Tatacoa Desert tour with local guide: Stars and paleontology
The Tatacoa holds millions of stars at night, visible from the observatory without light pollution.
A 13.5-hour tour of Colombia's Tatacoa Desert with a local guide covers the town of Villavieja, red and gray desert landscapes, paleontology sites and a natural water pool, ending at an astronomical observatory. You share meals with local families, learn the region's history and geology, and watch the night sky from the desert floor. Children from age 7 are welcome. Guides speak English, Spanish and Italian.
More experiences you might like
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Tatacoa Desert and Stargaze
- Visit Villavieja town center
- See Cardon viewpoint
- Walk in gray desert holes
- Stop at the window viewpoint
- Visit natural water pool
- Walk labyrinths in red desert
- Observe stars at astronomical observatory
The experience
Thirteen and a half hours in the Tatacoa means you move through the desert's two distinct zones (the gray region near the Holes and the red labyrinths of Cusco) with stops for walking and learning the paleontology that shapes the landscape. A local guide leads you through Villavieja town center to understand the region's past, then takes you to the Cardón viewpoint and the Window stop, each one a vantage on the terrain. Lunch is a typical regional meal eaten with local families, not in isolation. At sunset you get a drink of your choice (beer, soda, juice or water) to mark the end of daylight.
The astronomical observatory visit is the reason the tour runs into the night. Away from city light, the Tatacoa's sky holds millions of stars, and the guide points out constellations and planets from the desert itself. The natural water pool offers a chance to cool off during the day. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group between stops, and travel insurance is included in the price.
What’s included
- Travel insurance.
- an air-conditioned vehicle for all stops.
- lunch as a typical regional meal shared with local families.
- a sunset drink of your choice (beer, soda, juice or water).
Before you book
Prices and times updated 10 days ago
Operated by Tocayá Natura
Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Neiva or nearby towns and prefer guided transport through the desert rather than driving yourself. The air-conditioned vehicle handles all movement between stops.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.
What is the Tatacoa Desert actually like to walk through?
The Tatacoa has two distinct landscapes: a gray desert in the region of the Holes, and a red desert with maze-like formations called the labyrinths of Cusco. Both are walkable, and the guide explains the paleontology (the ancient life preserved in the rock) as you move through them.
Can I swim or cool off in the natural water pool?
A natural water pool is part of the tour itinerary, so you can use it to cool down during the day. Pool entrance is not included in the tour price, so check the cost separately if you plan to enter.
Do I need to pay extra to see the stars at the observatory?
The astronomical observatory visit is included in the tour, but entrance to the observatory itself is not included in the price, so you may need to pay a separate fee when you arrive.
Tatacoa Desert tour with local guide: Stars and paleontology
13h 30m · EN · ES · IT
from US$ 98.69 per person
4.7722 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider