Bogotá: Guatavita Lagoon & Salt Cathedral Day Trip
Two sacred sites in one day: the lagoon where El Dorado was born, and a cathedral carved from salt
You visit two of Colombia's most significant sites in a single day: hike down to the legendary Guatavita Lagoon with a local guide explaining the El Dorado ritual, then descend into the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an underground chamber carved from salt 180 meters below ground. Hotel pickup, lunch, transportation, insurance and an audio guide are included. The Salt Cathedral entry fee is optional depending on which package you choose.
Options for this experience
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Step-by-step itinerary
Visit Guatavita Lagoon and Salt Cathedral
- Meet at Parque de la 93
- Travel to Guatavita town
- Hike up to Guatavita Lagoon
- Tour Guatavita Lagoon with guide
- Travel to Zipaquirá
- Visit Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
- Return to Parque de la 93
- Lake Guatavita 2h
- Zipaquira Salt Cathedral 2h
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup (if on route), round-trip transportation with a Spanish-speaking driver, a local guide at Guatavita Lagoon with English translation, entry to the lagoon, lunch, a tour coordinator in English and Spanish, insurance, and an audio guide at the Salt Cathedral (English or Spanish). The Salt Cathedral entry fee is optional depending on which package you select at booking.
Times
- Tuesday to Sunday 07:00 07:30 08:00
Before you book
Operated by City Bus Colombia
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
The van pulls out of Parque de la 93 early, climbing northeast out of Bogotá toward the high savannah. You're heading to Lake Guatavita first: the place where Muisca people once performed a ritual that sparked the legend of El Dorado, the lost city of gold. The lagoon sits at altitude, ringed by green hills, and the walk down to it takes 152 steps on a decent path. A local guide meets you there and walks the site in Spanish while a coordinator translates. They'll tell you about the ceremony, the gold offerings, why the Spanish came looking for a myth. The water is still, almost black in certain light. You stand there and understand why people believed something precious was hidden underneath.
After Guatavita, the route crosses the savannah to Zipaquirá, a town built after a dam flooded the old one. The Salt Cathedral is the real draw: carved into a salt mine 180 meters underground, it's the kind of place that stops you mid-step. You descend into chambers lit by soft light, past salt walls, to a main cathedral space that feels both ancient and impossible. An audio guide in English or Spanish (bring your own headphones with a jack) walks you through the tunnels and explains what you're looking at. It's not a quick walk. You move slowly, taking in the scale of it. The air tastes different down there.
The day includes lunch and a tour coordinator who speaks English and Spanish, so logistics don't fall on you. Hotel pickup is included if your accommodation is in the route area. If not, you meet at Parque de la 93 in front of the Juan Valdez Coffee. The van driver speaks Spanish, and traffic in Bogotá can add time to the morning, so arrival at each site shifts depending on the day. Seats fill in order of arrival, so an early start helps. Wear layers. The altitude means cold mornings, and rain is possible. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for both the lagoon hike and the cathedral descent.
Is this one for you?This works well if you want to see two major Colombian sites in one day without arranging transport, guides, or timing yourself: the fixed schedule and included coordinator handle the logistics, and the local guide at Guatavita explains the history you'd miss on your own.
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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 (under 4).
How long is the hike at Guatavita Lagoon?
The walk down involves 152 steps on a decent path. Wear comfortable walking shoes and expect the pace to be moderate.
Is the Salt Cathedral entry included?
It depends on which option you select when booking. One package includes it. The other does not. Verify before confirming your reservation.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, if your hotel is in the route area of Bogotá. Otherwise, you meet at Parque de la 93 (Carrera 11 A # 93A-10) in front of Juan Valdez Coffee.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, layers for cold weather, and a rain jacket. If using the audio guide at the Salt Cathedral, bring headphones with a 3.5mm jack.
How long is the full day?
The tour begins and ends in Parque de la 93. Exact timing depends on Bogotá traffic, but plan for a full day. Arrival times at each site can vary.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included in the tour price.
Are there physical restrictions I should know about?
The tour involves hiking and descending stairs. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those who are pregnant. A high level of physical fitness is required.
Bogotá: Guatavita Lagoon & Salt Cathedral Day Trip
12h–13h · EN · ES
from US$ 99 per person
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