Spend a full day from Bogotá exploring Guatavita village and the legendary Laguna de Guatavita. Walk a short highland trail, hear the Muisca stories behind El Dorado, and choose a traditional lunch in town.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the minivan into a thin, clear air and the lake waits like a bowl cut into the hillside—mirror-flat in the morning, riffling with wind by noon. The path to Laguna de Guatavita climbs through páramo grasses and stands of eucalyptus, opening periodically to views over the Tominé Reservoir and patchwork potato fields. Your guide fills the hush with the story that drew conquistadors here: the Muisca ritual behind the El Dorado myth.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Light to moderate fitness suitable—comfortable walking and brief uphill sections; altitude awareness advised
Wildlife
History
The lake was sacred to the Muisca people who performed offerings that inspired the El Dorado legend; colonial-era attempts to drain the lake altered the rim and local settlement.
Conservation
Laguna de Guatavita is a fragile highland wetland with regulated access—stay on trails, avoid throwing anything into the water, and support tour operators that follow local protection rules.
Reserve your spot on the Village and Lake Guatavita Private Tour with Optional Lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimate before you go
Spend a few hours in Bogotá or walk slowly—altitude is about 3,000 m and can make exertion feel harder than expected.
Bring plenty of water
Carry at least 1–1.5 liters per person; the hike is short but the dry mountain air dehydrates quickly.
Sun protection is crucial
Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and SPF are important—the highland sun is intense even on cool mornings.
Support local vendors
Allow time in New Guatavita to see artisans and try a menu-of-the-day lunch; cash is useful at smaller stalls.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provide traction on uneven, sometimes muddy soil around the rim.
Insulated windbreaker or fleece
Layering handles sharp temperature swings and cold winds off the lake.
fall
Reusable water bottle (1–1.5 L)
Keeps you hydrated at altitude; refill options are limited on the trail.
summer
Sun hat and sunglasses
Protects against strong UV at high elevation during exposure on open slopes.
summer