside the community into it for a day. The ritual opens with a cleansing using incense and flower essences, symbolizing the start of a new chapter, before an offering to Pachamama in gratitude for her blessings — including, specifically, the reunion of the couple being celebrated.
The couple then presents their own offering: seeds, sweets, flowers, colored wool, and chicha — a fermented corn drink that was the Inca’s own ceremonial beverage — items considered essential across Andean spiritual practice. An Andean priest leads prayers to the spirits of the Andes on the couple’s behalf; if family members are present, they take part directly, and if not, the community itself steps into that role for the day. The ceremony itself takes place at an altar on the shores of Piuray Lagoon, framed by a plant archway, where the priest places floral crowns and alpaca-wool rings on the couple before a toast with chicha, shared among all those present.
The day continues well beyond the ceremony: a traditional wedding dance, a procession back to the community hall carrying achihua (a plant native to the area, symbolically significant to the ritual), and a Pachamanca — meat, legumes, and grains cooked underground with heated stones for roughly two hours — shared as a communal meal, followed by a demonstration of traditional Andean textile techniques, from shearing to finished cloth.
This full day stays within a comfortable, gentle altitude range — from Cusco’s 3,350 m up to Pongobamba’s 3,800 m, roughly the same elevation most travelers have already adjusted to after a day or two in Cusco. There’s no physical exertion built into the day; it’s a ceremony and a shared meal, not a hike.
The drive to Pongobamba, near Chinchero, takes roughly 1 hour.
The community of Huaynas de Pumapata welcomes the couple with traditional music — a genuine presentation from the community, not a rehearsed tourist performance.
What follows:
The couple walks to the Andean altar on the lagoon’s shore, framed by a plant archway.
What happens during the ceremony:
The group returns to the community hall, carrying achihua — a plant native to the area with symbolic significance in the ritual. Meanwhile, the Pachamanca preparation begins: heated stones, layered with meats, legumes, and grains, covered with blankets and earth to cook slowly underground.
After roughly 2 hours (~1:30 PM):
The day closes with music from Pongobamba Chinchero before the return drive to Cusco.
Day 1 stats
1L.
Easy
A light walk
Minutes
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Pongobamba: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
Pongobamba: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
cusco inca andean wedding ceremony full day (kasaracuy)
No — the Kasaracuy is a symbolic ceremony, rooted in genuine Andean tradition, but it doesn’t carry legal marriage status in Peru or elsewhere.
A traditional Inca-style wedding ceremony practiced by the Pongobamba community, part of the Huaynas de Pumapata association near Chinchero, involving offerings, a priest-led ceremony, and traditional dress.
Yes — many couples arrange it as a surprise, whether as a symbolic renewal of vows or a unique way to mark their relationship during a trip to Peru.
An Andean master priest from the Pongobamba community, well-versed in the traditions and rituals of Inca spiritual practice.
Not by default — photos and video (Sony Alpha a6400, GoPro Hero 9) are available for $170 USD, shot by our team rather than professional photographers, delivered via USB that evening.
A traditional Andean cooking method — meat, legumes, and grains slow-cooked underground with heated stones, a technique that predates the Inca Empire.
Traditional Andean wedding attire is provided and worn during the ceremony itself — you don’t need to bring your own outfit.
No — only the Pachamanca lunch is included; breakfast and dinner should be arranged separately.
Yes — handmade organic textiles and crafts from the Pongobamba community are available for purchase, supporting the community directly.
It’s entirely at your discretion, though a tip is appreciated if you felt the service was excellent.
Yes — many travelers use it specifically to renew vows or mark an anniversary, not only as a first wedding celebration.
Two people — the ceremony is designed for couples, with pricing scaling down as more guests join.
Available daily, minimum 2 people.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 2 | $ 279.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 227.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 198.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 183.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 171.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 161.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 155.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 152.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 149.00 USD |
