Bogota: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour
Cundinamarca, Colombia
Visit the 1st Wonder of Colombia and the place that gave birth to the legend of El Dorado!
Overview
This full-day guided tour from Bogotá explores Guatavita Lagoon and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, ideal for culture lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers.
Highlights
- The engineering behind the Salt Cathedral
- The original church used by the first miners
- Insights into the Muisca culture and traditions
- The spiritual meaning of gold as a gift from the earth, not currency
- The origin of the El Dorado legend
Description
Visit five top Colombian attractions in one day: Guatavita Town, Guatavita Lagoon, the Bogotá Savannah, Zipaquirá Town, and the Salt Cathedral.
The tour begins at Laguna de Guatavita, a sacred Muisca site that inspired the El Dorado legend. Explore ecological trails while your guide explains the gold offerings rituals, the myth’s true story, and the cultural importance of the Muisca people. Experience the Andean landscape and the lagoon’s unique emerald waters.
Next, travel through scenic mountain landscapes to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Descend 180 meters underground to see the cathedral’s illuminated tunnels, sculptures, and large chambers that blend geology, art, and spirituality. Discover how miners shaped this underground temple featuring the Stations of the Cross, the Dome, and the Central Nave.
The tour includes comfortable round-trip transportation and expert narration. It covers colonial towns, pre-Hispanic cultures, salt mining history, and Colombia’s natural environment without hidden costs or delays.
What’s Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance ticket to the Salt Cathedral (option #2)
- Entrance ticket to Guatavita Lagoon National Park (option #2)
- Driver/guide service
- Tour guide for groups of more than four people
- Audio guide in your language
- Panoramic tour of Zipaquirá Town center
- Guided tour inside Guatavita Lagoon (English if available, Spanish always confirmed)
- Free time for lunch
- Note: Guatavita Lagoon is closed on Mondays for maintenance unless Monday is a holiday (then it closes on Tuesday). Check your tour date in advance.
What’s Excluded
- Drinks, food, or souvenirs
- Extra tickets or entrances; no surprises with extra charges
- Exclusive tour guide (this is a shared group tour)
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
Booking Tips
Book in advance to secure your spot. Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and a light jacket for the Andean climate. The best time to visit is during the dry season for clearer views and easier trekking.
