Breaking Borders Tour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Breaking Borders, Cra. 1 Este ##10-58, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Breaking Borders is an initiative proposed by former heads of a gang who decided to leave behind their criminal life and more than 27 years of violent conflicts between rival gangs of the vulnerable neighborhoods of Bogotá. They have found in tourism a real alternative for their personal and professional development. Now, they offer a guided tour around important areas of "The Guardian of History", how Egipto is called, since it is the second neighborhood of Bogotá and it has undergone several transformations from the colonial period to the present.

The tour begins when you're picked up by private transport and taken to El Chorro de Quevedo, the founding place of Bogotá, by your English-speaking guide.

There you will meet one of the leaders of the Breaking Borders project who will be your local guide. Then, we will pass through the cobbled-stoned streets of La Candelaria neighborhood which is full of vibrant colors.

There you will reach the place where the first aqueduct of Bogotá was located. From there, you will go upstairs until “Nuestra Señora de Egipto,” which was once a hermitage, later became a temple and nowadays is a church. From there we will go deeper into the neighbourhood through Calle 10, a so-called “Royal Street” where you will also find cobble-stoned streets and colorful houses with balconies. In the past, it was the only street that Egipto inhabitants could use to go to the city center. Next, you will reach “El Cuadrado”, which once was a strategic point for the gangs for having control of the territory. Here, your tour guide will talk about the reasons that gave birth to the division of the community into 2 enemy gangs and why this violent conflict didn’t seem to have an exit.

They will also explain how their life as criminals and gang members was and the inspiring process they have been though in order to break with almost 3 decades of conflict. In this point we will have the chance to try a home-brewed “chicha” and a local snack. After that, you will pass through a slum where you will see the characteristics of an underdeveloped community. The community still struggles with access to basic utilities and most of the people don’t have a comfortable lifestyle. However, they are full of life thanks to their warmth, and the smiles and desire of their children to fight for their dreams. The final stop of the tour will be a proof of the transformation that this neighborhood has had. At the highest part of Egipto, there is a communal futbol field. There you will have the chance to interact with the kids and play with them some futbol. Here you will hear why this field is so important for the reconciliation and the construction of a sustainable peace.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Iglesia de Egipto, Carrera 4 Este No. 10 a-02, Bogota Colombia

Passing through the colorful streets of La Candelaria, you will be led to Nuestra Señora de Egipto, the church located at the entrance of Barrio Egipto. This is also the scene for the festivities on the 6th of January, a three-day religious carnival that is deeply rooted in the traditions of the people from Barrio Egipto.

The Calle Real or Royal Street, once the people’s only connection to the city, will lead you deeper into the neighborhood. Your guide will then stop with you at El Cuadrado, a central point in the history of gang fights of the area. While in the past this place was a strategic point for control over the territory for the gangs, today it is painted with pictures that tell you about the history and new values of the people.

Walking uphill through the colorful streets of the neighborhood, you will notice first-hand how much the area has changed and transformed into a place of hope, peace, and culture. All along the way, you will be able to see the history of the people illustrated in impressive graffiti art. Your guide will let you in on the meanings and stories behind these murals.

You will then reach the hills where the modest houses of the local guides and their families are bedded into the steep hills. You will note that the community is still underdeveloped and struggles with access to basic utilities. In spite of these conditions, this place is full of life thanks to the people’s warmth, joy, and desire of their children to fight for their dreams.

In this area, you will also see one of the biggest changes in the neighborhood. Thanks to the project; a football field has been constructed for the children of the district. Hear why this field in and essential part of the ongoing transformation.


Duration: 1 hour