The most remote burial site at Tierradentro, El Aguacate (2000m) is reachable via a stiff 1¾-hour climb from San Andrés de Pisimbalá, with the best views en route. Most of the 42 tombs here have been destroyed by guaqueros (tomb raiders). There are 17 tombs open to visitors but only a few vaults still bear the remains of the original decoration. Look out for depictions of salamanders in Tomb 1. The trail is not always well-signposted; ask campesinos (peasants) for directions.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.62 MILES
Scattered across the hills around the little town of San Andrés de Pisimbalá, Tierradentro's Parque Arqueológico includes four tomb sites, an above-ground…
23.24 MILES
On Tuesday, market day, members of the Guambiano community come down from their surrounding villages to Silvia to sell fruit, vegetables and handicrafts…
0.39 MILES
This site (1750m) is visible from San Andrés de Pisimbalá and has seven large tombs; one of which, Tomb 5, has remarkably well-preserved depictions of…
0.87 MILES
The most important burial site has 28 excavated tombs, some of which have extremely well-preserved geometric pattern decorations. Twelve of the tombs have…
Parque Nacional Natural (PNN) Puracé
29.41 MILES
PNN Puracé is the only place in Colombia you can see Andean condors in the wild. Nearly a dozen of the great vultures were reintroduced to the park –…
0.85 MILES
This site (1700m) consists of a collection of nine weather-worn stone statues of warriors, women and priests, located under one roof and similar to those…
0.55 MILES
With a focus on post-Tierradentro indigenous communities, the Museo Etnográfico displays the utensils and artifacts of the Páez people alongside exhibits…
1.22 MILES
A 15-minute walk up from Segovia, this site (1850m) has 12 tombs in total, five of which are open to visitors, although their decoration hasn't been…
Nearby Cauca & Huila attractions
0.39 MILES
This site (1750m) is visible from San Andrés de Pisimbalá and has seven large tombs; one of which, Tomb 5, has remarkably well-preserved depictions of…
0.55 MILES
With a focus on post-Tierradentro indigenous communities, the Museo Etnográfico displays the utensils and artifacts of the Páez people alongside exhibits…
0.61 MILES
Dedicated to the agricultural civilization behind the Tierradentro tombs, this museum contains pottery urns used to keep the ashes of the deceased. There…
0.62 MILES
Scattered across the hills around the little town of San Andrés de Pisimbalá, Tierradentro's Parque Arqueológico includes four tomb sites, an above-ground…
0.79 MILES
This charming thatched adobe church was once the centerpiece of the town until it was torched by arsonists. It is now covered by an incongruous tin roof…
0.85 MILES
This site (1700m) consists of a collection of nine weather-worn stone statues of warriors, women and priests, located under one roof and similar to those…
0.87 MILES
The most important burial site has 28 excavated tombs, some of which have extremely well-preserved geometric pattern decorations. Twelve of the tombs have…
1.22 MILES
A 15-minute walk up from Segovia, this site (1850m) has 12 tombs in total, five of which are open to visitors, although their decoration hasn't been…