Hors sentiers battus 20 days
20
DAYS
3106
USD
Relax
SCHEDULE
Easy
Physical Condition
In Summary
Why this trip ?
Travel between the capital, discover the splendors of the department of Putumayo, the sublime Andean landscapes, the charming wooden buildings on the shores of the lake which give the region the nickname of “Colombian Switzerland”. Silvia, an Andean village where many indigenous communities live in their territories, find yourself on a Pacific island etc… This tour will make you discover Colombia off the beaten track.
*Domestic flights not included, count 100-120 usd per flight/person. (This tour includes 3 domestic flights).
Your Itinerary
- Day1 : Welcome to Colombia
- Day2 : Bogota seen from another angle
- Day3 : Natural reserve Las Dalias
- Day4 : Agua bonita – Natural reserve El Encanto
- Day5 : Natural reserve el Encanto
- Day6 : National park Los Guacharos
- Day7 : National park Los Guacharos – Vereda La Mensura
- Day8 : San Agustín, the archaeological capital
- Day9 : Mandiyaco canyon
- Day10 : Mocoa
- Day11 : “Donde se oculta el sol” waterfall
- Day12 : Cocha lagoon – Corota Sanctuary
- Day13 : Popayan
- Day14 : Popayan – Silvia
- Day15 : Silvia – Popayan – Cali
- Day16 : Cali, street food
- Day17 : Cali- Guapi- Gorgona island
- Day18 : Whales watching
- Day19 : Yundigua beach
- Day20 : End of the trip
Mocoa
Mocoa is the capital of the Putumayo department and gateway to the Amazonia. It is recommended to go to Mocoa from San Agustin, because the road is very beautiful. In…
Nuqui Guachalito
The Pacific coast stretches from Panama to the border of Ecuador over a length of 808 miles. This region of Chocó is one of the most humid and rainy in…
Popayán
Considered the religious capital of Colombia, the city of Popayan has the largest number of churches per capita, built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located in the…
Bogotá
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is located in the department of Cundinamarca, right in the center of the country, at an altitude of 2600m. It extends through a mountain range…
San Agustin
San Agustin is a very welcoming traditional village right in the middle of the great Andes, South Colombia. The biggest archaeological zone of the country can be found there, with…
At glance
Highlights of this Trip
1
Discovering the humpback whales of the Pacific.
2
Cultural immersion and knowledge sharing with indigenous communities.
3
Observation of the fauna and flora of little frequented areas.
4
Streed food tour of Cali.
5
San Agustin, archeological capital,
6
Exchange with former combatants about their experience of the armed conflict.
Day by day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Colombia
Arrival at the airport of Bogota, the Andean capital, and transport to your hotel.
Day 2
Bogota seen from another angle
Let’s discover the centre of Bogotá in an original and atypical way. The bike tour takes us to the most authentic places in the city.
History and transformation of the Egipto district, we then go for a walking tour off the beaten track in the Egipto district of Bogotá, one of the most dangerous districts of the city until 3 years ago. We discover the past and the transformation process of this neighbourhood, guided by a former gang member of the neighbourhood. The inhabitants decided to give a different twist to their neighbourhood, leaving behind their criminal past to promote and tell the story of their neighbourhood through street art and graffiti.
Day 3
Natural reserve Las Dalias
We are met at Florencia airport and transferred to the Las Dalias ecotourism nature reserve for a fascinating experience. We cross the Canyon del Niño, whose crystalline waters reveal a bottom composed of thousands of coloured stones. This canyon has the particularity of releasing oil in its most natural form, without affecting its environment. We then visit the Cueva de la Catarnicas. Then we go to the Territorial Space of Training and Reincorporation of the FARC ex-combatants of Agua Bonita, who welcome us and show us the complex and the graffiti on the facades of the houses.
Day 4
Agua bonita – Natural reserve El Encanto
We leave for a short hike along interpretive trails to observe birds and monkeys. This activity is also an opportunity to visit the crops and the fish production project, in the company of ex-combatants with whom we can discuss their experience of the armed conflict. Visit to the “Fariana” library.
We then head towards the village of Palestina and the nature reserve “el Encanto”, where we are welcomed by the Molina Cruz family, who will share their passion for this region with us. This is an opportunity to discover the whole process of coffee making, but also to marvel at the surrounding nature. A magical place to observe birds, monkeys, butterflies…
Day 5
Natural reserve el Encanto
We will start by visiting La Mensura, the hike’s starting point. We will start with a descent of about two hours (400m), followed by an ascent which will take us to the park (500m). Lunch, free time off, followed by a 1h30 excursion to visit a site in Lapiaz called the Giant’s Pavement. Head back to the lodge and dinner.
Day 6
National park Los Guacharos
In the morning, an official park guide will give us a guided tour of Cueva del Indio, a cave, which we cross for about 750m through a main tunnel before arriving to Guacharos Cave. This cave is named after the family of birds of the common nighthawk, who nest there from June to January. Outside the nesting period, we will cross the Suaza River, which flows through the cave to the natural bridge. During the nesting period, we will reach the bridge by going around the cave in order to avoid disturbing the birds. Head back to the lodge and lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the La Cristalina waterfall and then head back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 7
National park Los Guacharos – Vereda La Mensura
Head back to La Mensura where the car will be waiting for us for the transfer to your next destination.
Day 8
San Agustín, the archaeological capital
Departure from the hotel accompanied by our local guide for the visit of the archaeological park of San Agustin, a major UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start with a visit to the archaeological museum and then a walk in the park to discover the gigantic statues and sacred tombs, in the middle of the forest and the tropical flowers. We visit Mesitas A, B, C, the ceremonial spring of Lavapatas, the Alto de Lavapatas and finally the Bosque de las Estatuas. In the afternoon, a half-day visit. Walk to the Pelota site, where the last coloured statues of San Agustin can be seen, and then to the Chaquira, a magical site with a splendid view of the Magdalena river canyon.
