Traditional lunch at local restaurant
Add a hearty traditional Colombian lunch at a charming local restaurant in the savanna, featuring signature regional dishes.
$100 per person
Legend, Culture & Landscape
Guatavita & Zipaquirá
Between the legend of El Dorado and the Salt Cathedral
Guatavita Lagoon · Colonial Old Town · Salt Cathedral · Zipaquirá Old Town
two icons of the Bogotá savanna in a single private day.
Duration
10 Horas
Group
Privateup to 15 guests
Languages
Physical level
Easy · Suitable for most travelers
From
$180 USD
Rating
4.9 · TripAdvisor
Free cancellation and full refund up to 24 h beforeBook with a 10% deposit — pay the balance before your tour startsTransportation from your accommodation included
Overview
Guatavita Lagoon & the Salt Cathedral, in one private day
Live two unique experiences of the Bogotá savanna in a single journey: an underground gem carved in salt and a sacred lagoon wrapped in mystery. Discover the story behind the myth of El Dorado, admire the architecture of the Cathedral and wander through colonial villages full of charm.
Avoid the hassle and leave everything in the hands of local experts.
Who it's for
Perfect for travelers who want both icons of the Bogotá savanna in one private day
Short-stay travelers who want the two must-sees in one day
Only have one full day outside Bogotá? Visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and the sacred Guatavita Lagoon in a single private tour — no shared shuttle, no waiting for groups, no skipped stops.
Culture & legend seekers — El Dorado meets sacred architecture
Walk the underground sanctuary carved in salt, then stand at the original Muisca lagoon where the El Dorado ritual was born. A specialized bilingual guide connects the colonial faith of Zipaquirá with the pre-Columbian sacred geography of Guatavita.
Families & couples looking for a complete day from Bogotá
Door-to-door hotel pickup, customizable pace, optional traditional Colombian lunch (ajiaco or trucha) and complimentary baby seat. Everything curated so you only worry about enjoying the day.
A Glimpse
Moments along the way
Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon combined tour
Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Tour Itinerary
Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Tour — Your Full Day in Detail, Step by Step
- 1
Stop 1
Hotel pickup
Early door-to-door pickup at your Bogotá hotel in a private vehicle to make the most of this full-day combo tour.
Private transportation
- 2
Stop 2
Transfer to the Guatavita Lagoon Nature Reserve
Scenic transfer through the Andean countryside to the sacred Guatavita Lagoon Nature Reserve.
- 3
Stop 3
Guided tour of Guatavita Lagoon
Naturalist-guided hike around sacred Guatavita Lagoon, birthplace of the legendary El Dorado Muisca ritual.
Closed on Mondays
- 4
Stop 4
Walking tour of the colonial town of Guatavita
Stroll the whitewashed colonial streets of Nueva Guatavita, a charming planned town with Andean handicraft shops.
Guided Tour category only
- 5
Stop 5
Guided tour of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
In-depth guided tour of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, a stunning underground Catholic basilica carved 200 m inside a salt mine.
- 6
Stop 6
Walking tour through Zipaquirá's old town
Walk the colonial streets of Zipaquirá's historic center with its colorful main square and centuries-old cathedral.
Guided Tour category only
- 7
Stop 7
Return to your hotel
Comfortable private transfer back to your Bogotá hotel with our trusted driver.
Service Tiers
What's Included in Our Private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Tour — Self-Guided vs Guided Tour
Self-Guided — Self-Guided Tour
Independent travelers who want the must-sees done well at a smart price.
Transportation · Entrance Tickets · Digital Guide & Remote Assistance
Guided Tour — Tour with Tour Guide
Couples and families seeking exclusivity, extra comfort and tailored attention.
Complete Experience + Bilingual Tour Guide
Most booked
Most bookedWhat Is Included
Self-Guided
Guided Tour
Private vehicle service
Tickets to all attractions
Bottled water on board
Digital Tour Guide & Remote Assistance
Bilingual tourism guide specialized in nature & history
Walking tour of Guatavita & Zipaquirá old towns
Customize your itinerary
Extended duration
What is not included
- ·Gratuities for guide and driver
- ·Personal expenses & souvenirs
- ·Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Pricing
Per-person rates by group size
Private tour, all-inclusive. The larger the group, the lower the per-person rate.
| Group size | Self-Guided | Guided Tour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 guests | $290 USD | $450 USD |
| 2 guests | $180 USD | $235 USD |
| 3 guests | $175 USD | $225 USD |
| 4 guests | $145 USD | $190 USD |
| 5 guests | $130 USD | $165 USD |
| 6 guests | $120 USD | $150 USD |
| 7+ guests | $115 USD | $140 USD |
| Children 3–7 yrs | $115 USD | $140 USD |
| Babies 0–2 yrs | $0 USD | $0 USD |
Children 3–7 yrs pay the 7+ pax rate of their selected category. Babies 0–2 yrs travel free.
Reference rates in USD per person. Final quotation depends on date, season and selected add-ons.
Optional Add-Ons
Elevate your experience
Sailing experience on Tominé Reservoir with a bottle of Prosecco
Sail the breathtaking Tominé Reservoir at golden hour, glass of Prosecco in hand.
