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Zipaquirá, Colombia Bus & minivan tours

Our most recommended Zipaquirá, Colombia Bus & minivan tours

Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

1. Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

A staff member from the company will meet you at the hotel at your choice of either in the morning or the afternoon. From here you will be taken on a tour through La Sabana de Bogota to the town of Zipaquira, whose name 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. Throughout 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 you will discover a chapel titled “capilla de los mineros”, which was built as a tribute to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasá”. At the conclusion of your tour, you will return safely back to Bogotá.

From Bogotá: Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour

2. From Bogotá: Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour

Learn about Colombia's salt trade dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. Take a tour of some villages outside of Bogotá, and explore the subterranean Salt Cathedral. Try a traditional Colombian lunch followed by a visit to Lake Guatavita, a sacred place for the native Muisca people.   A staff member will pick you up at your hotel in Bogotá. Your tour begins by traveling in an air-conditioned van or bus through some of the villages from the pre-Hispanic period. Learn the history of the exploitation and trade of salt and gold manufacturing in the area.   Travel north along the Bogotá savanna to the city of Zipaquirá. There you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.     After touring the cathedral, enjoy a typical Colombian lunch with boiled potatoes soaked in brine (salt water from the mine) and ajiaco (chicken soup). Then head to Lake Guatavita, a small crater lake surrounded by forest. Learn about this sacred site of the indigenous Muisca people, where the legend of El Dorado was born.   Relax on the ride back to Bogotá where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

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What people are saying about Zipaquirá, Colombia

We did a private tour with Andres. He is a very knowledgeable guide, well spoken and helpful. The logistics coordination was easy with Andres getting in touch via WhatsApp to confirm pickup time and location. He also went out of his way to help us figure out our NYE plans. Great experience!

Had a great day exploring Lake Guatavita and the Salta Cathedral Zipaquira! Our guide Carlos was friendly, engaging, and very knowledgeable. One of the nicest guides I've ever had in my various travels. The itinerary was well planned & complete, maximizing the day's sightseeing!

I had a great tour, pickup was right on time, and my guide, Rosita, was bilingual, super friendly and knowledgeable. Driver, Felipe, was great and safe as well. I would recommend. Thanks for filling my layover with fun and interesting things to do!

Excellent attention, the guide Esperanza is great and Samuel is. Driver are fantastic. Very grateful for the attention.

I loved the tour and the guide very friendly and explains everything very well, I recommend it!