SAN AGUSTÍN

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Info about sights in and around

San Agustín
Contents
General Information 3
Tourist Highlights 5
Archeological Park San Agustín 6
Tours: Horseback-Riding-Tour, Jeep-Tour 7
El Tablón 8
La Pelota 9
La Chaquira 10
El Purutal 11
Tourist Ring 12
Estrecho del Magdalena 13
Archeologicl Museum Obando 14
Alto de los Ídolos 15
Alto de las Piedras 16
Salto de Bordónes 17
Cascada del Mortiño 18
Nature Highlights 19
Lagoon of the Río Magdalena 20
Extreme Sports 21
Recommendations for the Tours 22

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SAN AUGSTÍN – GENERAL ÍNFORMATÍON

Temperate: 18 - 19° Celsius

Altitude: 1700 m
Area: 1310 km2
Population: ca. 9000 and ca. 30.000 in the region
Borders: Isnos (north), Pitalito (east), Department Cauca
(west/south)
Official founding date: November 20th 1790

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SAN AGUSTÍN – GENERAL ÍNFORMATÍON
Welcome to San Agustín! It is situated in the Department Huila, a region of
contrasts in the south of Colombia, between the Cordillera Central and the
Cordillera Oriental.

In the year 1995 it was declared World Heritage by the UNESCO. There is very
little known about the civilization, scientists assume that it flourished
between the 6th century BC and the 12th century AC.

San Agustín was given the name in memory of Fray

Agustín de la Coruña, who passed this place on his
way from Almaguer to Timaná in the year 1589. He
was bishop in the diocese of Popayán between 1567
and 1589. He fought for the indigenous people and
protected them from the “encomenderos”. In this
region there are still a lot of names like “Cerro del
Obispo” (hill of the bishop) or “Quebrada del Obispo”
(canyon of the bishop) remembering the presence of
Fray Agustín de la Coruña.

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TOURIST HIGHLIGHTS

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PARQUE ARQUEOLOGÍCO DE MESÍTAS –
ARCHEOLOGÍCAL PARK
The name “de mesitas“ indicates the temples, made out of gigantic horizontal stone tiles
which are supported by columns, appearing like tables (span. mesita = table).

Historical information: In 1931 president Enrique Olaya Herrera passed a law, declaring
the ruins and cultural works as national monument of the Alto Magdalena and San
Agustín. It prohibits selling and exploiting archeological objects and enabled the
government to buy properties in order to found a national park which was finally realized
in 1935. On December 5th 1995 the archeological park was declared historical World
Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Area: 78 ha; the archeological part as well as the nature are under protection.
Location: ca. 3 km in the east of the city centre of San Agustín.
Altitude: 1730 MASL

Getting there: on asphalt roads, with micro busses, by foot or horse

Discover San Agustín and the region!

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Interesting Tours to archeological sites and
nature highlights:
 Horseback-Riding-Tour: El Tablón, La Pelota, La Chaquira, El Purutal

 Jeep-Tour: ANILLO TURÍSTICO (Estrecho del Magdalena, archeological

muesum Obando, river Mazamorras, Alto de los Ídolos, Alto de las Piedras,
Salto de Bordones, Isnos, waterfall of Mortiño)

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EL TABLON
At this part of the canyon the locals used to saw wood and a lot of boards were extracted.
This is the reason why people call that region “El Tablón“ (the board/plank).

Location: 0.5 km from the city centre of San Agustín, on the “Vereda el Tablón“

Altitude: 1750 MASL

Historical information: The German archeologist Konrad Theodor Preuss mentioned the
place of discovery of the sculptures near the river Tablón which originates at the Cerro
de la Pelota.

Preuss describes two very distinct places. At one of them he discovered many statues,
the other one he defines as a tomb with various pavilions. Today there are five statues
with human and animal-like representations. One of them, which has never been
terminated, shows features of a big cat. The main figure represents a female figure,
wearing a tunic covering her body and indicating the high class.

The society was supposedly polytheistic, they worshiped the sun and the moon and one
statue is assumed to represent a moon goddess. The other ones could be religious
symbols associated with death. Today they are not situated at their original place, they
have been found on a small hill, just a few meters away.

Getting there: by foot or horse

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LA PELOTA
The inhabitants of that region named this archeological site “La Pelota” because of its
situation near a round hill. This place also used to be known as “Cerro de la Cuchilla“
(Mountain of the knife blade).

Location: 7 km from San Agustín, on the “Vereda la Chaquira“

Historical information: The statues have been discovered by farmers and investigated
by the German ethnologist Konrad Theodor Preuss in 1913.

Two of the statues can be found there today. One of them appears like the eagle of
Mesita B with a snake in its spout and claws, probably a symbol of air and earth. The
other statue stands out because of its wild facial expression and its hands in meditative
position. Regrettably the sculptures are not at their original place anymore.

Getting there: by foot or horse; about 2 km from Chaquira to “La Pelota“. Along the way
you can observe diverse vegetation and various agricultural cultivations.

