Want to experience a different, deep, and culturally rich Holy Week with Machu Picchu Wayna? Then Peru is waiting for you. During these sacred days, the country’s cities and towns transform: streets fill with flowers, candles, songs, and processions that move even the most skeptical traveler.
Whether you’re seeking a spiritual experience, a connection with Andean tradition, or simply a journey full of history, color, and flavors, these 7 destinations offer something unique. Here we tell you where, when, and how to experience Holy Week in Peru like never before.
1. Ayacucho: The most intense Holy Week in the country
Known as the “City of 33 Churches,” Ayacucho celebrates one of Peru’s most impressive religious festivals. For ten days, this city lives among processions, sacred music, flower carpets, and traditional dishes.
What you can’t miss:
- Nighttime processions with torches and candles.
- The Easter Bull Festival on Acuchimay Hill.
- Tasting of Purple Corn Pudding and traditional sweets.
- Fusion of Andean and Christian customs in every ceremony.
Ideal for: Lovers of tradition, photography, and deep spirituality.
2. Cusco: The spiritual power of the Lord of the Earthquakes
In the heart of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco experiences Holy Week with a unique blend of Christian faith and Andean symbolism. The protagonist is the Lord of the Earthquakes, a miraculous image that saved the city during the earthquake of 1650.
Highlighted experiences:
- Procession of the Taytacha of the Earthquakes (Holy Monday).
- Route of the Seven Churches (Holy Thursday).
- Tasting of the 12 traditional Cusco fasting dishes.
- Celebrations in the Cathedral, markets, and traditional neighborhoods.
Perfect for: Those seeking a mystical, cultural, and flavorful experience in a place full of history.
3. Cajamarca: Tradition, flavor, and art in the northern Andes
Cajamarca combines religiosity with joy and flavor. Its colonial streets are filled with crosses adorned with flowers and mirrors. Additionally, its typical cuisine makes Holy Week an experience for both soul and palate.
The best of Cajamarca:
- Festival of the Crosses in Porcón.
- Procession of the Holy Sepulcher and Stations of the Cross.
- Baked guinea pig, manjar blanco (milk caramel), and artisanal cheeses.
- Tours of baroque churches and thermal baths.
Recommended for: Curious travelers, foodies, and lovers of colonial architecture.
4. Arequipa: Faith between volcanoes and sillar walls
The White City dresses in solemnity during Holy Week. Processions travel through its beautiful historic center, while traditional flavors delight visitors in every corner.
Arequipa essentials:
- The Burning of Judas (Holy Saturday), a symbolic tradition where a figure representing evil is burned.
- Procession of the Holy Sepulcher between colonial sillar walls.
- Fasting gastronomy: shrimp chowder, quinoa salads, and up to 7 varieties of pudding.
- Religious ceremonies in the Santa Catalina Monastery.
Ideal for: Those looking for a Holy Week with colonial atmosphere, natural landscapes, and exquisite gastronomy.
5. Lima: Holy Week in the viceroyalty capital
The Peruvian capital is the stage for one of the country’s largest celebrations. In Lima, processions travel through colonial temples, streets are decorated with floral carpets, and markets offer typical Lenten flavors.
What to experience in Lima:
- Route of the 7 Churches in the Historic Center.
- Solemn masses in the Cathedral and in San Francisco.
- Traditional stews in Barranco and gastronomic fairs.
- Processions of the Lord of Miracles and the Sorrowful Virgin.
Perfect for: Those who want to experience Holy Week surrounded by viceregal history, urban culture, and good food.
6. Puno: Spirituality on the shores of Lake Titicaca
In the highlands, Holy Week takes on a magical dimension. Puno celebrates with colorful processions that combine Catholic tradition with ancestral rites, alongside impressive landscapes such as Lake Titicaca and the floating islands.
Highlights:
- Processions of the Taytacha of Palms with typical dances and offerings to Pachamama.
- Living Stations of the Cross with local residents.
- Nights of vigil by the lakeshore with candles and chants.
- Craft and gastronomic fairs with trout, chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), and wajta (ceremonial bread).
Ideal for: Spiritual travelers, lovers of living cultures and mystical landscapes.
7. Huancayo: Living tradition in the heart of the Central Andes
The capital of the Mantaro Valley offers a Holy Week full of fervor, where Catholic faith mixes with Wanka roots. Between processions, scissor dancers, and traditional banquets, the city breathes devotion and joy.
The best of Huancayo:
- Procession of the Lord of Miracles with scissor dancers.
- Route of the Churches and masses in Quechua.
- Sacred flavors: Pachamanca, ceremonial guinea pig, and Andean tamales.
- Ceremonial fires and vigils under Andean stars.
Perfect for: Those looking for an intimate, cultural experience with deep traditional value.
Do you already know where to spend Holy Week in Peru 2025 and 2026?
Whether on the coast, in the highlands, or on the plateau, each Peruvian destination has a special way of experiencing Holy Week. From the deepest spirituality to the most vibrant tradition, what you’ll find in each place is a unique connection between faith, culture, and community.
Final advice
Choose your destination according to what inspires you most:
- Want excitement and great celebrations? Ayacucho or Lima.
- Prefer living culture and symbolism? Cusco or Puno.
- Attracted to gastronomy and tradition? Arequipa or Cajamarca.
- Looking for authenticity in the Andes? Huancayo awaits you.