Cercado: Oruro, Carnival and Altiplano

In the province of Cercado lies the city of Oruro on the Andean Altiplano, 3,735 meters above sea level. In Oruro, cultural themes such as the Carnaval de Oruro, museums, and sites associated with the Virgen del Socavón are rooted. Looking beyond the city to the Department of Oruro, you will find further cultural and landscape themes. This distinction helps you determine the focus of your trip and the accommodation search that suits it.

Oruro: Museums and Religious Heritage

The Museo Minero is a sightseeing option for visitors to Oruro. Check the latest access information before planning a visit. The Museo Patiño and the Museo Antropológico are also among the city's attractions. Together with the Monumento a la Virgen del Socavón and the Santuario Virgen del Socavón, they offer different cultural points of reference. The two latter sites share a connection to the name Virgen del Socavón, whose festival is the Carnaval de Oruro.

Carnaval de Oruro: Festival and Art Forms

The Carnaval de Oruro expresses religious and cultural value and is the festival of the Virgen del Socavón. In 2001, UNESCO proclaimed it a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”; since 2008, it has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The years mark two distinct milestones: the original proclamation and the later inscription. The festival takes place every year over six days. Its broad range of popular arts includes masks, textiles, and embroidery. These forms show that, alongside its religious and cultural value, the Carnaval also encompasses a diverse range of artistic expressions.

Natural and Landscape Heritage near Oruro

The municipality of Oruro has recognized Arenales de Cochiraya y San Pedro as “Patrimonio Cultural y Paisajístico” (Cultural and Landscape Heritage). The area is intended to preserve natural spaces near the city and promote tourism and recreation. Cerro Viscachani has also been recognized by the municipality as a “Reserva Natural y Deportiva” (Nature and Recreation Reserve). This area is likewise intended to preserve natural spaces near the city and promote tourism and recreation. If you would like to include either of these areas in your plans, find out in advance about the specific visiting options.

More to Explore in the Department of Oruro

Beyond the city, the Department of Oruro offers further cultural points of reference. The Chipaya culture is one of the region's living cultures; its name is derived from the Aymara word Ch’ipa, meaning “interwoven straw.” Regional cuisine also offers a glimpse into the character of the department: lamb is the basis of many dishes, and potatoes are also part of the cuisine. Api is a typical local drink made from yellow and purple corn and flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel.

Among the landscape landmarks in the broader Oruro travel destination is Nevado Sajama, also called “Tata Sajama”; it is located in Parque Nacional Sajama. The Chullpares de Macaya in the southeast of the Department of Oruro offer a different cultural focus. These tomb complexes are built of adobe and associated with the Aymara lordships. Thus, from a regional perspective, a mountain in a national park, living culture, cuisine, and historic tomb complexes sit side by side, without referring to the same theme or place.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip and Accommodation

When searching for a vacation rental in Cercado, it helps to consider whether you want to focus primarily on the cultural sites and festival in the city of Oruro or take a broader view of the Department of Oruro. The city and regional themes offer different points of reference for planning your trip. Choose the focus of your trip based on the cultural, culinary, or landscape aspects that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Oruro, Poopo.

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