Department of Huila - Colombia

Capital: Neiva
Altitude: 442 meters over the sea level (Neiva)

This district is located to the south of the Andean region.  It comprehends spectacular locations covered by volcanos, mountains and rivers, in which, it is possible to practice different activites like camping, walkings among others.

Neiva

Neiva is the capital of the district.  It is the principal city in the south zone of Colombia.  The city preserves some colonial buildings and different tourist places: the botanic garden, the cathedral of  Neiva and the train station.
The city is a folkloric exe where the major expression of Bambuco takes place.

The Folkloric Festival of Bambuco was stablished to commemorate Jhon The Baptizer, a Spanish saint.  This celebration is one of the biggest parties of Colombia.  During the event, Neiva congregates hundreds of tourists.  Folkloric dance and parades are the main activities in the festival.

Tourist attractions

Parque arqueológico San Agustín (Archaelogical Park)

This park is one of the most important achaelogical locations.  It is placed between two cities: San Agustín and San José de Isnos.

It was declared cultural patrimony on December 1995.  It is an amazing historical and mysterious place.  It reflects culture, miths and believes through sculpture.  It contains enourmous statues plenty of symbolism and abstraction.

Sculptures are very original and posses big dimentions.  There are 400 stone statues with the shape of animals like felines, monkeys, serpents, frogs, eagles and eagle-owls.
The most representative sculptures of San Augustín are:

< El doble yo: a warrior.
El Partero: 4 m. high, a child.
Águila: an eagle with a serpent.
Other locations inside the park are: La Fuente de Lavapatas (the shape of a frog above a big stone); El Tablón; El Alto de Lavapatas; La Chaquira; El Alto de las Piedras and El Alto de los Ídolos.
There are 35 statues brought from different parts of the country, on a path, inside the park.
Parque Nacional Sumapaz (National Park)

It is a park for species in danger of extinction.  It preserves beautiful mountainous landscapes and a variety of flora and fauna.  The park has an environment of serenity and a natural fragance.

Parque Nacional Natural Nevado del Huila

Its area comprehends various natural structures: Andean forests, moors, frog and snow-covered mountains.
It presents huge areas of flora and fauna (cóndor, bambi, oso de anteojos, danta and colibri). 
The snow-covered volcano of Huila is the second biggest one of the country.  An ideal place for those who love high activities like climbing and walking.

Parque Nacional La Cueva de Los Guácharos (National Park)

A block of labyrinths covered by stalactites and stalagmites.  This cave is enclosed by forests and a virgen jungle where many animal species live.  The famous caves of the guácharos are the principal attraction.  Geological structures can be observed there too.

The temperature is 20°C.  It is recommendable to visit the zone from December to February.  On March, the rain starts.

Embalse de Betania (Pond)

It is a port above a pond where it is possible to practice nautic sports as fishing.

Desierto de la Tatacoa

The desert is located in Villavieja, 40 Km. to the north zone of Neiva.  It is a beautiful tourist landscape composed by rare geological structures.  The weather is hot, there are are lots of fosils and a great variety of animals like black snakes called tatacoas.
It is 330 Km. long.  It comprehends two different types of landscapes: the first one, a flat with erosive structures; the second one, dunes with gray sand.

This is a quiet place.  The observation of stars during night time is an amazing show.  Diverse activities can be developed there: cicling, camping, walking, etc.