Monserrate: Our most recommended tours and activities

Bogotá: Private City Tour of Monserrate, Gold, and Botero

1. Bogotá: Private City Tour of Monserrate, Gold, and Botero

During your trip to Bogotá take a guided walking tour and discover the beauty and history of the city with a private guide. Visit Monserrate and admire the views, pay a visit to the Gold Museum, visit the Plaza de Bolívar, and discover other must-see locations. Begin with pickup from your hotel and head to Monserrate. Ride the cable car to a height of 3100m, see the beautiful Monserrate Monastery, and take in the best panoramic views of the city. Head to the Gold Museum and discover their collection of gold pieces and their relationship with the Muisca culture that gave rise to the legend of El Dorado. Make your way to the Candelaria neighborhood and visit the Botero Museum, named in honor of the renowned Colombian painter Fernando Botero. Then discover the Plaza de Bolívar, where the Palace of Justice, the presidential palace, the mayor's office, and the Primate Cathedral are all located. Finally, walk to the Chorro de Quevedo area and learn about different traditions and the blend of old and new.

Bogotá: Monserrate, La Candelaria and City Walking Tour

2. Bogotá: Monserrate, La Candelaria and City Walking Tour

In this Bogota tour you will walk its cobblestoned streets, surrounded by colonial architecture. Listen the guide retelling the transition from indigenous to Spanish colonization at the foundational square Chorro de Quevedo and taste chicha (an ancestral corn-based fermented drink). Nearby you will also taste some Colombian flavor through fruits and natural juices. Head to Bolivar Square and learn how politics and conflict relate to each other and its current challenges with a peace agreement already signed. Also, get to see the main buildings around this square: Palace of Justice, the National Capitol and the Town Hall; as well as the Presidential Palace and the Primary Cathedral of the city. After a fulfilling city tour, finish this journey in the best way possible, by tasting a cup of Colombian coffee, at place where local and friendly baristas will teach you the basics about our treasured good. Of course, time for lunch will be given as well as recommendations from the guide. You can’t leave this Bogotá tour without visitin the main hill of the city: Monserrate. You will take the cable car up the mountain to enjoy the most amazing and breathtaking views of this city: the whole length of the valley from the best vantage point. You will also see the Basilica of Monserrate and understand why is so important this place for locals. Besides visiting La Candelaria (and/or Monserrate) in this Bogotá tour, you can jump to Botero Museum to see a high-quality selection of national and international art. Also, learn about our ancestors through their remains of metalwork made before Spaniards arrival in the Gold Museum. Two experiences that will make the walking experience a complete introduction to the city.

Bogotá: City Tour with Monserrate Skip-The-Line Ticket

3. Bogotá: City Tour with Monserrate Skip-The-Line Ticket

Spend a memorable day on a Bogotá private city tour. Visit Monserrate, Gold Museum, Plaza de Bolivar, Botero Museum, and La Candelaria as you learn more about Bogota's past and present. After pickup from your hotel, visit Monserrate which overlooks the entire city. Nestled in the Andean Mountains range, enjoy the beauty of nature, the sprawling city views, and the tranquil atmosphere of the Church. After visiting the hill, walk through the cobbed-stone roads of La Candelaria to uncover the city's colonial heritage and be dazzled by the beauty of Bogota's architecture. While walking around the old town, visit Colombia's finest art collection at the Botero Museum, named after the world-famous Colombian painter Fernando Botero. Next, learn more about Colombia's history with a visit to Bolivar Plaza. Pass by the Presidential Palace, Congress Building, City Mayor Building, and Justice Palace as you learn about Colombia's often turbulent history. Finally, enjoy a guided visit to the Gold Museum, home of the most impressive pre-Colombian goldsmith masterpieces. At the end of the experience, you will be dropped off back at your hotel.

