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CAÑO CRISTALES 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS

CAÑO CRISTALES, CAÑO PIEDRA AND CRISTALITOS FROM LA MACARENA
Orinoquia
Caño Cristales- La Macarena, Meta
Adventure
Community tourism
Natural Parks
Nature
River & Jungle
Single destination
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Caño Cristales, located within the Sierra de la Macarena National Natural Park, is one of the unique experiences in Colombia. It has been classified as the most beautiful river in the world and the river of the 7 colors thanks to the Macarena Clavijera, an endemic aquatic plant that turns into different colors depending on the environmental conditions. The color season begins on June 15 and ends on November 15 approximately, when the river bed is abundant and the algae are at their maximum splendor.

*Daily departures 2022 starting June 15
3 nights - 4 days
CAÑO CRISTALES 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS

Itinerary

Day 1

We will be waiting for you at the airport in La Macarena, Meta. After a short and very important talk from National Parks, we will go directly to the port to take a boat and the adventure begins. We will sail for 20 minutes on the Guayabero River. Then we will walk 20 minutes through savannahs and gallery forest until we reach Caño Cristalitos, an ideal place to see the pink silvers and swim in the small natural pools. We will have lunch on the way, with a "just in case", a meal wrapped in banana leaves that is ancestrally prepared by the local inhabitants for their long working days. Return to La Macarena. Dinner and rest. 

Day 2

We will embark again on the Guayabero River to Puerto Los Mangos, where a 4x4 vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to the beginning of the trail of PNN Sierra la Macarena and Caño Cristales.  From this place, we will start walking. We will make several stops until we reach the upper part of the PNN. We will cross iconic attractions such as Los Ochos, La Piscina del Turista, Los Cuarzos and depending on the trail that we are assigned we can go to La Cascada del Águila, Tapete Largo, among others. Get ready to swim in the permitted pools and to know the colors of the river that are formed thanks to the Macarenia Clavigera plant (remember that it is an aquatic plant and is not an algae). We will have lunch again with a local "Por si Acaso" and return to La Macarena. In the evening we invite you to a great "parrando llanero".

Day 3

Raudal Angosturas or PNN Sierra La Macarena- With luck and availability of carrying capacity we will be able to visit El Raudal, located 1:30 hours by boat from the municipality of La Macarena. This trail, located along the border with Tinigua NP, is the most recent community project in the region. Here we can visit the 7-color river and other natural wonders such as the stone city. 

Other trails that we can visit this day: Pailones, famous for forming the green color of the colorful river and its natural pools. Trail within national parks different from the one we traveled on day 3. 

Day 4

Caño Piedra or El Mirador: very early in the morning, we will take a land transport (van or motorcycle cab) to a small river known as Caño Piedra, or a boat to Caño Lozada and El Mirador. It will depend on the trail that National Parks assigns us and the level of activity that the group prefers. In both plans, the llanero landscapes are the main attraction of the day.

Recommendations

Travel Equipment:

  • Sunscreen and lip moisturizer (ideal if natural).
  • Sunglasses.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Reusable water bottle.
  • Towel for personal use to use during walks.
  • Carry your luggage in a medium backpack. Additionally, bring a small backpack to use during the day's activities.
  • Basic elements of personal hygiene.
  • A good flashlight with extra batteries.
  • Documents of the traveler: passport, identity card or citizenship card, military passbook and medical insurance card.

Travel clothing:

  • It is important to wear comfortable clothing, preferably synthetic, quick-drying clothes and light colors.
  • Long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
  • Waterproof boots, not slippery.
  • A pair of comfortable closed shoes.
  • Lightweight raincoat.
  • Dress or swimwear, water shoes, pareo.
  • Water resistant hat or cap.

Recommendations:

  • Because it is a national park, it is mandatory that you get the yellow fever vaccine. It depends on the airline, the presentation of the vaccination card is required.
  • National Parks, prohibits the entry of children under 5 years of age to the park to carry out trails.
  • It is important to know that during the tours you can take recreational baths in designated places, which your guide will always let you know.
  • The itinerary could have modifications due to the load capacity of the trails, which are assigned by local environmental entities.
  • Lunch during the tours is served in cold cuts (wrapped in banana leaves), since being a protected area does not allow the entry of plastics or styrofoam.
  • If you have any dietary restrictions (allergies, restricted foods) or you are a vegetarian / vegan, please let us know once you have made your reservation.
  • In Macarena, there is only a Bancolombia and a branch of Banco Agrario. Still, we recommend you bring cash.
  • The telephone signal is poor, the only operator that works (intermittently) is Claro.
  • The Caño Cristales ecosystem is very fragile, so keep in mind that for the visit to the Cristalitos, Cristales and Pailones trail, the use of sunscreen, creams, repellents or any other chemical that alters the water is prohibited, affecting the plants.
  • Likewise, the entry of plastic bottles and disposable containers is prohibited. Take a reusable bottle (not disposable).
  • The season when Caño Cristales is open is winter (rainy) season. The weather is very varied, which could alter the schedule of flights or tours.
  • La Macarena is a safe municipality. In the evenings, you have free time so that you can enjoy local spaces such as the plaza, yew rooms and pool billiards, dancing, etc. Ask your guide at the destination. He will recommend the best activities and places.

Price and what's included

Price............................Prices starting at COP $1.375.000 per person 

INCLUDES

  • Full board, i.e. 3 meals per day (from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day, if the return flight connection allows it) at local restaurants in La Macarena.
  • Accommodation in single/double/triple rooms (according to reservation) in any of the basic hotels in the town of La Macarena. 
  • All river transfers (on the Guayabero River) and land transfers (through the Llano to the DMI (Cormacarena Integrated Management District) and the Serranía de La Macarena Natural Park).
  • Assistance of a local guide during the river tours (1 guide for a maximum of 7 travelers).
  • "Parrando llanero" with a gastronomic experience (in programs of 3, 4 and 5 days). 
  • Assistance insurance (Magenta Seguros)
  • Contribution to the village of La Cachivera and tree planting. 
  • Visits to Caño Cristalitos, Caño Cristales, Caño Piedra and Parrando Llanero.
  • Reception at the airport and luggage handling

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights from your city of origin. We have charter flights from Bogota, Medellin and Villavicencio. 
  • Lodging: additional nights. Lodging in hotels other than those already established, which generate a difference in rate. 
  • Others: personal and unspecified expenses. Local entrance fees Cormacarena and National Parks.
  • Entrance fees of the Mayor's Office of La Macarena and airport taxes. Bilingual guide (available in English or French).
  • Tips
     

How to arrive?

The best option to get to Macarena is by air.

Air: you can connect to the Javier Noreña Valencia airport from Bogotá,Medellín, Buga or Villavicencio.
 

By land: This option is not recommended

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