Journey to discover the peoples of Colombia:
Wayuu, Guambianos, Kogis

Arrival at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, at an altitude of 2,640 m. Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and end of the day free to enjoy the Colombian capital at your leisure, with its mix of modern and historic districts, urban architecture and verdant parks. Overnight at Hotel Casa Deco in a Standard room.

Your first stop is the Chorrera de Chochi. At 580 metres high, this series of waterfalls is the highest in the country. We arrive at its foot after a one-hour walk through a humid forest. Traditional lunch in a family finca. Next, we head for the Ubaque lagoon, also known as the Jeque Popon lagoon, which is also sacred in Muisca culture. To round off the day, your guide will suggest a spectacular view from the Mirador de Guadalupe. Overnight at Hotel Casa Deco in a standard room.

Departure for a visit to Bogotá’s Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), founded in 1939 and completely reorganized in 2008, which houses the world’s most important collection of pre-Hispanic goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ work.

Nearly 34,000 pieces of gold and Tumbac (an alloy of copper and gold), as well as the largest raw emerald ever found, are displayed in several rooms devoted to the themes of ore extraction and metalworking, and the relationship to gold of pre-Columbian peoples (Calimas, Quimbayas, Muiscas, Tayronas, Sinus, Tolimas, Magdalenas…) Note: closed on Mondays. Transfer to Bogota airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to Popayan. Arrival in Popayán, nicknamed the « white city » because of its lime buildings and wrought-iron balconies. Transfer to your hotel in the historic center. Overnight at Hotel La Plazuela in a standard room.

The Guambianos, whose real name is Misak, live in a small territory called Guambia. In the morning, after breakfast, we’ll leave for Purace, a small village near Popayan and home to the Kokonucos ethnic group. This is an opportunity for a first contact with one of the community’s members on the theme of cosmovision. Then, in a magnificent natural setting, you’ll observe the sacred animal, the Andean condor, and make offerings to it. If the weather is good, you’ll catch a glimpse of the summit of the Purace volcano. Late morning, departure for Silvia and lunch break on the way. After a first contact with the village, you’ll head off to a native house, where you’ll meet an authentic Misak family. One of their members will introduce you to the different stages of life in the community and the importance of music in this society. You’ll share a typical meal with the family, an opportunity for genuine cultural exchange, and then settle into your very own guesthouse in the small village of Silvia. Note 1: approx. 4 to 5 hours’ drive. Note 2: the indigenous reserves of the Cauca have experienced first-hand the long Colombian conflict, between guerrilla warfare and illegal culture, and have fought for their independence. It is important to respect the codes and varied beliefs of the local populations. Note 3: You will be accompanied during your stay in the communities by a guide from the Yanacona ethnic group. Note 4: The Purace Park region and its surroundings are cold and humid, and accommodation with local people is very basic. It is essential to bring warm clothing suitable for heavy rain. Note 5: daily altitude: between 1,700 and 3,000 meters. Overnight accommodation.

In the morning, departure for the Silvia mountains and the Payan house (from which the famous town of Popayan takes its name), the center of cultural life and education for young Misaks. Accompanied by a local Taita, you can deepen your knowledge of the community before visiting the traditional hospital and its natural pharmacy. After a typical lunch, departure for the southern Cordillera to discover the Yanacona community from which your guide comes. On arrival in the village, after a short presentation on village organization, you’ll be taken to the local natural theater to discover the musical tradition of this small village lost in the Colombian mountains. Note 1: approx. 4 to 5 hours’ drive. Note 2: altitude of the day: between 1,700 and 3,000 metres above sea level. Overnight with local people.

In the morning, a visit to an authentic wool weaver who will show you the artisanal process. Afterwards, you’ll discover some beautiful viewpoints before heading deeper into the Cordillera. You’ll pass several small indigenous villages before discovering the Paramo (from the Spanish páramo, plateau, moor), a high-altitude neotropical biotope located in the Andes Cordillera, between the treeline and the eternal snows. Arrival in Valencia, home of the Papayata ethnic group.

In the late afternoon, meeting with an indigenous guide, discovery of the local culture and harmonization ceremony to prepare you for the visit to the sacred sites the following day. Note 1: approx. 2 to 3 hours’ drive. Note 2: altitude of the day: between 2400 and 3000 m. Overnight with local people.

In the morning, we set off on horseback to the high lagoons of Magdalena and Santiago, the temples of water for the indigenous people of the region. In this beautiful paramo, following an ancient indigenous path that also saw the passing of Bolivar’s liberation army, you’ll discover the Star of Water, the birthplace of four of Colombia’s greatest rivers: the Rio Cauca, Caqueta, Patia and Magdalena. On arrival at the park entrance, you’ll be asked to undergo a small ritual to gain access to these sacred places for the locals.

Once you’ve reached the Magdalena lagoon, you’ll leave your horses to walk to the Santiago lagoon, where you’ll enjoy lunch in this wild and magnificent setting. Return by private vehicle to Popayan. Note 1: approx. 5 to 6 hours’ drive. Note 2: altitude of the day: between 1700 and 3900 m. Overnight at Hotel La Plazuela in a Standard room.

Transfer to Popayan airport and domestic flight to Bogota. Domestic flight to Riohacha. Transfer from Riohacha airport to hotel. Overnight at Hotel Taroa in Junior Suite.

