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Overview

What you will forever remember after visiting the Güejar River Canyon (Mesetas Meta):

Within the department of Meta, amidst lush and pristine nature, lies the Güejar River Canyon. A natural wonder still relatively unknown in the country, it is best known for the imposing canyon formed by the Güejar River and for being the gateway to the Serranía de la Macarena. Here are some of the highlights of the area:

  • Crystal clear waters
  • Rafting in the Güejar Canyon
  • Blue Pool
  • Sulfur Waterfall
  • Güejar Natural Pools
  • Crystal Looms Waterfall

Expedition specifications for the Güejar River Canyon:

  • Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
  • Effort level: “PÁRAMO” (3 on a scale of 1 to 5).
  • Comfort level: 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. See Levels…
  • We will be staying in the best cabins in Mesetas, a rural property with beautiful gardens, rooms with private bathrooms, a pool, and will be traveling from Bogotá to Güejar in a comfortable fully equipped van.
  • Ecosystem: Eastern plains, Orinoco region, savanna, swamps, streams and rivers, foothills of the Serranía de la Macarena and the Piedemonte llanero.
  • Climate: Warm and humid with an average temperature of 28°C.
  • Elevation: 600-800 meters above sea level.
  • Location: Mesetas – in the department of Meta.

The Canyon is part of the Special Management Area of the Macarena, and the river itself has a unique landscape component. It contains some of the oldest rock formations on the planet as it comes from the formation of the Guiana Shield, which stretches from Venezuela, crosses La Macarena and reaches Ecuador and Brazil.

The Expedition to the Güejar River Canyon (Mesetas Meta) is ideal if you enjoy:

  • Rafting ranging from easy to moderate levels.
  • Eco-hiking.
  • Adventure activities.
  • Exploring rivers, foothills, swamps, forests, and the vastness of the plains.
  • Swimming and enjoying waterfalls.
  • Observing wildlife in its natural state.
  • Venturing into remote and rugged territories.
  • Interacting with different local cultures.
  • Deep contact with nature.
  • Birdwatching.

Why travel to the Güejar River Canyon (Mesetas Meta) with Ecoglobal Expeditions?

  • Because this expedition is led by a professional guide from Bogotá.
  • Because Ecoglobal Expeditions is a certified travel agency in COVID-19 Biosafety, with the Check-in Certified Seal.
  • Because Ecoglobal Expeditions is a member of the Colombian Association of Responsible Tourism (ACOTUR).
  • Because we take care of every detail of the expedition, ensuring your safety and well-being.
  • Because we support the tourist development of the region by hiring local guides to assist with the expedition (they are the ones who best know the region, its people, and its landscapes).

Note: We operate this destination in partnership and in collaboration with local service providers, not only for the safety they offer our clients, but also for sustainability reasons (which are not only environmental, but also social). Supporting communities and local operators is fundamental to us and is the cornerstone of our sustainability policy.

We have carefully selected our allies over the years and have designed itineraries based on mutual knowledge of the destination. We have firsthand knowledge of these places for many years and know about their possibilities, attractions, distances, logistical, environmental, cultural, geographic, and social conditions. Our local partners know the region and its customs better than anyone, and together we make the best team.

 

Ubication

Dates

Get ready to be part of the Expedition to the Canyon of the Güejar River (Mesetas Meta):

You can do this expedition with your family or group of friends during the rainy season (winter) as a private group. In this case, the price would depend on the number of people in your group. Contact us at our email: info@ecoglobalexpeditions.com for assistance.

Price and Payment Method

Price per participant for the Expedition to the Güejar River Canyon (Mesetas Meta) 2023:

  • 6 to 8 participants: $2,490,000 Colombian pesos per person including VAT
  • 9 or more participants: $2,290,000 Colombian pesos per person including VAT

Notes:

  • If you want a single room for the 4 nights at the hotel in Mesetas, the supplement is $280,000 Colombian pesos ($70,000 Colombian pesos  additional per night).
  • We operate with children from 7 years old. If they are younger, please contact us.
  • This is how it works: since it is an expedition open to the public, you sign up and other people also sign up separately. The final price depends on the number of people who finally register.
    To know who we are counting on, you must make a deposit as explained below:

Payment Method:

  • A deposit of $500,000 Colombian pesos to register and the balance 8 days before the departure.
  • To make your payment, please contact us by writing to info@ecoglobalexpeditions.com
  • The price indicated above already includes a discount for cash payment by deposit or transfer to the bank account that we will inform you of in due course, or at any of the 14 OCHOMILES stores in Bogotá.
    Note:
  • Take advantage of electronic channels and make the payment through a bank transfer to our account!
  • The discount indicated above does not apply if you wish to pay by credit or debit card through the PayU service. Please contact us to send you the payment link to your email.

