Tenza Valley, Mountain valley in Boyacá department, Colombia
Tenza Valley is a valley that stretches across parts of the Boyaca and Cundinamarca departments in Colombia, covering a range of elevations from cooler highland slopes to warmer lower zones. This variation in altitude means the land looks and feels quite different depending on where you are in the valley.
Before Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the higher parts of the valley were home to Muisca communities, while Tegua people lived in the warmer lowlands. The colonial period reorganized these communities and left traces still visible in place names across the area.
The valley is known in Colombia for its tradition of weaving and basketry using plants that grow along the hillsides. Visitors passing through the small towns can often see finished pieces displayed outside homes and in local markets.
The valley is accessible by paved roads from nearby cities, with bus services running regularly throughout the day. Because the villages are spread across different elevations, having your own vehicle makes it much easier to explore the area at your own pace.
The lower part of the valley holds the Chivor reservoir, a large hydroelectric facility that supplies a considerable share of Colombia's electricity. From the road, the reservoir looks like a natural lake, and many visitors do not realize it was built to power much of the country.
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