Wonder & Magic – Caño Cristales

Welcome to Colombia! Our Casita, Your Casita!
Welcome to Colombia! | Arrive in Bogotá

It is great to have you here in Colombia! We are delighted about your visit and we’ll make sure you will enjoy your stay.

Bogotá is Colombia’s beating heart. It is an engaging and vibrant capital cradled by chilly Andean peaks and amazing people and sceneries.

You will be picked up with a welcome sign at El Dorado Airport by a private transportation service that follows all protocols. You will be taken safely and securely to your hotel. We ensure that your 30-60 minute drive will be comfortable and relaxing.

On the way to your hotel, your English-speaking guide will give you all the recommendations you may like to get the most out of your stay. Feel free to let the guide know your preferences.

Bogotá to La Macarena - The River of Magical Gifts | Caño Cristalitos & Monkey Sightings

Flight from Bogotá to La Macarena | Private Transportation Service

Welcome to La Macarena! You will be picked up with a welcome sign at Javier Noreña Valencia Airport by a private transportation service and be taken to your hotel by boat.

Relax for approximately a 30-minute drive. On the way to your hotel, your English-speaking guide can give you all the recommendations you may like to get the most out of your stay.

The Crystal Clear Water Caño Cristales With A Lovely Sunset Serenade On The River | A Melange of Music, Mystical Scenery, & Magical Waters

For this day, you have to prepare yourself for a day filled with adventure!

We will begin having a boat transfer downstream the Guayabero River to the entrance of the National Park Sierra de la Macarena. Then, we will continue the trail by car on a bumpy road reaching the park’s checkpoint.

We will start preparing for our hike to the much-awaited and most in-demand destination in Colombia - Caño Cristales - which would take about 30 minutes.

Inside the National Park, we will stay for around 7 hours. It will be long enough to hike, have lunch, bathe, and take a lot of pictures and videos. Ready your video cameras to capture this magical moment that you surely won’t forget for the rest of your life.

At the end of the hike, we will return via the same route where we entered to arrive at the hotel.

You will get to enjoy an exciting serenade on the river flow with the rhythm of the Guayabero River. Bask under the beautiful sunset while listening to our llanera music to be performed by a local artist with his guitar. The songs he will be playing are declared an intangible heritage of humanity and is part of the rich culture of La Macarena.

Discover the Wildlife of Caño Cristales & Join a Cacao Workshop

The adventure continues! On the fourth day, we will trail the same route by a boat transfer downstream the Guayabero River and then a 40-min 4x4 car transfer to the entrance of the National Park Sierra de La Macarena. We will hike again for 30-minutes to reach Caño Cristales, but on this day, we will visit the lower basin of the river.

This is where the majestic Rainbow River enters the jungle and due to the shadow of the forest, the Macarenia Clavigera plant becomes intensely green.

Inside the National Park, we will stay for about 7 hours. This is long enough to have time to hike, have lunch, bathe, and take a lot of pictures and videos. We will return via the same route.

Last but not the least, you will get to visit the neighbors and connect with them while they explain to you how they produce chocolate from their own cocoa crop. You will experience helping them with the process of creation and drink a delicious cup of chocolate that you produced on your own!

La Macarena to Bogotá | Horseback Ride to Caño Piedra | Transfer from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva

While this may be your last day in La Macarena, we are sure you won’t forget the magical experiences. The adventure doesn’t end here though.

Today, we will walk from the hotel until we reach the horses. We will be riding a horse for 45 minutes along “morichales” and natural savannahs till we get to Caño Piedra.

La Macarena is home to different ecosystems due to its geographic positioning. It is located on the border between the Amazon and the Orinoquía. One of these ecosystems is the savannahs which allow you to appreciate incredible landscapes.

The best way to appreciate the savannas is through horseback riding and you will have time to bathe in small streams such as Caño Piedra or Caño Escondido.

Tour By Yourself

On this trip, you may enjoy the place at your own pace. Doing so can be so gratifying and you get to discover the gems of the town such as small cafes, restaurants, shops, and even local “Madrigal families”.

Don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations whether you need something specific or just some general information about the activities and places that you want to do and go to.

Bruno's Town: A Village Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
Amasijos workshop | Heal with a Meal from Maribel's mom

Encanto means ‘charm’ and Colombia never falls short in that category. Today, you will get to experience the workshop on Ancestral Amasijos - different small pieces of baked corn flour. You will be transported to the wonderful traditional history of our ancestors from the Muisca Culture and our excellent merchants that walked the trails of the Cundiboyacense plateau.

Travel 20 minutes by car from Villa de Leyva to Santa Sofía to find a local farm that hosts a ‘charming’ house.

Here, we will evoke the traditional farmers who crossed these paths, using small rustic shops, their traditions, charisma, and people skills. During the Amasijos workshop, you will practice the preparation of Amasijos in a wood oven while you are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and nature and enjoy a healthy and ancestral diet.

