Welcome to Huila, a land of promise and beautiful natural sceneries which have incredible contrasts. Here, you can travel from north to south with very varied geography; you will have the chance of going through the arid zone of Tatacoa Desert and live an unforgettable experience to the Colombian Massif magical mountains. This guide allows us to marvel at the incredible natural textures carved by the wind in La Tatacoa. Neiva, a commercial city hub for events, congresses, and joyful traditional festivals; enjoy the hot springs in Rivera or even practice water sports in Betania and Quimbo dams. The natural setting between plains sown with rice and charming towns, full of history and legends. It is the prelude to the majestic Colombian Massif, where canyons and cliffs crossed by the waters of the Magdalena River. In the middle of quiet hills, one of the most significant archaeological treasures of pre- Columbian America appears as a gift to the senses: the Augustinian culture's incredible sculpture in San Agustín and Isnos. You can reach the Benito Salas National Airport in Neiva by the leading airlines in the country, Easyfly, and Avianca, who operate direct flights from Bogotá and Cali. Likewise, you can directly get to the Contador Airport in Pitalito through Satena airline that serves direct flights from Bogotá and Medellín. You can also get by bus to the Neiva Transportation Terminal, which has routes to and from different areas of the national territory. Between Bogotá, the Capital of Colombia, and Neiva, there are 292 kilometers or five and a half hours of distance in comfortable transport lines with regional companies such as Coomotor, Cootranshuila, and Taxis Verdes. 2021 Demonym: Huilense - Opita Luis Enrique Dussán López Population: 1’154.777 Habitantes Huila's Governor Temperature: 24 C to 35 C Daniel Leonardo Sanz Perdomo Culture and Tourism manager Luz Stella Cárdenas Calderón Huila Tourism chief Texts and Research María José Garrido Trujillo - Translation Jorge Melo Valderrama Andrés Parra Montealegre Editing and Style Ana Patricia Collazos Quiñones Design Andrés Parra Montealegre Photographs Huila's Culture and Tourism office photo gallery Jorge Melo Valderrama The Augustinian culture's legacy supported the Huila Department history, located between 1000 BC and 1650 AD. UNESCO recognized the importance of this culture and conferred on the Archaeological Parks of San Agustín, Alto de Los Ídolos, and Alto de Las Piedras, the Cultural Heritage of Humanity category, in 1995. When the Spanish conquerors arrived in 1538, numerous indigenous communities populated the region of the current department who tenaciously and courageously opposed the invaders; in the north lived the Pijaos, in the south the Andaquíes and Yalcones, in the west the Paeces and the east the Tamas. This historical tradition feeds the intangible cultural heritage through legends as significant as La Gaitana, an indigenous heroine who in the 16th century left her legacy with her warrior leadership. Gentilicio:Huilense - Opita Población: 1’154.777 Habitantes (Proyección DANE 2015) Temperatura: Entre 24 C a 35 C 2021 A window to the universe Now you have the privilege of being in this undiscovered paradise, we invite you to start this magical journey at the Tatacoa Desert. More than a desert, this majestic place is a Tropical, Very Dry Forest, with a total area of 330 km2 in La Tatacoa Ecoregion. Fauna and flora were once abundant in this place, which dried up to become what we know today. That desert landscape full of mystery evokes the lunar steppes and has served as a cinematographic location for its unique settings. In addition to being the second largest arid zone in Colombia, it is a privileged setting for astronomical observation where you can appreciate the 88 constellations or the frequent stars shower as a gift from the universe. Distance: 37 km from Neiva (One hour approx.) Temperature: 28°C – 40°C Altitude: 430 MASL Travel Tips: ✓ Bring sunscreen, hydrating drinks, and comfortable clothing. ✓ Hire a local agency or local guide to elevate and guarantee your experience. ✓ The fossils extraction and plant material you may find during the 2021tour are prohibited because they are part of the attraction essence. COVID 19: The local administration has adopted measures during the health emergency derived by Covid19; for this reason, keep in mind that, although entry to the desert is free, is not allowed the access of people who do not have a hotel reservation or a guided tour that controls the capacity of the place. SANTA BARBARA CHAPEL It is the oldest chapel in the Huila Department. Its building represents a valuable testimony in the national architecture history, representing its exaltation as a National Monument in 1982 PALEONTOLOGICAL MUSEUM In 1984, The Paleontological Museum of Villavieja opened its doors to find pieces from the Middle Miocene period, 15 million years ago approximately. About 950 original fossils are exposed in this place, such as giant tortoises, sloths, crabs, and fish that inhabited this Gentilicio:Huilense - Opita territory.Located in the heart of the town, you