Bogota City Tour With Monserrate & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Bogota, the vibrant capital of Colombia, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural wonder. On this comprehensive 12-hour city tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Monserrate Sanctuary and the extraordinary Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. From the scenic cable car ascent to the charming streets of La Candelaria, this tour promises to immerse you in the rich heritage and unique underground marvels that have made Bogota a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience. As you explore the city’s past and present, you’ll uncover a world of surprises that will leave you eager to discover more.

Key Points

• This 12-hour Bogota tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s highlights, including the Monserrate Sanctuary, La Candelaria neighborhood, Plaza de Bolivar, and the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral.
• The tour is priced starting from $352 per person, with a maximum group size of 15 participants and options for English and Spanish-speaking guides.
• Participants will experience the cable car ride to Monserrate, visit the Botero Museum, and observe the changing of the guard ceremony at Plaza de Bolivar.
• The tour provides insights into Muisca indigenous culture, the intersection of Catholic symbolism and contemporary engineering at Zipaquira, and Bogota’s colonial legacy and vibrant artistic scene.
• Inclusions cover hotel pickup/drop-off, guide services, cable car tickets, lunch, and entrance fees, while exclusions include unspecified food/beverages, personal expenses, and optional activities.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Bogota City Tour with Monserrate & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral offers an extensive 12-hour exploration of the Colombian capital. Priced from $352 per person, the tour is limited to 15 participants and available in English and Spanish.

Highlights include the Monserrate Sanctuary, La Candelaria neighborhood, Plaza de Bolivar, the Gold Museum, and the renowned Zipaquira Salt Cathedral.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, cable car tickets, lunch, and all entrance fees. Guests must bring comfortable shoes, a jacket, and a passport or ID.

Certain museums may be closed on specific days, but alternative sites will be visited. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this comprehensive tour provides an in-depth cultural and historical experience.

Itinerary Highlights

Kicking off the Bogota City Tour is a pickup from the hotel by a private driver.

The first stop is the Monserrate Sanctuary, where guests ascend 3150 meters via cable car to take in panoramic views of the city.

Next, the tour explores La Candelaria, visiting the Botero Museum and Chorro de Quevedo.

The group then tours Plaza de Bolivar, surrounded by significant administrative buildings.

The final highlight is the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a unique underground site that showcases indigenous culture, Catholic symbolism, and contemporary engineering.

The itinerary includes:

1. Visit Monserrate Sanctuary
2. Explore La Candelaria
3. Tour Plaza de Bolivar
4. Discover Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Cultural and Historical Insights

What makes this Bogota City Tour so enriching are the cultural and historical insights it provides. Throughout the tour, visitors explore the Muisca indigenous culture, exploring its influence on the region’s art and architecture.

At the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, they’ll uncover the fascinating intersection of Catholic symbolism and contemporary engineering. The tour also offers a deeper understanding of Bogota’s historical and contemporary context, from the colonial legacy to the city’s vibrant artistic scene.

Pickup and Cable Car Experience

Commencing the tour, a private driver picks up participants directly from their hotels, whisking them away on an engaging journey through the streets of Bogota.

The first stop is the awe-inspiring Monserrate Sanctuary, situated at an impressive elevation of 3150 meters. Visitors ascend via cable car, offering panoramic vistas of the city below.

The cable car ride includes the following key features:

1. Panoramic windows providing unobstructed views
2. Smooth and comfortable transportation to the summit
3. Duration of approximately 20 minutes for the ascent
4. Access to the Monserrate Sanctuary and its captivating religious and cultural significance.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Exploration of La Candelaria

After the captivating cable car ride, the tour moves on to explore the historical neighborhood of La Candelaria. Visitors will stroll through the well-preserved colonial streets, taking in the charming architecture and vibrant murals. The tour includes a visit to the renowned Botero Museum, showcasing the works of Colombia’s most celebrated artist. Nearby, the group will discover the Chorro de Quevedo, a picturesque plaza with lively street performers.

Landmark	Highlights
Botero Museum	Renowned for its collection of Fernando Botero’s paintings and sculptures
Chorro de Quevedo	Lively plaza with street performers and local artisans
Colonial Architecture	Well-preserved colonial-era buildings and charming streets

Visit to Plaza De Bolivar

The tour then proceeds to the iconic Plaza de Bolívar, the heart of Bogotá’s historic district. Surrounded by significant administrative buildings, including the Colombian Congress, the Palace of Justice, and the Cathedral Primada, the plaza provides a glimpse into the city’s political and religious heritage.

Visitors can:

1. Admire the striking statue of Simón Bolívar, the revered South American liberator, which stands tall in the center of the plaza.
2. Explore the majestic Cathedral Primada, a stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture dating back to the 16th century.
3. Observe the changing of the guard ceremony, a ceremonial tradition showcasing the discipline and precision of the Colombian military.
4. Soak in the bustling atmosphere as locals and travelers alike gather to enjoy the plaza’s vibrant energy.

Immersion in Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Next, the tour ventures to the remarkable Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, an extraordinary underground site carved within a salt mine.

Descending deep below the surface, visitors are immersed in a captivating world of salt-carved sculptures, chapels, and even an altar, all illuminated by ethereal lighting.

The intricate designs and religious symbols carved from salt showcase the impressive skills of the Muisca indigenous people who originally mined this site.

Guests explore the cathedral’s many chambers, learning about the site’s unique history and engineering feats that transformed this salt mine into a renowned Catholic sanctuary.

The tour also includes time to wander the charming colonial village of Zipaquira and browse the local handicraft market.

Inclusions, Exclusions, and Preparation

This tour includes comprehensive transportation by private driver, an expert bilingual guide, all necessary entry tickets, and a local lunch.

However, unspecified food and beverages, personal expenses, and optional activity costs are excluded. Preparation is also key – guests should wear comfortable shoes, bring a light jacket, and have their passport or ID card ready.

Note that the Gold Museum is closed on Mondays, and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays, in which case alternative museums will be visited.

The tour package includes:

1. Hotel pickup and drop-off
2. Guided exploration in English or Spanish
3. Cable car ticket to Monserrate
4. Tickets to all visited attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Travel Insurance Required for This Tour?

Travel insurance is not required for this tour. The tour provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and participants are responsible for their own personal expenses and optional activity costs.

Can I Book a Private Tour Instead of a Group Tour?

Yes, customers can book a private tour instead of a group tour. The tour operator offers private transportation and a private guide for a more personalized experience, though this may come at an additional cost.

Are There Any Physical Fitness Requirements for This Tour?

There are no specific physical fitness requirements for this tour. However, participants should be able to walk moderate distances and manage stairs. The tour involves cable car rides and some light hiking, so a reasonable level of mobility is recommended.

Can I Customize the Itinerary to Fit My Interests?

The tour operator generally offers a set itinerary, but they may be able to accommodate requests to customize the tour to better suit the traveler’s interests, subject to availability and additional costs. It’s best to inquire with the operator about any customization options.

Is Photography Allowed Inside the Salt Cathedral?

Photography is generally allowed inside the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, though visitors should check for any restrictions or rules on the day of their visit. It’s best to consult with the tour guide or local staff for the most up-to-date information.

Recap

This comprehensive 12-hour Bogotá city tour showcases the city’s vibrant essence, from the breathtaking Monserrate Sanctuary to the extraordinary Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. Visitors will enjoy panoramic views, explore historic neighborhoods, and enjoy Colombia’s rich cultural heritage, making for an unforgettable experience in the nation’s capital.

You can check if your dates are available here: