Wildlife and Flora - Special Whales

Early departure from Bogota to the Chingaza natural park, east of the city. At an altitude between 3000 and 3800 meters, this natural wonder is famous for its páramos landscapes and the diversity of its animal species.

We set off quickly for a magnificent hike in this fabulous páramo landscape. At approximately 3500m altitude, we make our way towards the Siecha and Buitrago lagoons. If we are lucky we may observe spectacled bears, deer, hummingbirds, … Lunch during the hike in the park.

Approximately 4 hours of hiking
Altitude of the route: 3400 - 3760m

Return to Bogotá in the early evening and night at the same hotel.

After a private transfer to Bogota airport, we take our flight to Pereira, capital of the coffee region Eje cafetero.

Upon our arrival in Pereira, we are transferred to the Otún Quimbaya fauna and flora sanctuary, where we settle into our lodge and have lunch before receiving a brief briefing on Colombie's natural parks.

We are then ready to embark on a lovely hike in the sanctuary, hoping to spot some endemic animals, such as the torrent duck.

Approximately 2 hours of walking
Average altitude: 1900 m

Return to the lodge for dinner and a convivial evening in this peaceful and warm mountain atmosphere.

After breakfast, we begin our day's journey by Jeep, 1 hour on a dirt road to reach the Cedral site.

From now on, we will travel only on foot for the next three days. Our first walk, in the Ucumarí regional nature park, is heading to the La Pastora refuge and should allow us to observe endemic birds and howler monkeys.

Approximately 3 hours of hiking
Altitude: 2600 m

Arrived at the refuge, we have lunch and some rest.

In the afternoon, we set off again for a short walk that allows us to continue our acclimatization and further admire the region's rich fauna and flora.

Approximately 2 hours of hiking
Maximum altitude: 2800 m

Return to the refuge for dinner and a pleasant evening by the fire.

This morning we set off again through the high altitude forest, heading to the El Jordán refuge in the Los Nevados national natural park. Among the unique plant and animal species found in this region that we hope to observe, the mountain tapir figures high on our list.

Approximately 5 hours of hiking
Arrival altitude: 3300 m

Arrival at the refuge, tent setup and well-deserved typical lunch.

In the afternoon, an acclimatization hike around the refuge, during which, in addition to our usual wildlife observations, we also have the opportunity to approach and discover the lifestyle of mountain communities. Also possibility to try your hand at artisanal fishing.

Approximately 3 hours of hiking

Return to the refuge for dinner and an evening of exchange with the local community.

A long and superb day of hiking awaits us today. We set off after a hearty breakfast towards the Laguna del Otún, a small lake located at 3900 m altitude and source of the Otún river. In the midst of a magnificent paramo landscape typical of the high Andean plateau, this lake is an essential breeding place for several species of ducks and threatened birds, such as the Andean snipe or the torrent duck.

Delicious picnic in this exceptional setting, then we head back to the lodge.

Approximately 8 hours of hiking (10 km)
Maximum altitude: 3900 m

Dinner and overnight at El Jordán lodge.

This morning we begin the return hike. Along the way, we make a pleasant stop at the La Pastora refuge for a good lunch, while enjoying the last moments in this wonderful mountain forest. We then continue our walk to the La Cedral site, where we had left three days earlier all traces of motorized life.

Approximately 7 hours of hiking (13 km)

From La Cedral, it is aboard a chiva - typical colorful bus - that we reach the Otún Quimbaya sanctuary.

A private vehicle awaits us to take us to Pereira airport.

A short domestic flight to Medellín concludes this full day. Transfer to our hotel for a good night's rest.

From the Enrique Olaya Herrera regional airport we take a flight to the Pacific coast heading to the small town of Nuquí, an exceptional place and paradise for nature lovers, located on the shores of the Gulf of Tribugá. Lush vegetation, dense forest, paradisiacal deserted beaches, we are here in the least populated region of Colombie and with the greatest biodiversity.

The Nuquí region is also very rich culturally, mainly populated by Afro-Colombians but also by indigenous communities.

Info: a tourist tax of 8000 pesos is to be paid at the airport

From Nuquí a boat takes us to the beaches of Guachalito. Check-in at our ecolodge, between forest and sea, a haven of calm and peace in exuberant nature.

After lunch on the beach we take our first nature discovery walk in the surrounding area, cross deserted beaches and refresh ourselves at the Cascada del Amor, before returning to our ecolodge.

Approximately 1 hour walk

Return by boat to Nuquí and transfer to the airport.

A domestic flight and then a car transfer take us to our hotel in Medellín.

Evoking drug trafficking and lawlessness in the collective imagination, the legendary insecurity of Medellín is truly a thing of the past. Transformed into a metropolis at the forefront of innovation, the city has undergone and continues to experience spectacular transformations.

To get a glimpse of this, we visit the Comuna 13 neighborhood, which has become an open-air workshop of urban art (notably street art / graffiti) and grassroots initiatives for the revitalization and promotion of local heritage.