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.
100 Country Trek 
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).
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It was great to have this guide taking us around. Sunday was a busy time at Monserrate but rest of area very quiet.
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It looks amazing, though very busy – I can’t believe the tour company nearly cancelled on you!
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Great photos! Were you out of breath up there?
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Nope..didn’t bother me. It was a great site to see.
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It must have been an amazing experience to be up there!
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Yes it was a great place to visit.
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I can imagine that!
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It was an amazing site to see.
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😊
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what a spot! Worth it i would say!
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Was fascinating site to see.
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immensely thrilled views, great going!
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It was a very historic site to see.
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wow, incredible views of the city! Colombia is definitely on my list of places I want to see 🙂
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Yes such an historic to see but there were a lot of riots and we had to be protected. Anita
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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 😀
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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
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Nice views but to much crowd up there for me.
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Stunning views Anita!
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Yes a great site to see.
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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!
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Yes this was a month before Covid existed. It was a great site to see with great views of seeing the area.
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Gorgeous views Anita. Hopefully I’ll get there some day.
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It was such an amazing place to see and loved our time there.
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The view and place is wonderful but the people!!!! It wouldn’t be a place for me
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Yes .we had to protect ourselves . We only walked during the day but had stay put in the evening .
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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!
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It was an incredible site to see . Yes an Uber could have a better deal.
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Such a beautiful view! Noted for VIP pass…wow the line is toooo long👀
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Lucky we had the VIP pass and escaped the lineup.
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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.
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Looks fantastic.
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Thanks 🥰 it is an amazing site to see.
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Such beautiful views from up there!! 😎
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Such great views from the top of the mountain.
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Columbia is on the list!
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I always try to add a country to my list..it is a fascinating site to see.
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Note, it’s Colombia not Columbia, but you definitely need to visit. Cheers
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