See stars in the cracked Desierto de la Tatacoa

COLOMBIA // Tatacoa looks like it should have its picture above the word 'desert' in the encyclopedia. Deeply wrinkled gullies of cracked ochre earth. Mesas topped with crooked cacti. A pitiless sun. Rattlesnakes. And yet this is not technically a desert, but a dry tropical forest ringed with mountains. Come to this unique landscape to spot lizards, wildcats and dozens of bird species, hike or bike to sunset-viewing spots, and ride horses through the silent canyons. The absence of urban light pollution means it's one of the world's finest star-spotting locations. Visit one of two astronomical observatories to hear stargazing talks and use the telescopes. Don't miss the lesser-visited grey area of Tatacoa it's like walking on the moon.

 

Is it worth going to Tatacoa Desert?

There is a lot of nature in this place, there are many different animals, there are cacti of different shapes and there is Tatacoa observatory where you can see the stars. I loved this place. If you're traveling south, it's about an hour's drive from Niwa Airport.

How many days do you need in Tatacoa Desert?

How many days do you need? We recommend staying at least one night in the Tatacoa Desert. You need a full day from morning to evening to enjoy all there is to do in Tatakoa. Two nights is ideal because you can split your trip into two days and also get some rest.

How do I get to Tatacoa Desert, Colombia?

How to get to the Tatacoa Desert. By Air: A 30-minute flight from Bogotá to Neiva. By land: a 5-hour trip from Bogotá to Neiva. The journey from Neiva to Villavieja takes about 45 minutes by car. From there to the desert, another 15 minutes.

What animals are in the Tatacoa Desert?

The wildlife includes turtles, rodents, snakes, spiders, scorpions, eagles, crocodiles and wild cats, and cacti between four and five meters tall.
 

Why is Tatacoa Desert famous?

The Tatacoa desert was home to thousands of plant and animal species in prehistoric times, and this fact is evident from the discovery of a large number of prehistoric fossils in this place.