Coya: Discover traditions and landscapes

For a trip to Coya, two main themes stand out: the festival tradition surrounding the Virgen Asunta and the district’s landscape. The San Juan Bautista de Coya temple houses three images of the Virgen Asunta. The Festividad de la Virgen Asunta de Coya has been recognized as Peru’s national cultural heritage since 2015. The Laguna de Qoricocha, Cerro Awankay, and a sculpture park also offer further insight into the district’s landscape and cultural character. You can start by deciding which theme you would like to shape your trip most.

Virgen Asunta: Festival days and traditional customs

The Festividad de la Virgen Asunta de Coya takes place from August 14 to 17. On August 15, a procession of the images moves through the streets of Coya, accompanied by worshippers. The festival dates and procession provide a concrete sense of the religious connection: the images are housed in the San Juan Bautista temple, while the procession passes through the streets of Coya.

The Festividad includes the Toma de mando político. During this ritual, the governor of Coya transfers authority to the dance governor of the Qanchi Alcalde. The celebration concludes with the Bandukuy, or public Bando. The San Roque, a communal dance involving the entire community, is also part of the festival’s closing. The tradition thus encompasses not only the procession but also a symbolic transfer of authority and communal customs.

The four-day Festividad features performances by 27 dance groups from the district’s seven communities. Another ritual is the symbolic punishment of the witch, the Layq’a Paya. She represents the misfortune found in Coya. These elements give the festival several dimensions: the veneration of the Virgen Asunta, the participation of dance groups from the district, and the portrayal of a symbolic figure.

Landscapes and places in the Coya district

Laguna de Qoricocha is located in the district of Coya, in the humid puna of the Cusco region. The Mirador de Cristal is situated in the upper part of Cerro Awankay, also in the district of Coya. A description from 2023 locates the viewpoint there. The two places have distinct settings: Qoricocha is a lagoon in the humid puna, while the viewpoint is associated with Cerro Awankay. Both offer a concrete glimpse into the district’s landscapes.

Another named place is the Parque Temático de los Duendes in the district of Coya, inaugurated in 2021. The park has dozens of sculptures linked to legends from Andean, Peruvian, and international worldviews. Here, the focus is not on a lake or mountain, but on sculptures and legends. This adds a cultural dimension distinct from the religious festival tradition of the Virgen Asunta.

If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Coya, you can begin by choosing a destination based on your interests: the Festividad offers a focus on religious and communal customs, while the lagoon, mountain, and theme park represent different landscape and cultural themes in the district. This gives you a way to explore the area’s culture and landscapes without combining the individual themes into a single itinerary.

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