Tierradentro National Archaeological Park Tour

The Tierradentro National Archaeological Park stands out as a notable asset in Cauca, showcasing an impressive array of cultural heritage and historical significance.

Explore the Tierradentro National Archaeological Park

Your adventure begins with a 5 am pick-up from your hotel in Popayán, setting the stage for an enriching full-day journey that we assure will make the early start worthwhile!

We will then travel toward Tierradentro, renowned as one of the key archaeological sites in the region. Our first stop will be in the village of Inzá, where we will enjoy breakfast before continuing to our destination, which is rich in anthropological and historical wonders. Upon arrival, you will start to appreciate why this site is shrouded in mystery— but we won't spoil the surprise just yet!

Our exploration of the park begins with a guided tour, where you will witness remnants from three distinct historical eras: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and republican. As you stroll among impressive pyramids and fascinating underground tombs known as 'hypogea', carved into the volcanic rock, you’ll be captivated by the intricate designs within the various burial chambers. Some of these chambers descend as deep as 8 meters (26 feet)!

You will also hear stories about the Paez people, the original inhabitants of this land prior to Spanish colonization. Their alliances with neighboring tribes in a quest to defend their territory raises intriguing questions— were they the architects of these caves? The answer awaits!

After exploring the tombs, we will ascend to the surface to marvel at the stone statues depicting indigenous idols in animal forms, and then enter the museum showcasing a selection of artifacts uncovered during excavations.

At lunchtime, we will take a moment to enjoy a satisfying meal featuring a chicken or meat option served with rice, soup, salad, 'patacones', crispy twice-fried plantain chips, and a drink to refresh us.

In the afternoon, our journey will continue as we delve into the traces of the colonial period with a visit to the historical San Andrés de Pisimbalá church, a charming structure made of stone with a traditional thatched roof.

Concluding the day, we will make our way back to Popayán, arriving at your hotel between 8 pm and 9 pm.