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Travel inspirations by local experts.
Cano Cristales
From US$ 488 p.p. / 3 days / ask for your group discount.
Highlights
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Explore the famous rainbow river
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Discover incredible fauna and flora
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Enjoy the flair of a woodland village
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Tropical forest hiking tours
Program description
The Sierra de La Macarena Natural Park in Colombia, is the destination for all those who want to visit Caño Cristales. The beauty of this place is worldwide recognized thanks to its peculiar characteristic, which makes it the river of the five colors. In its currents of crystal clear waters, waterfalls and rock formations grows an underwater plant named the “Macarena Claveria” that produces a spectacular kaleidoscope image. From June to December, when the rain water level has reached the ideal level, the river flora bloom in all the spectra of colors. You can walk, enjoy and take pictures in the surreal world that this river creates in front of you.
Humid jungles, savanna vegetation, and a humid tropical climate make this national park a very special place. In an extensive territory, the fauna and flora of the Orinoquia, the Amazon and the Andes converge. Due to the low elevation the climate is hot and tropical with brief and intense storms. After a storm is when a trip to Caño Cristales is best because the aquatic plants will appear at their most vivid color. The best time for travel is from mid June to early December. In the park there are 500 species of birds, 1,200 species of insects and 100 species of reptiles. As for the flora, there are 48 species of orchids, 2,000 of other flowers, different foliages and plants. The municipality of La Macarena founded in November 18, 1980 can only be reached by air. The average temperature is 27 ºC
Route
Bogotá - La Macarena - Caño Cristales
Beaches
Nature
Wildlife
Adventure
3 days / 2 nights
Check availability and plan the trip of your dreams!
Itinerary Details
Day 1
Flight Bogotá - La Macarena, Pick up at La Macarena airport, tour briefing and Caño Cristalitos visit. Flight from Bogotá to La Macarena, where our team will be waiting for you. Hotel Check-In and afterwards tour briefing given by Cormacarena, the tourism bureau of the place. Put your hiking shoes on because the action starts from now on! After sailing approximately 30 minutes along the Guayabero River, we will transport you to Caño Cristalitos. Once there, we will accompany you to explore the surroundings. Lunch close by the river and then back to the village of Macarena. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy the traditional gastronomy.
Day 2
Caño Cristales visit, the rainbow river. After a traditional breakfast we will move to Caño Cajuche, first by boat and then in 4x4 trucks. Once there, your hike through Caño Cristales will start. We will take the path to discover the most beautiful corners of the area. The climate in this region is very pleasant which makes it ideal for a well-deserved bath and lunch on the river. Return to the Macarena. Prepare your camera to capture a beautiful sunset on the way back. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3
Caño Piedra, Cristalitos and airport transfer. Todays destination is Cristalitos and Caño Piedras, where you can enjoy the river and its incredible tropical environment for the last time. After lunch, the return trip starts. Transfer to the Macarena airport.
Price & Inclusions
From US$ 488 p.p.
1 pax. Group discount from the second participant.
National flight Bogotá - La Macarena - Bogotá is not included
Included
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2 nights accommodation (Standard Categorie)
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All meals (2xB,3xL,2xD)
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All daily boat and ground transfers
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ES guide (Optional: EN guide)
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Entrances and tourism fees, Travel insurance
Not Included
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National flight BOG - LMC - BOG
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Tips and personal expenses
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Optional: Higher class Hotel
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EN guide (on request)
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MCN airport fees (ap. COP 15K)
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Tourism fees (COP 210K foreigners, COP 140K nationals)
Important Notes
Availability
Caño Cristales can only be visited from mid-June to mid-December. The rest of the year, the park is not open to the public. Start: Charter flight from Bogotá.
Physical Difficulty: 3
Language
Duration
3 days / 2 nights.
4 or 5 days of program, to visit more paths in Caño Cristales. Contact us if you want to stay longer.
Accommodation
La Macarena is a small town, which does not have a tourist infrastructure like the others tourist cities in Colombia. There are very few hotels in the town. The ones there are basic but very well maintained. Accommodation will be offered at hotel La Cascada or a hotel of equivalent category according to availability. The rooms are equipped with double or single beds, fans, LCD TV and private bathrooms.
Recommendations
We recommend you to bring: hiking clothes (long pants, long-sleeved shirt, tennis or special walking boots), sleepwear, raincoat, swim suit, sandals or flip flops, sunglasses, personal hygiene items, snorkel, cap, repellent only for night use (repellent, sunscreen, creams or soaps are not allowed in the river), flashlight, battery, camera, towel, small backpack for walks. Although there is a Bancolombia ATM and an office of the Banco Agrario in La Manacrean, we recommend you to bring some extra cash.
Full package including flights from/to Bogotá
We offer the complete package with private flight from El Dorado international airport. The duration of the flight is one hour. If you are in the three-day plan, we offer you: 1) Departure Thursday, return Saturday, 2) Departure Saturday, return Monday, 3) Departure on Monday, return on Wednesday.
Daily departures from/to Bogotá (Ground transfers to/from Villavicencio)
The trip to Caño Cristales can be started any day but only from the city of Villavicencio. For this we move first by road from Bogotá to the Villavicencio airport (ap. 4h), where we will then take the flight to Macarena. Contact us if you want to take this option. We will gladly help you to organize and book this part of your itinerary.
Departures from Cali and Medellín
The trip can also start in Cali and Medellin. For this we also offer special programs. Contact us for this option.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner will be offered in typical restaurants of the region. For lunch we offer a plate that includes rice, chicken and potatoes wrapped in banana leaves. Our guide will offer you this delicious typical dish of the Colombian cuisine, past noon during the hike. It is accompanied with a refreshing lemonade that will give you energy to continue the journey in the afternoon. Please advise if you have some allergies or if you are vegetarian.
Vaccination
It is mandatory to have the yellow fever vaccine before traveling to Caño Cristales, according local laws. The yellow fever vaccine must be applied at least 10 days before the trip.
Communication
The cell phone signal is weak. There is an internetcafe in the village and a free WiFi network is enabled during some hours in the day.
