7 Days Capital Culture Villa De Leyva Guatavita Bogotá

7 Days Capital Culture Villa De Leyva Guatavita Bogotá

You’ll enjoy 2 nights in the picturesque town of Villa de Leyva. Walking the cobblestone streets with lanterns and moonlight during the night, and exploring this unique region during the day.

Enjoy a boat cruise on the beautiful Fúquene lagoon, bird watching some of the beautiful endemic species.

Explore the Salt Mine Cathedral of Zipaquira 600ft below ground.

Discover the origin of El Dorado and the hidden lake of Guatavita and a night in the beautiful whitewash town of Guatavita.

Wander the ancient streets of La Candelaria; the oldest part of Bogotá, and reach the heights of Monserrate, for an awe-inspiring view over the 8 million inhabitants far below.

If you really want to get to know the culture of this area, this is how you will do it, and have an absolutely wonderful time as well!

To ensure availability of quality accommodation and the best guides, ALL Bookings Must Be a Minimum of 21 days in Advance of Tour Start Date.

Itinerary

Day 1: Bogotá, Colombia

Stop At: Zona G Bogota, Cra 4 Calles 67 y 68 The whole neighborhood behind Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina, Bogota Colombia
Arrive at anytime to be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time we can provide you with another tour or with suggestions of places to see and where to go.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Bed & Breakfast Chorro de Quevedo or Similar

Day 2: Bogotá / Villa De Leyva

Stop At: Alcaldia Villa de Leyva, Carrera 9 No 11-13, Villa de Leyva 154001 Colombia
You will begin with an early pickup from your Bogotá accommodation of 6am, when you’ll be be collected in our comfortable vehicle and driven to the beautiful location of Fúneque. Once here you'll enjoy time exploring an artisans workshop full of items, made from wax, wood and iron. Some of which can be bought and some of which are destined to be filling shops and lining the streets of Villa de Leyva and other colonial towns. You'll also get the opportunity to try your skills at creating something yourself, under the guidance of Jorge, the owner and master craftsman of this workshop.

Next, you'll be cruising over Fúneque lagoon and enjoy time bird watching some of the beautiful endemic species found in this area.

You'll then enjoy a stop for lunch continue your journey through the amazing landscape to the over 400 year old town of Villa de Leyva. Here you will wander the cobblestone streets, taking photos of these beautiful stone buildings, fantastic wooden and stone fences, and awe-inspiring doors and gates, which you’ll think are straight out of the 1500’s.

You’ll enjoy a short walking tour of this wonderful town and relax for the remainder of the day and stay the night in this simply surreal colonial setting.

Approximate Duration: 10 hours (6am-4pm)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: La Posada de San Antonio or similar

Day 3: Villa de Leyva

Stop At: Alcaldia Villa de Leyva, Carrera 9 No 11-13, Villa de Leyva 154001 Colombia
Free Day

Explore this wonderful region however you like.

Perhaps you'd like to enjoy a horseback or bike ride to all the main tourist locations, or we can take you on the tour in our air-conditioned vehicle, as both your guide and transport will be available for the day.

Visit locations such as the Blue Lakes (Pozos Azules), where you can take a quick dip; the Terracotta House (Casa Terracota), the largest piece of pottery in the world; the Fossil Museum (Museo Fosil), with fossils of ancient dinosaurs that once ruled this land; and a winery, where you can try some of the finest wines Colombia has to offer.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: La Posada de San Antonio or similar

Day 4: Villa de Leyva / Raquira / Guatavita

Stop At: Laguna de Guatavita, Km 15, Via Guatavita-Sesquile, Tierra Negra Colombia
Your day will be begin with a short journey of around 30-40 min. to Raquira; a small town absolutely full of artisans, with something for almost everyone. Here you'll enjoy 2 hours strolling through the stalls and shops or simply enjoying a relaxing coffee in the town square.

Next you’ll then be driven to the wonderful location of the Guatavita Reserve. Once here you’ll explore the paths that take you to the magical place of Lake Guatavita; which is actually where the legend of El Dorado was born. Here you will enjoy the story of the true history of this famous area, where the local indigenous would place gold into the lake for sacred ceremonies, along with covering future kings in gold.

Following this tour into nature and into the past you'll will enjoy the views of Guatavita town, filled with whitewashed buildings and tiled roofs. This town was actually moved in the 70’s to accommodate the construction of the huge Tomine Dam. Here you'll enjoy a short walking tour and relax in this idyllic setting for the night.

Approximate Duration: 8 hours (9am-5pm)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hospedaje El Mirador De Pueblo Viejo or similar

Day 5: Guatavita / Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral / Bogotá

Stop At: Museo Arqueologico de Zipaquira, Paque Villaveces Calle 1 6, Zipaquira 250252 Colombia
You’ll enjoy yet another beautiful drive through more picturesque landscape to the town of Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral in the mountain overlooking this beautiful place.

Here you will walk into this salt mine that was first used thousands of years earlier by the local Musicas Indians. You will wander into the caverns almost 600ft below ground, which have been carved from the salt of this mountain for centuries.

You’ll love the serenity and peacefulness that comes with this amazing location, being underground with amazing crosses, paths, lights and a grand cathedral which has over 3000 visitors every Sunday of the year.

You'll then enjoy a walking tour of Zipaquira town and relax in the plaza before enjoying the peaceful journey back to Bogotá and an expected arrival of 2pm and some free time.

Approximate Duration: 5 hours (9am-2pm)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Casa Deco or similar

Day 6: Bogotá La Candelaria and Monserrate

Stop At: Zona G Bogota, Cra 4 Calles 67 y 68 The whole neighborhood behind Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina, Bogota Colombia
You’ll be collected from your accommodation in Bogotá and taken on a guided excursion, where you’ll encounter the most important historical locations within La Candelaria.

Once you have visited these beautiful sites it will be time for you to ascend to the great height of 10,341 ft (3152m) and the summit of Monserrate; almost 2,000 ft higher than Bogotá. For this climb you have the choice of taking either the teleferico (aerial tramway) or the funicular (included in the cost of this tour) to the top, where you’ll have time to wander through the artisan markets, visit a beautiful 17th century monastery and enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the capital city of this great nation. You’ll learn how this mountain was sacred to the indigenous Muiscas people for hundreds of years, how during the June solstice, the Sun rises exactly from behind Monserrate and how hundreds of pilgrims journey to this destination every year.

Approximate Duration: 5 hours (9am-2pm)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Casa Deco or similar

Day 7: Bogotá

Stop At: Zona G Bogota, Cra 4 Calles 67 y 68 The whole neighborhood behind Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina, Bogota Colombia
Free Day

Depart at any time.
Duration: 12 hours

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