The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated in different towns and cities throughout Peru. Her devotion dates back to the colonial period, when Spanish missionaries spread her image throughout different communities in Peru. Since then, she has acquired great cultural and religious importance.
This festival is celebrated in six cities in Peru, each with its own customs and traditions:
Although the celebration takes place in many cities, the most prominent one is held in Paucartambo, where the festivities bring together thousands of worshippers.
During the government of Don Pedro Fernández de Castro Andrade, Count of Lemos, he traveled to Upper Peru, now known as the highland region of Peru, passing through Puno on his way to Cusco. It was in Puno that he was informed that a miracle had occurred in the town of Pucará.
The local inhabitants said that an image of the Virgin had appeared on a rock. This caught the viceroy's attention, and he personally went to verify the event. Upon arriving, he was amazed by the perfection of the image and, shortly after returning to the capital, commissioned a renowned painter to travel to Pucará and portray the image on a canvas.
Once the painting was completed and later transported to the capital, the viceroy ordered two identical images to be sculpted, both the same size as the apparition. One of the images was sent to Pucará to be venerated in the local church, while the second was sent to Puno for the same purpose.
As the years passed, the image intended for the people of Puno was never collected and remained in Pucará. This information reached Doña María Campos, who was financially well-off. She frequently traveled between Puno and Paucartambo. She therefore made the necessary arrangements and brought the image to Paucartambo.
From the time of her arrival, the festival in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel began to be celebrated.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was declared the “Patroness of Folk Dances” in 1972. In addition, during Pope John Paul II's visit in 1985, the Virgin was taken to Cusco to be crowned.
From July 15 to 19, thousands of believers gather in the town of Paucartambo to pay tribute to “Mamacha Carmen,” the traditional name for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as a result of the integration of religious elements and Andean traditions.
The celebration begins at the church of Paucartambo, where devotees from around the world gather to strengthen their bond of devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Here, musical bands play their instruments while dancers express their devotion through dance.
The festival lasts four days and includes various civic and religious activities, all overseen by the local people of Paucartambo. During the day, dance groups parade through the narrow streets of Paucartambo, accompanied by their musical bands. Pilgrims mingle with the groups of dancers, becoming part of this vibrant celebration.
Every day, dance groups perform. On the main day, the Virgin is carried in procession to bless those attending and drive away the demons. The “Saqras” dancers perform acrobatic and daring feats on the rooftops, wearing costumes inspired by Inca and colonial styles. At the end of the procession, a symbolic battle against the demons takes place, in which the faithful emerge victorious.
Finally, everything concludes with the “kacharpari,” or farewell celebration. On this day, the streets fill with dances honoring the Virgin, with participants promising to return the following year. After a final blessing, the dance groups move to the main square and perform the “kacharpari,” a farewell dance involving the use of handkerchiefs.
Experience the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Paucartambo
Discover this traditional celebration in Cusco and plan your visit to Paucartambo with the support of our travel team click here for more information.
Paucartambo, located at an elevation of 3,017 m in the Cusco region, is a historic town known for its colonial architecture and the vibrant Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated every year from July 15 to 19. The journey from Cusco to Paucartambo takes approximately three hours.
Buses to Paucartambo can be found on Diagonal Angamos Avenue, a few blocks from La Cultura Avenue. They cost approximately S/ 15.00. You can also find taxis in the area and negotiate the fare.
Located 45 km from Paucartambo, Tres Cruces Viewpoint, also known as the Balcony of the East, is a natural viewpoint in the Amazon region from where you can see one of the most impressive sunrises in the world.
This is where the so-called white ray phenomenon occurs. It is a natural phenomenon that takes place when the sun appears on the horizon and the clouds begin to move while mixing with moisture. The light becomes distorted as if passing through a prism, creating an effect of three suns, one of which appears to move from one side to the other. This natural phenomenon can be observed between June and July.
Departures to the viewpoint are at 1:00 a.m., and the journey takes approximately two hours. The spectacle begins at 4:30 a.m. and lasts until 6:00 a.m.
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Paucartambo is characterized by a variety of colorful and energetic dances. Here are the most representative dances of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
This dance represents the Indigenous Amazonian warriors of the Qósñipata Valley, in the district of Paucartambo province. Their costumes feature multicolored feathers called “ch'ucu,” long hair, wire-mesh masks, and an “unku” worn like a skirt. They also carry a “chonta” spear. The band accompanying the dance is traditional and includes two flutes, a drum, and a bass drum.
This dance represents the merchants of Qollasuyu. Its origins date back to the colonial period, when merchants came to Paucartambo to exchange their products. The dancers wear beautiful monteras, a “waq'ollo” or balaclava, and a “q'epi,” a lliclla made of vicuña wool containing a stuffed vicuña.
The essence of the dance lies in devotion to “Mamacha del Carmen,” whom the dancers sing and dance for during the festival and entertain during the guerrilla. In addition, the dancers are expected to attend the pilgrimage of the Lord of Q'oyllur R'iti.
This dance recalls the colonial period, when Black people were enslaved and brought from the coast to work in gold mines. Some eventually arrived in Paucartambo and became devoted followers of Mamacha Carmen.
Their clothing has a stately appearance and includes a chain worn at the side of the waist, reflecting their former condition as enslaved people. It is complemented by the “maki,” a wooden accessory shaped like an arm and a hand with a closed fist.
Today, the Negros of Paucartambo consider themselves servants of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to whom they offer their dance and songs.
This dance is characterized by its dancers, who are playful and wear striking costumes and masks representing animals of the underworld, such as dogs, jaguars, and vampires.
During the procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Saqras climb onto rooftops and balconies, where they perform acrobatics to entertain the public. They also stage a confrontation between the Virgin and the demonic forces, in which the power of the Virgin always emerges victorious.
The “Danzaq” or “Tusuq” is a dance traditionally associated with the seducer of young women, the conqueror of married women, and the comforter of widows. This group is characterized by its colorful costumes and elegant dancing. According to tradition, this dance was prohibited more than two centuries ago because of its erotic origins.
This dance represents the women of the Q'osñipata jungle, who came to Paucartambo to venerate Our Lady of Mount Carmel. However, their costumes have a strong mestizo influence, featuring a crown decorated with Amazonian bird feathers and a dress typical of the colonial period. They also wear a decorated image of the Virgin as a breastplate.
The music accompanying them is very lively and complements the dancers, most of whom are young women.
Yes. During the festival, demand for accommodation in Paucartambo increases considerably. It is recommended to book in advance, especially if you plan to attend during the main days of the celebration.
Yes. Visitors can attend as spectators as long as they respect religious spaces and the community's customs.
Yes, but access to some streets and areas may be restricted due to processions, dance groups, and scheduled activities.
Yes. It is advisable to carry enough cash to cover expenses such as food, local transportation, shopping, and other services, as the availability of ATMs and electronic payment methods may be limited during the festival.
Photography is allowed, but it is recommended to keep a respectful distance and avoid interrupting the dance groups, processions, or performances. If you want to photograph a participant up close, it is best to ask for permission.
It is recommended to plan your return in advance, especially if you are traveling during the busiest days. The large number of visitors can increase demand for transportation and lead to longer travel times, so it is advisable to confirm your return transportation beforehand.
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