Bogotá & Central Andes

Centered on the capital, Bogotá, with colonial towns and canyons in Boyacá and Santander to the north, and the deserts and archaeological sites of Tolima and Huila to the south.

This region follows the National Planning Department's division and takes the eastern and central parts of the Andean region. It comprises the capital, Bogotá, and six departments: Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Santander, Norte de Santander, Tolima and Huila. Bogotá sits on a plateau in the Eastern Cordillera; the old town of La Candelaria preserves colonial streets and street art, the Gold Museum holds a large collection of pre-Columbian gold, and a cable car up Monserrate offers views over the whole city. Day trips from the city include the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and Lake Guatavita, linked to the legend of El Dorado. Heading north into Boyacá, Villa de Leyva has one of the largest cobblestone plazas in South America, with fossils and desert scenery nearby, and El Cocuy National Park in the east of the department is a high-mountain hiking destination. San Gil in Santander is known as Colombia's adventure capital, with rafting and paragliding; nearby Barichara is a well-preserved stone town, and Chicamocha Canyon has a cable car and viewpoints. Heading south through Tolima into Huila, the Tatacoa Desert is known for its red-and-gray eroded landscape and stargazing, and the monumental stone statues of San Agustín Archaeological Park are a World Cultural Heritage Site. The classic route is Bogotá–Villa de Leyva–San Gil–Barichara in about 5–7 days; adding San Agustín and Tatacoa to the south takes another 4–5 days. Long-distance buses are well developed, and there are flights from Bogotá to Bucaramanga and Neiva. Security in some border and rural areas of Norte de Santander is complicated, so check the latest safety advisories before traveling.

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Itineraries