Monserrate – Bogota -We booked a 7 hour bus tour through Viatour for $290.00. Outside our hotel there is a cab waiting with a driver who doesn’t speak English. That threw us in a flurry. Eventually our guide arrives. We realize it is just the two of us on tour. Humm?
We are told it is too congested to visit Monserrate on Sunday and the cable car is not in operation. With the long line-up for the funicular we would have to try around 4:00 PM. This would be the end of the day and our main purpose for taking this tour. We both went berserk. We negotiated our way to get there. Now he recommends the morning is best.
On the positive side our VIP pass is included, which allowed to skip the line.
Funicular
As soon as we arrive we are on the funicular within twenty minutes. Monserrate is 10,340 feet above sea level. Every now and then we are a bit breathless. I notice several people out of breath with deep red faces and sweating. However, not as bad for us.


Pathway to the Top
The hike up the hill from the funicular had many interesting sites to see along the way. Wonderful Religious Statues, views of the city below with various types of shrubs and plants along the pathway.



Sanctuary of Monserrate
Rebuilt in 1926 due to earthquakes that destroyed the ancient church from the past. Inside many were waiting for the next service. The statue inside is known as Black Virgin of Monserrate. It got its meaning from the past when candles burning turned the faces of the statues black.


That’s a tour I would enjoy. Views from the top seem superb
LikeLike
Quite a crowd, but worth the view! Sometimes it’s best to have a tour guide to yourself to tailor the plan to what you are interested in (as long as they are willing to do just one or two people).
LikeLike
It was great to have this guide taking us around. Sunday was a busy time at Monserrate but rest of area very quiet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks amazing, though very busy – I can’t believe the tour company nearly cancelled on you!
LikeLike
Great photos! Were you out of breath up there?
LikeLike
Nope..didn’t bother me. It was a great site to see.
LikeLike
It must have been an amazing experience to be up there!
LikeLike
Yes it was a great place to visit.
LikeLike
I can imagine that!
LikeLike
It was an amazing site to see.
LikeLike
😊
LikeLike
what a spot! Worth it i would say!
LikeLike
Was fascinating site to see.
LikeLike
immensely thrilled views, great going!
LikeLike
It was a very historic site to see.
LikeLike
wow, incredible views of the city! Colombia is definitely on my list of places I want to see 🙂
LikeLike
Yes such an historic to see but there were a lot of riots and we had to be protected. Anita
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what a view! I’m so glad you persisted with the guide and got to visit 🙂 So far all we’ve seen of Colombia is a very long layover in Bogota Airport on our way home from Chile (and a much shorter one there on they way TO Chile!) Need to rectify that 😀
LikeLike
We did love our time seeing Chile . I always want collect a country that I have never been to ..so Colombia was added to my list. Thanks Anita
LikeLike
Nice views but to much crowd up there for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning views Anita!
LikeLike
Yes a great site to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
SO many people there…I assume this was pre-COVID, because those crowds are insane– I would be very uncomfortable trying to visit now, due to that. The views are absolutely stunning, though: they remind me of the funicular ride I took in Santiago, also to see super-high views of the city from above. Lovely views!
LikeLike
Yes this was a month before Covid existed. It was a great site to see with great views of seeing the area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous views Anita. Hopefully I’ll get there some day.
LikeLike
It was such an amazing place to see and loved our time there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The view and place is wonderful but the people!!!! It wouldn’t be a place for me
LikeLike
Yes .we had to protect ourselves . We only walked during the day but had stay put in the evening .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a wonderful place and the views are fantastic aren’t they. When we visited we took an Uber there, much cheaper, so I hope you had an expensive lunch for that price!
LikeLike
It was an incredible site to see . Yes an Uber could have a better deal.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful view! Noted for VIP pass…wow the line is toooo long👀
LikeLike
Lucky we had the VIP pass and escaped the lineup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a stunning view! Cheers to you being well-traveled. 🙂 Memory tells me that the Black Virgin of Monserrate is also near Barcelona – but I’m not sure. Well done, Anita.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks fantastic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🥰 it is an amazing site to see.
LikeLike
Such beautiful views from up there!! 😎
LikeLike
Such great views from the top of the mountain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Columbia is on the list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always try to add a country to my list..it is a fascinating site to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Note, it’s Colombia not Columbia, but you definitely need to visit. Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person