Bogota Zipaquira Cathedral and Salt Stone Carving Tour

Private Tour

From $0 - 8 hours

visit an underground salt cathedral and craft your own souvenir!

During this Bogota day trip, we will take you to the small, traditional town of Zipaquira, home of the stunning structure built inside the extensive caves of an old salt mine. The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is a true testimony to the miners' faith in a higher power and one of the most notable achievements in Colombian architecture. This Cathedral is unlike any other in the world. It opened in 1995 for tourism and represents an eclectic mix of religion and architecture.

To make this experience even more interesting, you will also have a hands-on experience with a local artist, who will explain how to craft a salt stone into a memorable souvenir you can take home to cherish long after your visit.

Departure Time: 8 am Monday - Sunday

EXPERIENCE TYPE History, Local Culture and Hands-on Experience

Tour Highlights

What to Expect

Essential Information

Tour Highlights

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Visit a Spectacular Architectural Masterpiece

The small town of Zipaquira is famous for its salt mines and for the Salt Cathedral, now built inside the network of monumental chambers and tunnels that were left behind when commercial mining operations ceased.

This cathedral is unlike any other in the world, in terms of its innovative architecture. It was opened in 1995 and represents an eclectic mix of religion and architecture to maximise protection from the ever-present risks of working in a mine. The walk-through Stations of the Cross in the mine are a poignant representation of Jesus' last steps, and they culminate in a three-part cavernous subterranean cathedral.

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Create Your Own Souvenir

Visit a local Salt Stone Carving Gallery, a pioneering workshop dedicated to the art of carving salt stones. Here, you will enjohy a unique experience where every piece is meticulously handcrafted without the use of resin or molds. The gallery showcases a diverse array of salt rock sculptures, each reflecting the natural beauty and versatility of this material.

During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to craft your own personalized souvenir. Using a range of specialized chisels, you can shape and carve the salt rock according to your own design preferences. The hands-on session provides an introduction to various carving techniques and insights into the natural benefits of salt.

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What to Expect

Detailed Itinerary

Departure Time: 8 am

Zipaquira is located about 50 km north of Bogota. It will take us approximately 1 hour to reach our destination. We will spend about 1.5 or 2 hours inside the Salt Cathedral. During our time in the cathedral, an expert guide will take you through the Stations of the Cross. At each station you will see a symbolic representation of events from Jesus' last journey before his crucifixion. At the end of this walk, we will come to the main dome and the three naves of the cathedral that are interconnected by a gigantic crack, which symbolises the birth and death of Christ. You will learn about Colombian culture, religion and architecture during this day tour.

After exploring the cathedral, we will visit a Salt Stone Carving Gallery to craft our own souvenirs. For one hour, you will be guided by a local artist who will teach you about the different carving techniques and provide insights into the natural benefits of salt. You will use a range of specialized chisels to shape and carve your souvenir to cherish long after your visit.

To complete this unforgettable journey into Colombian culture and history, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in the Zipaquira before going back to your hotel.

Finish Time: 2 pm

Essential Information

What's Included

Private transfer to and from the hotel
Guided tour in English
Entry tickets the Cathedral
Salt stone carving workshop
Traditional lunch
Day tour insurance

What's Not Included

Any other personal expenses and tips

How to Book

If you wish to book this tour, please click on the yellow "Book Now" button, select the date, number of people, complete the details and go through a secured online payment platform.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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