Visiting Cerro Calvario
When you hear Copacabana, you might think of the famous neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. This is a different place entirely, located in western Bolivia on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Rising from the center of town, you will find a hill known as Cerro Calvario.
A tourist destination
This hill is one of the most visited spots in the area. It offers an expansive view of the town and Lake Titicaca, where you can even spot the Islands of the Sun and the Moon. The trail is just over a kilometer long, and you can reach it easily from the town center. A street leads directly to the base of the hill, starting near l'église de Colquepata (Colquepata Church). Travelers come here to watch the sunset over the lake and to witness the religious processions that take place on the path.
A site of faith
As you climb, you will pass various stations representing the Stations of the Cross. On Good Friday, thousands of pilgrims arrive on foot from La Paz, a journey of over 100km. They begin a procession from the cathédrale de la Virgen de Candelaria (Cathedral of the Virgin of Candelaria) to the summit, carrying candles along the way. Once at the top, they pray to the Virgin to ask for her blessing.
Faith here takes many forms. In August, pilgrims honor Pachamama, the Mother Earth goddess. They leave offerings of flowers, pour beer, and burn llama fetuses in her honor.
Climbing Cerro Calvario
During this climb, which brings you to an altitude of 3975 meters, you will pass vendors selling drinks and snacks. You will also see them selling small plastic toy houses and trucks. These are meant for you to take to the summit, where you can ask the Virgin to grant you a new home or a new vehicle.
Cerro Calvario provides a wide-reaching view and a direct look into local traditions.
A short hike up the hill with some elevation to catch a beautiful view of the village of Copacabana and Lake Titicaca at sunset. The view is certainly beautiful, but you have to look past the path to get there, which has become very touristy. Travelers are walking in a single file line, we saw a fair amount of trash on the path, and there are also Yatiri (Aymara priests) who will stop you to offer to read your fortune.