Laguna de Guatavita and Zipaquira Salt Mines | Mantaraya Travel

Get to know Colombia

Discover Mantaraya Colombian Destinations

Get inspired

Learn about the Colombian culture and Legends!

This tour takes you to the ‘Laguna De Guatavita’ a beautiful perfectly circular lake and home to the legend of El Dorado following with a trip to the incredibly architected Zipaquirá Cathedral built within a salt mine.

You will begin heading north, passing through splendid landscape with incredible views. First you will go through the town of La Calera and continue on to Guatavita. The Laguna de Guatavita is the cradle of the El Dorado legend and was the ritual center of the Muisca Indians who would honor their gods by throwing gold and emeralds into the lake. The lake itself is a beautiful emerald green and boasts beautiful nature around its diameter and which is truly invigorating to walk through.

After a walk around Guatavita, you will drive to Zipaquirá. The town is primarily known for its incredible Salt mine Cathedral, an underground church built inside a salt deposit in a tunnel made as result of the exploitation of the salt mines. Zipaquirá has a very interesting architectural layout, and the old city centre is also a tourist attraction. Its main square is surrounded by old buildings with Spanish Colonial style. Here you will enjoy a typical lunch from the region and a visit to the Salt Cathedral before heading back to Bogotá.