Bogotá: Guided Walking Tour of Monserrate Hill

4. Bogotá: Guided Walking Tour of Monserrate Hill

Meet your guide at the base of the mountain. Begin making your way up the mountain. Listen as your guide tells you about how Monserrate became a place of pilgrimage. Uncover how it became a tourist destination due to its exceptional viewpoints of the city. Walk along the Stations of the Cross Path on Via Crucis. See religious artwork as you learn about local flora and fauna. Flip a coin in a wishing well and be a part of a local tradition that has been going for decades. Stop at a viewpoint to take photos of sweeping views of the city. Hear about local superstitions, sayings, and interesting facts about the hill. Visit the Basilica of the Fallen Lord of Monserrate at the top of the hill. Admire the architecture of this 17th-century neocolonial church. Find out about the importance of Catholicism to the Colombian identity. Return to your meeting point at the end of the tour.

Bogota City Tour

5. Bogota City Tour

With a private vehicle, you will be picked up from your hotel or place of accommodation in Bogota at 08:00 or at the hour you indicate. You will then be taken to the historical downtown where you will learn about the recent history and the real political situation of the country and get a first impression of this huge city of color.  Enjoy a walking tour through 'La Candelaria' and visit the Simon Bolivar Square, the Presidential House, the Fernando Botero Museum or the Gold Museum and discover the oldest square in Bogota: El Chorro de Quevedo  Go up 3100 meters and take some stunning panoramic photos of Bogota from the top of Monserrate. You will then visit some craft shops so you can buy some of the best handmade products. And if you like, visit the emerald sale sites that are well-known worldwide.

Bogota: Gold Museum and Monserrate Private Half-Day Tour

6. Bogota: Gold Museum and Monserrate Private Half-Day Tour

Your bilingual guide will collect you in a private vehicle at the location you have suggested for pick up, then take you towards downtown Bogota, straight to the Gold Museum. Your entrance is covered so feel free to walk along with your guide as you are given a broad explanation about the origins of such precious metal.  After exploring the Gold Museum you will head to your next destination, Monserrate Peak. Located just a few minutes away you can ascend to the peak and there you can not only enjoy amazing views of the city but you can also take time to pray at the sanctuary. After experiencing Monserrate Peak your private guide will drive you back to your accommodations or your preferred drop-off location. 

Bogotá: Private Tour of Monserrate

7. Bogotá: Private Tour of Monserrate

Explore one of Colombia's most famous pilgrimage sites and visit the pilgrimage church on the 10,407 foot-high Monserrate. Learn about this important pilgrimage destination to a unique panoramic view of the entire city of Bogotá. Enjoy an excursion into the breathtaking mountainous landscape. During the tour, experience a bit of the Colombian lifestyle and try the local Canelazo drink with its unique, sweet taste. It's for you to decide how you'd like to climb the Monserrate: take advantage of the cable car, funicular or take the hiking trail. Either one offers you a wonderful view. On the way back, the Candelaria district awaits you with its historic buildings and interesting history. Take a look at the National Congress, the cathedral, the Palace of Justice, the town hall and the House of the 20th of July. Afterwards, try a typical Colombian dish and enjoy an individual cultural program in the afternoon. You have the option of visiting the Gold Museum, the Botero Museum, the Quintade Bolivar Museum, the National Museum or the Military Museum.

Bogota: Downtown City and Monserrate Hill Private Tour

8. Bogota: Downtown City and Monserrate Hill Private Tour

Visit Bogota's main places Places to Visit: Monserrate hill and its Church: It is a wonderful hill located in the 3.150 meters / 10.335 feets above sea level, that has become Bogota’s symbol that you can go up either Funicular or Cable car to the top. From where you will see the gorgeous Sanctuary where is “El señor caido de Monserrate“ a special sculpture to search for peace and reconciliation. Also the tour guide will do the explanation about the monastery then you will appreciate the both attractions a beautiful landscape and amazing views of the all city and then your tour guide will tell you the present social situation and political situation, besides interesting stories and Bogota best kept secrets to understand a bit about the Bogota structure. Note: Every Sunday we will change the visit to Cerro de Guadalupe instead of Monserrate due to the high percentage of visitors on Sundays. Historical center of Bogotá, Candelaria: It is a beautiful colonial area where Bogotá born and is composed for beautiful colonial architecture mix with a bohemian atmosphere. in this area are located very interesting attractions which you will visit thas (Botero museum, Casa de la moneda / numismatic museum, Luis Ángel Arango library, Gabriel Garcia Marquez cultural center). Bolivar Square: It is the main administrative center of Colombia. Where are located the important atracttions like; The national capitol, Bogota mayor office, the religious street and the Colombian Court house. Over there your private tour guide will tell you the most important political topics and Colombian stories related about the Colombian growing, Military situation and social situation. Gold Museum: Offers a varied exposition of different types of Pre-columbian pieces of Colombia not only made by gold also in other materials such as silver, copper, emeralds, wood and ceramics. It offers information about the indigenous groups and the meaning of the pieces for them. The museum has a permanent exposition of more than 35.000 pieces which is considerate as one of the biggest and valuable expositions in the world. (On Mondays this museum is closed so we could change it for Emerald museum or La Quinta house “Simon Bolivar house in Bogota” or more time of our guided tour visiting the main highlights of our Itinerary. The options are up to you and may be subject to changes, depending on the circumstances out of our control) – (Gold museum is subject to availability by Covid 19 restrictions. For reservations that are not made in advance, the visit to the Museum is not guaranteed )

