How to explore the Tatacoa Desert? Here is our 4th day of our Colombia tour where we discovered an exceptional place and a colorful and preserved nature.
The Tatacoa desert a real desert?
No, you should know that this is actually a dried-up forest and not a real desert. With a total surface area of 330 km2, this area is formed by the red zone of Cuzco (red desert) and the gray zone of Los Hoyos (gray desert).
How to visit the Tatacoa desert?
Walking tour
You will have to leave very very early and prepare yourself to do several long hours of walking under a blazing sun... The first desert (the red one) is located a little less than 1 km away and the gray desert which is much larger is located much further away.
Bike tour
You can rent a bike for 5 COP per hour but you won't get advice and guidance from someone who knows well ...
Visit in TUC TUC
This is the solution we have chosen. We will book it in the village square for the next morning. We negotiated a half day for 100 COP (around 000 Euros). It is a bit expensive but less tiring and we will thus benefit from a guided tour and explanations from a specialist in the two deserts.
Our day visiting the Tatacoa Desert
The tuc-tuc (which must be reserved in advance see article: Organization of the Tatacoa Desert visit) pick you up from the hotel. It drops you directly at the top of the red desert and lets you hike freely for 1 to 2 hours.
It is to my taste the more beautiful of the two. The colors are incredible and the scenery is total!
Then, the tuc-tuc takes you to the gray desert. Several stops to enjoy nice viewpoints.
Then, the driver gets off with you and gives you a nice guided tour of this surprising desert. The latter is much more bland than the red desert but our guide knew how to tell us anecdotes, make us guess shapes, joke with us and thus make the visit very interesting. The hike lasts about 45 minutes.
You will have free time to bathe in a pool that they say is “natural” which actually means it is filled with natural water from a spring in the desert basement. Price: 4 COP.
At the end of 4h00, the tuc tuc brings us back to our Hotel.
Be aware that you can camp in the desert if you want to spend several days there because there are campsites and restaurants on the site.
Best viewpoints in the Tatacoa Desert
- El Cuzco Viewpoint
Located in the Red Desert, this viewpoint is famous for its vibrant red hues, resulting from the presence of iron in the soil. The views offered here are spectacular, especially at sunset. - Laberinto Lookout
This viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the labyrinthine rock formations of the Red Desert. The reliefs and shadows create a fascinating visual spectacle.
Los Hoyos
Although not a traditional lookout point, this area of the gray desert is home to natural pools where visitors can cool off after a hike.
Swimming and relaxation in a unique natural setting.
The next day, we will take the road to go to the coffee region : We are going to experience an episode of the roads of the impossible: Tatacoa Desert - Armenia route - D5