Explore San Agustín

At La Chaquira, sculpture is part of the landscape: figures are carved into the rocks overlooking the Magdalena. The ICANH guide describes this group as a place with no known funerary function.

Take time to spot the faces and figures with outstretched arms, then look out over the canyon. The path descends to the carved rocks along a series of steps, revealing the views as you walk.

For your visitThe last section is on foot. Save some energy for the climb back up the steps.

On the way to Obando, the Magdalena flows through a rocky passage around 2.20 metres wide. This narrowing gives the current striking force: the water rushes through the rock before widening again downstream.

The movement of the water and the shapes of the rocks both make this stop worthwhile. Notice the contrast between the narrow channel and the broader stretches of river, with the countryside beyond.

For your visitThere are steps on the approach. Watch from the riverbank: do not swim or try to cross the passage.

In the Isnos area, the waters of La Chorrera leave the plateau and fall into a deep gorge. From the viewpoints, the waterfall appears as a long, pale ribbon between dark rock and vegetation.

This is a stop to take in the landscapes of southern Huila. The site also offers leisure activities around the views; you can plan a simple visit to the viewpoints or ask about the experiences available.

For your visitCheck with the site which viewpoints and activities are accessible on the day of your visit.

Between Isnos and Saladoblanco, Salto de Bordones lies among densely vegetated mountains. Its long drop, generally estimated at around 400 metres, gives the landscape its sense of scale.

Several viewpoints offer a view of the falls, while trails bring you closer to the terrain. Some excursions combine Bordones with Alto de las Piedras, bringing a waterfall and an archaeological site into the same day.

For your visitChoose a viewpoint or walk with a guide to suit your interests and the condition of the trails.

El Tablón brings together five statues discovered in this area north of San Agustín. Their carved headdresses, necklaces and clothing invite you to look closely instead of moving too quickly from one figure to the next.

The nearby ethnographic museum offers another perspective on the region: farming tools, looms, musical instruments and everyday objects tell the story of skills in southern Huila. The visit brings together ancient sculptures and the memory of rural life.

For your visitAllow time for both the statues and the museum; check its opening times before you go.

This visit brings together two neighbouring groups. At La Pelota, the three statues include a bird figure. At El Purutal, sculptures associated with funerary structures retain traces of paint: colour is part of the discovery here.

Look for touches of red and yellow on the faces and bodies. They suggest sculptures once more colourful than grey stone alone would imply. Then compare the human and animal figures in both groups.

For your visitTake time to visit both groups and observe the pigments without touching the sculptures.

In Isnos, Alto de los Ídolos occupies a hill reshaped into terraces. Seven burial mounds bring together statues and stone sarcophagi. The terrain itself helps convey the scale of the work involved in creating this place.

The route connects the areas called Meseta A and Meseta B. Notice the size of the sarcophagi, the slabs forming the tombs and the carved figures. The group reveals architecture designed around burials, beyond the statues alone.

For your visitExplore both areas; ICANH provides practical information to help plan your visit.

In the rural district of Las Delicias, a terraced hill holds this ceremonial centre and its funerary monuments. Some slabs retain traces of paint, while the tombs show the care devoted to the underground structures.

The emblematic sculpture is the “Doble Yo”, visible in the photo: a figure with human and animal features carries a second figure above its head. Look at the overlapping forms and facial details; the site rewards close observation.

For your visitA visit can be combined with Bordones. Agree on the order of the stops and transport with your guide.