Bogota: Horseback Riding Tour

9. Bogota: Horseback Riding Tour

Ride on a Colombian Creole horse along the fauna, flora, rivers, creeks and lakes that make the Andean highland a perfect scenario for a thrilling day out in nature during your stay in Bogotá. On this tour, you will be driven from Bogotá to a rural location 40 minutes to the south east of the capital. There, a local cowboy will be expecting you with tame - yet powerful - horses ready for the adventure. After some instructions and advice, you'll start the ride, in the company of a guide (if option selected). Going up to 3,200 MAMSL, you will enter an Andean ecosystem, which is very different to the stereotypical image of the tropical jungle many visitors have about Colombia. After an hour's ride, you'll reach a fantastic lookout point where you'll be able to see the Monserrate Hill and even Bogotá in the distance. After a break (for stretching your legs and having a snack), you'll head back to the ranch via another path, making a loop. Get dropped off back at your hotel after returning to the ranch.

Bogotá: Grand City Tour

10. Bogotá: Grand City Tour

Embark on a comprehensive tour of Bogotá with a visit to the Monserrate Sanctuary on the imposing eastern hills of the city at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level. Ascend to the top of the mountain by cable car to reach the city's most notorious site of pilgrimage and to get the best panoramic views. Next, you will go to the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria and wander the picturesque cobbled streets that hold more than 400 years of history. Experience the student atmosphere within the campus of Universidad de los Andes, and then go downstream, following the Eje Ambiental to see how the city developed from the river that gave it life. Marvel at one of the most famous urban projects in Latin America, carried out by the architect Rogelio Salmona. Follow the San Francisco River to Jimenez Avenue to see an impressive collection of indigenous gold artifacts at the Gold Museum. Get the chance to shop at the handicrafts market at Parque Santander, and then enter the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria. Wander the cobblestone streets to the Botero Museum, where works by the eccentric Colombian artist, Fernando Botero are displayed. Stop at Chorro de Quevedo to appreciate the contrasts of the historical center, and then break for lunch at an authentic local restaurant. Continue to Plaza de Bolívar to explore the historical epicenter of Bogotá and see the administrative and government buildings. Look inside the Primatial Cathedral, and then drive towards the north of the city for a panoramic sight of the International Centre, La Macarena neighborhood and National Park. End in the cozy neighborhood of Usaquén, known for its narrow streets and weekend flea market.

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What people are saying about Monserrate

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 259 reviews

Monserrate Hill is beautiful and have amazing view of the city and the mountains, it is located more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Today we are so blessed with beautiful weather .. We took train car up and down the hill.♥️ . Thanks to our wonderful tour guide Nataly is an amazing and caring tour guide. We love her.. highly recommended hopefully you will have Nataly♥️

Fantastic and affordable tour - I was not expecting to be the only one on this tour, and my guide Diego, was absolutely accommodating and knowledgeable. I managed to see and do everything I wanted. 100% recommend!

Naty Ospina was very knowledgeable patience the vest personality for the job that shows her pride in her country and job. Very friendly and English was excellent. Perfect for the hob. Highly recommended.

Great private tour around the nice places in bogota with a cool guide and open for any individual wishes if wished

Very excellent guide. Knew everything. Good English