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.


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1. Alto de San Andrés

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…

2. Museo Etnográfico

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…

3. Museo Arqueológico

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…

4. Parque Arqueológico

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Scattered across the hills around the little town of San Andrés de Pisimbalá, Tierradentro's Parque Arqueológico includes four tomb sites, an above-ground…

5. Iglesia de Pisimbalá

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…

6. El Tablón

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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…

7. Segovia

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The most important burial site has 28 excavated tombs, some of which have extremely well-preserved geometric pattern decorations. Twelve of the tombs have…

8. El Duende

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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…