The Wayúus (or Wayus, or Wahiros) are an Amerindian people who have occupied the Guajira peninsula since the 1st century BC. A fierce people, unlike most of Latin America’s indigenous peoples, the Wayúus did not allow themselves to be subdued by European invaders. Mid-day departure by 4X4 from Riohacha to Bahia Honda. Your first stop for lunch is Uribia, a young town and indigenous capital. Then you’ll leave the road for a dirt track and start heading into the La Guajira desert. In the late afternoon, you’ll reach the beaches of Bahia Honda for a short walk before admiring the sunset over the Caribbean Sea. This is usually when the fishermen return with their nets. Join them in discovering this age-old culture while enjoying a typical meal. You’ll have the opportunity to learn traditional cooking techniques. Note 1: You’ll be accompanied by a Wayúu guide during your stay on the Guajira Peninsula. Note 2: 4-hour drive approx. Overnight in a typical Wayúu rancheria or chinchorro (typical woven-wool hammock).

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a 5-hour hike through Wayúu territory. You’ll then take a short boat trip to Punta Aguja, one of La Guajira’s most beautiful beaches. Arriving at Punta Aguja, you can spend the rest of the day listening to the legends and history of these fierce indigenous people. Overnight in a typical way’uu rancheria or chinchorro (typical woven-wool hammock).

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll hike to Punta Gallinas, at the northernmost point of the South American continent. After lunch, hike through the beautiful Taroa dunes and discover the Punta Gallinas lighthouse, indicating the northernmost point of South America. In the afternoon, you can fish with the locals for fish or lobster, which you will prepare with the village women in the evening. You can also learn ancestral weaving techniques or help the Wayúu shepherds bring in their herd of goats for the night. In the evening, you can enjoy traditional dances and songs with an authentic family. Overnight in a typical Way’uu rancheria or chinchorro (typical woven-wool hammock).

After a short ride in a typical boat in Bahia Hondita, it’s time to head back to Riohacha, where you’ll have one last chance to admire the sublime scenery before returning to modern civilization. Note: approx. 5-hour drive. Transfer by private vehicle between Riohacha and Tayrona Park. Note: approx. 3-hour drive. Overnight at Hotel Villa Maria in a Standard Room overlooking the jungle.

Departure for the Sierra Nevada, where you will take a small boat up the Don Diego River to reach the Tayronaka reserve. The city of Tayronaka is another lost city of the Tayrona Indians. This mythical city was the setting for the film Mission (1986) starring Robert de Niro. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll retrace the history of this ancient civilization. During the day, you’ll meet indigenous Koguis, with whom you’ll be able to talk about their little-known, well-preserved culture. You’ll then take a lancha (small motorboat) down the Don Diego River to the sea. Return to the reserve by boat, lunch in the heart of the Sierra Nevada and return to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Villa Maria in a Standard room with jungle views.

Transfer to Palomino. The indigenous Kogis are the direct heirs of the Tayronas, one of the greatest pre-Columbian civilizations on the Latin American continent, now extinct. This people with their thousand-year-old traditions have retreated to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a unique territory of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys that they consider to be « the heart of the world ». These 12,000 men and women lead a simple, spiritual existence, respectful of the Earth that gave them birth. Welcoming very few outsiders, they have made it their mission to pass on their ancestral knowledge to « civilized » mankind, so that they can return to the harmony of the world. During your stay with the Koguis, you will be accompanied by a Colombian guide who is an expert in biodiversity and the Koguis Indians. He is one of the few people to have been able to approach this community and be introduced to their camps in the heart of the Sierra Nevada.

Morning departure by mototaxi to La Guadua to meet your Kogui guide, accompanied by mules, who will guide you to the first Kogui camp, where the Mama will give you « spiritual authorization » to enter the sacred sites. The 4-5 hour hike crosses the San Salvador River several times, and you’ll have the opportunity to discover the various historical milestones since the Conquista that have left their mark on this route. You’ll finally arrive in the primary forest, with its rich biodiversity. Set up your hammocks and prepare lunch with the Kogui family, before spending the afternoon at leisure to share more with the indigenous people. You’ll also have the opportunity to bathe in the pristine waters of the Rio San Salvador. From its source to the Kogui house where you’ll be staying, this river is untouched by human presence. 350 m elevation gain. 4-hour walk. Overnight in a Kogui house (basic comfort).

After breakfast, you’ll set off to explore the primary forest and riverbanks. Your guide will teach you about the strong ties that bind the Indians to their motherland, and you’ll hike to the Zumangaja waterfall accompanied by some of the Kogui family, who will help you clear the path through the dense rainforest. The waterfall marks the birth of the San Salvador River, and it’s at this mythical spot with its splendid views of the Sierra Nevada and the Caribbean Sea that you’ll get your bearings. Set up camp on the large rocks at the foot of the waterfall and take a dip in the natural pool. 150 m ascent. 2-hour walk. Overnight in camp (comfort and basic meals).

Transfer to the Tayrona region. Breakfast by the waterfall and exploration of the area, then return to La Guadua. Return by mototaxi to Palomino. Late lunch in the village. 500 m ascent. 5 hours walking Note: this trip takes place in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Overnight at Hotel Villa Maria in a Standard room with jungle views.

Departure for Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast. Transfer to the hotel and end of the day free to discover the unrivalled charm of this superb colonial city, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Note: 4 to 5 hours’ drive Overnight at the Hotel Bantu in Cartagena de Indias’ historic center, in a Superior room.

Spend the day visiting the village of San Basilo de Palenque, south of Cartagena. Discover the cultural, linguistic, musical and social practices of the descendants of Cimarrones slaves. The uniqueness of this tradition has been proclaimed a « Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity » by UNESCO. Note: approx. 2-hour drive each way. Overnight at the Hotel Bantu in the historic center of Cartagena de Indias, in a Superior room.

Free morning to take advantage of Cartagena’s many attractions. You can visit the historic city at your own pace and enjoy its unique atmosphere, discover the modern district of Bocagrande, store for handicrafts in Las Bovedas, take a day trip to relax on the Rosario islands. Transfer to Cartagena airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to Bogota.