Mythical expedition: lands of cowboys and rock art treasures

Descrizione del soggiorno

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Programma del soggiorno

• giorno 1

  Welcome to Colombia

  

  A guide welcomes us at the airport and accompanies us to the hotel. Reception at Bogota airport, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel (about 30 minutes). Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: airport welcome, bilingual FR guide, transport, room with breakfast

• giorno 2

  Bike graffiti tour

  

  The city of Bogotá sees, around the corner of its streets, a wide variety of graffiti and street art works, which offer themselves to the view of the cyclist out for a ride. Colorful, artistic, dogmatic and amusing, we discover them during a 4h tour passing through the most representative street art spots, such as the Candelaria district and the campus of the National University, accompanied by a local guide who is an expert in the field. Duration: 4h Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: excursion, bilingual guide FR, room with breakfast

• giorno 3

  Heading to Guaviare

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Bogota airport (about 30 minutes). Domestic flight to San Jose del Guaviare (not included). On the border between the great savannah plains of the East and the Amazon rainforest, Guaviare is still a secret place, whose natural treasures are worth the detour. Located on the Guiana Shield, the department has incredible geological formations and the magnificent Serranía de la Lindosa, where ancestral peoples painted splendid frescoes 12 000 years ago. These walls, whose secrets have not yet been uncovered, are true open-air books that take us back to the evolution of humanity and the culture of the ancestral peoples of the Amazon. The department is also home to a few other wonders, including a small Caño Cristales (the river of five colors), magnificent waterfalls, natural pools and rivers guarded by botos: the iconic pink dolphins of the region. Born from the meeting of two different biotopes, Guaviare promises us an unforgettable stay. PUERTA DE ORIÓN AND THE BLACK LAGOON Arrival in San José del Guaviare and departure for a very special hike. We let ourselves be surprised by the majestic Puerta de Orion, a tourist symbol of the region, as well as by the rock formations of the Serranía de la Lindosa. We will pass by the black lagoon, an enigmatic place which, beneath the darkness of its color, keeps the crystal-clear waters of a large natural pool. At the end of the day, we will be able to admire the sunset from the docks of San José. Transport: 1h30 - Walk: 2h Night at the Quinto Nivel hotel in a standard room. Included: Transport, Room, Lunch, Dinner, Excursion, Local guide ES, Bilingual guide FR

• giorno 4

  Cerro Azul

  

  After breakfast, departure by car for Cerro Azul, a small tepuy in the middle of the jungle, where the wall paintings tell us 10 000 years of history and indigenous legends. After crossing a cave more than 200 meters long (bring your flashlight), we reach a spectacular viewpoint over the Serrania de La Lindosa, a meeting point between the Amazon and the great plains of Colombia. On the way back, we discover another wall painting where the richness and size of the rock art motifs leave us dreaming: a true open-air library, where we learn a little more about the rites and culture of the proud Indians of the Amazon. Transport: 3h - Walk: 3h Night at the Quinto Nivel hotel in a standard room Included: Room, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Transport, Excursion, Local guide ES, Bilingual guide FR

• giorno 5

  Tranquilandia and bull corner

  

  Today, we will go to Caño Sabana, in the Trankilandia area, one of the “rivers of colors of Guaviare”. There, we will witness the magic of Rhyncholacis clavigera, an aquatic plant that transforms the river into a liquid rainbow of fuchsias, greens and pinks under the sun. Small waterfalls and crystal-clear pools complete this beautiful experience, as well as Rincón de los Toros, a place that, more than 30 years ago, was the municipality’s only seaside resort. Night at the Quinto Nivel hotel in a standard room. Included: room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, transport, excursion, local guide ES, boat, bilingual guide FR

• giorno 6

  Natural Pools - Bogotá

  

  Accompanied by our local guide, we discover a lush forest dotted with rivers and streams, as well as natural pools up to 3 meters deep. We enjoy the beauty of the Guaviare region, between the Llanos and the Amazon. The trail leads us to Cascada del Amor, Charco Largo and Charco Indio. After our walk, transfer to the airport according to the time of our flight. Transport: 1h30 - Walk: 2h Domestic flight to Bogota (not included) Reception at Bogota airport, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel (about 30 minutes). Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: Breakfast, transport, excursion, local guide ES, bilingual guide FR, room with breakfast

• giorno 7

  Heading to Casanare

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Bogota airport (about 30 minutes). Domestic flight to Yopal (not included) The Eastern Llanos are located in the heart of the Colombian savanna. Known for its magnificent sunrises and sunsets, the region is also characterized by the large presence of unique and varied wildlife (capybaras, anaconda, caimans, pumas and multiple species of birds…), and by a strong cowboy culture, living for the most part in the famous “Hatos”: large cattle ranches, spread over several thousand hectares. During this trip in the Eastern Llanos, you will discover the Encanto de Guanapalo Natural Reserve, which brings together 3 Hatos: Mata de Palma, Altamira and Montana. The Encanto de Guanapalo Reserve works in close connection with the Cunaguaro foundation for the conservation and preservation of local fauna and flora. Thanks to their efforts, the variety and quantity of wild animals present in the Reserve continue to increase, and the chances of spotting them in the territory are getting greater and greater over the years. YOPAL – ENCANTO DE GUANAPALO Arrival and reception with the implementation of our “biosecurity protocol”. With a snack, we will welcome you and you will meet your criollo guide, who will share with you the history of the region. He will also tell you the story of the herds, how they came together and formed the “Reserva Natural El Encanto de Guanapalo”. You will then experience the first experience of the stay: a guided walk through ecological trails, during which you will do a reconnaissance around the herd and appreciate the magical landscapes as well as the richness of the flora and fauna that the natural reserve has. Back at the ranch, you will enjoy a delicious Creole lunch, then you will have time to rest in a hammock under a mango tree or a cruceto. 15:00 - You will leave for your first horseback safari in the flooded savannas, a 3 to 5 hour ride where you can observe the abundance of biodiversity in our reserve: birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish in their natural environment. During the excursion, you will share the bastimento llanero. 18:00 - On the way back to the Hato, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset, with its dazzling colors. 19:00 - Enjoy a delicious outdoor dinner in front of the ravine. Accommodation: Hato Mata de Palma (subject to availability) – Transport: 2h30 – Horseback safari: 3h Included: Transport, domestic flight, lunch, dinner, excursion, local guide ES, room with breakfast

