Bogota to Zipaquira and Guatavita: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
7hRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Opt for a less typical route: drive north from Colombiaâs capital to the famed Salt Cathedral carved within an active salt mine, then to the new Guatavitaâs whitewashed lake town vantage near Tomine Reservoir.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Bogota whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driverâs local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden cafĂŠ here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips youâll love sharing later. This isnât a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
The journey begins with your personalized pickup in Bogota. Your driver will take you to your stops, helping you make the most of your time by pointing out the attractions that best match your interests and pace.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Zipaquira and Guatavita should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From US$45
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalUS$135
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Bogota
You choose the pickup spot. Zipaquira
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Main attractions
- A working salt mine beneath the Colombian savanna 49km north of BogotĂĄ, hollowed into a subterranean cathedral of extraordinary ambition â 200 metres underground, a sequence of fourteen chapels representing the Stations of the Cross leads through increasingly vast salt-carved tunnels to the main cathedral nave, a space 75 metres long and 18 meters high carved entirely from halite rock and illuminated in shifting coloured light
- The main altar cross â 16 meters tall, carved directly into the salt rock face â is one of the most striking pieces of religious architecture in South America; the surrounding salt columns, arches and vaulted ceilings give the space a genuinely sacred atmosphere despite its entirely engineered origins
Take note
- The colonial town of ZipaquirĂĄ above the mine has a well-preserved central plaza and cathedral worth a brief exploration before or after the underground visit; the mine itself maintains a constant cool temperature of around 14°C â bring a layer regardless of BogotĂĄ's surface temperature
Guatavita
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Main attractions
- A colonial town reconstructed in the 1960s after the original settlement was flooded by the TominĂŠ reservoir â the replacement village was built in a unified whitewashed colonial style with terracotta roofs and cobbled streets that give it an architectural coherence rare even among genuinely historic Colombian towns
- The nearby Laguna de Guatavita â a perfectly circular lake in a volcanic crater in the Eastern Andes â is the origin of the El Dorado legend; Muisca ceremonies conducted on the lake involved the chief covering himself in gold dust and casting golden offerings into the water, a ritual that sent Spanish conquistadors searching the continent for a city of gold for two centuries
Take note
- The laguna requires a guided walk of approximately 45 minutes each way through Andean moorland (pĂĄramo) â sturdy footwear and a waterproof layer are essential; visitor numbers are capped to protect the ecosystem and entry tickets should be booked in advance
Back to Bogota
Weâll take you back to your starting point.Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?
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Know more about your day trip
Zipaquira lies about 30 miles (49 km) north of Bogota, with a drive of roughly 1 hour depending on city traffic exiting the capital. From Zipaquira, Guatavita is another 35 miles (56 km) northeast, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes through the Andean savanna. The route offers scenic views of the Cundinamarca highlands as you climb above Bogota's plateau into traditional rural Colombia.
The laguna requires a guided walk of approximately 45 minutes each way through Andean moorland known as paramo. The trail involves steady climbing at high altitude, around 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level, which can affect visitors not acclimatized to elevation. Sturdy footwear, layered clothing, and a waterproof jacket are essential. Visitor numbers are capped to protect the ecosystem, so book entry tickets in advance.
Zipaquira and the surrounding region are known for traditional Colombian highland fare. Try ajiaco, a hearty chicken and potato soup with corn and herbs, or sample sobrebarriga, slow-cooked flank steak. The new town of Guatavita has small restaurants serving fresh trout from the reservoir. Locally produced cheeses and arepas make excellent quick bites between stops, and warm aguapanela with cheese is a traditional drink to try.
Laguna de Guatavita, a perfectly circular lake in a volcanic crater in the Eastern Andes, is the origin of the El Dorado legend. Muisca ceremonies conducted on the lake involved the chief covering himself in gold dust and casting golden offerings into the water. This ritual sent Spanish conquistadors searching the South American continent for a city of gold for two centuries, ultimately fueling some of the most ambitious exploration in colonial history.
The Salt Cathedral is an active salt mine transformed into an underground sanctuary 656 feet (200 meters) below the surface. A sequence of fourteen chapels representing the Stations of the Cross leads through salt-carved tunnels to the main cathedral nave, an enormous chamber 246 feet (75 meters) long and 59 feet (18 meters) high. The 52-foot main altar cross, carved directly into the salt rock face, is one of the most striking pieces of religious architecture in South America.
The new town of Guatavita was reconstructed in the 1960s after the original settlement was flooded by the Tomine Reservoir. It was rebuilt in a unified whitewashed colonial style with terracotta roofs and cobbled streets, giving it an architectural coherence rare even among genuinely historic Colombian towns. The town's central square, artisan shops, and lakeside views make it a pleasant place to stop before or after the laguna walk.
The Salt Cathedral maintains a constant cool temperature underground, much cooler than Bogota's surface weather, so always bring a sweater or light jacket regardless of the season. Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with good grip are essential because surfaces can be uneven and occasionally damp. The full route involves substantial walking, including some inclines, so wear something practical rather than fashionable for this part of the day.
The Colombian Andes maintain mild temperatures year-round, but the dry seasons from December to March and July to August offer the most reliable weather for the Guatavita walk. Rain can make the paramo trail muddy and reduce visibility at the laguna. The Salt Cathedral is unaffected by weather since it's underground. Bogota's high altitude means cool mornings and evenings throughout the year, so always pack layers.
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