The great Colombian journey

After a private transfer to Bogota airport, we take our flight to San Jose del Guaviare, a city located in the vast plains of the southeast, on the banks of the Guaviare River.

Airport welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Our first discovery of this region of hot and humid jungle leads us to discover a tepuy, a small plateau with abrupt contours overlooking the forest, the Cerro Azul. We discover there a quantity of rock paintings some of which are said to be 10,000 years old as well as a large cave that we cross, torch in hand. Our wanderings through the spectacular views that are offered to us over the Serrania de la Lindosa.

Transport: 3h - Hiking: 3h

The beginning of the day is dedicated to our last excursion in the region, a very particular hike where we first pass the imposing Puerta de Orion before entering the valley of labyrinths which leads us to the Nevara cave.

Finally, if our journey takes place between June and December, we should be able to venture to Tranquilandia, a multicolored oasis in the middle of the forest, where the Las Delicias waterfall awaits us.

Transport: 1h - Hike: 2h30

Transfer to the airport for our flight to Bogotá.

Airport reception and transfer to the hotel.

A change of scenery: we are leaving the urban frenzy today for rural Colombie. The department of Boyoca, north of Bogota, is one of the most rural and agricultural in the country, offering peaceful landscapes and a wide variety of culinary and craft specialties. Our destination is the magnificent colonial village of Villa De Leyva.

Upon our arrival we set out without delay to explore the town, where points of interest are plentiful: the Plaza Mayor, the workshops and shops, the remains of Spanish colonization… Two particularly remarkable sites are the Moulin de Mésopotamie (witness to life under Spanish colonial times) and the convent of the Discalced Carmelites (a community living in seclusion for nearly 4 centuries).

It is by bike this morning that we set off to explore the surroundings: Candelaria desert, the Pozos Azules, the ostrich farm, the paleontological museums, the Muisca observatory, the House of Terracotta and the Marquis de Villa vineyard.

Duration: 3-5h - Distance: 15 km
70% on track - 30% asphalt road
Altitude: max 2170m - min 2071m
Difficulty: easy
Local guide English and Spanish speaking

Route to Monguí, where we settle at the hotel.

We head south-east, crossing and descending the mountain range to the city of Yopal, situated at its foot.

Hotel accommodation and rest.

After breakfast, visit a traditional hat factory from the Llanos.

From Yopal, we continue our journey in a 4x4 to reach the Encanto de Guanapalo reserve, in the heart of the Llanos. A journey of approximately 100 kilometers that gives us a foretaste of the natural paradise where we will settle for the next few days.

Upon our arrival we discover our charming ecolodge made of natural materials, set in the middle of magnificent nature hosting rich wildlife. Meeting with the family and workers. A meal typical of the region awaits us and promises a delicious stay (all meals included) in this little corner of paradise.

In the afternoon, safari (in a 4x4 or tractor depending on the season) to discover the vast surrounding savannas, observe the unique and typical fauna of the Llanos Orientales and admire our first sunset over the Llanos.

Return to the lodge for dinner, during which stories and legends of the region will be shared with us.

Last moments and morning walk to enjoy the sunrise, the calm of the savanna and its unique wildlife.

Return by Jeep to Yopal where we have lunch and have some time to stroll around and visit a few local craft shops

Transfer to the airport to take our flight to Riohacha.

In Riohacha, private transfer to our hotel and free end of afternoon.

We leave our hotel this morning to discover a new wonder of Colombie: the Guajira desert. During this new day we stop at Uribia, the indigenous capital of the region, and Manaure, a salt-producing village where we visit the salt ponds. A large part of the route is on dirt roads.

Continuing on to Cabo de la Vela, where we visit the Pilon de Azucar, enjoy the beach and admire the sunset from the lighthouse. Of course, the Guajira is wonderfully suited for swimming!

Dinner within the community before a night in local colors in hammocks.

We then head to Punta Gallinas and its famous lighthouse, the northernmost point of South America. On the way, we discover the wind farm, Puerto Bolivar and Portete Bay.

We have lunch in Pusheo in a typical rancheria of the region.

In the early afternoon, we walk in the Taroa Dunes. The meeting of the blonde dunes and the Caribbean Sea is fascinating.

Sunset at the lighthouse before dining and settling for the night.

We then begin our return to Riohacha. We start with 1 hour by boat (3 hours during rainy season) across Bahia Hondita where we can observe mangroves and pelicans, then we take the 4x4 to Riohacha. Lunch in Uribia or Riohacha.

It is by the normal road that we travel the last section to Palomino and conclude our day's journey. Night at the beachfront hotel.

This is the end of this beautiful adventure, the beginning of a new one !

Today marks the beginning of the final major adventure of our circuit, a 4-day journey through the spectacular Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest mountain by the sea. A vast massif with extraordinary landscapes, carved by deep valleys lined with dense forests at the bottom of which flow numerous rivers, it also hides the Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City, an ancient city of the Tayrona civilization and the objective of our journey.

To begin, we board our vehicle and travel along the coast heading west to the Aguacatera junction.

We exchange our vehicle for a 4x4 to reach El Mamey where we have lunch.

From here begins our trek on El camino a Ciudad Perdida. 3 to 5 hours will be needed to reach the Cabaña de Adán, a camp where we will settle for the night. The streams we will encounter throughout our walk will be opportunities to take refreshing baths.

Walking time: 3 to 5 hours
Distance: 7.6 km

The evening in this place lost in the mountains is punctuated by the stories of our local guide who tells us about the customs of his community and teaches us some basics of the dumana language.

Day of hiking through the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, rich in exceptional fauna and flora. Halfway through, visit to the Mutanzhi indigenous community and exchanges with its inhabitants. In the afternoon, arrival at our destination for the day: Teizhuna (or Teyuna), a sacred Tayrona site on the edge of a river where we can enjoy ourselves and relax.

Hiking time: approximately 8 hours

Over dinner, our guide tells us about the Ciudad Perdida and its role in the beliefs of the indigenous people.

Early in the morning we travel the last kilometers that still separate us from the Ciudad Perdida, with its 1200 steps built by the ancient Tairona civilizations.

Once there, we tour the different sacred sites while listening to the Mamo, the indigenous spiritual chief, tell us about the Lost City, its sacred stories and ancestral wisdom.

Late morning, return to camp for lunch, then hike to the cabaña Mumake where we settle for the night.

Hiking time from the Lost City: approximately 6 hours

Last stretch to the village of El Mamey via a beautiful waterfall where we can cool off. In El Mamey, a hearty lunch awaits us and restores us after these sporting days.

Walking time: approximately 7 hours.

A 4x4 then takes us back to the coastal road, at Aguacatera.

Finally, it's in our comfortable air-conditioned vehicle that we travel the last stretch, until Santa Marta, where we find the comfort of a hotel.