Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral & Guatavita Lagoon Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral
- Discover the mystical Guatavita Lagoon
- Enjoy scenic views of the Colombian countryside
- Learn about local history and legends
- Experience Colombia's rich cultural heritage
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Bogotá
- Guided tour of Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral
- Visit to Guatavita Lagoon
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Our first stop will be the Guatavita Lagoon, a sacred place for the Muisca people and the birthplace of the legendary El Dorado story. We’ll take a peaceful walk along the natural trails that surround the lagoon, enjoying breathtaking mountain views and the serene atmosphere of this mystical site. The hike is of easy to moderate difficulty, with some uphill sections and stairs, but it’s done at a relaxed pace perfect for connecting with nature and discovering the spiritual energy that still lives in this sacred landscape. Entrance ticket included for option #2.
Our next stop will be the charming town of Zipaquirá. After exploring the natural beauty of Guatavita Lagoon, we’ll continue our journey to this historic town, famous for its colonial architecture and vibrant local culture. We’ll enjoy a relaxing walk around the main square, where you can admire the beautifully preserved colonial buildings, visit local shops, and experience the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Colombian town. There will also be free time for lunch, allowing you to explore the town at your own pace and enjoy its local flavors. Afterwards, we’ll continue to our next highlight — the magnificent Salt Cathedral — combining culture, leisure, and the charm of Zipaquirá.
Before entering the majestic Salt Cathedral, we’ll visit the fascinating Salt Museum. Here, you’ll discover the rich history of salt mining in the region and learn about its cultural and economic significance throughout the centuries. Explore the ancient tools once used by miners and admire objects and sculptures crafted entirely from salt. The museum offers an educational and interactive experience, giving you a deeper connection to the traditions and history of the area before experiencing the awe-inspiring Salt Cathedral.
Our final stop will be the majestic Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Built within an old salt mine, this underground cathedral is a true masterpiece of religious architecture and a symbol of Catholic faith. During the visit, you’ll explore its stunning chambers, learn about the meaning of each station, and discover the fascinating history behind its construction. Admire the impressive sculptures carved directly from salt and immerse yourself in this awe-inspiring space, the perfect conclusion to our journey — a unique blend of art, devotion, and engineering that leaves a lasting impression.
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in Spanish; English-speaking guides may not be available.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- The tour involves moderate walking; ensure you are comfortable with this level of activity.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.
- Carry a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and architecture.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
Traveler reviews
Informative and enjoyable experience, just quite a bit of time in the car
Milli and Camilo were both great! The combined tour is a little long but honestly worked out well as it was our first day in Colombia and gave us time to rest in the car and acclimate to the elevation. But be warned, it is a lot of car time
Do it
Fantastic! Guide was exceptional. I only speak English and was the only non-Spanish speaker of the group and he accommodated us all wonderfully. The background story for the lagoon made it a significant experience. Salt Cathedral is odd, by design.
Worth knowing!
I really enjoyed the experience! Carlos and Sebastian were fantastic guides, they were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip both fun and informative. The Salt Cathedral was absolutely breathtaking. There are restrooms available inside, and you can also purchase souvenirs during your visit. The transportation was very comfortable. The Mercedes van was spacious, clean, and made the journey enjoyable. I recommend bringing snacks, water, pillow, and a light jacket. At the lagoon, the wind was incredibly strong—it almost felt like hurricane-force winds at times, and you may even feel short of breath due to the altitude. I also recommend trying the coca tea, which can help. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the restaurant selected for lunch. Although the service was excellent, the food lacked authentic Colombian flavor and was overcooked. Since lunch is an additional expense and guests have to pay for it separately, I think we should have the opportunity to choose where we want to eat. Overall, everything else was excellent, and I would definitely recommend this tour.
What a great surprise!!
Excellent attention from Rodrigo. Broad knowledge and eloquent language. Congratulations!! The Sal Cathedral is impressive!!!! I did not imagine the grandeur and wonder of the place. It is worth every minute.
A very long day
Our day started at about 8am. The extremely nice Mercedes Van picked us up from our hotel on time. Our guide was extremely sweet and had a wonderful personality. The driver managed the traffic without any issues. Due to other guests staying all over the city it took probably two hours to pick everyone up. A positive to this is that we got to see quite a bit of Bogotá but the downside is that the tour was extremely long. After two hours we stopped for a bathroom break and were able to stretch our legs and grab a snack. We stopped in Gutavita to see the town for a few minutes. Honestly there isn't much there and we could have missed this stop. The hike around Gutavita Lagoon is stunning. I will warn you that it is at 3100meters. If you haven't acclimated to the altitude then it can be a bit difficult. If you have bad knees or hips I don't recommend this tour. My advice is to go slow and drink plenty of water. Bring comfy shoes and a rain jacket. It rained on and off for us. Your hotel probably has coca tea which helps with altitude sickness and the little cafe at the base of the hike has it too. At the very end is another cafe in which you can get some snacks. After the hike it was great to have a little nosh. Our final destination was Zipaquriá. This is where we had a meal. It was about 3pm. The restaurant was a traditional Colombian restaurant that served an amazing variety of meats. We then did a quick walking tour of the city and then made our way to the Salt Cathedral. We spent 2 hrs at the Salt Cathedral. We didn't get back to our hotel until close to 10pm. It was an extremely long day, actually it was too long. We decided it was nice to see the sites but probably would not do the tour again due to the length.