Of course, don’t forget to eat your delicious dishes as well! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a village straight out of a fairy tale.

Continue visiting the beautiful town of Villa de Leyva. This town is one of the places of inspiration for the Encanto movie.

You will get to visit the main park and be charmed by the colonial architecture, the roads made of rock, the white houses, and the marvelous mountains that surrounded the place.

After that, we will stop for different workshops where you will learn about our traditional “Ruana”, which is Bruno's clothes in the Encanto movie.

We will then go to a chocolate market where you can taste a delicious, warm cup accompanied by bread and cheese. A perfect way to cap off the day.

Villa de Leyva to Barichara | The Never-Ending Charm
Private Transportation Service to your hotel

Thank you for visiting our beautiful Department of Boyacá!

This town makes every Colombian proud. Thanks to our hard-working farmers.

You can relax during your approximately 4-5 hours drive to another wonderful town - Barichara.

Tour By Yourself

On this trip, you may enjoy the place at your own pace. Doing so can be so gratifying and you get to discover the hidden gems of the town such as small cafes, restaurants, shops, and even local “Madrigal families”.

Don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations whether you need something specific or just some general information about the activities and places that you want to do and go to.

Encanto Town and Camino Real

After breakfast, we will hike up to the edge of town where you'll find the start of the Camino Real (or "royal path"). You'll walk along this path for two hours until you reach the small colonial village of Guane.

Along the way, you'll be pampered with some picturesque views of the canyons as well as a bit of solitude in the peaceful countryside.

Once in Guane, you will get to visit the archaeological and paleontological museum that displays ceramics and jewelry made by the Guane indigenous people. It also houses fossils that are millions of years old.

Finally, you will be visiting the Chapel of Santa Lucia which is located in the iconic main square.

You'll then return to Barichara on a moto-taxi that may take approximately about 35 minutes. This means of transport is a perfect way to relax and enjoy the views of the Río Suarez Canyon whizzing by.

You'll have the late afternoon and evening to enjoy the area on your own and as you see fit.

Barichara to Medellin | Welcome to the Eternal Spring City & Clear Skies! (Rest Day)

Flight from Barichara to Medellin. Private Transportation Service to your hotel

Welcome to Medellín! You will be picked up with a welcome sign at Medellín Jose Maria Cordova Airport by a private transportation service and taken to your hotel.

The drive will be approximately 40-60 minutes to your hotel. On the way, your English-speaking guide can give you all the recommendations you may like to get the most out of your stay.

The City of Eternal Spring: Where all the people are fantastical | Its Story of Transformation & The 'Tejo’ game

Explore downtown Medellín and its historical center. Stroll through the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellin to the famous Botero Plaza with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

You will see 23 outdoor bronze sculptures that have become city landmarks.

Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo.

The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population.

While enjoying the spectacular view, you will learn more about Medellín, a melting pot of cultures with possibly the warmest and friendliest people.

Discover one of the most transformative communities in Colombia: The Comuna 13. The beauty and the brawn do not go wrong. You will enjoy a historical, aesthetic, and political experience designed and executed by some street artists of the hip-hop movement in that area. Through graffiti, stories that move and inspire hope and the search for better living conditions for the community are shown.

Finish your day playing the Colombian local-sport, Tejo. Although Colombia may not be particularly well known for its beer, every local could tell that there is a big culture around it. Tejo, one of the activities in the country that involve the greatest amount of beer is both a game and a sports event. It involves clay, rock-throwing, and small gunpowder envelopes.

Tejo has been played for over 500 years dating back to Colombian native indigenous populations.

This popular tradition has become a national sport in the country. Become a Tejo player on your visit! Try out your aiming as you calm your thirst down with some national beer. The game is accompanied by a full crate of beer, so be very well-prepared for it! This unique experience is something you won’t forget when you travel back home.

Colorful Colombia: Flowers, Nature & Villages: Silletas, Guatapé & El Peñol

You will start the day in the small village of Santa Elena which is located only an hour outside of Medellín. It is home to a great variety of traditional flower farmers.

The flower arrangements of the Flower Festival (“Feria de Flores”), called “silletas” have an impressive history and are now regarded as a cultural symbol of Medellín.

On this tour, we will be visiting an organic flower farm and experiencing the traditional peasant culture of Santa Elena.

After that, we are going to drive to Guatapé which offers a peaceful break from the city while also featuring a stunning panoramic view of nature and the surrounding scenery from the top of its hill.

Upon arrival, we will start off with the Rock of Guatapé in Antioquia. This is among the main attractions of Medellín. This gigantic granitic monolith is pretty much visible wherever you are in the city. This massive stone has been formed millions of years ago. The ancient Tahamies Indians, former inhabitants of the region, used to worship the Guatapé Rock.

