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Colombia

Travelling around Colombia with Explore Travel on their "Contrasts of Colombia" trip. Read more
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    Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Starting the Camino Real (Royal Road) to GuaneView acrossThe cobblestone path downOwlsView acrossDrink stopView from the terraceGuaneStreet sceneArchaeological and Paleontological Museum of GuaneInside the museum entranceIglesia de Santa LucíaA fossil in one of the cobbled paving stonesPlazaDe la Tierra Casa Taller; a "rammed earth" workshopHow they are made in real lifeIn the workshop to make a small brick; press assembledLoading the soil and water for pressingSuccess!The Explore GroupEl cabrito en salsa criolla con pepitoria: Goat in creole sauce with pepitoria

    Barichara 2; Camino Real to Guane / Workshop

    November 5 in Colombia ☁️ 21 °C

    The Camino Real (Royal Road) is a cobblestone path built hundreds of years ago to connect the area's farmlands. The section we walk is a downhill 6 km walk that connects Barichara to Guane. It is very beautiful with excellent views down into the valley and over to the Eastern Andes. We reach Guane......

    The name Guane refers to the historic Guane People, an indigenous Muisca-related civilization that inhabited the Chicamocha Canyon region of Santander, Colombia, before European contact. We visit the small main square and the village museum, which houses thousands of ancient marine fossils, indigenous ceramics, and artefacts from the Guane culture. Later, we return to Barichara by tuk-tuk.

    After a quick lunch, we visit the "rammed earth" workshop to make a small brick using old technique in a miniature format; most houses in Barichara and the surrounding area have been made by this technique for hundreds of years using the local earth. It is a really interesting experience.

    After some down time time we went to a local restaurant, Nakus, where I had a classic Santander regional dish; goat in Creole sauce with pepitoria - amazing.

    Another full, but fantastic day out.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Another view down to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
    View down to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception; it is close to our HaciendaPlaza Principal; Cathedral of Immaculate ConceptionColonial style houses are everywhereView down from the top of BaricharaCapille de Santa BarbaraAnother view down to the Cathedral of Immaculate ConceptionHouse at the topStatue of Simon BolivarThe local yellow sandstone (piedra amarilla)Barichara Cemeter; a colonial-era cemetery known for its ornate, hand-carved stone architectureFamily tombMirador del Salto de MicoPanoramic vista across the Canon de Rio Suarez wirh Andean peaks in the backgroundThe Explore Group; Sunset at Mirador del Salto de MicoDinner at Independencia Cocina y Sazon; Arroz Atollado; a rice dish with pork, chorizo, spices etcBarichara at night

    Barichara 1; The town

    November 4 in Colombia 🌧 24 °C

    Barichara's clifftop setting, picturesque architecture, and artesanal heritage combine to make it one of Colombia's most attractive heritage towns; it is located in the Santander Department of north eastern Colombia. It is known for its streets, houses, churches, and cemetery, which are all constructed using the local yellow stone.

    After checking in at the accommodation, we walk down to the Plaza Principal to visit the Cathedral and then walk up and around to the top part of Barichara to visit the cemetery. We then walk down to the Mirador del Salto de Mico to watch the sun set before going to a nearby restaurant for dinner. See captions on photos for details of the walk around Barichara.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Street scene
    Santa Sofia: Santa Rosa de Lima ChurchEn route to the province of SantanderSocorro; Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del SocorroMonumento José Antonio Galán; a major figure in the revolt of the Comuneros against SpainAnother major figure in the revolt of the Comuneros against SpainAnother major figure in the revolt of the Comuneros against SpainStreet sceneStreet sceneChurch of Our Lady of ChiquinquiráinThe Manuela Beltrán and Antonia Santos FountainStreet sceneStreet sceneLunch; Tamal - chick peas, maize, chicken, pork wrapped in banana leaf

    En route to Barichara via Socorro

    November 4 in Colombia 🌧 24 °C

    We leave the hotel and drive to Socorro. Socorro is a town in the Santander province of Colombia and was very influential in the history of Colombia; here began the revolt of the Comuneros of 1781 against the oppression of Spanish rule, and the steps towards Colombian independence began.

    We walk around key places here and enjoy lunch before driving on to Barichara.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Plaza Mayor; Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
    Villa de Leyva; walking to Plaza MayorPlaza MayorPlaza Mayor; Church of Nuestra Señora del RosarioPlaza MayorLunchCasa Terracota (Terracotta House)The Explore GroupVilla de Leyva; Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Plaza MayorInside the churchSunset in Plaza MayorA monster in the sky?Sunset in Plaza Mayor continued1

    Villa de Leyva; The town

    November 3 in Colombia ☁️ 24 °C

    We arrive back in Villa de Leyva; this is a historic colonial town and municipality in the Boyacá department of Colombia and is famous for preserving its 16th-century Spanish architecture, whitewashed buildings, and massive cobblestone streets.