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LA CHAQUÍRA
The name was given to the place because of the plant chaquira that is growing there, a
type of grass.

Location: 2.5 km from San Agustín on the “Vereda la Chaquira”.

Distance: 1,5 km from “El Tablón“ to “La Chaquira“

Altitude: 1750 MASL

Historical information: It is unknown who found the craved stones, but they are already mentioned in
scriptures of colonial times. They were investigated by Jose Perez de Barradas in 1937.

General information: Along the way one can observe diverse flora and fauna. The site is an ensemble
of volcanic rocks, situated on the riverside of the Río Magdalena, between the Cordillera Central and
Cordillera Oriental. Craved into the rocks one can find a number of reliefs showing humans and animals.
Especially prominent are three big erected figures, worked into one sole block with their arms and legs
indicating to the sides. Their positions are in relation to the sun and the river. One male figure looks
towards the east, another one with crowns and a headdress of feathers northward and a feminine one
southward. The three are looking at the river, which flows from north to south at this place.

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EL PURUTAL
The place owes its name to the “Porotos-tree“, also known as “Chachafruto“.

Location: 200 m distance to “La Pelota“, in the north of the archeological park of San
Agustín.

Altitude: 1800 MASL

Historical information: The multicolored statues were discovered by farmers of that

region and investigated by Julio Cesar Cubillos Charry.

El Purutal consists of two temples with remarkable statues, painted with the colors
yellow, white, red and black, magical symbols of their ancestors. The colors are bringing
the facial mask of one of the statues into prominence, representing the head of the “Rey
de los Gallinazos“ (the Condor). In 1993 a further statue was found nearby, however
without painting, but with a ceremonial knife, the so-called “Tumi“, in his hand.

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ANÍLLO TURÍSTÍCO – TOURÍST RÍNG

The „Tourist Ring” is a tour from San Agustín to nature highlights and
archeological sites like the Estrecho del Magdalena, tombs and the
archeological museum in Obando, the river Mazamorras, Alto de los
Ídolos, Alto de las Piedras, Salto de Bordónes, Isnos and the waterfall
of Mortiño, afterwards returning to San Agustín. This tour goes in a
circle which is why it is given the name “ring”.

The trip is conducted in jeep and lasts about one day.

Distance: 92 km

Information:

 The road is partly unpaved

 Sanitary installations and restaurants: at the “Tablón“ and in the house
of Marcos Anacona, as well as on the way to the “Estrecho“, there are
rural accommodations like the hotel Imperio Posada Campesina, the
Hostal Anacona and the Hostal El Cielo.
 First Aid: there are first aid kits in the house of Marcos Anacona and
further equipment in the museum of Obando.

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EL ESTRECHO DEL MAGDALENA

The “Estrecho del Magdalena“ is the narrowest part of the river, measuring only 2.20
meters. The canyon walls consist of more than 70 million year old compressed lava of
nearby volcanoes. The red color is caused by ferrous sulfate. In some of the rocks you
can find sea shells which are more than 120 million years old, so-called ammonites. It is
considered a holy place by the indigenous people of this region.

Location: in the canyon of the Río Magdalena, between San Agustín and Obando, north
of San Agustín.

Distance: 9 km away from San Agustín

Width: 2.20 m

Altitude: 1400 MASL

Getting there: on an unpaved road in

Jeep, by foot or horse

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ARCHEOLOGÍCAL MUSEUM OBANDO
Museum and tombs of Obando: a result of a community initiative.
The archeological park is administered by the association of the artisans of Obando. At
the beginning around the year 1992 it was also supported by various foundations and
the government.

Historical information: In 1993 Obando and the government of Huila started founding
the archeological park. Rodolfo Obando donated the plot in order to build a farm.
Archeological work and investigation was conducted by Jorge Ruiz Ulloa.

Location: at the central plaza of Obando, in the north of San Agustíns.

Distance: 14 km away from San Agustín

Altitude: 1760 MASL

Getting there: The tour can be realized in Jeep, but there are also Chivas and Pickups
regularly going there

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ARCHEOLOGÍCAL PARK
“ALTO DE LOS ÍDOLOS“ – ÍSNOS
The name of this cosmic centre originates from the word “ídolo” (lat. Idolum = idol,
image of God) influenced by the Spanish conquistadores.
The park consists of two “mesitas” (tables), connected by an artificial, 300 m long ramp.
The ensemble of Mesita A includes 9 funeral unities in the style of a necropolis where
jaguar-shamans were buried.

