Community and Biodiversity Tour of the Tatacoa Desert from Neiva

Well planned. We saw many animals on the road and on the trails. Start in Neiva and we had the option to come back or stay in Villavieja. It is a very complete tour. Have a reservation for alligator care without keeping them locked up. They explained that they can be seen frequently but with wild animals they can sometimes hide

We did the Tatacoa desert tour with Fabian and Julian and it was great!! They adapted the order of the places we were going to visit because of the rain, everything was very well organized. The transport quite punctual, the delicious food, the information about the places and the paths. We saw several species of birds along the way and Fabian was explaining everything about them and stopping to take good pictures. Excellent service, everything we loved and we recommend it without a doubt!!

Conditions were shockingly bad, run down corroded bus, no safety belts, door barely opened. Very rough drive, the driver didn't even slow down on pot holes. The tour guide didn't even introduce himself, didn't seem engaged at all. First stop was a boat tour on the river which was very contaminated, rubbish floating everywhere, but a few iguanas were seen. Second stop was walking through cows poop like on a minefield looking for caymans but we've seen only ants. Third stop was the actual desert which was pretty impressive. Fourth stop was so called Piscinas Naturales which is nothing else but just an outdoor pool. None of the participants used it so we were just chilling out for half an hour before heading out to do another walk. Fifth stop was a walk through gray desert. We were walking through the mud, narrow canyons and unbeaten path just to see promised "the best view" which was just next to the bus pick up point. Could've just gone there straight away instead of crawling in heat for 1.5 hrs. Sixth stop was the observatory which none of the participants bothered to see and we decided to return back. Only because of good reviews I decided to do this tour but judging by my own experience I believe these reviews are farfetched. If you can skip all the points and go straight to the desert, do it. The only place worth seeing.

This was a really great tour. You don't appreciate the beauty until you see it for yourself. I feel like the pictures don't do it justice. Pro tip, you can get some amazing photos of the galaxy at night at the observatory if you bring a tripod (purchased from someplace like Panamericana) and you use the 30 second night mode exposure on like an iPhone 16. Though obviously it is dependent on whether the clouds cooperate.

Before you book this trip, just aware of that this is a very physical demanding tour you'll have with more than 5 hours of hikes total. Otherwise it's a magnificent tour that you can walk within the desert that made of mud, a mountain hike that pass through 3 valleys. The tour and the driver are professional to keep us safe and accommodated, best when book with the backpacker Hostel.

The tour was very good overall. During the journey to the desert, we made several brief stops that allowed us to discover curious and fascinating details of the road. Once in the desert, the tour was wonderful, full of magical places steeped in history and culture. We also saw some of the local animals and plants. The most special moment was, without a doubt, the spectacular stargazing session. Amidst the tranquility of the desert, we enjoyed a breathtaking sky, accompanied by a very complete and enriching explanation that allowed us to better understand the universe and its mysteries. We also visited a natural water pool, perfect for relaxing and connecting with the environment. Miguel, the guide who accompanied us on the second tour, shared a wonderful story about the cultural origins of the desert, giving even more depth to the experience. However, there were aspects that could be improved. The main guide who accompanied us throughout the tour didn't introduce himself or share a clear plan from the start, which somewhat hampered the organization. Furthermore, the boat tour was brief and lacked detailed explanations, which meant a valuable opportunity to learn more about this beautiful place was lost.

It is a very complete tour, you get to know both types of deserts (the red and the gray), the lunch is very rich and with a very good portion, the transportation was punctual, the tour along the Magdalena River is very beautiful, you feel its immensity, the pool is too refreshing, it is recommended to bring a lot of sunscreen, light clothing, since it is too hot, the time at the observatory is something unmatched, they explain the constellations very well, some history, it is too entertaining, I highly recommend the tour.

Everything was great. There was no rush to leave a location to move to another one - we had as much time as we needed. Provided lunch was great. The guide Carlos was fun and knowledgeable. We didn’t get to the observatory, but it was because of the rain (obviously we wouldn’t be able to see any stars and there was no point in going there), not because of any fault of the tour provider.

Professional and caring guide Fluent in English and integrates all group members to give information Guide shares knowledge about the site and Colombian history ° only downside, dinner could be better.

I had an amazing time on the Tatacoa Desert tour with Fabian. Fabian is a lovely person and great fun to be with. He organised every aspect of the tour well, down to little details like getting us the perfect spot at a café to watch the sunset at the end. The desert itself is incredible and not one to miss while in the area. It was an interesting and magical tour, thank you!