Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WESTERN COCHABAMBA VALLEY
Quillacollo
Besides Cochabamba itself, Quillacollo (13km west of Cochabamba) is the Cochabamba
Valley's most commercially important community, although it has lost much of its inde-
pendent feel in recent years as Cochabamba's growth has more or less absorbed it as a sub-
urb. Apart from the
Sunday market
and the
pre-Inca burial mound
discovered beneath
Plaza Bolívar, the main attraction is the revered Virgen de Urkupiña in its church.
Tradition has it that long ago, the Virgin Mary appeared several times to a shepherd girl
at the foot of the hill known as Calvario. The visits were later witnessed by the girl's par-
ents and a crowd of villagers when she shouted '
Orkopiña'
(There on the hill!) as the Vir-
gin was seen ascending heavenwards. At the summit of the hill, the townspeople dis-
covered the stone image of the Virgin, which now stands in the church to the right of the al-
tar, surrounded by votive offerings and commemorative plaques giving thanks for blessings
received.
One thing to do here is to sample
garapiña,
a deceptively strong blend of
chicha
(fer-
mented corn), cinnamon, coconut and
ayrampo,
which is a local mystery ingredient from a
cactus that colors the drink red.
Festivals & Events
Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña
From August 14 to 18 is the Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña, the biggest annual celebration
in Cochabamba department. Folkloric musicians and dancers come from around Bolivia to
perform and the
chicha
flows for three days. It can be a fairly chaotic scene, with more at-
tention paid to hitting the bottle than on reverence. It's also very crowded.
RELIGIOUS
Sleeping & Eating
Eco-Hotel Planeta de Luz $$
(
426-1234;
www.planetadeluz.com
; camping per person B$20, full board dm/s/d/tr
B$70/200/ 280/350, 5-person cabins B$525;
) At Estancia Marquina, 5km north of Quil-
RESORT