Location: on the edge of the „Cerro de la Horqueta“ (Horqueta-hill), on the left side of
the Río Magdalena
Distance: 32 km away from San Agustín
Altitude: 1800 MASL
Era: 1st century BC – 6th century AC
Historic information: investigated by Konrad Theodor Preuss (1913 – 1914),
reconstruction by Juan Fried (1940 – 1942), Luis Duque Gómez and Julio Cesar Cubillos
(1972).
Getting there: in Jeep, Chiva; the tourist agencies in San Agustín sell tickets for this tour

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ARCHEOLOCÍCAL PARK
“ALTO DE LAS PÍEDRAS“

Previously this canyon along the northern slope was known as „Gallineros“.
Finally it was given the name “Alto de las Piedras” because of all the stone statues spread
over the place. The site consists of monumental sculptures, artificial hills, funeral halls
and big tombs, decorated with multicolored paintings.

Location: 5 km away from Isnos, 42 km away from San Agustín

Size of the parks: 4 ha
Altitude: 1750 MASL
Era: 1st century BC – 6th century AC
Historical information: investigated by Konrad Theodor Preuss (1913 - 1914),
reconstruction by Luis Duque Gomez and Julio Cesar Cubillos (1972 - 1975).
Getting there: a large part of the street is unpaved, with Jeep or Chiva

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SALTO DE BORDONES
A long time ago the residents of this area had to enter into the turbulent waters of the
river, in order to cross it because there hadn’t existed bridges yet. In avoidance of being
carried away by the current, they used wooden boards and sticks (span. bordónes) which
gave this place its name.

Location: 15 km in the northeast of Isnos

Distance: 47 km away from San Agustín
Altitude of the waterfall: 270 m
Altitude: 1600 MASL
Geographical information: the waterfall is the second highest in South America. The
water of the river Bordónes precipitates in three majestic waterfalls and follows the flow
of the impressive river Bordónes.
Getting there: with Jeep on a mainly unpaved roads

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CASCADA DEL MORTÍNO
The waterfall is about 170 m high and was given the name of the plant Mortiño that
grows in this area nearby.

Location: 9 km in the southeast of Isnos, on the “Vereda en Carmen“, in the northeast

of San Agustín.

Distance: 11.5 km away from San Agustín

Altitude: 1897 MASL

Geographical information: the origin of this beautiful waterfall is a geological fault line.
Its water falls into the Mortiño canyon, which enters into the Río Magdalena further
down the stream, together with other inflows like the Quebrada, Banderas, Planada,
Tigre, Guaraná and Lechuza.
Getting there: The street leading to this tourist attraction is mainly paved and can be
reached in vehicle.

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NATURE HIGHLIGHTS

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LAGOON OF THE RÍO MAGDALENA
The lagoon of the Río Magdalena is a very special attraction of nature. It is surrounded
by high mountains of the Colombian massive, covered by Paramuna vegetation. Two
further lagoons can be found nearby, Santiago and Cusiyaco.
Location: 80 km in the west of San Agustín
Altitude: 3350 MASL
Temperature: 3°C
Geographical information: The Colombian massive is that part of the Andean Cordillera
where the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Oriental separate. It covers about 3800
km2 and is supposed to be Colombia’s region with the most rivers originating, among
them the Río Magdalena, Chaqueta, Patia and Cauca.
Historical information: In 1501 Rodrigo de Bastidas discovered the mouth of the river in
the Atlantic Ocean. It was the day of the celebration of the holy Magdalena and honoring
her, the river was named after the virgin. Before, indigenous people called it Guacacallo,
Yuma or Antene.
Getting there: From San Agustín in Jeep or Chiva, on about 30 km of unpaved roads,
passing the villages Pradera and Villafatima. The rest of the journey can be completed by
foot or horse. There is a campsite as well as the Hostel de San Antinio.

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EXTREME SPORTS

There are several places in this region with surprising beauty which combines
in a very harmonic way with the archeological treasure of the place.

The rough landscape offers an ideal environment for extreme sports:

In more than 120 km of narrow canyons and the rapids of the Río Magdalena
and its tributaries you can enjoy rafting and kayaking.

All year long it is possible to do tours of different difficulty levels, even if you
are a beginner.

And you can also do rappelling from the up to 300 m high canyon walls.

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RECOMMENDATÍONS FOR TOURS
 Soft trainers with good profile
 Rain jacket, umbrella
 Sun cream
 Do the tours with a professional, certified guide.
 Do not consume alcohol or psychoactive substances.
 Set your mobile phone mute in order to listen to the explanations of the guide. Do
not bring radios or equipment that makes loud noises because they are disturbing
other tourists and animals living in this area.
 Photos can be taken after the explanation of the guide.
 Stay on the paths and follow the guide.
 Do not climb over the fences.
 Do not touch the stone figures, they are cultural heritage.
 Throw litter into the provided containers.
 In case you witness something strange or suspicious behaviors, inform your guide.
 Avoid touching trees and vegetation in the park. It damages nature and can cause
allergies.
 If you are travelling in a group, stay together.
 Consider that the tour can last up to one day, depending on your personal interest.
 Do not in any case buy archeological objects, it is a crime.
 Better not bring: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. in order to avoid loss.
 Only bring as much money as necessary.
 Bring your identification documents and documents of health insurance, stored in a
safe place.
 Parents are responsible for their children.

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