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Overview

Highlights:

  • We will explore one of the geological Colombian wonders; wonderful formations and “moonscapes” with amazing colors.
  • Spectacular sights from the “Snake Canyon”, “Xilopal Valley” and “The Holes” with its “ghosts”, also the Martian “Cuzco” and the Natural Pool.
  • The San Agustín Archaeological Park, declared by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
  • The Magdalena river strait, a landscape of great natural beauty.

Tour details:

  • Duration of the trip: 6 days and 5 nights
  • Do you only want to go to the Tatacoa Desert 3 days? Click here: Tatacoa Desert
  • Trekking time: 2 and 4 hours daily
  • Distance: 3 to 8 kms each day
  • Ecosystem: Desert, very dry tropical forest
  • Climate: Warm and dry
  • Elevation above sea level: 500 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l)

We will explore, doing short walks between 2 to 3 hours, the Tatacoa Desert; one of the geological wonders of Colombia – a must to see place, where we will find formations and “moonscapes” with amazing colors. We will trek across the “Snake Canyon” and the “Xilopal Valley” (fossilized tree trunks). In addition, we will explore “The Holes” with their “ghosts” and also “El Cuzco” with its red Martian-like landscape.

During this day we will also take a swim in a natural pool in the middle of the desert. Lastly, we will watch through powerful telescopes, under a professional astronomer’s direction, the astonishing Milky Way; our sister planets and nebulas deep in the depths of the galaxy.

The San Agustín Archaeological Park, one of the most important archaeological sites in Colombia, declared by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. It is the largest necropolis in the world.

The Magdalena River Strait, a landscape of great natural beauty where the imposing Magdalena River can be seen between rocks forming a strait of just 2 meters from shore to shore.

Ubication

 

Dates

 

Do you only want to go to the Tatacoa Desert 3 days? Click here: Tatacoa Desert

Price

COP $1,995,000 per person in double/triple accommodation.

*Supplement for individual accommodation $350,000

  • Do you only want to go to the Tatacoa Desert 3 days? Click here: Tatacoa Desert

 

How to book

For bookings, please email us at info@ecoglobalexpeditions.com

What's included

  • Ground transfers on all the routes described in the itinerary in a modern VAN full equipment from Neiva.
  • Accommodation 3 nights in San Agustín at the Yuma hotel or similar in double or triple accommodation.
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions, museums and destinations described in the itinerary.
  • Food as indicated in the itinerary (5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners)
  • Professionally presented experience explaining the stars, guided by a professional astronomer.
  • Expert guides
  • Local guides (EcoGlobal Expeditions supports green initiatives and eco-tourism in the regions we visit)
  • Insurance

What's not included

  • 3 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Hydration
  • Food on road
  • Personal expenses
  • Souvenirs
  • Expenses not stipulated
  • Tips

Itinerary

Nota:
*The following itinerary is informative and may vary without prior notice in accordance with weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

 

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Day 1

  • We meet on Avenida Calle 85 with Autopista Norte, two blocks above the parallel on Cl 85. See map… at 5:00 a.m. to go to the city of Neiva, the population of Villavieja and El Desierto.
  • We will stop for breakfast on the way (by each participant)
  • Arrival in the desert and lunch at a country inn restaurant. After lunch (included) we will enjoy a swim in the natural pool and when the sun goes down a little we will take a walk of approximately one hour and a half through the Los Hoyos sector to visit the congress of ghosts and other magical formations in the sector. desert grey.
  • After this walk we will go in our transport to the Window of the Desert sector to see “the zoo of formations” and the sunset. La Ventana is the highest place in the desert and allows a privileged 360-degree panoramic view.
  • At the end of the afternoon we will go to the astronomical observatory for a spectacular talk and stargazing (sky permitting), then we will return to the hotel. (Dinner included)

Day 2

  • After breakfast (included) we will take a walk of approximately 3 to 4 hours through the Xylopalos sector (fossilized trees) and the La Culebra canyon.
  • We will return to the hotel for lunch (included) and rest.
    In the afternoon, after the sun falls a little, we will leave for the Cuzco sector where we will make a 2 or 3 hour tour of one of the most beautiful places in the Desert.
  • Dinner (included)
  • Accommodation

Day 3

  • Breakfast (included) and view to the paleontological museum of Villavieja.
  • After the museum we will leave for Nevia and Rivera
  • Visit to Los Angeles hot springs in Rivera (closed on Tuesdays)
  • Lunch on behalf of each person
  • Transfer to San Agustín making stops in various towns
  • Dinner on behalf of each person
  • Hotel accommodation in San Agustín

Day 4

  • Breakfast (included)
  • Visit to the Archaeological Park
  • Lunch on behalf of each person
  • Hike to the Plank and Chaquira archaeological sites
  • Dinner on behalf of each person
  • Accommodation

Day 5

  • Breakfast (included)
  • Departure for a tour of the Tourist Ring: Strait of the Magdalena River, Museum and Archaeological Park of Obando, Archaeological Park Alto de los Ídolos y de las Piedras, Mirador del Magdalena and Salto de Mortiño
  • Lunch on behalf of each person
  • Dinner on behalf of each person
  • Back to the hotel

Day 6

  • Breakfast (included)
  • Departure to Bogotá

 

Travel tips

  • As far as possible take the least amount of wrappers, cans or glasses and please, let’s return home all the inorganic waste that we carry in our backpack «if you carry it in your backpack, you can return in your backpack»
  • Please do not leave trash in the desert and I hope we don’t leave trash in the cabin.
  • Be previously vaccinated against yellow fever and tetanus.
  • Don’t bring items that are typically used by the military (i.e. camouflage clothing).
  • Don’t bring or take toxic, psychoactive or hallucinogenic and alcoholic substances.
  • Don’t bring jewelry or valuables – Rolex watches and Cartier earrings; please leave them at home!
  • During the trek, don’t separate from the group and don’t remain alone at any time.
  • Bear in mind that we will be staying in a very remote place and our hosts will do everything for us as best as they can, given the local conditions and culture.
  • We want that during our visit to these remote, remote and often forgotten territories, all: guides, coordinators and tourists, we contribute to the economy of these regions and small towns, buying in the stores, stores, bakeries and restaurants, their products and merchandise (such as sweets, chocolates, soft drinks, sweets, fruits, etc.) and acquiring local handicrafts. It is a small support through which we include these communities in the tourism value chain. If you like to consume very sophisticated foods or special diets (almonds, sugar-free chocolates, dried seeds or dehydrated fruits, for example), which you will not be able to get in the shops of the villages, we recommend you take them with you. Thank you for joining this initiative, this is called sustainable tourism!

Each participant should bring:

  • Water canteen, Thermo or Camelback, let’s avoid plastic or PET bottles and if we buy or take them we return them to our house!
  • Cotton clothes for warm weather, light colors, shirts with long-sleeves
  • Bathing suit
  • Towel
  • Hiking boots or tennis shoes with good grip
  • Additional tennis shoes or sandals
  • Cap or hat
  • Water bottle or Camelback
  • Torch and extra batteries
  • Sunglasses
  • A small backpack for use while trekking
  • Poncho (rain cape) – waterproof
  • Personal hygiene items in small quantities
  • First aid kit (personal medicines)
  • Insect repellent
  • Sun block
  • Cash for tips, souvenirs and personal expenses
  • Personal documents (identity papers, ID cards, health cards)
  • Camera