Day 9
Mandiyaco canyon
We will start with a visit to the cañon de Mandiyaco, located on the border of the departments of Cauca, Caquetá, and Putumayo. A short and easy walk punctuated with explanations of the surrounding environment will bring us to this very pretty canyon sculpted by the river, in the heart of lush vegetation. We will be able to see all kinds of palms, ferns, and trees. We will then meet the indigenous Inga community in kwichi tambú, the perfect opportunity for a harmonization ritual! Have lunch with the community then transfer to Mocoa where we’ll settle in and have dinner at the posada.
Day 10
Mocoa
Have breakfast and depart for the “Fin del Mundo” site. We will start the hike in the heart of nature to reach the Dantayaco River, which we will walk along and cross several times. we will be able to enjoy the many pools and waterfalls, which are magical places to swim. The walk continues to the last waterfall which is more than 70 meters high: Fin del Mundo. The view of Mocoa and the region is stunning! Return and have dinner at the posada.
Day 11
“Donde se oculta el sol” waterfall
After breakfast, depart for the waterfalls. Before starting the walk, your local guide will give us valuable information about the region and the indigenous communities. The “Awkikuna” trail will take us to the Mohano waterfall (the Jaguar man), a great place to swim. Then we will take another path called Intiwatana, this time to reach the Wacana waterfall (the crying monkey). Return by the Pisku trail.
Day 12
Cocha lagoon – Corota Sanctuary
Depart from Pasto and head towards the small port of Encano, where you will set out for the island of Coroto, located in the middle of the lake. The sanctuary is set in the middle of incredible vegetation with a great variety of animal species, primarily birds. After walking around the island, return to El Encano to have a delicious trout lunch, the local specialty.
Day 13
Popayan
The capital of the department of Cauca, Popayán, known as the White City, is perhaps the most beautiful colonial city in the country. The religious capital of Colombia, Popayán is also characterised by its religious fervour, particularly during the Holy Week processions, which are classified as an intangible heritage of humanity, as well as by its gastronomy, which is the result of cultural mixing. Accompanied by our local guide, we will discover the historical centre of Popayan and tour the monuments, churches and museums.
Day 14
Popayan – Silvia
Departure in the morning from Popayán towards the village of Silvia. Weather permitting, you can observe the Puracé volcano on the way, which dominates the region from its 4,650 meters of altitude. After the visit of the village, we leave for an indigenous territory to meet the Mizak people. We are received by a native family of artisans who are happy to teach us some of their art. Then we are received in a modest family of farmers dedicated to the cultivation of quinoa and potato for lunch. In the evening, we visit a traditional doctor to participate in a harmonization ritual and share our views around a campfire.
Day 15
Silvia – Popayan – Cali
This morning we set off again into the Mizak territories. We visit a hospital dedicated to traditional medicine, the indigenous school (on weekdays), cultural exchanges with regional dances and music, the opportunity to dance to the rhythms of the “chirimía”. Return to Popayán in the afternoon.
Day 16
Cali, street food
The “Street Food Tour” gives us a real taste of Cali through its local food products. We first walk through the streets of Cali, where we explore its street culture. Then, we take us to the local market, where we try different food and drink samples. We try some weird tropical fruits like ‘Chontaduro’, typical drinks like Lulada, typical food like Ceviche Colombiano and a lot more. Some of the sights we visit on our unique Street Food Tour include San Antonio, Loma de la Cruz, Parque de Los Estudiantes, Parque Alameda, La galeria Alameda.
We will tell you a lot of interesting stories and allow us to taste at least 15 different types of food and drinks.
Day 17
Cali- Guapi- Gorgona island
Let’s go and discover the treasures of Gorgona Island, a former penitentiary that is now a National Natural Park. Reception at the airport and transfer by tuktuk or motorbike taxi (7mn) to the muelle from where we will take a boat to Gorgona Island. Once we arrive at Gorgona, we will be briefed by the team who will introduce us to the island, its flora and fauna, possible activities and recommendations to follow. After lunch, we leave for a 25 minute walk to discover the history of the island and its penitentiary past. Here, nature has reclaimed its rights over the ruined buildings, with abundant fauna growing on the walls where monkeys play among themselves.
Day 18
Whales watching
After breakfast, leave for a boat trip in search of a wonderful mammal, the humpback whale, which travels each year along the South American coasts from Chile to the north, in search of calmer waters for its baby. The still and deep waters of the Colombian Pacific ocean attract the animal, which makes it the perfect place to go whale watching (from July to October). Have lunch at the hotel. Then, take a short boat ride to Palmeras (10mn) and a 5km walk to Palmeras Beach, during which you can appreciate the exceptional natural environment of the island. Then, have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 19
Yundigua beach
After breakfast, take a boat to the northeastern part of the island. From there, we will start a 3km walk (approximately 45mn) to Yundigua Beach, during which you can admire the natural attractions of the island. In Yundigua you can snorkel (equipment is provided). From the water just off the beach, you can observe fish and corals, offering a wonderful show. Then we will return to the hotel where you will have lunch. After this, you can enjoy a free afternoon to rest, admire the landscape, or explore the incredible surroundings of this island. We will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 20
End of the trip
Last free time to organize your luggage and say goodbye to this splendid environment that welcomed us for three days (due to different climatic factors, this program is given as an indication and may be subject to change). Transfer by boat and then by tuktuk/motorcycle taxi to the airport, towards new horizons and exceptional memories.
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