A huge, open expanse of rust-coloured, sun-baked rock-formations greets privileged visitors to the Tatacoa Desert and strange cacti and other alien plants induce the feeling of a landscape from another planet. The department of Huila is full to the brim of diverse surprises awaiting discovery from the archaeological to the palaeontological to the ecological.

Huila is situated in the south-western corner of Colombia in the territory of one of the grandest and most sophisticated ancient civilisations to have lived on the American continents, the Ullumbe people who inhabited this region between the 1st and 8th centuries. In San Agustín lies the San Agustín Archaeological Park which is comprised of a breathtaking landscape of lush, green vegetation and open pastures which are dotted by huge standing-stone figures and statues which is the largest group of stone monuments to be found anywhere in South America and is recognised as such by UNESCO. However, Huila’s history reaches even further back in time to an era when dinosaurs ruled the earth and the small town of Villavieja is Colombia’s capital of palaeontology due to the quality and quantity of fossils that have been discovered there.

To put the icing on your journey of exploration and adventure in Huila, the rivers, caves and of course the great Nevado del Huila volcano are all at your disposal to enjoy more adrenaline-filled adventures.
Huila has the history of planet earth to discover.
 

The long-gone Ullumbe civilisation that once controlled the lands of Huila have left an indelible mark on the landscape with their outstanding stone craftsmanship of monuments and this has also left a stunning cultural identity for the current citizens of the region who are proud to have such a rich history.

The culture of the inhabitants of the towns and the capital city of Neiva is nowadays very much descended from the Spanish-colonial days and this is reflected in the extravagant architecture of their churches and other religious buildings.

The most famous cultural heritage of Huila is its music and the “Bambuco” dance which is engrained in the spirit of every citizen of Huila.