    We walk to the Plaza Mayor, which has the largest cobblestone square in Colombia. We stop here for lunch, Colombian style.

    Afterwards, we walk to the Casa Terracota (Terracotta House); this is effectively the largest piece of pottery in the world, built entirely of clay and baked by the sun, and was designed by Colombian architect and ceramist Octavio Mendoza Morales. It is a truly incredible place with a Gaudi-esque influence and very photogenic....

    We walk back to the hotel, rest up for a while, and then walk back to Plaza Mayor to visit the Church (it was closed earlier) and to watch the sun go down over the square.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Kronosaurus boyacensis fossil
    Pozos AzulesThe Explore GroupGrowth on the rocksThe new fashion in wearing cut-off trousers?Museo el Fosil, the Community Fossil MuseumKronosaurus boyacensis, found in the fields hereKronosaurus boyacensis fossilKronosaurus boyacensis fossilPart of a dinosaur soineAmmonite shellPaleontological Research Centre (CIP).AsteroidReal tree and fossilised tree sectionsFossilised fishAmmonitesFossilised turtleEl Infiernito; overview of the siteEl InfiernitoEl InfiernitoEl InfiernitoA penis-shaped structure to aid fertility

    Villa de Leyva; Ponds, Fossils, and a Little Hell

    November 3 in Colombia ⛅ 17 °C

    We start our tour today with a visit to Pozos Azules (Blue Wells); these are
    artificial ponds created decades ago for farming and colored an intense blue-green by minerals. They are beautiful and used to be used for swimming by locsls, but that is no longer permitted. We enjoy a walk around them.

    Villa de Leyva has a strong fossil heritage, as it was under the ocean originally; fossilised marine life was pushed to the surface when the Andes were formed. We visit the Museo el Fosil, the Community Fossil Museum, which was essentially built around a large fossil (a 7 metres long Kronosaurus boyacensis) found in the fields around Villa de Leyva. We also visit the Paleontological Research Centre (CIP) opposite it; this is a private, non-profit scientific and educational research centre featuring one of Latin America's most advanced vertebrate-fossil preparation laboratories We have a guided tour by one of the staff there.

    We then visit El Infiernito; this is a pre-Columbian Muisca archaeoastronomical and fertility site 5km from Villa de Leyva. Spanish conquistadors and missionaries named it El Infiernito ("The Little Hell") because they considered the indigenous pagan rituals, etc, to be diabolical. There are also penis-like structures that stand for fertility. The Muisca people used the positioning of the monoliths to plan harvests and planting times; it is very much the Colombian version of Stonehenge. We can only take photos from the outside, as the site was closed today.

    Nite that the Muisca are to Colombia, what the Aztecs are to Mexico, and the Inca are to Peru.

    We then drive the short distance back to Villa de Leyva.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    One of the three naves
    Zipaquira Salt Cathedral entrance; a climbing areaGoing down....One of the Stations of the CrossOne of the Stations of the CrossOne of the Stations of the CrossOne of the Stations of the CrossOne of the Stations of the CrossOne of the Stations of the CrossThe DomeOne of the three navesOne of the three navesHoly Family SculptureOne of the three navesThe Last SupperA reflection of the roof in the water mirror (10cm deep, highly salted water)Zipaquira; main square, and the cathedralInside the CathedralMain squareStreet sceneStreet sceneView of churchEn routePuente de BoyacáPuente de BoyacáMemorial at Puente de BoyacáCuchuco con Espinazo is a traditional, hearty Colombian soup from the Andean region

    Zipaquira and en route to Villa de Leyva

    November 2 in Colombia ☁️ 18 °C

    We drive to Zipaquira to visit the Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres (660 ft) underground in a rock salt (halite) mountain. It was created by salt miners whose Catholic beliefs meant they needed a place to pray and ask for protection during work in the active mine.

    Note that the halite mines were exploited already by the pre-Columbian Muisca culture since the 5th century BC, with it being one of their most important economic activities.

    The new cathedral, which we visited, was inaugarated in Dec 1995. We walk along the Stations of the Cross, which illustrate the events of Jesus' last journey, before visiting the Dome and the three naves.

    We leave the amazing Salt Cathedral and go to the town of Zipaquira; after a quick lunch, we spend a short time looking around the town.

    En route to Villa de Leyva in the Eastern Andes, we stop off at the Puente de Boyacá (Boyacá Bridge) is a historic national monument in Colombia where Simón Bolívar's patriot army defeated Spanish Royalist forces on August 7, 1819, securing the independence of New Granada (Colombia).