• giorno 8

  Safari

  

  6:00am - You will wake up very early and, with a typical llanero coffee and an amasijo, you will go out to see the sunrise. Your guide will take you to live a typical experience of llanero herds. You will experience a morning of milking and work in the corral, accompanied by cowboy songs, to discover this ancestral work and learn to milk a cow. You will rope a foal, brush it and take care of it. 7h00 - Return to the Hato to enjoy a delicious typical llanero breakfast, with a hayaca with pine nuts, torrejas and olive oil. 9h00 - You will take a curiara ride (a kind of canoe) in the streams of the reserve (winter season from May to November), where you will enjoy the calm waters and the birdsong that will accompany you. You will be able to do artisanal fishing and learn this traditional practice that the “llaneros” practice with hooks for their subsistence. 11:00 - You will receive a snack with refreshments and take a little time to rest. 13:00 - Outdoor Creole lunch, in the shade of the town church, after which you can relax in the hammock area of the Hato house. 15:00 - We will leave to visit the two other Hatos that make up the Nature Reserve, on 4x4 circuits that will allow you to appreciate the landscapes and marvel at the wildlife that can be found on these roads. 17:00 - You will enjoy a magnificent sunset in the middle of the savannah, with a snack, then return to the Hato. 19:00 - Outdoor dinner with our guide, accompanied by our baquianos, with their traditional Noche de Mitos, Agüeros y Leyendas (Night of myths, omens and legends). By the warmth of a campfire and torches, you will listen to the cowboys tell their stories and the traditions of the region. Accommodation: Mata de Palma (subject to availability) – Canoe: 2h – Safari: 2h Included: Lunch, dinner, excursion, local guide ES, room with breakfast

• giorno 9

  Crafts and horseback ride

  

  7h00 - Wake up with a delicious typical llanero breakfast. 9h00 - You will take a mid-morning break with a handicrafts workshop to discover how Creole cowboys use natural resources to create useful objects for the typical work of the plains. The Creole will teach you how to make a halter, a rejo or a mandador in horsehair or leather, like those they use for horse harnessing. 13:00 - Enjoy a delicious Creole lunch. 15:00 - You will set off for a new horseback ride to the Galapagos de Garcero, where more than 15 species of herons nest, such as corocoras, the spoonbill heron, among others. On the way, you will also find birds such as the goose, the duck, the soldier heron and the alacaravan. 17:00 - You will enjoy a magnificent sunset in the middle of the savannah, with a delicious snack, then return to the Hato. 19:00pm - Enjoy a delicious outdoor dinner, then rest. Accommodation: Mata de Palma (subject to availability) Included: Lunch, Dinner, Excursion, Local guide ES, Room with breakfast

• giorno 10

  Heading to beautiful Cartagena

  

  ENCANTO DE GUANAPALO – YOPAL Enjoy a morning of relaxation, rest and contemplation of nature, listening to its sounds. Check-out, and El Encanto De Guanapalo will bid you farewell with a snack and refreshments. Transport: 2h30 Note: The program is subject to change depending on weather conditions and the water level at the time of travel. In this program, activities such as canoeing and the morning milking, which cannot be carried out in summer, are replaced by hikes, gastronomic workshops and handicrafts. Domestic flight to Cartagena (not included) Welcome at Cartagena airport and transfer to your hotel located in the center of this enchanting colonial city (about 20 minutes). Night at Casa Mara hotel in a Standard room Included: Breakfast, transport, room with breakfast

• giorno 11

  Historic walking tour of Cartagena, La Boquilla

  

  Follow in the footsteps of the legendary pirates and let yourself be surprised by the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, a city with a unique mixed heritage. This visit will immerse you in the heart of the colonial era, among colorful houses and lively parks. It is the ideal opportunity to go back in time and relive the highlights of this city, the second Spanish stronghold established on the South American continent. Cartagena was for a long time the scene of repeated pirate attacks, including those of the famous captain Francis Drake. You will explore the beauty of its monuments, its churches and its emblematic walls, witnesses of the past that still defy the horizon today. Duration: 4h LA BOQUILLA: SUNSET AND BIRDS If we like authentic destinations, off the beaten track, then this excursion will delight us. Departure in the afternoon from our hotel, heading to La Boquilla. Upon our arrival in the village, we will enjoy a canoe excursion in the mangroves to observe the birds at sunset. The tranquil landscape is ideal for relaxing and experiencing an evening close to nature. Return to Cartagena around 19h00. Transport: 20 min - Duration: 3h Night at the Casa Mara hotel in a Standard room Included: excursion, bilingual guide FR, transport, room with breakfast

• giorno 12

  End of stay

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Cartagena Airport (about 20 minutes).