Every year in February, for three days and three nights, the mining town of Oruro, east of La Paz, hosts a colorful colorful carnival of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO. The opportunity to live Andean culture in the most beautiful of its expressions: the party.

72 hours of parades

Chrome masks, Caribbean hairstyles and bear costumes: This is the amazing cocktail of Bolivia's most famous carnival. Every year, a week before the Ash Wednesday, the small mining town of Oruro, at 3,700 meters above sea level, celebrates the beginning of Lent in a whirlpool of colors.
The Oruro Carnival, a mixture between Catholic tradition and Andean folk belief, will take place in 2019 from February 23 to March 4. More user-friendly than his big brother in Rio, he still receives few tourists but attracts Chilean, Brazilian and Argentinean festivities. During 72 hours of non-stop, thousands of dancers and musicians marched into the city with surprising masks and costumes.

Imposing masks

On the first day of the festivities, in the morning, spectators settle on the stands along the main artery of the city. The best places are paid, but not long enough: The little smart guys always get a path. It's better to have a few pieces to buy and sustains as the parade just starts! The day before, the miners invoked El Tio, the protector of mines, during the «Challa» and on Thursday for the ceremony of Anata Andina, the farmers of Oruro called for the protection of their crops. Two more confidential but very touching events not to miss if you have time in Bolivia!

On day J, fifty bandas marched, with superbly assembled musicians and dancers. Three choreographed dances are characteristic of the Oruro carnival. The illustrious dance of Oruro carnival, the Diablada, can easily be identified thanks to the diablesse China Supay at the head of the procession. Morenada reminds Black people of the Yungas region, and Capts recognize their African influences. All the extras wear heavy masks decorated. On the last day of carnival, the public can try them to take the photo.

An Explosive Carnival

In addition to the (troops), the great animation of Carnival is the water and foam bombs. The battle erupts early in the afternoon… and continues at night when spectators descend into the pit alongside the artists. In Cochabamba, the "projectiles" are filled with violet water. Even firefighters and grandminers are ready to attack passers-by. Beware if you stay there after Oruro!
Throughout the day, itinerant salesmen will offer you hot meals cooked on the street and, in the evening, Pisco Sour in plastic bottle, alcohol heated with the eggs of which Bolivians are very fond. A curious but welcome comfort because the night falls quickly and it is quickly cold in Oruro. Fortunately the audience is warming up at the rhythm of the Diablada in the middle of the bands. To rest, there are stands waiting for badgers all night on Febrero's big square 10.

Final in front of the Socavon Church

The festivities continue on 6 km across the city. The procession is now taking on pilgrimage. It ends on the hill del Alba in the morning. Exhausted as much as skillful, the comparsas take a well deserved break after more than 15 hours of performance and collapse on the church side and even on the benches inside. Note the surprising fresco on a facade of Virgen del Socavon: You'll probably recognize the diablotin.
Sunday, rebellious with the Great Carnival! Take a look at polas, fast food to Bolivian and indulge in a frito pollo in the middle of Bolivian families. The atmosphere is equally warm on Monday morning, when troops release the pressure, drop masks and play spontaneously on the streets.
The Oruro Carnival ends on Monday afternoon on the side of the church of the Socavon church. The Archangel Saint-Michel fights the devil in a theatrical battle. Oruro can find his usual face and fall asleep for twelve months during…

A strategic situation

To enjoy the Oruro carnival, it is better to stay three days. Most hotels require you anyway. Book your accommodation and transportation at least three months upstream: they are stormed in February and prices quadruple. For late guests, the rooms systematically offer their rooms with a few Bolivianos. Watch the signs. If you choose this option, do not leave anything valuable on site.
The Oruro Carnival is the right time to make a stay in Bolivia. In Altiplano, at altitude, the climate is still mild. This is the ideal season to visit the Salar of Uyuni and the South Lipez. In Amazonia, it is still very hot but the rainy period ends and an excursion in the pampa will allow you to see many animals after the last tropical showers.
In the vicinity of Oruro, you can taste the tranquil charm of the colonial city of Sucre, meet the miners in Potosi, climb the greatest Christ in South America to Cochabamba or hike in the middle of giant ferns in Amboro Park. Why not also try the adventure of Che's road, by truck from La Higuera?

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When is it? Three days in February.

Go there. By plane to La Paz and then by bus on reservation.

Useful. http://www.bolivia.travel/fr http://www.bolivia.travel/fr