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Full-Day City Tour: Explore Bogotá's Monserrate and Zipaquira's Underground Salt Cathedral

Bogota

Embark on a full-day city tour in Bogotá, exploring the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, visiting the Gold Museum, and ascending to the mountaintop Monserrate Monastery. After a delicious lunch, discover the underground marvels of Zipaquira's Salt Cathedral, a stunning cathedral made entirely of salt.

Duration: 10 hours, 10 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Plaza de Bolivar de Bogota - Continue at La Plaza de Bolivar walk along the streets and take a close look of the most important buildings of the city: Palacio Lievano, Catedral Primada, the National Capitol and La Casa de Nariño
Capitolio Nacional - Located at the south end of the square is the National Capitol home of the Colombian Congress. The building was built by Thomas Reed between 1848 and 1926. Since 1975 it is considered a National Monument
Catedral Primada de Bogota - A Neoclasic building in the east side of the square. Built between 1807 and 1823 the Cathedral is home to the Archbishop
CASA DE NARINO - La Casa de Nariño is the official residence of the President of Colombia and is the headquarter of the government of the country
Palacio Lievano - With its French renaissance Style the building occupies the western side of the square and is Bogota’s city hall.
Museo Botero del Banco de la Republica - After walking a few blocks away from the square you will find the Botero Muesum. The Colombian artist Fernando Botero donated to the city 87 works of art from diverse artist which were part of his private collection plus 123 pieces made by him.
Barrio La Candelaria - Bogota’s Historical center is named la Candelaria, we will walk a little longer so you get to admire the colonial architecture of the district and the colorful houses.
Mount Monserrate - Before we leave the historical center, we will take a cable car that will take us to Monserrate the highest point of the city and where it is possible to admire a beautiful view
Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira - Time to leave the city driving to the north and having a quick stop on the road for lunch before we arrive to the town of Zipaquira, which means ‘city of our Father’ in the language of the Chibcha. Back in pre-Columbian times, salt around the area was the most important commodity and the ‘salt cakes’ were the only currency for trading. Over time, technology improved and the muiscas began to extract larger amounts of salt. As a result, an underground salt deposit was formed and it is where the Salt Cathedral was built, 180 meters below the surface. Inside, there is a chapel, “capilla de los mineros” built as a tribute to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasá” (Guasá means ‘mine’ in Chibcha). The time of the tour includes the transfer from Bogota to Zipaquira and back

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by private vehicle
In-vehicle air conditioning
Professional guide
Typical lunch with a soft drink

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Any thing that doesnt have mencioned here
Unspecified and / or personal expenses

Additional Information

Immerse yourself in the La Candelaria district of Bogotá and experience the high-altitude Monserrate Monastery. Explore the petite lanes of La Candelaria in Bogotá, with a stopover at the city’s Gold Museum, followed by a cable car ride up to Monserrate, for breathtaking panoramas of the Colombian capital.

Savor a conventional lunch, then embark on a fascinating trip back to Colombia’s ancient history with a visit to Zipaquira and its spectacular Cathedral crafted from salt, located 180 meters beneath the surface.

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical condition, participants with back problems and pregnant women.
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Comfortable shoes are recommended
Sundays are the most busy days at Monserrate due to the Catholic mass offered on the church, so we recommend you not to visit it on this day
Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Gold museum and Quinta de Bolivar closed on Mondays, instead we visit Museo de Botero and Museo Casa de la Moneda.
Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required and have an addicional charge
Not recommended for travelers with movility disabilities
Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobic syndrome