Bogotá Old City & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral tour with Monserrate

Ride a cable car to Bogotá's second-highest viewpoint, then walk through a salt mine carved into a cathedral

A full-day tour of Bogotá's Old Town and the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral combines three major sites: Monserrate mountain (reached by cable car), Plaza de Bolívar in the historic center, and an underground salt cathedral 50 km north with 14 chapels connected by illuminated tunnels. A professional guide provides commentary in English or Spanish throughout the 12–13 hour experience, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Monserrate Mountain1h 15m · entry included
2. Plaza de Bolívar1h · entry included
3. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral2h · entry included

Explore Bogota and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

• Take cable car to Mount Monserrate
• Enjoy views from Monserrate lookout
• Visit Sanctuary and learn colonial history
• Tour Plaza de Bolivar
• Walk tunnels in Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
• See marble sculptures and lighting show
• Return to Bogota

The experience

The day starts at Monserrate, a mountain sanctuary 10,341 feet above the city. You take the cable car to the top and stand at the second-highest lookout in Bogotá, with views across the entire valley. The site was sacred to indigenous communities centuries before the colonial sanctuary was built, and the guide walks you through its architecture and history. From there you head into the city center to Plaza de Bolívar, the political heart of Bogotá's Old Town, where La Candelaria's colonial streets and landmarks come into focus.

The main event is the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a former salt mine 50 km outside the city that has been carved into a working cathedral. You walk more than 2 km through tunnels connecting 14 chapels, each one carved from the salt walls. Italian marble sculptures line the passages, and the cathedral's lighting system creates reflections off the Water Mirrors: a designed effect that shifts the space from industrial mine to something closer to a sanctuary. The guide explains the carving, the history of salt extraction, and the cultural significance of the site. You return to Bogotá afterward, arriving back at your hotel after a full day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with entrance fees to all three sites and a professional guide. The 12–13 hour commitment is firm, so plan the rest of your day around an early start and a late return. Medical insurance is also covered by the operator.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Monserrate, Plaza de Bolívar and the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a professional guide in English or Spanish.
• medical insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Parche Cachaco Tours

Is this one for you?At 12–13 hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other major sites in Bogotá, so plan it as your main activity rather than one stop among several. The cable car and the salt cathedral tunnels are accessible to most visitors, though the walking is steady and the underground passages involve some climbing and uneven footing.

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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: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What is the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral actually like inside?

The Zipaquira Salt Cathedral is a working cathedral carved inside a former salt mine, with 14 chapels connected by more than 2 km of tunnels. The walls are salt, the sculptures are marble carved by Italian artists, and the cathedral's lighting system creates reflections off Water Mirrors throughout the passages, giving the underground space an almost sanctuary-like quality even for visitors who are not religious.

How do you get up Monserrate mountain?

You take a cable car to the top of Monserrate, which sits at 10,341 feet and is the second-highest lookout point in Bogotá. From there you can see across the entire city and valley, and you walk through the colonial sanctuary building on the mountain itself.

How long is the full tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 12 to 13 hours total. Your hotel pickup is included, so the guide will collect you in the morning. The exact start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's schedule for that day.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you'll want to budget for a meal during the day or eat before or after the experience.