Climbing the rock will take 740 steps and is approximately 220 meters high, but will be very rewarding. As you reach the top, you can get a panoramic view of the beautiful Peñol Reservoir. The magical and breathtaking views of the region will surely render you speechless.

The fingers of the lake sprawling amid the vast expanse of the green mountains, this 360-degree magical view is a must-see in Colombia.

After that awe-inspiring experience, you will be transported to Guatapé proper. It is famous for its church and colorful village. Whether you love photography or not, you surely won’t get enough of this place. It is renowned as one of the most colorful towns in the whole world.

Truth be told, it will be pretty hard to find a street in Guatapé that is not worthy of being admired and photographed. Ready your lens and take as many pictures and videos as you like.

Guatapé is known for the fresco-like adornment of its traditional houses with brightly painted bas-relief depictions of people, animals, and shapes. Walk through the streets, where your specialized guide will inform you about the history of typical houses, ¨zocalos¨, and this unique culture.

Enjoy a delicious typical Colombian lunch at the waterfront of the Guatapé reservoir. You may also explore the lake on a boat ride and take time to stroll and relax at your own pace.

Medellin to Pereira | Welcome to the “Pearl of the Otun”
Flight from Medellin to Pereira | Private Transportation Service

Welcome to Pereira! You will be picked up with a welcome sign at Pereira Matecana International Airport by a private transportation service and taken to your hotel.

You can relax during your approximately 30 minutes drive to your hotel. On the way to your hotel, your English-speaking guide can give you all the recommendations you may like to get the most out of your stay.

Salento, Filandia, & the Valley of Wax Palms | Encanto’s landscape and Miracles on every village

Salento is an Andean town in Colombia located west of Bogota. It is popular for its coffee estates and verdant scenery. On the east side of Salento is Cocora Valley where lofty wax palm trees are home to rare parrots and other birds.

In 1985, Ceroxylon Quindiuense, a distinct species of a palm tree, was declared the country’s national tree.

We will begin the tour by visiting the Cocora Valley.

First, you'll have a welcome cocktail called "Canelazo." With the assistance of a specialist eco guide, we'll be ready to start the introduction to the natural reserve of Cocora.

You will then be transferred to the fog's forest to witness the biodiversity of fauna and flora. There you’ll find the highest wax palm in the world and the tour won’t be complete without connecting with the earth. We will do a special ritual planting of some palms to pay our respect and appreciation to the wonderful gifts of Mother Nature.

After the planting, we'll go to the typical village of Salento, a heritage town characterized by its stunning and colorful traditional architecture. We will stop for lunch and continue visiting Filandia, a little town where you can walk through and adore its colonial streets and beautiful crafts.

You will also have the opportunity to visit the "La Colina Iluminada" lookout point. It offers a panoramic view of the mountains of the coffee region and you have to get your cameras ready.

Finally, we will visit a traditional basketry workshop where you will learn the art of making baskets using vegetable fibers.

*Note: The Quindio viewpoint is closed every Monday and every Tuesday when Monday is a holiday in Colombia. Also, the order or the activities can vary depending of the availability and restrictions of the activities during the day*

Pereria to Cartagena, Welcome to the city of Enchantment
Private Transportation Service from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to your Hotel in Cartagena

Welcome to Cartagena! You will be picked up with a welcome sign at Rafael Núñez Airport by a private transportation service and be transported safely to your hotel.

You can relax during your approximately 15-20 minutes drive. On the way to your hotel, your English-speaking guide can give you all the recommendations you may like to get the most out of your stay.

Barú Town & Beach at the Rosario Islands, Happy in a beach paradise

Indulge yourself in the warm, crystal waters of the Caribbean. You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to Barú for about an hour of travel.

Barú is a peninsula often called an island, bounded by the Bay of Cartagena, the Dique Canal, and the Caribbean Sea.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a typical breakfast in a local family house of one of the native people.

After that, we will take a boat to Isla Grande in the archipelago of the Rosario Islands.

The Rosario Islands are an integral part of one of Colombia’s most important national parks. The only park in the country that is primarily underwater. As such, the islands and surrounding waters are well preserved and protected which means you can enjoy their wonders as nature intended.

The fun tour doesn’t end there. We will stop at one or two spectacular spots for snorkeling. Then, you will finally be able to enjoy and rest at the beach.

A luscious lunch with fresh fish prepared by locals will then be served. It is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss when visiting Cartagena.

Adiós Colombia! Departure. Transfer out Cartagena

Today is your last day in Cartagena. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and based on the time of your departure flight, you will be taken from the city of Cartagena to the Rafael Núñez International Airport by a private transportation service.

Thank you so much for visiting Colombia. It is a great honor to tour you in our country. We hope you had a great time and we hope to see you again.

Have a safe flight back home!