Feel the Caño Cristales magic, one of the most amazing rivers in the world located in the Sierra de La Macarena National Park.
Caño Cristales gathers five colorful rivers that come together to form one. These rivers al located in Sierra de La Macarena National Park, in the department of Meta- Colombia. The colors of their waters are due to a plant known with the name of Macarena Clavigera that has shades that go from green to red.
During the summer months where the rivers get almost completely dry, the plants go into a latency state loosing completely their characteristic color, while in the rainy months (July to December) when the flow increases the plants are seen in all their splendor and exposing their majestic beauty.
The journey that is described below is a beautiful tour along the river paths in which we will have the opportunity to see the different colors of the plants, as well as, the flora and fauna present in this place. Depending on the level of the waters, we will be able to get into the wells and waterfalls that are formed in the rivers. Also, we will get to know the llanera culture and be delight by their gastronomy.
NOTE
In this five days journey that starts in the city of Cali we will be visiting the Caño Cristales Rivers during the second and third day, we will go through a different path each day. The day one and four, we will perform different activities such as visiting Cristalitos, El Llano Viewpoint, Raudal de Angostura or we will also navigate the Guayabero River while watching the flora and fauna. The activities are organized according to the permissions given by Cormacarena and National Parks.
ITINERARY
We will meet at the Alfonso Bonilla Airport at 11:00 am. The departure time is according to airplane schedule. You don’t need to buy a ticket; we will be flying in a charter.
Welcome in the municipality of La Macarena.
Hotel Check-in.
Depending on the arriving time, we will carry on some of the following activities:
40 minutes tour navigating along the Guayabero River where we will be able to see alligators, birds, turtles and many other typical animals and vegetation.
20 minutes tour by car through the immense plain to enjoy the beautiful sunset. On our way we will be able to observe the typical ecosystems from the region such as the morichales, the green dunes and Sierra de La Macarena.
10 minutes tour by boat. Then, we will walk for about an hour and we will be able to enjoy Cristalitos, a colorful stream similar to Caño Cristales. Besides we will be able to a beautiful panoramic view from the top of La Serranía where we can see the jungle, the plain and the river.
Dinner and rest.
20 minutes by boat along the Guayabero River. 25 minutes by vehicle. Hiking through Caño Cristales, the tour duration depends on the chosen path.
Breakfast.
20 minutes boat tour along the Guayabero River.
25 minutes tour by car to El Manantial del Cajuche, where the hike starts.
We will visit the path that National Parks and Cormacarena assign us.
Note: the permission will be assign depending on the path’s capacity and the physical conditions of the visitors. It is only allowed one path per day.
In Caño Cristales we will have a typical fiambre lunch that comes wrapped in leaves.
Return back to La Macarena.
We will have an integration evening with llanera music (Joropo) and dinner with a display of the gastronomy of the region: what locals call Parrandón Llanero.
Rest.
20 minutes by boat along the Guayabero River. 25 minutes by vehicle. Hiking through Caño Cristales, the tour duration depends on the chosen path.
Breakfast.
20 minutes boat tour along the Guayabero River.
25 minutes tour by car to El Manantial del Cajuche, where the hike starts.
We will visit the path that National Parks and Cormacarena assign us.
Note: We will visit different places every day, the permission is not granted for the same place more than once. If you are traveling during a weekend that includes Monday as a National Holyday according to local environmental regulations (ABC), the last day is not allowed to visit Caño Cristales; they will offer us alternative activities and destinations.
In Caño Cristales we will have a typical fiambre lunch that comes wrapped in leaves.
Return back to La Macarena.
Dinner and rest.
Breakfast.
We will carry on some of the following activities (different from firs day), according to the assigned quota by National Parks and Cormacarena:
40 minutes tour navigating along the Guayabero River where we will be able to see alligators, birds, turtles and many other typical animals and vegetation.
20 minutes tour by car through the immense plain to enjoy the beautiful sunset. On our way we will be able to observe the typical ecosystems from the region such as the morichales, the green dunes and Sierra de La Macarena.
10 minutes tour by boat. Then, we will walk for about an hour and we will be able to enjoy Cristalitos, a colorful stream similar to Caño Cristales. Besides we will be able to a beautiful panoramic view from the top of La Serranía where we can see the jungle, the plain and the river.
Dinner and rest.
Breakfast.
The flights are usually scheduled in the morning; therefore, we will not be able to perform any activity this day.
We will be returning to Cali between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
End of our journey!
+ Airplane ticket: Cali – La Macarena – Cali.
+ Guides during the whole trip.
+ Medical Assistance Insurance.
+ Transportation by boat and by car to all places mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Complete accommodation for the nights described in the itinerary.
+ Food: breakfasts, lunches, dinners described at the itinerary.
+ Permission request to enter to the National Park.
+ All the activities described in the itinerary.
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+ Hydration.
+ Tourism taxes (contribution to the municipality of La Macarena, Decree #0-29 Alcaldía) Foreign Nationals: $41,800. Colombia Nationals: $27,000 COP
+ National Park entry fee. Foreign Nationals: $98,000 COP. Colombia Nationals: 13 years old and older $64,700 COP, children between 5 and 12 y/o $33,000 COP, 65 years old and older are exempt of payment.
+ La Macarena airport charges: $6,000 COP
+ Contingency plan contribution: $12,000 COP
+ Snacks.
+ Expenses not specified in the plan.
