Tatacoa Desert Backcountry Circuit

Colombia’s answer to the American Southwest unfolds in this 85-kilometer loop through the Tatacoa Desert’s otherworldly landscape of red and gray badlands. The route winds through the Cuzco sector’s crimson formations and the Los Hoyos area’s gray moonscape, where flash floods have carved intricate canyon systems over millennia. Navigation requires careful attention as GPS signals bounce unpredictably off canyon walls, and unmarked forks lead deep into dead-end arroyos. The circuit passes significant waypoints including the ancient Magdalena River petroglyphs at Los Hoyos and the modern astronomical observatory at La Tatacoa.

High-clearance vehicles handle this moderate route comfortably, though 4WD becomes essential during rainy periods when clay surfaces turn treacherous. The desert’s extreme temperature swings—scorching days, surprisingly cool nights—demand proper preparation including extra water, sun protection, and warm clothing. Best visited during dry season (June-September, December-February), the route offers excellent dispersed camping under some of South America’s clearest night skies. Fuel up in Villavieja before starting; the desert offers no services once you’re committed to the backcountry sectors.