Quillacollo Province: Discover Culture and Nature

In Quillacollo Province, cultural discoveries meet natural experiences and active excursions. From historic paintings and an annual August festival to the landscapes of the Cordillera Tunari, there is a variety that may appeal to different travel plans. When choosing your holiday rental, consider which of these aspects interests you most: culture and traditions, nature, or outdoor activities.

Culture, Festivals and Local Specialties

In the municipality of Quillacollo, the Museo de la Virgen de Urqupiña preserves a remarkable collection. Among the paintings, which are more than 300 years old, are a crucified Christ and an image of the Virgin. The collection also includes more than 50 mantles that were gifted to the Virgin of Urqupiña and that she wore at different times of the year. The two parts of the collection tell different stories about religious depictions and the offerings made to the Virgin.

The Fiesta de la Virgen de Urcupiña is celebrated every year in August. Another event with its own character is the Feria de la llama y derivados. In June, it includes a tour where llamas can be seen in their enclosures. The fair also features traditional dishes such as charque, fricasé and chicharrón. Fair crafts include, among other things, ponchos made from llama wool. If you plan to time your trip to coincide with the fair, check the dates in advance.

The markets in the city of Quillacollo also offer a glimpse of local crafts: handmade ceramic household items are sold there. The markets, the August festival and the fair each have a different focus—from everyday craftwork to a festival featuring food, textiles and llamas.

Nature and Landscapes Around Quillacollo

The archaeological site of Sierra Mokho lies north of Quillacollo. It covers just under 1.5 hectares and adds a place with a long history to the cultural experiences on offer. Laguna Cotapachi offers a different perspective: Municipal Ordinance No. 98/2009 declares it part of Quillacollo’s natural and ecological heritage and municipal property in the public domain.

Agroflori, a wildlife sanctuary, is located in Iquircollo. The vegetation creates a microclimate there, and native and endemic plant species include the Kewiña. Parque Ecoturístico Comunal Chocaya is also a natural area and is home to Andean foxes and Andean cats.

For outdoor activities, Parque Ecoturístico Comunal Chocaya offers marked hiking trails, camping and barbecue areas, viewpoints, and mountain biking areas. Liriuni is a natural bathing centre in the Cordillera Tunari, in the northeast of the municipality of Quillacollo. The two places offer different experiences: trails and other recreational areas in Chocaya, and a bathing centre in Liriuni.

Active Excursions and the Right Base

Activities at the Cascadas Gemelas de Pihusi include trekking, rappelling, nature walks, photo and video tours, excursions and climbing. The route is uneven and physically demanding. This is an important difference from the other options described: if you choose this tour, take the nature of the route into account when planning your day.

You can shape your stay around the experiences that matter most to you. Festivals, markets and collections offer various ways to explore culture and local traditions; for nature and outdoor activities, options include Chocaya, Liriuni and the Cascadas Gemelas de Pihusi. A holiday rental in Quillacollo Province can serve as a base of your choice that suits your travel plans. What matters is which of these themes you want to focus on—not trying to cram as many different places as possible into a single itinerary.

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