Lake Guatavita: Our most recommended tours and activities

Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

1. Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

After gathering at either of the meeting points or being collected from your accommodation, your combination experience in Bogota will begin. First visit the Guatavita Lagoon, which was a source of inspiration for the Legend of El Dorado and the movie with the same name. The beauty of this place is sure to overwhelm you, and after some time there cross the savannah. In the afternoon, reach the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which was the First Wonder of Colombia due to its imposing architecture. In a single day, enjoy the indigenous spiritual cosmogony, Christian spirituality, the beauty of nature, and the grandeur of the architecture. At the end of your experience, you will be returned back to your point of origin.

Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

2. Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Bogota and travels north into the savanna. Arrive at Zipaquira, a vibrant town with a history dating back to the 1600s. Visit Zipaquia's famous Salt Cathedral, an impressive subterranean building that stands on an old salt mine. Wander through the halls and marvel at the cathedral's stunning architecture while you learn about its rich-history. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy lunch overlooking the Tomine Reservoir, before continuing onto the spectacular Guatavita National Park. Upon arrival, learn about the cultural significance of Lake Guatavitá, as well as the characteristics of this peculiar ecosystem. After the park, make one final stop at a nearby village, and soak up the quaint and charming atmosphere of this traditional location. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Bogota.

Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

3. Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bogotá at 09:00 AM or a time to suit you, and then journey to the colonial town of Zipaquirá, famous for its Salt Cathedral. Relax on the 60 to 90-minute trip to the cathedral, where on arrival you will be accompanied to the entrance of the mine for a 2-hour guided tour in English or Spanish.  Located inside the depths of the world's biggest salt rock reserve, Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral was adapted from an old salt mine to function as a place of worship. Marvel at the icons, ornaments and architectural details hand-carved in the halite rock. Surface the mine to enjoy a typical Colombian lunch in one of Zipaquirá's best restaurants. Choose from fish or vegetarian options, or savor different plates of meat prepared in the traditional way on fire. Then, explore the main sights of the town, including Independence Square and the colonial center. Admire one of the oldest churches in Colombia. Drive back to Bogotá for drop-off at your accommodation, or book one of the following options to continue exploring. Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch After visiting the Salt Cathedral and enjoying a typical Colombian meal, go to the colonial town of Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city. Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Mine Tour with Lunch Once you have visited the Salt Cathedral and enjoyed a traditional Colombian lunch, discover the salt mine tunnels of Nemocón. Experience what it felt like to work 60 meters below ground. Be dropped off back in Bogotá at the end of the tour. Salt Cathedral & Villa de Levya Tour without Lunch Go from the Salt Cathedral to Villa de Leyva, famous for its cobblestone square Plaza Mayor, which at 150,695 square feet is the largest in Colombia. Learn about the history of this charming town before returning to your accommodation in Bogotá.

From Bogota: Guatavita Lake & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour

4. From Bogota: Guatavita Lake & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour

On our tour visit the first attraction; It is the Guatavita lake which represents the sacred legend of Dorado that means a lost city of gold, a mythical place embellished with big treasures by our indigenous – (Muiscas). That place has been searched for years on end to find this city of gold, no evidence of such a place has been founded. El Dorado legend rumored it was located in the Andes range near of a lake, this rumor drive the discovery of the Guatavita sacred lagoon. You will visit this Mystic place with 15 minutes in ascending trekking with stairs to arrive the top of the lagoon and will enjoy its beauty, its gorgeous views while you are walking through its paths. During our guided trekking you will understand its importance and its history stopping in different sections of the way, The second place you will visit is the first marvel in Colombia it is the Salt cathedral of Zipaquira located 49 Kilometers outside from Bogota. The Salt cathedral is a former salt mine which has been converted in a in a cathedral. It presents a perfect symbology between the man work and the beautiful forms created by God and nature. Afterwards we could offer you a short sightseeing tour at the historic center of Zipaquira City. According to the time in Zipaquira city you will get a typical Colombian lunch in one of the most typical restaurants of the region.

From Bogotá: Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour

5. 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.

Bogotá: Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch

6. Bogotá: Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch

Head to the countryside from Bogotá on a 10-hour excursion to Zipaquirá. Discover the architectural achievements of architect Roswell Garavito Pearl and learn about history of salt exploitation in Colombia on a tour of the Salt Cathedral. Enjoy a typical Colombian meal at a local restaurant. See Independence Square, lovely colonial houses and the old church before continuing on to Lake Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. Take in views of the Tomine Reservoir before visiting the colonial town of Guatavitá. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city.

