The tour combines a visit to the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) in Bogotá with a trip up to the Guatavita Lagoon, the origin for the legend of El Dorado. We begin the tour at the Museo del Oro, which houses the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic metalworking and goldsmithing—around 34-thousand pieces of gold and copper and 25-thousand ceramic, stone, shell, bone and textile pieces. See pieces from different indigenous cultures around Colombia that thrived before the arrival of European conquerors. Once you finish your visit, a private van will take you one hour up the road to the Lagoon of Guatavita, the origin of El Dorado. Hike up to a lagoon surrounded by lush greenery, history, and beauty. This ancient site was one of the sacred lakes of the Muisca indigenous tribe. The Muisca would initiate new Zipa (cacique or chief) at the lake. According to tradition, the Zipa would float out on the lake on a richly adorned reed raft. He would cover his body in gold dust, heap gold and emeralds at his feet to offer the gods, and burn incense called “moque.” The new cacique was accompanied by four other chiefs, and when the raft reached the middle of the lagoon, the people on the shore would throw gold and precious stones into the water. This is one of the origins of the legend of El Dorado. The famous Muisca raft on display at the Museo de Oro is evidence of these rituals. You will walk the same paths as the Zipas and witness this unique and special place