On request
Luxury or armored vehicle with professional chauffeur
Travel in a high-end SUV or fully armored vehicle with a professional chauffeur for added comfort and discretion.
On request
Frequently Asked Questions
Good to know
Group shuttle vs private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour
Why book a private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour instead of two separate group shuttles
Most group day trips visit only one of the two icons, lock you into a fixed 8-hour schedule with 15–20 strangers, skip the colonial walks and rarely include hotel pickup. Our private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour combines both must-sees in a single day with door-to-door hotel pickup, certified bilingual guide, skip-the-line Salt Cathedral tickets and a guided hike around the sacred Muisca lagoon — 10 to 11 hours fully at your own pace.
Private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour vs group shuttle
Recommended
RecommendedWhat you compare
Group shuttle tour
Our private combined tour
Hotel pickup & drop-off
Central meeting point
Included, door to door
Group size
Up to 15–20 strangers
Only your group
Both icons in one day
Usually one or the other
Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Lagoon
Guided hike around sacred lagoon
Self-guided
Naturalist guide included
Bilingual certified guide
Spanish only / shared
Certified, dedicated to you
Traditional Colombian lunch (ajiaco / trucha)
Not included
Curated, optional add-on
Duration & pace
Fixed 8h schedule
10h Self-Guided / 11h Guided Tour, your pace
Hotel pickup & drop-off
Group shuttle tour
Central meeting point
Our private combined tour
Included, door to door
Group size
Group shuttle tour
Up to 15–20 strangers
Our private combined tour
Only your group
Both icons in one day
Group shuttle tour
Usually one or the other
Our private combined tour
Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Lagoon
Guided hike around sacred lagoon
Group shuttle tour
Self-guided
Our private combined tour
Naturalist guide included
Bilingual certified guide
Group shuttle tour
Spanish only / shared
Our private combined tour
Certified, dedicated to you
Traditional Colombian lunch (ajiaco / trucha)
Group shuttle tour
Not included
Our private combined tour
Curated, optional add-on
Duration & pace
Group shuttle tour
Fixed 8h schedule
Our private combined tour
10h Self-Guided / 11h Guided Tour, your pace
Why book direct
Six reasons travelers book Green Trails directly
We are a fully licensed Colombian DMC operating our own tours. That means safer logistics, better prices and direct accountability — every single time.
Registered local operator (RNT 63720)
We are a Colombian DMC, not a reseller. Every booking is operated directly by our team in Bogotá.
Vehicles with SOAT & full maintenance
Late-model fleet with mandatory insurance, preventive maintenance and pre-trip safety check on every departure.
MinCIT-accredited guides
All our guides hold the official Ministerio de Comercio guide license and carry liability insurance.
Emergency & contingency protocol
24/7 supervisor on call, GPS-tracked vehicles and a documented incident response plan.
Best price guaranteed — no middlemen
Book direct and skip the 20–30% OTA markup. Find a lower rate elsewhere and we'll match it.
Real humans, real accountability
Speak with the same team that runs your tour, before, during and after — no call centers.
Travelers' Choice
Rated 5.0/5 on TripAdvisor
Based on 3 verified reviews
"A wonderful tour"
We had a wonderful time on our tour with Julian! Very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. An experience we won't forget!
Alex M.
🌎 Family trip · Dec 2024
"The most incredible tour I've attended"
Diego and Diana were super flexible with our stops and treated us like friends. Our host José was very attentive throughout the day. Highly recommended.
Manuela C.
🌎 Couple · Nov 2019
"Spectacular in every way!"
Our guide Julio had perfect English, a local Muisca guide joined us at the lagoon, the cathedral tour was private and lunch in Zipaquirá was excellent. A truly complete day.
Sandy S.
🇺🇸 San Rafael, CA · Nov 2019
Private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Lagoon Tour from Bogotá — Full Day with El Dorado Legend
Our Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour is a private full-day trip from Bogotá with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and private transportation. Visit the underground cathedral carved in salt at Zipaquirá and hike around the sacred Muisca lagoon where the El Dorado ritual was born — both icons in a single day, fully at your own pace.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and Guatavita Lagoon in one private day
Skip the shared shuttle that forces you to pick only one. Drive 1 hour north of Bogotá to Zipaquirá for skip-the-line tickets to the Salt Cathedral, then continue 1.5 hours to Lake Guatavita at 3,100 m to walk the protected Andean trails with a certified naturalist guide. End with a traditional Colombian lunch (ajiaco or trucha) and return to Bogotá — 10 to 11 hours total.
Salt Cathedral and Guatavita Lagoon full-day tour from Bogotá
El Dorado legend day trip — the original Muisca sacred lake
Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral private tour with skip-the-line tickets
Guatavita hiking tour with bilingual naturalist guide
Two-in-one private day trip from Bogotá with hotel pickup
Whether you're a culture and faith traveler combining sacred architecture with pre-Columbian legend, a couple looking for a complete day outside Bogotá, or a family with limited time, our private Salt Cathedral + Guatavita tour adapts to your language and pace — with bilingual certified guides, hotel pickup, all tickets included and optional ajiaco lunch.
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