Treasures of Bogota and Beyond: Montserrate, Museo del Oro and Guatavita Adventure
We begin the tour in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, a place full of contrasts where the modern and the traditional merge seamlessly. From Cerro de Monserrate, one of the highest points in the city, you’ll have a breathtaking panoramic view of Bogotá. From here, you can see the city stretching out along the mountains, surrounded by lush hills. This is a place of spirituality and peace, where visitors have the opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
After taking in the view of the city, we venture into the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria, where time seems to have stood still. This colorful part of Bogotá is full of history, art, and colonial architecture that tells the story of the city from its origins. We’ll stroll through its cobblestone streets, admire the colonial houses with their colorful facades, and explore churches and iconic squares like Plaza Bolívar.
On this journey, we’ll stop at some of the most important museums in the city, including the Botero Museum, where you can admire the works of Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, and the Gold Museum, home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian goldsmithing in the world. Here, you’ll learn about the Golden Route and how gold played a central role in the beliefs and rituals of ancient Colombian civilizations, especially the Muiscas.
After exploring the capital, we head to Guatavita, a place full of magic, nature, and mystery. In this picturesque town, the famous Laguna de Guatavita holds the secrets of one of Colombia’s most well-known legends: El Dorado. For centuries, the Spanish tried to find the mythical place filled with gold described in the stories. However, what really existed was a deep tradition and a spiritual connection with nature.
Laguna de Guatavita is a sacred space where the zipas (Muisca leaders) performed offering rituals to honor the gods. The most famous ritual involved the new ruler, who, covered in gold, would enter the waters of the lagoon on a raft. The offerings, including gold and precious stones, were thrown into the water as a symbolic act representing the connection with the gods.
Our tour includes a guided walk along the trails surrounding the lagoon, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of the ancient Muiscas. As you walk along these paths, you’ll have the chance to observe the rich local flora and fauna, and discover how the region’s original inhabitants lived in harmony with their natural surroundings. During this experience, our expert guides will share stories and legends that have shaped the identity of this place.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this tour is experiencing the Golden Route in its place of origin. The Muisca Raft, which can be found at the Gold Museum, is an exact replica of the raft used in the rituals at Laguna de Guatavita. This artifact shows the intense relationship between the Muiscas and gold, illustrating how this metal symbolized much more than material wealth. Gold represented the divine connection between the human world and the gods, something that still resonates in the collective memory of the Colombian people.
This tour is not just a tourist excursion; it is an immersive experience in the history and legends of Colombia. Ideal for those who want to deeply understand the traditions that have shaped the identity of the country, this journey combines culture, nature, and adventure in a single day. Explore the most iconic places in Bogotá, experience the magic of Guatavita, and learn up close about the legend that has fascinated the world: El Dorado.
Tour options:
Shared tour without tickets: Includes shared transportation and a driver/guide only.
Private tour with tickets: Includes private transportation directly from your hotel, a driver/guide, tickets and snacks.
Private tour with tickets and lunch: Includes private transportation directly from your hotel, a driver/guide, tickets, lunch and snacks.