Historic Site Gets a Facelift: The archaeological site boasts 27 replicas of the original Inca silos, constructed from adobe and straw, nestled on the Cota mountain range. Cleaning and maintenance of the green areas and qollqas are nearly complete, reaching 90% progress. This year’s efforts go beyond regular upkeep, incorporating the installation of Inca monuments to enrich the celebratory atmosphere.
Festivities Planned for June 21st: Hilda Huanca, head of Tourism at the Cochabamba municipality, confirmed that refurbishment and other preparations have been ongoing for a month and are nearing their final stages. The festivities on June 21st will kick off at 4:00 AM with a vigil and bonfire, followed by the q’oa (offering to Pachamama) ceremony, a community meal (apthapi), and culminate with the exhibition of the corn route or Sara Raymi. Huanca added that another highlight of the celebration will be the chasquis race – in the Inca Empire they were highly trained runers responsible for delivering messages and goods across vast distances using a relay system.
Beyond Cotapachi: Sacred Sites Across Cochabamba: Luz Ordóñez, Director of Tourism for the Governor’s Office, announced that Cochabamba boasts 15 designated sacred sites across various municipalities for the occasion.
Some options include the Inca Rakay ruins in Sipe Sipe, the Pokotayka viewpoint in Capinota, the Yanayana hills in Pojo, and Mujun Punta in Sacaba.
Other alternatives are the San Miguel hill in Toco, which might have been used as an astronomical observation site by ancient civilizations; Tunturi in Totora; the Ñuñu Orqo hill in Paredones in Vacas; the Baile Rumi rock in Vinto, and the salt pits of Qollpa Urqu in Villa Rivero.
In Colcapirhua, an event is organized in Esquilán Grande (Kenamari), a National Archaeological Heritage site. Meanwhile, in Tacopaya, the events will be held on the Llama Japi’ina Punta hill. Various rituals will take place at most of these sites.