Población: 1’154.777 can visit the three rooms dedicated to mammals, Habitantes reptiles, and the environment. (Proyección DANE 2015) Temperatura: Entre 24 C a 35 C CUZCO AREA In the middle of the Tatacoa Desert, you will find the Cuzco area, characteristic of its formations due to erosion caused by the wind and the rains with a clay substrate of ocher and reddish color, showing its high mineral content. In the middle of this landscape, you will find imposing formations such as La Torre, the highest point in this area, and where you can see the Cuzco labyrinths where you can watch birds. LOS HOYOS AREA The clayey and sandy formations characteristic of Los Hoyos has been eroded by the combined action of wind and water, generating landscapes with a high scenic value where the white coloration of the Gentilicio:Huilense - Opita substrate is the most striking. Población: 1’154.777 Habitantes (Proyección DANE 2015) Temperatura: Entre 24 C a 35 C Los Hoyos landscape transports us to another world, where the Ghosts Valley rises, showing its natural formations. XILOPALOS VALLEY This place is one of the most visited by researchers and scientists worldwide due to the academic interest that its geological and paleontological wealth arouses. There, you will be able to know the Xylopals, giant fossil remains of trees that were buried by the earth, and due to the heat, the oxygen and minerals' lack turned into stones. ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY Schedule 6 30 p m to 9 30 p m. The Astronomical Observatory is a place in the Tatacoa Desert that has spaces for viewing the sky. Due to its geographical position, this area does not present light Gentilicio:Huilense - Opita pollution and has a room used as an Población: 1’154.777 external classroom with telescopes for all Habitantes visitors. (Proyección DANE 2015) Temperatura: Entre 24 C a 35 All over the year, there are some dates C where it is easier to appreciate the incredible Meteor Shower in the Tatacoa Desert: Perseid meteor shower from July 17 to August 24 Geminid Meteor Shower December 4 17 CASA DEL TOTUMO CRAFT MUSEUM Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This museum is a tribute to Huila's artisan creativity, where you find all traditional peasant house items manufactured with Totumos (Crescentia Cujete). Casa del Totumo Craft Museum opened its doors in 2014, and its creator works with the wood, pulp, and leaves of this plant known as Totumo, which is considered one of the most typical plant species in the region. DRINKS AND CANDIES BASED ON CACTI AND ACHIRAS When it comes to appreciating the culture of a place, the local gastronomy is fundamental. that is why we invite you to enjoy the drinks and the various candies artisanal made, based on cacti and achira representative products of our region. GOAT STEW Typical dish due to the goat is the meat most consumed by the Tatacoa Desert inhabitants. This tradition comes from preparing goat meat for several generations, marinated with spices and cooked with beer and white wine. ACCOMMODATION The Tatacoa Desert offers its visitors an extensive list of accommodation options that adapt to all travel needs; From the most luxurious hotel in the middle of the desert, passing through hostels, and ending in camps to sleep in a hammock or camping. Hotel Casa del Angel http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hotelcasadelangel Hostal El Ruby http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hostalruby-villavieja Diomatal Eco Resort http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/diomatalecoresort-villavieja Hospedaje Merkezi http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hospedajemerkezisaray Saray La Villa De Marquez http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/lavillademarquez Hotel Villa Paraiso http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hotelvillaparaisovillavieja Villavieja Hotel Boutique http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hotelboutiqueyararaka Yararaka Hotel y Piscina Paraíso http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hotelypiscinaparaiso Bethel Bio Luxury Hotel http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/bethelbioluxuryhotel http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/laberintosdelcuzcoalojamientorur Laberintos del Cuzco al Flor de Liz Casa Hotel http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/villadelsolhotelyrestaurante Villa del Sol Hotel y http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/villadelsolhotelyrestaurante Restaurante Hospedaje Villa Cecilia http://turismo.huila.gov.co/hotel/hospedajevillacecilia Cradle of Rajaleñas CIVIL SOCIETY RESERVE ASSOCIATION OF THE DRY FOREST This reserve is a landscaped territory that allows the enjoyment of interpretive trails of the tropical dry forest as an opportunity to sensitize the community about the importance of this ecosystem. PIEDRA PINTADA Piedra Pintada is a way to see the history written in a landscape. It is a stone carved in situ by pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited or passed through the region hundreds of years ago.