San Agustín Archaeology & Tatacoa Desert Tour Colombia | Uncover Colombia

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San Agustin Archaeological Park Tour

Short Trips san agustin and tatacoa tour

Private Tour
From $0 - 5 days

breathtaking landscapes and history!

This short journey through Colombia’s central Andes will take you to two extraordinary highlights: San Agustín Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Tatacoa Desert. San Agustín is home to the largest collection of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America, while the Tatacoa Desert offers spectacular canyons, dramatic landscapes, and exceptional stargazing experiences.
This experience is a unique opportunity to discover the ancient pre-Columbian cultures that once inhabited this region while enjoying the stunning scenery of mountains, valleys, and canyons. Along the way, you will also learn about the coffee-making process and admire the striking natural beauty of the Tatacoa Desert.
 

 


EXPERIENCE TYPE History and Archaeology

Tatacoa Desert Colombia Tour
Tour Highlights
What to Expect

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1 Arrive in Pitalito. Transfer to San Agustin

Fly to Pitalito, a small town only 45 minutes away by car from San Agustin. As there is only one flight per day and the departure time varies depending on the day of the week, we have kept this day free.

Upon arrival in Pitalito, your tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the hotel in San Agustin.

Note: As the flights are not included, you can book the flight to Pitalito directly with the local airline Satena. If you need any assistance or wish to include the flight, please contact us.

Overnight: San Agustin
Meal Plan: -

DAY 2 Archaeological Park of San Agustin

We will spend the morning at the main Archaeological park site. The park is an open-air exhibition of about 16 reconstructed funerary mound and hundreds of megalithic sculptures. We can also see related archaeological materials at the site´s museum.

The sculptures and monuments in the park have been traced back to the mythology of pre-Hispanic people that inhabited the area hundreds of years ago, and who were forced out of the area and into the Amazon and Orinoco regions of Colombia around 1400. The group practically disappeared at this time. The dates of the statues are uncertain, but they are believed to have been carved between 5–400 AD.

At the park, we will visit various sites including: Bosque de las Estatuas (The statues forest), the Mesita A, Mesita B, Mesita C, Alto de Lavapatas and Fuente de Lavapatas, a complex maze of pools and water channels hewn from bedrock carved with figures of animals and humans. It was used for religious ceremonies and bathing. 

After visiting the park, we will have time for lunch before going to El Tablon and La Chaquira. At El Tablon we will see other anthropomorphic statues. Then, we will hike to La Chaquira one of the most impressive sites, with deities carved into the sheer rock above the beautiful Río Magdalena gorge. 

Overnight: San Agustin
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 3 Transfer to Tatacoa. Visit la Jagua

After breakfast, we will begin a journey of approximately 6.5 hours towards the municipality of Villavieja, where the Tatacoa Desert is located. Along the way, we will enjoy a scenic drive through the diverse landscapes of southern Colombia, transitioning from the lush green mountains surrounding San Agustín to the warm, dry valleys of the Magdalena River. This route offers beautiful panoramic views, coffee plantations, winding roads, and small rural towns that showcase the authenticity of the region.

We will make a stop to visit the town of La Jagua, a small village seemingly lost in time, with its stone streets and well-preserved original houses that reflect the traditional charm of the area. After this visit, we will continue our journey to the Tatacoa Desert. Upon arrival, we will check in and have time to rest and relax.
 

Overnight: Villavieja
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 4 Tatacoa Desert Exploration

After breakfast, we will begin our exploration of the Tatacoa Desert, the second largest arid zone in Colombia after the Guajira Peninsula. The day’s activities involve short drives between sectors, allowing for a comfortable and immersive experience while discovering this unique landscape.

During our visit, we will explore the stunning landscapes of the red desert (Cusco sector), as well as the surreal, moon-like terrain of the grey desert (Los Hoyos sector), each located at a short driving distance from one another.

The red desert is characterized by its striking labyrinths carved by water and erosion over time, with its intense reddish color reflecting the high iron content in the soil. In this area, we will also visit the Tree of Wishes (El Árbol de los Deseos). According to local belief, anyone who finds a heart-shaped folded leaf and unfolds it without damaging it will be granted the opportunity to make a wish.

In contrast, the grey desert offers an entirely different scenery, with ash-colored rock formations dotted with small patches of vegetation, creating a landscape reminiscent of the moon. Here, we will visit the Valley of the Ghosts, named for the rock formations that resemble mysterious figures emerging from the earth.

We will also visit the local museum to learn more about the geological history and paleontological richness of the region. To complement the experience, we will enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Magdalena River, where we can appreciate the surrounding landscapes and the importance of this iconic river in the life and culture of the area.

After this enriching day, we will return to the hotel for a rest. 

Overnight: Villavieja
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 5 End of the tour.Transfer to the airport

The tour ends today. At the arranged time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport, wishing you a smooth journey and hoping the memories of Colombia stay with you long after you leave.

Note: Check out before 12 pm

Note: As the flights are not included, please book a late afternoon or evening flight from Neiva. If you require any assistance, please contact us.

Overnight: -
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Accommodation
Essential Information

What's Included

  • ​​​​​​Airport pick up and drop off in Pitalito and Neiva
  • 4 nights' accommodation (double occupancy) 
  • Private ground transport
  • Meals as defined in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking tour guides
  • Entry tickets to all tourist attractions mentioned in the itinerary
  • Daily insurance during the activities mentioned in the itinerary

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips and other discretionary expenses
  • Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
  • Early / late check in on the first / last day of the tour
  • Travel Insurance

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 or whish to change something, please do not hesitate to contact us

 

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