From Bogotá: Lake Guatavita and the El Dorado Legend Tour

7. From Bogotá: Lake Guatavita and the El Dorado Legend Tour

A two-hour drive from busy Bogotá there is a lake synonymous with the legend of El Dorado and a whole town submerged beneath it. Today you will not find the city of legend, but a place rich with colonial history and indigenous mythologies. Join this day trip to New Guatavita and learn why the original town was flooded. Then, go on a short hike to the lake and discover what this unique ecosystem has to offer. On the shores of the lake, learn with the local expert about the old indigenous traditions that gave this lake its renown and the possible reasons behind the wonderous legend. On your way back, you can choose to enjoy a traditional lunch with a wonderful view of the neighboring water reservoir before visiting the town’s artisanal market. Finally, take in one last look and you will be on your way back to Bogotá.

Bogota: Private Tour Guatavita & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

8. Bogota: Private Tour Guatavita & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

This tour is unique, it shows you in a single tour the majesty of underground architecture, the magic and mysticism of our ancestral cultures around the Colombian capital, you will always do it in the company of one of our expert guides. The tour begins in the only cathedral built underground in the world, located up to 180 meters below the ground, it is an impressive mega structure where the ingenuity to build a mine of this magnitude is spectacularly combined with the artistic vision of the Christian Stations of the Cross and the construction of a religious temple that integrates a great work of sculpture and lighting. We will continue the tour traveling towards a hidden treasure among the native nature of the Bogotá savannah. At the highest point, in the middle of the mountains, is the sacred lagoon of Guatavita, the place where an ancient legend was born: El Dorado.

Bogotà: Guatavita Lake and Nemocón Salt Mines Tour

9. Bogotà: Guatavita Lake and Nemocón Salt Mines Tour

Combine nature with industry on this 7-hour guided excursion from Bogotà to visit Lake Guatavita and the salt mine of Nemocón. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with this relaxing small-group tour of up to 11 people. After pickup at around 8:00 AM at your hotel, start the 2-hour drive through the savanna towards Lake Guatavita, a lagoon that is part of a protected natural area. Likely formed by the impact of a crater, the lake is almost perfectly circular. A native park guide will join the group for a 75-minute tour, during which he’ll explain the culture of the Muisca Indians, the legend of El Dorado, and the biological importance of the lagoon. During the tour, you’ll also take a half hour walk along a path at the edge of the crater to admire different views of the lagoon.   Next, visit the town of Guatavita to explore its architecture and environment. Enjoy a lunch typical of the region before heading out for Nemocón. On the way there, see the beautiful Tominé reservoir, a 9-kilometer-long body of water. When you arrive at Nemocón, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a salt miner: walk 60 meters below the surface of the Earth into an authentic salt mine and discover the history of the Colombian salt industry.

Private Tour of Lake Guatavitá from Bogotá

10. Private Tour of Lake Guatavitá from Bogotá

After pick-up at your Bogotá hotel at 09:00, join your English speaking guide and private transportation for the scenic two hour drive to Lake Guatavitá. At the lake, which is part of a private protected area, an English speaking park guide joins the group to explain the Muisca people, the legend of El Dorado and the area's biological importance for roughly 75 minutes, including a 30-minute walk up a trail to the rim of the crater to view Lake Guatavitá below After leaving the lake, travel to the nearby town of Guatavitá to explore architecture and ambiance, including the town's bullring. On the way back to Bogotá, pause at the La Calera viewpoint for views over the Colombian capital below before returning to your hotel.

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Things to do in
Lake Guatavita

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What people are saying about Lake Guatavita

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 40 reviews

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!

It so amazing to experience this salt mine. It’s over the top Colombia style. Lake Guatavita is an inspiration to see and the locals share their stories to give rich context. It is helpful to understand Spanish for this part.

Excelente!! Buena organización, guías sumamente amables. Gastronomía deliciosa. Transportación excelente. En fin, todo buenísimo.

Taylor was an excellent guide! Everything worked smoothly the whole day. I can highly recommend.

It's a good experience and the salt cathedral is quite interesting.