Visiting Cerro Calvario
When you hear Copacabana, you usually think of the Rio neighborhood, but this time it is a town in western Bolivia, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Right in town, you will find a hill named Cerro Calvario.
A tourist spot
This hill is one of the most visited spots around. First, it offers an incredible view of the town and Lake Titicaca, and even lets you spot the Islands of the Moon and the Sun. The trail is just over a kilometer long and accessible directly from town. A street leads straight to the base of the hill, and the trailhead is marked by Colquepata Church. Travelers come not only to catch the sunset over the lake, but also to watch the religious processions that take place there.
A place of faith
All along the climb, you will spot stations of the cross representing the way of the cross. On Good Friday, thousands of pilgrims make the trek on foot from La Paz, over 100km away. They then begin a procession from the Cathedral of the Virgin of Candelaria up to the summit of the hill, carrying candles with them. Once at the top, they pray to the Virgin and ask for her blessings.
That is not the only Bolivian belief here. In August, pilgrims honor Pachamama, the Mother Earth goddess. They offer flowers, pour beer, and burn llama fetuses in her honor.
Climbing Cerro Calvario
During this climb, which takes you up to an elevation of 3975 meters, you will pass vendors selling drinks and snacks, alongside plastic toy trucks and tiny model houses. The idea is to buy them so you can ask the Virgin for a new house or a truck once you reach the summit.
Cerro Calvario delivers incredible views and a deep cultural immersion.
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.