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Discover the most popular New Year rituals and how to strengthen them by travelling to Cusco. Andean traditions and ceremonies in the navel of the world.
New Year is one of the most anticipated moments of the calendar — not only because it closes a cycle, but because it represents a fresh chance to attract prosperity, health, love, travel and personal success. In Peru and in many parts of the world, New Year rituals are an essential part of the celebration, passed down through generations as acts full of hope and symbolism.
In Cusco, considered the navel of the world, these traditions take on an even deeper meaning. Here, where the ancestral energy of the Andes meets modern customs, starting the year with a ritual can become a transformative experience — especially when combined with an unforgettable trip.
In this article we explain what New Year rituals are, which are the most popular, what they mean, and how you can strengthen them by travelling and connecting with magical destinations around Cusco.
What are New Year rituals?
New Year rituals are symbolic acts performed mainly on the night of 31 December or in the first minutes of 1 January. Their purpose is to attract good luck, drive away bad energy and call in everything good for the year ahead. Many are linked to financial abundance, travel, health and spiritual wellbeing.
The most popular New Year rituals and what they mean
Travelling at New Year: the traveller's favourite ritual
One of the best-known rituals is walking around the block with a suitcase at midnight. This tradition symbolises the wish to travel during the year, discover new destinations and live unforgettable adventures.
Coloured underwear: attracting love, money and wellbeing
Wearing underwear in a particular colour is one of the most widely practised rituals:
Yellow: attracts money, prosperity and success.
Red: calls in love and passion.
Green: symbolises health and hope.
White: peace and harmony.
Blue: calm and emotional stability.
Eating 12 grapes at midnight
Each grape represents a month of the year. As you eat them, you make a wish for each one. This ritual, Spanish in origin, has taken deep root in Peru.
Tip: as you make your wishes, picture concrete experiences, so that your intentions carry through the year.
A flowering bath to cleanse your energy
The baño de florecimiento is an ancestral practice, very common in Cusco and other regions of Peru. It uses herbs, flowers and natural essences to clear negative energy and draw in positive vibrations.
Many travellers take the chance during their visit to Cusco to perform this ritual with an Andean spiritual guide, especially at the start of the year.
Burning a paper with the negatives of the past year
Writing down everything you want to leave behind and burning it symbolises closing a cycle. This ritual helps you start the year with a renewed mindset. In a natural setting such as the Cusco Andes, it becomes even more powerful.
Ancestral rituals in Cusco
Cusco is not only a tourist destination but also a spiritual centre. Many travellers choose to begin the year connecting with Andean rituals such as:
Offering to Pachamama
Thanksgiving ceremonies
Coca leaf reading
Meditation in places of energy
These practices seek balance between the person, nature and the universe — fully aligned with the intentions of the New Year.
Why does travelling to Cusco at New Year strengthen your rituals?
Travel is one of the most powerful ways to activate the energy of change. Cusco offers a unique combination of history, nature and spirituality that turns any trip into a transformative experience.
The benefits of starting the year in Cusco
Connection with the ancestral energy of the Andes.
Emotional and spiritual renewal.
Authentic, memorable experiences.
Starting the year with new perspectives.
Actually fulfilling the travel ritual.
Ideal tours to start the year from Cusco
If you want your New Year wishes to come true, let each trip become an intention made real. You might start the year with one of these tours:
Machu Picchu: a symbol of renewal and spiritual connection.
Rainbow Mountain: energy, effort and reward.
Sacred Valley of the Incas: balance and abundance.
Humantay Lake: emotional cleansing and inner peace.
Tips for combining travel and New Year rituals
Set your intentions before you travel.
Perform the ritual consciously, not just out of habit.
Give thanks for what you lived through in the past year.
Travel light: leave your emotional baggage behind.
Connect with nature and with the present moment.
Start the year travelling with purpose
New Year rituals are not just superstitions; they are symbolic acts charged with intention. When combined with real experiences, such as a trip to Cusco, they become memories that mark a before and after.
At Sakura Expedition we believe every journey is a chance to renew yourself, to connect and to fulfil your wishes. This New Year, don't just wish for travel — make it happen.
