Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 44 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota worth booking?
Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota is a 10-hour experience in Bogotá, Colombia, from $274 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 44 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (44)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $274 per person
Visit one of South America’s wonders, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, and see the beautiful Lake Guatavita (Laguna de Guatavita) on this day trip from Bogotá! Explore the magnificent salt mine of Zipaquirá and see the famo
What you get
About this experience
Visit one of South America’s wonders, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, and see the beautiful Lake Guatavita (Laguna de Guatavita) on this day trip from Bogotá! Explore the magnificent salt mine of Zipaquirá and see the famous cathedral up close. Then, visit Laguna de Guatavita, where the famous ‘el dorado’ legend originated, and see the Indigenous Cemetery and the Tominé Reservoir. If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, this is the perfect day trip for you!
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Lunch
- Salt Cathedral and natural reserve entry tickets
- Expert guide in your language of preference
Not included
- Optional tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Unspecified food and beverages
What you'll see and do
Catedral De Sal
This full-day tour will take you to two places of interest located within Bogotá's savannah. Zipaquirá's Salt Cathedral; a majestic cathedral built inside of the largest salt-rock deposit on earth. Here you'll see the how Catholic symbology and contemporary engineering converged in the construction of this gigantic temple. With materials from this former salt mine and using lighting effects, sculptors created innovative interpretations of the Catholic Via Crucis that you will be able to see throughout the cathedral. Here you will learn about the creative process and the symbology behind the sculptures.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Zipaquira
After exiting the cathedral, you will head to Guatavita, passing through the colonial village of Zipaquirá, famous for its various buildings that were declared national monuments.
60 minutes here
Laguna de Guatavita
The second stop, Guatavita Lagoon, a mystical and sacred place for the Muiscas, will give you a glimpse of what Paramo ecosystem looks like while you learn about the famous legend of El Dorado, Muisca cosmology and its relation to the lagoon. After a stop for lunch, you will be driven through a countryside road to Guatavita where the sacred lake hides among mountains and mist. Inside this natural reserve, you will learn about the connection that the ancient Muiscas had with nature. Moreover, you will understand the symbolism behind the gold offerings that awoke the gold rush of Spanish treasure hunters. Finally, after returning to Bogotá, you will be taken to your hotel or to any other point of your convenience.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Impulse Travel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes.
- A medium-high amount of walking is involved; you must be of average fitness and able to walk
- Guatavita Lake is closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays if Monday is a bank holiday).
- Changes on the tour may occur due to external factors.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 44 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
44 verified traveler reviews for Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great trip!
We had a fantastic time on this tour. Our guide, Jaime, was amazing and answered all our many, many questions, giving us plenty of time to see both the Salt Cathedral and Guatavita. (Both are amazing places, and well worth the visit.) Lunch was fabulous, and we appreciated Jaime's assistance in ordering! Both the guide and the driver were so kind and helpful. We really appreciated being picked up and dropped off where we were staying, and loved the yummy snacks and coffee at a great little bakery along the way. It was a long day with traffic and distance. I'm not sure it would've been as great if we'd had small kids along -- too much driving -- but we enjoyed the day very much, and truly appreciated our guide and driver!
via Tripadvisor
Awesome experience!
Great experience visiting the salt cathedral and Guatavita. Excellent prompt service and an extremely knowledgeable tour guide in John. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Wonder of Colombia
The salt Cathedral is amazing . We never saw anything like that . Very interesting also the 14 stations of the cross are works of man and God. The tour guide is very knowledgeable . He explained to us all the details and facts about the salt cathedral
via Viator
Zipaquirá and Guatavita
Our tour Guide Raul Posse was very knowledgable and friendly we had a great day and looking forward for the next week to other tours we booked with Impulse tour Co. We highly recommend them! Fue un dia fantastico con un guia excelente que tiene gran conocimiento de este tour, Raul Posse con carisma y buena actitud! Recomiendo altamente esta empresa de turismo Impulse! Gracias
Response from the operator: Hola Cristina! Gracias por tomarte el tiempo de compartir tus comentarios sobre tu experiencia en Bogotá y sus alrededores. Es importante para nosotros saber las opiniones de nuestros clientes para continuar mejorando nuestros servicios. Me alegra saber que tuviste una grata experiencia con tu guía Raul, el es uno de nuestros mejores y conocedores guías. Esperamos que sigas disfrutando Colombia mediante nuestros tours y actividades. Saludos, Valeria
via Tripadvisor
Unique Cathedral built into an Old Salt Mine
Had a great afternoon tour with Raul. He has an excellent command of the English language as he spent 12 years in Australia and he has an easy going personality. The Salt Mine is a unique experience. When the Mine was no longer profitable they decided to convert it into a “cathedral.” It is not an official church as it is a tourist site. You walk through the Mine and pass by 14 stations of the cross. They were each unique carvings in this cave like stricture but I would only rate them a 3 overall and not worth it by themselves - the feature is the finish - a carved dome transition to 3 large church like structures. The main one with a huge cross is beautiful. Overall the tour is about 5 hours as it is a 90 minute drive in each direction. A worthy activity for an afternoon or morning. Again it isn’t an official church due to its commercial nature and there are lots of shops, Rock climbing wall - it is a for profit venture - so that detracts from its holiness. Overall a pleasant way to spend some time in Bogota but it is not a must.
Response from the operator: Hi There! Thanks for share your comments regarding your experience in Zipaquira. It's important for us to know our customers opinions to keep improving our services. I'm glad to know that you had a great experience with your tour guide Raul, he's such a great guide and person. You're totally right, this is a very unique place and understand that it does not keep their religious essence since it's a very tourist place, however most of the colombians have strong beliefs going to this place. Hope we can host you in your next time in Colombia to keep discovering our amazing country. Kind regards, Valeria
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $274 to $796
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Impulse Travel, who run 34 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.1.
See everything Impulse Travel runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bogotá.
How much does Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota cost?
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Prices start at $274 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 Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 44 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 Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota?
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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 Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota?
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Around 15 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?
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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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogota start and how do I get there?
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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?
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On Outty we rank every Bogotá experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá, Free Graffiti Walking Tour Every Day in Bogota, 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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