Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Day Trip from Bogota

Discover the natural and historical beauty of two of Colombia's must-see destinations on this 12-hour excursion to Guatavita and the Salt Cathedral from Bogotá.

Guatavita is a small town northeast of the capital, known for its lagoon and its important role in pre-Columbian culture . As you walk through its streets, you'll see beautiful traditional colonial-style designs and cosy little craft shops, where you can buy cool items handmade by the locals.

At Guatavita Lagoon you'll be amazed by one of the region's most popular attractions, the geographical epicentre of the popular legend of El Dorado. A sacred place for the indigenous Muisca tribe, who inhabited it prior to Spanish colonisation. According to the stories, at the bottom of the lagoon lies a priceless treasure, containing all the riches of the tribes of the region. Another of the many legends indicates that the Muisca celebrated a ritual in which their leaders bathed in gold and immersed themselves in the lagoon to send an offering to the gods.

The second main point of the tour is a visit to the Salt Cathedral, an architectural and religious landmark unique in the world. Located in the town of Zipaquirá, north of Bogotá, this underground temple was built inside an abandoned salt mine and represents an impressive work of engineering.

The cathedral has three naves, an altar and several chapels, all carved out of salt. The dim lighting and the quiet, cool atmosphere inside make the tour an unforgettable experience.