Tatacoa Desert tour: Desert hikes & astronomy from Villavieja

The Tatacoa Desert holds petrified wood from an ancient volcanic age, still visible in the gray Valley of the Xilópalos.

A full-day guided tour of the Tatacoa Desert near Villavieja, Colombia, combines walks along the Magdalena River, a natural sanctuary hike through the Valley of the Xilópalos, and a 4-kilometer trek across the red desert to watch the sunset. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, a traditional Huila lunch, insurance and a live guide. Two optional activities (a natural pool and the Astronomical Observatory) are available for an additional cost each.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tatacoa Desert and surroundings

• Tour Villavieja town and museum
• Tour Magdalena River flora and fauna
• Visit Backpackers Neiva Natural Sanctuary
• Hike Valley of the Xilópalos trail
• Optional pool visit and swim
• Walk red desert trail
• Watch sunset at Mirador with drink
• Optional astronomy observatory visit

The experience

The tour starts in Villavieja with a walk through the town and its museum, then moves to the Magdalena River, Colombia's most important river, where you watch for turtles, birds, reptiles and iguanas in the water and along the banks. From there, the route enters Backpackers Neiva's own natural sanctuary within the desert, a protected reserve where squirrels, iguanas and other wildlife live among the flora. The guide is with you throughout, speaking English or Spanish.

The centerpiece is the Valley of the Xilópalos, a 4-kilometer hiking trail of mild difficulty through a grayish landscape scattered with petrified wood. The remains of trees from the Miocene epoch when the area was volcanic and crossed by torrential rivers. The contrasting red and ocher colors of the Cusco section of the desert come next, where the terrain opens into a labyrinth of canyons and ridges. If conditions allow, you may spot wild snakes, scorpions, lizards, eagles and turtles. You finish at a mirador overlooking the desert as the sun sets, with a refreshing drink included.

Two activities are optional and cost extra: a swim in a natural pool (10,000 COP) and entry to the Astronomical Observatory (10,000 COP), where experts guide you through the night sky and space phenomena. Lunch is a traditional Huila meal with a protein (meat or chicken) rice or potato, salad and a drink. The full day runs 12 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• insurance policy.
• traditional Huila lunch with protein, starch, salad and drink.
• entry to Villavieja town and museum.
• Magdalena River walk.
• access to the natural sanctuary.
• the Valley of the Xilópalos hike.
• the red desert trek.
• sunset at the mirador with a refreshing drink.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 5 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Backpackers Neiva

Is this one for you?Book this if you're committing a full day. You'll start at the Magdalena River at dawn and finish with sunset, leaving no room for other activities, though you can add the pool or observatory as separate extensions.

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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: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (4 to 5 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Valley of the Xilópalos and why does it look gray?

The Valley of the Xilópalos is a 4-kilometer hiking trail through a landscape filled with petrified wood: fossilized trees from millions of years ago when the area was volcanic. The gray color comes from high concentrations of phosphorus and silica in the soil, remnants of that volcanic past.

Can I swim in a pool during this tour?

A natural pool is available as an optional activity for 10,000 COP (not included in the main tour price). If you choose it, you'll have time to enter and swim during the afternoon portion of the day.

What animals might I see on the Magdalena River walk?

The Magdalena River walk offers chances to spot turtles, birds, reptiles and iguanas. The natural sanctuary and the red desert sections also have wildlife. You may see wild snakes, scorpions, lizards, eagles and turtles if conditions allow.

Is the Valley of the Xilópalos hike difficult?

The 4-kilometer hike through the Valley of the Xilópalos is mild difficulty, suitable for all fitness levels. The route follows a trail through the petrified wood landscape without steep elevation changes.

Does the tour include the Astronomical Observatory?

The Astronomical Observatory is an optional activity for 10,000 COP and is not included in the main tour. If you add it, experts will guide you through the night sky and space phenomena, with about two hours at the observatory.

What does lunch include?

Lunch is a traditional Huila meal with your choice of meat or chicken as the protein, rice or potato, a salad and a drink included in the tour price.