Bogotá & Esmeralds of Chivor (7 days)

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Colombia’s privileged position between the two oceans caressing the coasts of this great country makes it the doorway to South America and a land rich in biodiversity, with contrasting regions, fascinating cultures and so much more.  Experience how the tropical beat of salsa ignites the passion and warmth of its welcoming people and explore the best kept secret in South America.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Bogotá                                                          (-/-/-)

• Transfer El Dorado International airport – selected hotel on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Lodging at the selected

Day 2 – Bogotá                                                         (B/-/-)

• HD Private City tour + English speaking tour guide
• HD Tour to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá on private service + English speking tour guide
• Lodging at the selected hotel

Day 3 – Bogotá                                                         (B/L/-)

• FD Tour to the Sacred Lake of Guatavita on private transfer+ English speaking tour guide
• Lodging at the selected hotel

Day 4 – Bogotá - Chivor                                           (B/L/-)

• Transfer to the Spring Waters near the Sisga Dam on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Lunch included on a local restaurant
• Transfer to Tenza Town on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Lodging at the Tenza Hotel

Day 5 – Chivor                                                          (B/L/-)

• Visit to the rudimentary mines of Chivor on private transfer+ English speaking tour guide
• Lodging at the Tenza Hotel

Day 6 – Chivor – Bogotá                                           (B/L/-)

• Walking Tour in Tenza + Enlgish speaking tour guide
• Transfer to Garagoa town and visit on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Transfer to Tenza on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Lunch included at a local restaurant
• Transfer to Bogotá on private service + English speaking tour guide
• Lodging at the selected hotel

Day 7 – Bogotá – Next destination                            (B/-/-)

• Transfer selected hotel – Bogotá International Airport on private service + English speaking tour guide

Special Remarks: 

B = Breakfast        L = Lunch        D = Dinner        BL = Box Lunch

Intinerary Description

DAY 01: BOGOTÁ

Arrive at El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá. Met and greeted by tour guide and transferred to the selected hotel for checking-in.
Bogotá is a modern fast-growing city and one of Latin America’s urban highlights with a thriving nightlife, dining and al fresco café and bar culture; yet none of the traditions are lost from its graceful churches, excellent museums to its plazas and urban parks.

DAY 02: BOGOTÁ/CITY TOUR – ZIPAQUIRÁ + LUNCH

Breakfast and transfer to the well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. There will be an opportunity for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogotá. The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall are located here.
After, visit the famous and ‘must see’ Gold Museum where the world’s greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold crafts is displayed. Next visit the FERNANDO BOTERO Museum which contains paintings and sculptures by this famous contemporary Colombian artist.

NOTE: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Later, driven through the northern residential area of the city and through the fertile plateau to the small colonial town of Cajicá, where there’s a short stop at the main plaza. Lunch included. After a hearty lunch the tour continues to the town of Zipaquirá famous for its underground salt cathedral. Experience the sights extraordinary architecture where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. Though a popular tourist destination, it is still a place of pilgrimage for the local community.
Return and overnight in Bogotá.

DAY 03: BOGOTÁ/CEREMONIAL LAKE OF GUATAVITA + LUNCH

Breakfast at the hotel and depart BOGOTÁ, driving north and taking the Pan-American Highway towards the legendary Sacred Lake of Guatavita. This is where the legendary ancient Muiscas Indian ritual of the Golden Man, "El Dorado" was born. Covered in gold dust, the chief of the tribe would leap from the ceremonial raft into the sacred lake as masked shamans chanted and sprinkled the waters with gold and emerald offerings to their gods. This ritual disappeared long before the arrival of the Spanish, but the legend enticed hordes of conquistadors and looters to this lake in the Colombian Andes. They reasoned; a gold-covered man must surely be from a city of gold.
There will be an hour and a half to walk around the lagoon and reflect on the myth which Colombia can claim as a credible source of El Dorado above any other South American country. The tour will then continue to the town of Guatavita Nueva, built completely in 1967 in colonial style architecture when the old town was submerged by Tomine reservoir, constructed to contain water for Bogotá. After a comprehensive visit return to Bogotá; and on the way, a typical regional lunch which is included in the tour.

NOTE:  The Natural Park where the lake is located is closed on Mondays

Return and overnight in Bogotá.

DAY 04: BOGOTA – TOWNS OF THE TENZA VALLEY

Departure from Bogotá at 08:00 along the Panamerican highway to the north for about one and a half hour, to reach first of all the hot water springs located close to the Sisga dam. Passengers will have the opportunity to take a bath in the hot water springs, which are surrounded by magnificent vegetation.
Continuation of the trip to the town of Guateque, entrance to the Tenza Valley, a beautiful mountainous region of subtropical climate, with many  little colorful  towns. In one of them, Sutatenza, passengers will visit the interesting monument to the local farmer and Saint Isidor Farmer.
Lunch is included. In the afternoon, arrival at the edge of the Chivor Dam, one of the biggest hydroelectric dams in Colombia.
Accommodation, dinner and overnight at the Tenza Hotel.

DAY 05: VISIT TO THE RUDIMENTARY MINES OF CHIVOR

Breakfast and departure to the lake where a ferryboat will cross passengers and vehicle to the other edge. Continuation to the little town of Chivor, close to the area where the best and most valuable emeralds of the world are found.
There, a miner will accompany passengers and do the explanation of their work in a mine. Passengers will get helmets to go into the cave and hear the people that for years look for the most desirable treasure: the emeralds that will pay for all the efforts and sufferings in those little caves.
Lunch included at the town of Chivor and continuation to the dam of the lake to admire the engineering work to do all tunnels that communicate the zone with the world. Arrival at the town of Tenza, accommodation at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 06: TENZA – GARAGOA – BOGOTA

Breakfast and time to walk around this beautiful colonial town, visiting the handcraft stores of the region. Departure to the town of Garagoa, if on Sundays, visit to the weekly market to admire the variety of fruits and vegetables.
Back to Tenza for lunch that is included and return to Bogotá during 3 hours.

DAY 07:  BOGOTÁ – NEXT DESTINATION

Breakfast, and at the appropriate time, transfer to airport for flight to your next destination.