Searching for el Dorado

"Embark on a trip to ancient times and unveil the miseries that motivated the Spanish colonizers to explore the American Continent in search of gold. On this trip you will visit Guatavita lake which has given birth to El Dorado legend and the Gold Museum, which has the largest pre-Hispanic gold collection in the world and learn how these different cultures lived. The tour starts when you are collected at your hotel by our guide and driver. You will head towards the north east of the capital, driving up the Andean range for about 1 hour until reaching Guatavita village. After walking the cobblestone streets of the white-house village, which holds a unique history, we will drive between potato crop fields and farmers' houses up to the highest point in which the sacred lake lies hidden amongst mountains and mist. Inside this natural reservoir dotted by lush and humid forest vegetation you can feel the mystic energy that made this lagoon a sacred place for the Muiscas. Learn about the connection with nature of this ancient people and the way gold was used as a symbol of gratitude. At the same time, get to know how this particular ritual awoke the passions of Spanish treasure hunters and other unfortunate adventurers. We will come back to Bogota via La Calera, a small village by the side of the road famous for their heavenly arepas stuffed with farmers cheese. After a quick stop for a small bite, the trip continues straight to La Candelaria. Here we will make a lunch stop at a local restaurant (own expense). After lunch you will walk the narrow streets of La Candelaria, cross the Eje Ambiental and get to our final destination: the Gold museum. At the museum you will have the chance to complement the information and the experience of the sacred lake. On your guided tour, you will see the most iconic pieces that archeologists have found at the lake and its surroundings, and other areas of the country. As you leave, you'll have the chance to shop at the handicrafts market at Parque Santander.