2 Days Villa de Leyva Raquira Zipaquira

2 Days Villa de Leyva Raquira Zipaquira

This 2 day tour is the absolute best way to experience the most important locations outside of Bogota; Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, Raquira artisan markets, and Villa de Leyva.

Zipaquirá: Here you’ll uncover the ingenuity of the people who 590 ft (180 m) underground converted this ancient salt mine into an amazing church that receives as many as 3000 people every Sunday of the year.

Raquira: You will be amazed at the artisan filled shops full of everything unique and crafted in Colombia. This is where you'll also find the main plaza with many clay sculptures of famous people and an absolute dream for any photographer.

Villa de Leyva: The cobblestone streets, giant colonial doors, gates, fences and houses will absolutely delight you. You'll love walking the streets under the light from the street lanterns, and exploring the Terracota house, Fossil Museum, and Monastery.

Itinerary

Day 1: Zipaquira + Raquira + Villa de Leyva

Stop At: Catedral de Sal de Zipaquira, Carrera 6 Calle 1 Parque De La Sal, Zipaquira Colombia
You’ll be collected from your hotel in Bogotá and be taken directly to the salt mine of Zipaquirá. Where you’ll uncover the ingenuity of the people who 590 ft (180 m) underground converted this ancient salt mine into the amazing church that receives as many as 3000 people every Sunday of the year.

Once you’ve finished your tour, taken many many photos and come to understand how important this location has been for hundreds of years to the locals of this area you’ll take the short trip to the town of Zipaquirá where you’ll wander the streets of Zipaquirá checking out the grand Plaza (main square), Independence Square and one of the oldest churches you can find in Colombia.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Plaza de Raquira, Raquira Colombia
This town is absolutely full of artisans and a dream location for anyone wishing to do a bit of shopping. You'l find everything here from hammocks to pottery and all Colombian made.

For those interested in taking photos and not shopping, there are some fantastic streets and a wonderful town plaza full of clay statues.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Villa de Leyva, Boyaca, Colombia
You'll be arriving in the late afternoon and take a quick tour with your guide, before enjoy a wonderful night with the cobblestone streets lit with the romantic light of the lanterns littering the sides and walls of the colonial buildings.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: You'll enjoy a relaxing night in the simply beautiful Hotel Antonio Nariño or similar

Day 2: Villa de Leyva

Stop At: Villa de Leyva, Boyaca, Colombia
Today you'll enjoy a fantastic breakfast following a wonderful tour of the most important locations in and around Villa de Leyva.

Your Villa de Leyva tour will include:

 Monasterio Del Santo Eccehomo - Beautiful monastery set in the hills and founded in 1620.

 The Terracotta House - The largest piece of pottery in the world

 The Fossil Museum - Meet the dinosaurs that walked these lands before you

After your tour of Villa de Leyva is complete you start your journey back to Bogotá in the early afternoon, with a photo-stop at the Puente de Boyacá (Boyacá Bridge), one of the most important bridges in Colombian history.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Casa Terracota, Villa de Leyva Colombia
Explore the largest piece of pottery in the world. Wander through the many rooms taking photos from the many angles. This really is quite amazing.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Monasterio Del Santo Eccehomo, 8 km From Villa de Leyva, Villa de Leyva Colombia
Declared part of Colombia’s architectural heritage in 1998, the initial convent was founded in 1620. This is simply a beautiful monastery built on a hillside and consisting of a wonderful cloister, church, cemetery and plaza, with wonderful views.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Museo Paleontologico de Villa de Leyva, Km 1.5 Via Arcabuco, Villa de Leyva Colombia
The Fossil Museum!

See, touch and feel the bones of dinosaurs that once ruled this world.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Puente de Boyaca Puente De Boyaca, Km 110 Bogota - Tunja, Ventaquemada, Boyaca Colombia
The location of the Battle of Boyacá, where Colombia finally won independence from Spain
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.