    We arrive at our hotel and go out for a meal. Another great day.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Ascent by funicularView downThe Way of the CrossThe Way of the CrossThe Way of the CrossThe Way of the CrossView over to Guadalupe Church on Guadalupe Hill1View down to the cityView down to Plaza de BolivarMonserrate ChurchThe Fallen Lord (El Señor Caído)The Fallen Lord from a viewpoint behindBlack Madonna ShrineThe Black MadonnaThe market areaView from the end of the market areaCable car descentView upView of Bogota

    Bogota 4; Monserrate

    November 2 in Colombia ☁️ 16 °C

    This morning, we visit Monserrate, a mountain over 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) high that overlooks the city centre of Bogotá. There is a church (built in the 17th century) with a shrine devoted to El Señor Caído ("The Fallen Lord"). The Mountain, already considered sacred in pre-Columbian times when the area was inhabited by the indigenous Muisca, is a pilgrim destination, as well as a major tourist attraction.

    We ascend using the funicular and enjoy good views of the city. We walk The Way of the Cross (a traditional devotion in honour of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, known also as Stations of the Cross) to the church, before visiting the market area here.

    After the visit, we drive to Zipaquira, a town in the neighbouring province of Cundinamarc.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Entrance hall
    Outside the museumEntrance to the museumEntrance hallAdam and EveView down from the first floorA familyCaballoMonalisaEl Studio; Botero is the artist looking round the subject in this self-portraitAdam and EvePedritoGuitarThe only picture that shows a smile....Masacre de Mejor EsquinaStreet art on a cafe close to our hotel; Botero is seated

    Bogota 3; Museo Botero

    November 1 in Colombia ☁️ 17 °C

    Museo Botero (Botero Museum) contains works by Colombian painter/sculptor Fernando Botero as well as works by other artists, including Monet and Picasso from Botero's private collection. Botero is known for depicting people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humour.

    We look at his sculptures and paintings on the ground and first floor; they are very quirky - but famous and valuable.

    It has been an incredible day; there is no meal tonight for me!    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Balsa Muysca (Muisca Raft); unearthed from a cave in 1969
    Paloquemao MarketShared dishesLocal fruits available hereA taster of many of themMuseo del Oro; Entrance foyerPre-Hispanic gold workPre-Hispanic gold workBalsa Muysca (Muisca Raft); unearthed from a cave in 1969Death maskHow the items would be wornPre-Hispanic gold workPre-Hispanic gold workPre-Hispanic gold workPre-Hispanic gold workThe Explore Group outside the museumIglesia de la Tercera, Carrera Septima; en route to Plaza de BolivarIglesia de San Francisco, Carrera Septima; en route to Plaza de BolivarMemorial to Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in front of the place at which he was assassinated in BogotáLunch; Ajiaco Santafereno soup and Guanabana con leche to drink

    Bogota 2; Paloquemao Market and Museo del Oro

    November 1 in Colombia ☁️ 17 °C

    After breakfast, we start the day with a visit to the fruit and flower market at Paloquemao; this is very interesting, and we enjoy more food here!

    We return to La Candelaria area to visit Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), one of the most important museums of Colombia; it has a collection of more than 36,000 pieces in gold, wood, shell, and stone from all over the country organized in its three floors - the gold is from pre-Hispanic times. It is a very interesting visit.

    After this, we walk to the Plaza de Bolivar area and enjoy a lunch at Restaurant Puerta de la Catedral; Ajiaco Santafereno, a hearty soup made from chicken, potato, and corn.

    Then, it's on to Museo Botero....    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsColombiaTraveler
    Plaza de Bolivar; Catedral Primada
    Barahúnda Batucada; an Afro-Brazilian street percussion, dance, and theatre groupCasa Deco, our hotel in La CandelariaInside the hotelOutside the hotelStreet art en routePlaza de Bolivar; Catedral PrimadaInside Catedral PrimadaInside Catedral PrimadaPlaza de Bolivar; The Palace of JusticeOld house overlooking Plaza de BolivarStreet scene en routeSantuario Nuestra Señora del CarmenStreet sceneView up to the hillsStreet sceneIglesia de la CandelariaInsideStreet sceneStreet sceneStreet sceneStreet scenePlaza del Chorro del QuevedoThe walk down from Chorro del QuevedoStreet sceneStreet sceneStreet artStreet artView from Plaza de Mercado la ConcordiaView from Plaza de Mercado la ConcordiaStreet sceneIt's Halloween this evening.....Waiter at El Gato Gris restaurant....

    Bogota 1: La Candelaria

    October 31 in Colombia ☁️ 17 °C

    We arrived at our hotel yesterday evening (Thursday, 30th October); after a bite to eat, there was a display of drumming and dancing close to the hotel (to welcome us?).

    On Friday (today), we explored La Candelaria, which is a historic neighbourhood located in Bogota's downtown area, using an excellent map from the hotel. La Candelaria was the site of the Bogotá's founding on August 6, 1538, and it includes the historic centre of Bogotá. Now, there are many painted buildings and a lot of street art to see as well.

    In the evening, we meet the rest of the Explore Group; there are only 7 of us (all retired). We go with our tour leader, Elcy, for a meal - it is Halloween this evening, and it is a popular event in Colombia.

    The captions on the photos indicate many of the interesting places we visit, as we walk the colourful and picturesque streets.    Read more

    Trip start
    October 30, 2026