Cerro de Montserrate

After breakfast, we set off to climb the hill to take the funicular to the summit of Monserrate Mountain, which overlooks Bogota. We were already at altitude, so some of our group struggled with the extra height. The funicular carried us from 2600 metres above sea level to an impressive 3152 metres! The views of the city as we climbed became more and more spectacular!

There is also a cable car, which we took later to descend the mountain, and a hiking path, the preferred method for pilgrims to reach the top.

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. At the top, there is a 17th-century church devoted to El Señor Caído (the fallen lord).

To get to the church, you follow a walkway punctuated with statues representing the stations of the cross. Between the statues, there are beautiful trees and shrubs, many of which have medicinal benefits.Read more