The Desert Route is a guided tour that will allow you to visit three of the most representative and important places in Villa de Leyva.
The guide assigned will take you to each of the chosen points so that for 45 minutes to 1 hour, you can enjoy its beauty, history and learn about the great secrets that are housed there.
Among the three places you can choose from are:
1. Paleontological Research Center: In this place, you can delve into the prehistoric world. This center protects fossils and vestiges of creatures that inhabited these lands millions of years ago. You will be fascinated by the secrets that reveal the evolution of life in the region.
2. Villa de Leyva Zaquencipa Archaeological Park "El Infiernito": There, you will discover the mystery of ancient civilizations, you will get a glimpse into the worldview and wisdom of pre-Columbian cultures. You will immerse yourself in history through astronomical alignments and ancient structures.
3. Blue Wells: These natural wells, formed by water deposits in the middle of the aridity, welcome all travelers equally. You will enjoy the serenity and natural beauty in this oasis of crystal clear water. The blue tones of its pools create an impressive landscape that invites contemplation and connection with nature. You will learn its history and have plenty of time to capture beautiful images.
4. Convent of Santo Ecce-Homo: This place is a living testament of the religious and architectural history of Villa de Leyva. Its walls protect works of sacred art, masterfully carved altarpieces and religious relics that tell stories of devotion and tradition. It will be a space to learn about the spirituality and religious devotion of the area.
In addition to its historical and religious value, the convent offers an exceptional panoramic view of the Villa de Leyva Desert. From its towers and viewpoints, you can contemplate the vastness of the desert landscape and feel the connection between the divine and the earthly.
5. Fibas Desert Garden: The Desert Garden is a botanical refuge that will dazzle you with its exuberant collection of cacti and succulents in the middle of the arid landscape of the Villa de Leyva Desert. This garden is a tribute to the diversity and resistance of flora adapted to the extreme conditions of the desert.
The garden will offer you a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of plants in desert ecosystems and their cultural relevance in the region. The guide will share knowledge about the medicinal properties, traditional uses and the uniqueness of each species.
6. El Fósil Community Museum: This museum is much more than an exhibition of fossils; It is a portal that will transport us to a remote past, revealing secrets of creatures that inhabited these lands millions of years ago.
The most notable thing about the museum is its centerpiece: the complete skeleton of an icthyosaurus, a prehistoric marine reptile that inhabited the oceans during the Mesozoic era. This fossil, discovered locally in the region, is one of the few complete skeletons of this species in the world and constitutes the pride and jewel of the exhibition.
7. Terracotta House: An architectural wonder in the middle of the Desert. This unique structure is a monument to creativity and innovation.
Designed and built over 15 years by architect Octavio Mendoza Morales, this house is a tribute to art and originality. Made entirely of clay, it is the largest construction in the world made with this material. Its peculiar style and organic design blend amazingly with the desert environment that surrounds it.
Each place will give you an exclusive perspective on the history, nature and culture of the Villa de Leyva Desert. On this tour, it is you who decides the adventure to explore.