Lush green landscapes, abundant flora and fauna and crystal clear waters everywhere - live with us a magical experience in El Guaviare, on the boarder between the great planes and the Amazon region. During our 5-day-program in El Guaviare your clients dive right in to the local (indigenous) culture, walk through impressive landscapes marked by distinct rock formations, savannah, jungle and rivers. Below the description of this tour, recommended in particular for nature lovers.
Highlights:
- Ciudad de Piedra (stone town)
- natural pools
- cave paintings in Cerro Azul
- Orion Gate
- River of Colours
- Pink river dolphins
- encounter with indigenous people
For further information, please contact your local Neptuno travel agent.
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TOUR SAN JOSE DE GUAVIARE 5D/4N - rural accommodation
Guaviare, located on the border between the eastern plains and the Amazon, is a region full of history, life, serenity and biodiversity.
Despite its troubled past, today it is a place of peace and of incomparable natural beauty.
Note: Depending on arrival, departure time and climate, the order of excursions may vary
Day 1: Arrival in San Jose de Guaviare and visit of the "Pozos Naturales" and "Ciudad de Piedra".
Guaviare is home to several indigenous groups, the most important being the Nukak, Sikuani and Guayabero's. In addition, you find impressive nature and a great variety of landscapes: jungle, savannahs, rivers, lakes and rock formations characterize the landscape.
In the coming days we will discover the most important cultural and scenic treasures of the region. We will sleep in simple but comfortable and clean rural accommodations along a route around San José de Guaviare and make several excursions along the way.
After the reception at the airport, transfer to a typical restaurant and lunch (depending on the arrival time). In the afternoon the adventure begins:
Today we will visit the "Pozos Naturales", circular natural pools of water lined up in the Caño La Esperanza River and up to 8 m. deep. They are perfect for a refreshing swim. Afterwards, we will take a short, leisurely walk along the riverbank, in the shade of the embankment, contemplating the beautiful rock formations and the small waterfalls, in which we can always refresh ourselves.
Afterwards we continue to the "Ciudad de Piedra", the stone town, for an approx. 1- 2 hour leisurely hike through the savannah characterized by boulders. We walk through a whimsical landscape that gives the impression of exploring the streets of an ancient city made of stones. During the hike we can observe the typical flora and fauna of the area, for example we can see small carnivorous plants or the emblem of the region, the "Flor de Guaviare".
Short drive to our accommodation today: Ukunay, a finca surrounded by fruit trees, where we are warmly welcomed by our hosts. The accommodation is simple, but clean and cozy.
Note: The visit to the "Pozos Naturales" is not done between February and March, because during the dry season the riverbed dries up completely.
Day 2: Cave paintings in "Cerro Azul"
Early birds can spot different birds on the grounds of the finca - toucans, woodpeckers, parrots, among others - before we continue by 4x4 to Finca El Chontaduro. For more than 30 years, the most important production of the region was the cultivation of coca and its processing into coca paste, the base for cocaine. At this finca, Edison tells us all about his personal history in this complex trade and shows us how the plants were grown and the leaves then processed into the paste in sparse barracks using various chemical substances, acids and cement. After this interesting tour we enjoy a well-deserved, delicious and typical breakfast of the region.
Moving on to the next highlight, we visit one of the most breathtaking places of cave paintings. In Cerro Azul there are paintings more than 150 meters long and more than 10.000 years old. We can also walk through a cave that is about 210 m long.
At the end of the tour we enjoy a magnificent view of the majestic jungle from Cerro Azul. We cover a total of about 4 km on foot.
Afterwards we have lunch at Finca El Jardin. After a short rest, we continue to our accommodation for today: Cabañas de Piedras Altas.
In this lodging on the edge of the forest we can see monkeys, semi-tame macaws, and bouquets, swim in the swimming pool, or play a game of billiards. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Visit of the Orion Gate and Rio de Colores
Today we visit the natural savannah with distinct rock formations, some seeming to defy gravity. We walk along rock walls overgrown with jungle plants and past some small caves. We reach the imposing Orion Gate, a rock formation that is the emblem of the department of Guaviare.
The hike then continues to the "Río de Colores", the River of Colors, where the famous algae "Macarenia" grows, which makes the riverbed appear red, and is also found in La Macarena National Park. In order to protect this sensitive ecosystem, bathing is not allowed here. Therefore, we hike along the river until we reach Finca Tranquilandia, where we can refresh ourselves in natural pools with crystal clear water and waterfalls.
We leave the finca and drive to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon we go to the oxbow lake "Laguna Negra". Here we board a canoe and explore the waters of the lagoon and its foothills. We stop at an island and swim in the black and red waters. During the canoe ride we observe different species of birds and monkeys.
Return by canoe and 4x4 drive back to San José de Guaviare. Overnight stay in a comfortable city hotel.
Dinner in an indigenous reserve, wher we get an insight into the culture of the Toucanos, mediated by dances and typical food: casabe and smoked fish.
Day 4: Damas del Nare Lagoon
Three hours by 4×4 vehicle from the center of San José del Guaviare and located in the middle of the Amazon foothills, this lagoon is the permanent home of pink dolphins, birds and fish.
The Damas del Nare lagoon is a quiet place and a beautiful lake that was formed many years ago by the change in the course of the Guaviare River. Here we can see and hear howler monkeys, watch ospreys hunting and swim with the dolphin family that lives in the lagoon.
After lunch at a beautiful finca near the lagoon, we return to San Jose de Guaviare in the afternoon. Dinner in San Guaviare and overnight stay at the hotel in town.
Note: During the rainy season we reach the lagoon in small boats via the Guaviare River.
Day 5: Return flight
The morning is at leisure. Transfer out to the airport for the onward journey.
