3-day Pasto tour: Laguna de la Cocha, Las Lajas Sanctuary

Walk Pasto's oldest streets, boat across Colombia's second-largest lake, and see a sanctuary carved into a canyon.

A 3-day guided tour of Nariño department centered on Pasto, visiting the city's colonial churches and regional cuisine, Laguna de la Cocha with a boat tour of Isla de la Corota, and the Sanctuary of Las Lajas in Ipiales. Private transportation, insurance and all fees are included. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and pickup from your lodging is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Historical and gastronomic city tour

• Walking tour of Pasto city
• Taste regional cuisine
• Enjoy typical pork lunch

Day 2: Laguna de la Cocha and surroundings

• Depart lodging at 10AM
• Visit lagoon viewpoint
• Tour Venice of America
• Boat tour of Isla de la Corota
• Eat typical trout lunch

Day 3: Sanctuary of Las Lajas and Tulcán

• Visit Sanctuary of Las Lajas church
• Visit museum and attend mass
• See church illumination at night
• Visit Tulcán cemetery gardens
• Enjoy lunch with protein options

The experience

The tour opens with a walking route through Pasto itself, one of Colombia's oldest cities. You move through its historic squares and past churches that anchor the city's layout, stopping to taste the regional food as you go. This first day sets the geography and the rhythm before the landscape opens up.

Day two takes you to Laguna de la Cocha, the second-largest lake in Colombia. You leave at 10am from your lodging, start at an outer viewpoint, then move into Puerto el Encano (known locally as the Venice of America) before boarding a boat for a floating tour of the lagoon itself and a visit to Isla de la Corota Reserve. The full outing runs about four hours. On the final day, you travel to Ipiales to see the Sanctuary of Las Lajas, a church built into a canyon wall. The tour includes the museum and time to attend mass if you choose, and you see the building both in daylight and lit at night. Afterward, you cross into Ecuador to visit Tulcán's cemetery, known for its cypress gardens and listed as cultural heritage.

Private transportation moves you between each stop, and the guide travels with the group throughout. Insurance is covered, as are all entrance fees and taxes.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 3 days.
• pickup from your lodging.
• insurance.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• a guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Urcunina Adventures

Is this one for you?Pickup from your lodging in Pasto means you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach Laguna de la Cocha or cross to the Sanctuary of Las Lajas. The route and timing are set, and the guide handles the route between each stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 5 years).

What happens on the first day in Pasto?

Day one is a historical and gastronomic walking tour through Pasto's oldest neighborhoods. You pass colonial churches and historic squares while tasting the region's best cuisine. The guide explains the stories behind the city's streets and landmarks.

How long does the Laguna de la Cocha visit take?

The Laguna de la Cocha tour lasts approximately four hours. You depart at 10am from your lodging, visit an outer viewpoint, explore Puerto el Encano, and then board a boat for a tour of the lagoon and Isla de la Corota Reserve.

What is the Sanctuary of Las Lajas?

The Sanctuary of Las Lajas is a church in Ipiales, built into a canyon wall and considered one of the most striking churches in the world. The tour includes entry to the museum, a free hour for mass if you wish, and views of the building both during the day and at night when it is illuminated.

Does the tour cross into Ecuador?

Yes. After visiting the Sanctuary of Las Lajas in Ipiales, the tour continues into Ecuador to see Tulcán's cemetery, famous for its cypress gardens and recognized as cultural heritage.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes. Pickup from your lodging in Pasto is included, and the private transportation covers all movement between stops throughout the three days.