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Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: Our most recommended tours and activities

Bogota: Daily Group Tour of the Salt Cathedral Zipaquira

1. Bogota: Daily Group Tour of the Salt Cathedral Zipaquira

Travel for 2 hours north of Bogotá to the city of Zipaquirá, where you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral. Known as a must-visit in Colombia, it is a monument of faith that has become an architectural piece like no other.  Explore the Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.  You will have 2 hours inside the Cathedral to visit all the sights as the audio guide explains about the process of salt formation, the architecture, and the mining process within every detail. Inside the mine, there are different pieces of stonework and sculpture that, due to their size and illumination, make this spectacular wonder an engineering jewel, famous around the world. You may also visit the light show at the very end of the tunnels before returning to Bogotá.

Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

2. Bogota: Guatavita and Salt Cathedral Daily Group Tour

After gathering at either of the meeting points or being collected from your accommodation, your combination experience in Bogota will begin. First visit the Guatavita Lagoon, which was a source of inspiration for the Legend of El Dorado and the movie with the same name. The beauty of this place is sure to overwhelm you, and after some time there cross the savannah. In the afternoon, reach the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, which was the First Wonder of Colombia due to its imposing architecture. In a single day, enjoy the indigenous spiritual cosmogony, Christian spirituality, the beauty of nature, and the grandeur of the architecture. At the end of your experience, you will be returned back to your point of origin.

Bogotá: Salt Cathedral Private Tour with Entry Ticket

3. Bogotá: Salt Cathedral Private Tour with Entry Ticket

Begin your day with convenient hotel pickup to comfortably start your journey toward the town of Zipaquirá. This will be a somewhat long drive of about 2 hours, so feel free to take a nap, watch the Bogotá savanna through the window, or make small talk to your driver about anything in Colombia. Upon arrival, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá will be the first stop. Skip the ticket lines and go directly to the entrance to pick up an audio guide. Then, begin discovering an incredible monument of faith that’s a unique architectural marvel. When booking, you can choose a personal live guide instead of an audio guide, if you prefer.  Once inside, you’ll be guided through the stations that represent the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Understand the details in each corner of the works of art, and visit famous sights inside the halls such as the water mirrors, the virtual reality theater with its 3D movie, the dome, and a balcony where you can observe the world's largest underground cross. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Miner's Route and take part in a salt workshop if you select the option. The route is a 45-minute tour where you become a salt miner for a day, whereas the workshop consists of an explanation about salt mining and carving. To top off your experience, carve your own piece of salt to take home as a souvenir. After your visit, your driver will be waiting outside to take you back to Zipaquirá village. Here, enjoy some time to take a look around and have lunch in one of the local restaurants. From there, you will be taken back to Bogotá and dropped off at your hotel.

Bogotá: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá with Optional Lunch

4. Bogotá: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá with Optional Lunch

Discover the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá on a day trip from Bogotá. Marvel at the natural and manmade wonders within the underground cathedral. Choose from a tour including an audio guide and optional lunch or a tour with a private guide, a walking tour of Zipaquirá, and lunch. After pickup from your hotel in Bogotá, be driven to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Follow your private guide or the audio guide through the tunnels, depending on the chosen option. Marvel at the underground Roman Catholic church carved into salt from the largest saline rock deposit in the world. Visit the three sections of the bottom temple, representing the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Admire the icons, ornaments, and architectural details carved into the rock. Marvel at the central dome where Eucharists are performed, with unique sculptures, lighting, and natural deposits. Once you finish the salt mine tour, Zipaquirá awaits. Take a walking tour of the town with your guide (depending on the option chosen), visiting its central square, beautiful colonial streets, and more. Tuck into a typical lunch if you have selected this option.

Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

5. Bogota: Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavitá Tour

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Bogota and travels north into the savanna. Arrive at Zipaquira, a vibrant town with a history dating back to the 1600s. Visit Zipaquia's famous Salt Cathedral, an impressive subterranean building that stands on an old salt mine. Wander through the halls and marvel at the cathedral's stunning architecture while you learn about its rich-history. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy lunch overlooking the Tomine Reservoir, before continuing onto the spectacular Guatavita National Park. Upon arrival, learn about the cultural significance of Lake Guatavitá, as well as the characteristics of this peculiar ecosystem. After the park, make one final stop at a nearby village, and soak up the quaint and charming atmosphere of this traditional location. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Bogota.

Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

6. Bogotá: Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

A staff member from the company will meet you at the hotel at your choice of either in the morning or the afternoon. From here you will be taken on a tour through La Sabana de Bogota to the town of Zipaquira, whose name means "City of our Father" in the language of the Chibcha. Back in pre-Columbian times, salt around the area was the most important commodity and the "salt cakes" were the only currency for trading. Throughout time, technology improved and the "Muiscas" began to extract larger amounts of salt. As a result, an underground salt deposit was formed and it is where the Salt Cathedral was built, 180 meters below the surface. Inside you will discover a chapel titled “capilla de los mineros”, which was built as a tribute to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of Guasá”. At the conclusion of your tour, you will return safely back to Bogotá.

Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

7. Bogotá: Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour

Private Zipaquirá and Salt Cathedral Tour Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bogotá at 09:00 AM or a time to suit you, and then journey to the colonial town of Zipaquirá, famous for its Salt Cathedral. Relax on the 60 to 90-minute trip to the cathedral, where on arrival you will be accompanied to the entrance of the mine for a 2-hour guided tour in English or Spanish.  Located inside the depths of the world's biggest salt rock reserve, Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral was adapted from an old salt mine to function as a place of worship. Marvel at the icons, ornaments and architectural details hand-carved in the halite rock. Surface the mine to enjoy a typical Colombian lunch in one of Zipaquirá's best restaurants. Choose from fish or vegetarian options, or savor different plates of meat prepared in the traditional way on fire. Then, explore the main sights of the town, including Independence Square and the colonial center. Admire one of the oldest churches in Colombia. Drive back to Bogotá for drop-off at your accommodation, or book one of the following options to continue exploring. Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavitá Tour with Lunch After visiting the Salt Cathedral and enjoying a typical Colombian meal, go to the colonial town of Guatavitá. Take a short guided hike, admire the scenic landscape and discover the birthplace of the El Dorado legend. On the return trip to Bogotá stop at La Calera viewpoint for panoramic views of the city. Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Mine Tour with Lunch Once you have visited the Salt Cathedral and enjoyed a traditional Colombian lunch, discover the salt mine tunnels of Nemocón. Experience what it felt like to work 60 meters below ground. Be dropped off back in Bogotá at the end of the tour. Salt Cathedral & Villa de Levya Tour without Lunch Go from the Salt Cathedral to Villa de Leyva, famous for its cobblestone square Plaza Mayor, which at 150,695 square feet is the largest in Colombia. Learn about the history of this charming town before returning to your accommodation in Bogotá.

From Bogota: Guatavita Lake & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour

8. From Bogota: Guatavita Lake & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour

On our tour visit the first attraction; It is the Guatavita lake which represents the sacred legend of Dorado that means a lost city of gold, a mythical place embellished with big treasures by our indigenous – (Muiscas). That place has been searched for years on end to find this city of gold, no evidence of such a place has been founded. El Dorado legend rumored it was located in the Andes range near of a lake, this rumor drive the discovery of the Guatavita sacred lagoon. You will visit this Mystic place with 15 minutes in ascending trekking with stairs to arrive the top of the lagoon and will enjoy its beauty, its gorgeous views while you are walking through its paths. During our guided trekking you will understand its importance and its history stopping in different sections of the way, The second place you will visit is the first marvel in Colombia it is the Salt cathedral of Zipaquira located 49 Kilometers outside from Bogota. The Salt cathedral is a former salt mine which has been converted in a in a cathedral. It presents a perfect symbology between the man work and the beautiful forms created by God and nature. Afterwards we could offer you a short sightseeing tour at the historic center of Zipaquira City. According to the time in Zipaquira city you will get a typical Colombian lunch in one of the most typical restaurants of the region.

Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá - daily afternoon departure

9. Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá - daily afternoon departure

Travel for 2 hours north of Bogotá to the city of Zipaquirá, where you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral. Known as a must-visit in Colombia, it is a monument of faith that has become an architectural piece like no other.  Explore the Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.  You will have 2 hours inside the Cathedral to visit all the sights as the audio guide explains about the process of salt formation, the architecture, and the mining process within every detail. Inside the mine, there are different pieces of stonework and sculpture that, due to their size and illumination, make this spectacular wonder an engineering jewel, famous around the world. You may also visit the light show at the very end of the tunnels before returning to Bogotá.

From Bogotá: Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour

10. From Bogotá: Salt Cathedral and Lake Guatavita Day Tour

Learn about Colombia's salt trade dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. Take a tour of some villages outside of Bogotá, and explore the subterranean Salt Cathedral. Try a traditional Colombian lunch followed by a visit to Lake Guatavita, a sacred place for the native Muisca people.   A staff member will pick you up at your hotel in Bogotá. Your tour begins by traveling in an air-conditioned van or bus through some of the villages from the pre-Hispanic period. Learn the history of the exploitation and trade of salt and gold manufacturing in the area.   Travel north along the Bogotá savanna to the city of Zipaquirá. There you will visit the renowned Salt Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church built in the ancient hollows of a salt mine, 180 meters below ground. Marvel at the cathedral’s architecture built within the mine’s remaining caverns and tunnels.     After touring the cathedral, enjoy a typical Colombian lunch with boiled potatoes soaked in brine (salt water from the mine) and ajiaco (chicken soup). Then head to Lake Guatavita, a small crater lake surrounded by forest. Learn about this sacred site of the indigenous Muisca people, where the legend of El Dorado was born.   Relax on the ride back to Bogotá where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

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What people are saying about Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 687 reviews

We did a private tour with Andres. He is a very knowledgeable guide, well spoken and helpful. The logistics coordination was easy with Andres getting in touch via WhatsApp to confirm pickup time and location. He also went out of his way to help us figure out our NYE plans. Great experience!

It so amazing to experience this salt mine. It’s over the top Colombia style. Lake Guatavita is an inspiration to see and the locals share their stories to give rich context. It is helpful to understand Spanish for this part.

..an excellent trip..the cathedral is just amazing..transport was faultless..and they kindly dropped me back near my hotel..a perfect trip..

Taylor was an excellent guide! Everything worked smoothly the whole day. I can highly recommend.

It's a good experience and the salt cathedral is quite interesting.