2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy
Bogotá, Colombia

2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy

Outty Ranking 61 4.2 · 9 traveler reviews48 hoursFrom $591
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

61/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.2/5

Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy worth booking?

2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy is a 48-hour experience in Bogotá, Colombia, from $591 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
61 / 100
Rating
4.2/5 (9)
Duration
48 hours
From
$591 per person

Discover the unique wildlife and scenery of Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert, the country’s second largest arid zone, during this private two-days trip from Bogotá. Observe the area’s birds, snakes, spiders and ocelots, get the chance to swim in a natural swimming pool in the middle of the desert and discover the starlit sky during the vist of the astronomical observatory. You have the option to change the natural swimming pool or the tour along the River Magdalena to the Villavieja Paleontological Museum.

What you get

    About this experience

    Discover the unique wildlife and scenery of Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert, the country’s second largest arid zone, during this private two-days trip from Bogotá. Observe the area’s birds, snakes, spiders and ocelots, get the chance to swim in a natural swimming pool in the middle of the desert and discover the starlit sky during the vist of the astronomical observatory. You have the option to change the natural swimming pool or the tour along the River Magdalena to the Villavieja Paleontological Museum.

    What's included

    Included

    • Accommodation for one night
    • Professional guide in the desert
    • Transport by private, air-conditioned vehicle
    • Entrance
    • Breakfast
    • Medical assistance insurance

    Not included

    • Food and beverages not mentioned in the tour
    • Tips (optional)

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    transfers & tours Colombia

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • Make sure to have sun protection with you
    • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions

    Photos

    2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy, photo 2Tatacoa Desert, 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy, photo 4Natural Swimming Pool in the middle of the Desert, 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – AstronomyZona de Fantasmas, 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    9 verified traveler reviews for 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    6
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Juergen_R · November 2024

    Fantastic tour

    Seeing and hearing about this interesting area was a wonderful experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. Be prepared for a long drive because this is quite a distance away from Bogota. I just loved sitting in a comfortable seat and watching the landscape go by.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour to the Desert of La Tatacoa and appreciated the guide's knowledge and personality. It's true that the journey from Bogotá can be long, but the changing landscapes and the comfort of the ride make it all worthwhile. We’re glad you could relax and take in the stunning views along the way. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Colombia!

    via Viator

    saolson27 · June 2023

    Cool destination, too much time in the van

    First let me say, the Tatacoa Desert is really cool and worth visiting. We really enjoyed our tour of the red desert, grey desert, valley of the ghosts, and visit to the natural pool. However, I would strongly recommend traveling by plane to visit Tatacoa. The drive from Bogota was simply too long, especially in only two days. The tour description says "approximately five hours." This is a blatant falsehood. The drive took NINE hours. I understand it was a holiday weekend, and the traffic was denser than usual, and the guide can't control that. But to be off by four hours is to mislead customers about the true length of the journey. Neither the guide nor driver gave any warning that the trip would take longer than expected, and grew very defensive when we asked about the route. What's worse than a nine hour drive when you were expecting five? A nine hour drive crammed into a middle seat in a tiny van while holding your backpack on your lap. The van was really too small to comfortably hold that many people for more than a few hours. Really unfortunate, considering we spent the majority of the two days in the van. We had several miscommunications with our guide, mostly because she didn't seem to know what the agenda was and kept telling us contradictory things. We approached her about this on the second morning and asked for her to clearly lay out the schedule so we knew the plan. Yet despite this, we had another miscommunication that day when she tried to cut a key part of the visit (the valley of the ghosts) from the itinerary without telling us. It was re-added to the agenda after fierce protesting from us. She also did not translate what the local guide said into English. Most of us speak Spanish, so it was okay, but the tour was supposed to be in English and she did not even check that all of the group could understand. Altogether, we were pretty disappointed with this tour.

    Response from the operator: Good afternoon, thank you for your comments which we will take into account as we had not indicated this type of comments, we will take the necessary corrections, it is evident that this weekend that took our tour was one of the most important fairs in the region therefore the traffic on the road is uncontrollable and unpredictable, a situation that was reflected in the hours of the tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    Departure62009041334 · May 2023

    Amazing deserts

    Very good trip, the guide was also warm, and bought us local snacks to send, worth recommending to all who love hiking, the only regret is that the weather is too hot.

    Response from the operator: I sincerely appreciate your positive feedback about our tour to the Tatacoa Desert. We are pleased to know that your experience was satisfactory and that you enjoyed our tour. We strive to provide our clients with unforgettable experiences, and your positive feedback encourages us to keep improving every day. We are glad to have met your expectations and to have contributed to make your visit to the desert a special experience.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    HVwriter · March 2023

    A Great Experience!!

    Such an amazing journey....my son-in-law and I had two incredible days with Lorena, our guide and Emilio, our driver. Trekking through the gray desert and enjoying the red one...staying over at the colorful Oasis hotel....eating local foods outside on the porch at the Sal Si Puede restaurant in Villavieja...it was "all good!" We will never forget our ferry crossing of the flood-swollen Magdalena River!! Even though cloudy skies curtailed the "dark sky" experience for us, we highly recommend this adventure!

    Response from the operator: We are very glad that you enjoyed the experience and this wonderful area that is the Tatacoa Desert in Villa Vieja.

    via Tripadvisor

    MariaMoller_L · July 2022

    Disappointing

    Considering the price (even if it’s a private tour) it was very disappointing. The girl who was our “guide” and translator had such a lazy and indifferent attitude. It all seemed like she didn’t want to do the tour. She spent a lot of time on her phone taking selfies and doing her own videos and photographs. In the desert with a local guide (who seemed eager to teach us a lot about everything) she didn’t bother to translate half of what the local guide said and also she fell behind several times and couldn’t even hear the local guide speaking but didn’t seem to care unless we specifically asked her to translate (which we had to do several times). The desert is very unique and our hotel was reasonable but our whole trip was very much affected by the bad guidance.

    Response from the operator: Hello, we are sorry that the bad attitude of our guide did not allow us to enjoy the beauty of the desert, and for us it is a mistake that will not occur again because, as you can see in all the comments of this activity, it is the first time that a situation like this has happened. this, and we would have liked to repair the bad service if he had called us at the time to have changed the guide

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    48 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $591 to $1,073
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    3
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by transfers & tours Colombia, who run 15 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.5.

    See everything transfers & tours Colombia runs

    Why this scores 61

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)74
    Review evidence (18% weight)36
    Booking momentum (14% weight)26
    Value for money (12% weight)94
    Listing quality (10% weight)74
    Local standing (8% weight)26
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bogotá.

    How much does 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy cost?

    +

    Prices start at $591 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bogotá usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy take?

    +

    Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bogotá is not rushed.

    Is 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bogotá, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy?

    +

    Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bogotá can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bogotá and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bogotá within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Bogotá?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Bogotá experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Free Graffiti Walking Tour Every Day in Bogota, Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch, Private City Tour Bogota + Monserrate, Gold, Botero and Candelaria.. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Bogotá?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Bogotá?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy?

    +

    Included: Accommodation for one night; Professional guide in the desert; Transport by private, air-conditioned vehicle; Entrance; and Breakfast. Not included: Food and beverages not mentioned in the tour; and Tips (optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 653 listed pickup locations in and around Bogotá. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Bogotá. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy?

    +

    Across 9 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for 2-Day Private Tour to the Tatacoa Desert from Bogotá – Astronomy.

    Pick your date