Tierradentro & San Agustín Archeological Parks 3-Day Trip

3-Day Trip Details

Day 1

Welcome to an adventure that will transport you through time! After picking you up from your hotel at the designated time, we'll leave Popayán behind to head to our first destination: the National Archeological Park of Tierradentro, one of the most important archeological sites in Colombia.

Along the way, we'll stop at the surprising Valle de los Frailejones, native plants that form lush forests, unique to the Andean ecosystem. We'll continue our tour in the town of Inzá, where we'll stop to revitalize with a tasty typical Colombian breakfast.

After lunch, we'll go on an easy hiking route that will last about 1 hour to discover the underground caves of the Pyramid of Inzá. It's believed these tunnels were built by ancient Indigenous cultures for ritual purposes or as tombs for their leaders.

We'll reach Tierradentro after approximately 3 hours, where we'll embark on a guided tour of the park. Here, we'll observe remains of the Prehispanic, Colonial, and Republican periods. We'll wander among pyramids and underground tombs called hypogeums, carved directly in volcanic rock. You'll admire the decorations of the funerary chambers, some reaching up to 26 feet (8 meters) deep.

Plus, you'll learn about the history of the Páez people, who inhabited this land before the Spanish arrived. These villages joined forces with their neighbors to defend their land. Did they build these tombs? We'll soon find out!

After visiting the hypogeums, we'll return above ground to see the animal-shaped statues that represent Indigenous idols. You'll also visit the park's museum, which displays objects found during excavations.

In the afternoon, we'll stop for lunch, which includes meat, rice, soup, salad, patacones, and a drink. Then, we'll explore the San Andrés de Pisimbalá Church, a curious stone structure with a straw roof.

Finally, we'll take you to the hotel in Tierradentro where we'll spend the night. See you tomorrow!

Day 2

Our second day will begin with a delicious breakfast before we set off to San Agustín, a town in the heart of the Andes mountain range.

During the journey, we'll stop for lunch, and, after 5 hours, we'll finally reach the hotel of San Agustín where we'll spend the night. After leaving your belongings and settling in, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore this colorful town at your own pace.

Day 3

Good morning! On our third day together, we'll have breakfast and get ready to visit the San Agustín Archeological Park and its museum. During our guided tour, you'll see the funerary structures found throughout the years by national and international archeologists.

In these structures, it's common to also see representations of animals and elements of nature. You'll also be able to admire items made not only from stone, but also from ceramics, wood, and goldsmithing.

In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a scrumptious typical lunch with a main dish served with rice, soup, and salad. Afterward, we'll visit the Magdalena Strait, one of Colombia's most beautiful landscapes, where the Magdalena River flows through a channel of 5.58 feet (1.70 meters) wide.

Plus, we'll visit the Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de las Piedras Archeological Parks, whose remains stand out for the uniqueness of the human representations and the presence of paint on both the statues and the walls of the tombs and small temples.

Finally, we'll start our journey back to Popayán, where we'll arrive at 7 pm. Until next time!

Day Trip Accommodation

This day trip includes 2 nights stay with breakfast in a double room at the following hotels:

• Tierradentro: Hotel Cabaña Campestre Los Lagos or Hotel La Portada
• San Agustín: Hotel Alto de los Andaquies