Exploring the Biodiversity of Colombia: Chingaza & Guaviare
10
DAYS
1580
USD
Normal
SCHEDULE
Easy Moderate
Physical Condition
In Summary
Why this trip ?
Colombia, a country of varied climates and landscapes, offers a natural wealth of exuberant flora and fauna that invites you to explore unconventional destinations. With ecosystems ranging from the high plateaus of the Andes with their water sources to the flooded jungles of the Amazon, this tour is ideal for those who wish to connect with nature, culture, and conservation.
Your Itinerary
- Day1 : El Palmar Nature Reserve Monitoring Project
- Day2 : Explore the Chingaza National Park
- Day3 : Lagune Chingaza – San Juanito
- Day4 : El Tablón cave and Andean Cock-of-the-rock
- Day5 : Cañon del Río Guatiquia
- Day6 : Birdwatching Camaná and Guaviare forest
- Day7 : Cerro Azul rock art and Chontaduro farm
- Day8 : Playa Guio forest and Raudal del Guayabero
- Day9 : Nuevo Tolima rock art and Tunnels trek
- Day10 : WildLife and Birdwatching
At glance
Highlights of this Trip
1
Be amazed by the beauty of birds in the country with the highest number of species. Toucans, tanagers, hummingbirds, and more.
2
Discover the Spectacled Bear monitoring project. Communities working for conservation. Enjoy the Andean cloud forest.
3
Discover the great variety of flora in ecosystems ranging from 4200m to 300m. Orchids, frailejones, cloud forests, plains, and tropical forests.
4
A meeting with the great library of ancestral peoples engraved in rock paintings. A marvelous journey through time.
5
Navigate the rivers and lagoons in the heart of the Amazon rainforest while observing a wide variety of wildlife.
Day by day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
El Palmar Nature Reserve Monitoring Project
After breakfast, we will head to Chingaza National Park, specifically to El Palmar Reserve. Located two and a half hours from Bogotá, this private reserve welcomes you in a simple, rural, and family atmosphere. Your hosts are fierce protectors of local biodiversity, particularly the Andean bear. The program includes exploring various trails, which vary according to the weather. Today’s planned trails are the Palma Trail and the Guacharos Trail. Here, you will have the opportunity to try spotting the following species: masked trogon, black-billed mountain toucan, Andean guan, sparkling violet-ear hummingbird, among others.
Day 2
Explore the Chingaza National Park
On our second day of exploration, we choose different trails: Chocolatal, Laguna Seca, and the mining area. This area, once impacted by mining, has been undergoing restoration for 30 years. Here, we will observe the passive restoration processes of the páramo ecosystem and the plants involved in this healing process. We will also observe geological formations from different glacial eras and the history of limestone. Throughout the day, you may try to spot the following species, among many others: White-tailed deer, Black-chested eagle, Andean duck, Andean condor, and more.
Day 3
Lagune Chingaza – San Juanito
In the morning, after our breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts and enjoy an excursion through the iconic páramo ecosystem, admiring the unique landscape along the route with lagoons and waterfalls, while observing high-mountain birds and the possibility of encountering mammal species such as deer and spectacled bears. We will walk along the trails of the RAMSAR area; this hike will focus on observing the flora and fauna, and with a bit of luck, we might come across the Spectacled Bear. Around noon, we will take a break for a traditional picnic lunch, and by 3:00 PM, we will resume our trek in a 4×4 to reach the village of San Juanito, surrounded by impressive forests and waterfalls.
Day 4
El Tablón cave and Andean Cock-of-the-rock
At 7:00 AM, we will have our traditional breakfast and start the day with a cultural and architectural tour of the village of San Juanito. At 9:00 AM, we will begin our journey to the village of El Tablón, where we will have our first encounter with the Guatiquía Canyon. After an hour of walking, we will arrive at the natural pools of San Isidro Creek, and then at the natural cave of El Tablón, where we will enter the cavern. At noon, we will enjoy a traditional “San Juanero” lunch. At 2:00 PM, we will continue our visit to the viewpoint of the Lajitas waterfalls. Then we will head to the lek of the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) to observe these magnificent birds. At 6:00 PM, we will return to San Juanito.
Day 5
Cañon del Río Guatiquia
Get ready for a time-traveling adventure! We’ll start our journey in Cerro Azul with a local guide, hiking to a sacred tepuy that features a millennia-old gallery of rock art, a magical site over 12,000 years old, according to experts. Optionally, we can explore a tunnel-shaped cave that requires a flashlight, or take an alternative route to a natural viewpoint overlooking the Amazon rainforest canopy. On our way back, we’ll visit El Chontaduro, a farm that once cultivated coca leaves. There, we’ll learn about the community’s transition from illicit activities to sustainable tourism through a conference on their processes.
Day 6
Birdwatching Camaná and Guaviare forest
The Rancho Camana Nature Reserve features restoration areas, gardens, and agro-systems, along with bird feeding zones. Our activities will start at 6:00 AM with exploring trails and gardens. Notable species include the Red-backed Shrike, Golden Tanager, Cuckoo, and Chestnut-eared Aracari. Next, we’ll embark on our Amazon adventure, discovering the natural richness of this Colombian region. We’ll camp in rustic lodges surrounded by nature and exotic wildlife. In the afternoon, we’ll take a boat ride along aquatic trails to Laguna Negra, home to Aruaco, Hoatzin, turtles, and primates.
Day 7
Cerro Azul rock art and Chontaduro farm
Get ready for a journey through time! We’ll head to Cerro Azul village with a local guide for a hike to the sacred tepuy, home to a millennia-old rock art gallery over 12,000 years old. Optionally, we can explore a tunnel-shaped cave that requires a flashlight, or take an alternate route to a viewpoint overlooking the Amazon rainforest canopy. On our way back, we’ll visit El Chontaduro, a farm once dedicated to coca leaf cultivation. During a talk, we’ll learn how local communities have transitioned to community tourism.
Day 8
Playa Guio forest and Raudal del Guayabero
With the first rays of the sun, we enter a trail through a flooded primary forest, with the chance to observe a wide variety of birds and primates (monkeys). When we reach the banks of the Guaviare River, we board a boat to navigate along the river for about 1 hour until we reach the Raudal del Guayabero. Then, we will walk to the Tepuy (rock formation) in search of the impressive cave paintings, something magical that is part of the millennia-old past with evidence dating back more than 12,500 years. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Amazon jungle through which the river flows.
Day 9
Nuevo Tolima rock art and Tunnels trek
One of the most iconic rock paintings of the Serranía de La Lindosa, about 8 meters high and at least 20 meters wide. We will climb the mountainside to reach the natural viewpoint from where we can enjoy the magnificent view and the rock paintings. Then, we will head to another place for a moderate walk along trails leading to a series of passages formed in the rocks, where ancient indigenous communities likely lived. In the afternoon, we will walk along a rocky path through tropical vegetation leading to crystal-clear waters, where we can swim in natural pools.
Day 10
WildLife and Birdwatching
With the first rays of sunlight, we will head into the jungle surrounding the cabins to look for primates and other birds—an exciting, albeit short, hike. Afterward, we will enjoy a local breakfast before making our way to San José del Guaviare Airport.
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