Funza

Day Trips

You arrive in Funza and feel the fresh mountain air as you step out of the terminal. You walk to the Plaza de la Independencia and admire the colonial architecture bathed in morning light. Street vendors offer fresh arepas and jugo de lulo for an energizing start.

After settling into your accommodation, you explore nearby cafés and sample traditional tamales. You wander through artisan stalls showcasing colorful mochilas and ceramics. The vibrant chatter of locals fills the square as you sip a cup of Colombian coffee.

The sun sets behind the church spire and the plaza glows with warm lamplight. You join families enjoying empanadas at a corner eatery. Live music drifts from a nearby courtyard, inviting you to soak in the festive atmosphere.

Sunlight filters through stained glass as you enter the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. You admire the ornate altarpiece and listen to distant organ notes echoing off stone walls. A local guide shares legends of the church’s Muisca foundations.

You stroll along cobblestone lanes to a small café and relish a plate of pollo a la brasa. Nearby, historical plaques reveal centuries of colonial and indigenous heritage. The air is fragrant with jasmine blossoms from a hidden courtyard.

Candles illuminate the church’s interior during vespers as you witness a heartfelt community gathering. You wander back to the plaza under a sky full of stars. A street musician plays Andean tunes that linger in the night air.

Crisp mountain air greets you as you set off on a guided hike into the Eastern Hills. Dew-drenched grass sparkles along the trail and orchid species peek from rocky outcrops. Your boots crunch on the path while birdsong guides your ascent.

At a panoramic overlook, you pause for a picnic of arequipe-stuffed buñuelos and fresh fruit. The valley of Funza spreads out below in a patchwork of fields. You chat with your guide about local fauna and the seasons of Cundinamarca.

Returning to town, you unwind in a rustic café with a steaming cup of chocolate santafereño. The horizon glows with sunset hues over the Andean foothills. You rest weary legs while planning the next day’s adventures.

You arrive at the bustling Mercado Municipal as vendors arrange colorful produce. The scent of fresh cilantro and ripening tomatillos fills the space. You haggle gently over bright orange uchuvas and crisp güisquil.

Inside a covered hall, you sample hearty bandeja paisa and sip sugarcane aguardiente. Artisans at rustic stalls carve wooden tableaux and weave intricate straw hats. Local chatter and laughter create a vivid tapestry of community life.

Market lights twinkle on as traders close their stands. You join a street food vendor for a plate of chorizo with chimichurri. The aroma of grilled meats mingles with cool night breezes.

You step into a local kitchen where a chef greets you with a warm smile and a basket of fresh produce. Under her guidance, you chop cilantro, diced potatoes, and ripe tomatoes for sancocho. Steam rises from pots as you stir and learn family recipes.

Lunch becomes a feast of hearty soup, arepas, and slow-cooked carne desmechada. You swap stories with fellow travelers over desserts of natilla and buñuelos. The chef shares tales of generational traditions and sacred harvest rituals.

In the glow of lanterns, you help prepare herbal infusions to soothe tired muscles. You taste spicy ají casero while soft piano melodies play in the background. A sense of fulfillment warms you as you reflect on new culinary skills.

You board a wooden boat at dawn on the Funza Reservoir, mist rising off placid waters. The reflection of Andean peaks shimmers as you glide silently past reedy banks. A local guide points out herons nesting among lily pads.

You disembark for a lakeside lunch of grilled trout and fresh avocado slices. The sun warms the water as you swim beneath a canopy of clouds. You hike to a nearby lookout for panoramic views of Funza’s lush valley.

Back on shore, you stroll along the reservoir promenade lined with flowering shrubs. Vendors offer chilled cholado—a fruit and shaved ice treat—to cool you down. Twilight paints the sky in pastel shades as fireflies begin to dance.

Grooming gentle Paso Fino horses, you learn basic commands and tack adjustments. You set off at a steady pace across rolling farmland dotted with wildflowers. The scent of damp earth and freshly cut grass fills the air.

A riverside picnic of arequipe pastries and freshly pressed juice awaits beneath a lone palm tree. Your horse forages calmly while you chat with your guide about local equestrian traditions. You ride through sugarcane fields and witness farmers at work.

Returning to the stable, you brush down your mount as the sky glows amber. You enjoy a mug of caliente chocolate by a crackling firepit. Crickets serenade the countryside as night settles in.

You enter the Parque Arqueológico de Piedras Pintadas as morning light reveals ancient rock carvings. The Muisca petroglyphs tell stories of the sun god and offerings of gold. You trace your fingers gently along weathered symbols.

You wander wooded trails to uncover hidden stone circles and ceremonial plazas. A guide explains the significance of each site in pre-Columbian culture. You enjoy a simple lunch of corn arepas and panela cubes under a shade tree.

The park closes at dusk, and lantern-lit pathways lead you back to the entrance. You stand beneath a velvet sky studded with stars once honored by Muisca astronomers. The silence feels profound and timeless.

Before sunrise, you slip into camouflage and head for a misty wetland preserve on the outskirts of Funza. Morning chorus erupts with tanagers, hummingbirds, and toucanets. Binoculars at the ready, you spot a rare flame-faced tanager perched on a slender branch.

You trek through pine forests where flickers and woodpeckers drum on trunks. A guide shares knowledge of migratory patterns and endemic species to the Andes. You pause for a rustic lunch of empanadas and fresh guava juice by a bubbling stream.

As golden hour approaches, you watch kingfishers dive into reflective pools. The last rays of light reveal silhouettes of eagles soaring overhead. You return to town with a field notebook full of sketches and bird calls.

You spend your final morning revisiting favorite spots in the Plaza de la Independencia. Locals greet you with friendly waves and homemade empanadas appear as parting treats. The church bells toll in celebration of your last day.

A family-owned restaurant hosts a mini fiesta with live cumbia music and dancing. You savor plates of ajiaco and sample sweet colombian panela treats. The vibrant rhythms lift your spirits and invite you to join in the choreography.

Under lantern-lit palm fronds, you raise a toast with a final cup of Colombian coffee. You share memories with new friends as fireworks burst overhead. Later, you pack your bags with handcrafted souvenirs and promise to return soon.