SOUTHWEST-VISIT THE "LAJAS SANCTUARY"

Duration: 6 hours from Pasto or 8 hours from Pasto or from the "La Cocha Lagoon". Visiting Tulcán, the total duration increases by 1,5 hours. Visit the famous Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales, an impressive Gothic-style basilica built on the Guáitara river canyon. The temple is an important Catholic pilgrimage center, but it is also recognized as an architectural marvel of Colombia. We will leave to the south of Pasto in a journey of approximately 1.5 hours, passing by the Nudo de los Pastos, the point where the Andes divide and give rise to the Western and Central Mountain ranges, until we reach Ipiales, near the border crossing from Colombia and Ecuador. From Ipiales it will be only 10 more minutes until we reach the sanctuaries´ cable car station, which already offers us the first panoramic view of the church and in which we can descend. After a guided tour of the temple, we will return to Pasto. Optional – Visit to the Tulcán cemetery (Ecuador): After visiting the Las Lajas  Sanctuary, we will continue the tour to the neighboring town of Tulcán to visit the José María Azaél cemetery, an Ecuadorian cultural heritage, which is famous for the cypress sculptures made by a family of gardeners for three generations. It is not necessary to carry out migration procedures for travelers who visit Tulcán and return to Colombia the same day.

Included

• Local bilingual guide
• Entrance fees for the cable car and the sanctuary.
• Private transportation from Pasto or from the La Cocha Lagoon