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Cave of the Guacharos
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The first National Park of Colombia (1960) covers an area of 9000 ha. The park houses one of the last extensive Andean forests and protects many plants in danger of extinction. It is also home of the oilbird (Guácharo – Steatorniscaripensis), a middle sized night bird, which orients itself by echolocation and lives in caves. There are ideal conditions for extensive hikes, bird-watching and cave research.
Arrival in San Agustín around noon, transfer to chosen hotel.
Option 1: Visit of the archeological park of San Agustín, including the ceremonial fountain Lavapatas and the museum.
Option 2: Horseback riding along coffee and sugar cane plantations, with visit of the archeological sites El Tablón, La Chaquira, La Pelota and El Purutal. Dinner and overnight stay at Finca El Maco
After breakfast, ride along the Magdalena river to Palestina (2h). From here we start a 6h hike to the visitor center in the park where we stay for the night. Along the way there are many bird watching possibilities. Dinner and overnight stay at chosen hotel.
Breakfast and a two hour hike to the Indios cave, with different chalk formations and where a special endemic spider (Pocock – Pterinochilus) which inhabits the dark deep caves, can be observed. From there, we continue to the Guácharo cave, where we observe the oilbird and the Suaza River, which passes through the inside cave. Afterwards return to the visitor center for lunch. In the afternoon, hike to a waterfall, where we can relax and refresh ourselves in the crystal clear water. Dinner and overnight stay at the visitor center.
Breakfast and afterwards hike to the village Palastina, from where we drive back to San Agustín. Overnight stay at designated hotel.
2 nights in San Agustín at chosen hotel
2 nights in the national park in dorm rooms
Full board starting with lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 4 (lunch box in the national park)
Visit of the archeological park in San Agustin or horseback riding