What should I do if I made the deposit and registered but cannot attend?
See the answer here…

How to book

 

What’s included

Our program for the Rio Guejar Canyon Expedition (Mesetas Meta) includes:

  • VAT
  • Private round-trip transportation from Bogota to Mesetas
  • Internal transportation in 4×4 trucks
  • Accommodation in comfortable shared cabins
  • Full board: from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the last day
  • Accompanying guide from Bogota
  • Local guides (Ecoglobal Expeditions supports communities, ecotourism initiatives, and projects in the regions we visit)
  • Assistance card (travel insurance)
  • Certified equipment
  • Entrance fees to visited locations

 

What’s not included

Our program for the Rio Guejar Canyon Expedition (Mesetas Meta) does not include:

  • Single room accommodation, please ask us for a quote (subject to availability)
  • Meals on the road
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

Itinerary

Note: The following itinerary is for informational purposes only and may vary without notice due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

*Please arrive ready with clothing for the first activity, there are dressing rooms and bathrooms at the offices for changing. Alternatively, you may pack a separate bag with clothes for the first day that are easily accessible.

Day 1

Telares de Cristal Waterfall

  • 5:00am Meeting point at Calle 85 with Cr 19A in Bogotá
  • The trip takes approximately 6 hours from Bogotá to Mesetas by land.
  • Lunch and organization for visiting the Telares de Cristal waterfall.
  • Located within the DMI (North Macarena Integrated District) area, this area has environmental determinants that allow for tourism activities in the sector and seek to conserve the surroundings and their communities.
  • Telares de Cristal has an approximate drop of 40 meters (131 feet). As a differentiating factor from other waterfalls, it has a curtain of water that allows us to be under it and feel the pressure and impact of this precious liquid. Visitors can observe the waterfall from inside and outside. It has an extensive bathing area where you can take photos from different angles and enjoy recreational bathing.
  • Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 2

Rafting in the Güejar River Canyon

  •  Meeting point at Turem office to complete registration.
  • Breakfast and transfer to the boarding point “El Limón”, technical talk, start of rafting activity through the Güejar River Canyon.
  • The Güejar River originates in the Páramo de Sumapaz National Park, passes through Lejanías forming the Güejar Pools, passes through Mesetas and San Juan de Arama forming the Güejar River Canyon, goes through Vistahermosa in Piñalito, and reaches Puerto Rico Meta, where it rests in the Ariari River.
  • During the tour, visitors can appreciate an unparalleled natural richness, including waterfalls, giant millennial rocks, and colorful birds and butterflies that accompany the tour through the stunning native vegetation that is still preserved. “The Canyon is part of the Macarena Special Management Area, and the river as such has a unique landscape component. It contains some of the oldest rock formations on the planet because it comes from the formation of the Guianan Shield, which originates from Venezuela, crosses La Macarena, and reaches Ecuador and Brazil.
  • We will do a 17-kilometer tour (stop at the Titanic where we have our first snack with regional products, do activities such as floating, bird watching, visit different waterfalls that we find along the way, pass through the Valley of the Fairies where we observe water drops falling in slow motion, after enjoying the canyon and its rapids we arrive at the ecotourism farm “La Recebera” to have lunch.
  • At the end of the afternoon, we will be back at the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Day 3

Charco Azul

  • Breakfast and transfer to Charco Azul in 4×4 vehicles.
  • Charco Azul is a tourist destination that boasts excellent infrastructure. It is surrounded by well-preserved vegetation and features a white sandy beach that adorns the waterfall that surrounds it, providing an oasis in the midst of nature. It is known as Charco Azul because the water is typically a light blue color. In this setting, visitors can enjoy recreational swimming, beach volleyball under the rock, and photography.
  • In addition to this beautiful waterfall, we’ll also visit the Cataratas waterfall, which has six levels and is truly exuberant,and take good photographs.
  • Very close to these two sites, on a hidden path due to the conflict that took place in these territories, we find the historic memory camp, where visitors can learn about the history of the armed conflict and how the former FARC combatants lived during the armed conflict.
  • To end the day, for those with good physical condition, we’ll visit the stunning Cañón del Sansa, where we can observe the unique rock formations belonging to the Guianan Shield.
  • At the end of the afternoon, we will be back at the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Day 4

Cascada Arenales

Arenales Waterfall

  •  Breakfast and transfer to Arenales in 4×4 vehicles.
  • Arenales is a waterfall that was hidden for a long time due to the presence of the armed conflict that affected the region. This beautiful attraction now awaits visitors who are committed to conservation, love for nature, and community-based wellness tourism that contributes to the local value chain in tourism operations.
  • To reach this impressive and beautiful setting, visitors must hike through wooded trails, moderately inclined terrain, for approximately one and a half hours, depending on the traveler’s physical condition. There, we find a white sand beach that adorns the waterfall, creating an oasis in the middle of nature. The waterfall drops 60 meters, and there is an extensive area for recreational bathing, along with caves and rock formations that adorn the scene.
  • Then we will have a delicious lunch, typical of the region
  • At the end of the afternoon, we will be back at the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved rest

Day 5

Maravillas del Güejar

Wonders of Güejar

  •  Breakfast and transfer to the Maravillas del Güejar ecotourism farm.
  • Located in the municipality of Lejanías, very close to the Sumapaz Paramo, it is an excellent place for hiking. We will visit the Caño Lajón waterfall, see the natural jacuzzis of the Güejar River and enjoy recreational swimming in the famous pools.
  • In this natural environment, we can also support the dynamics of community tourism, helping to stimulate the local economy.
  • Lunch and return to the hotel to prepare for our transfer to the city of Bogotá.

 

Recommendations

For the Expedition to the Güejar River Canyon (Mesetas Meta), keep in mind:

The majority of people who travel with Ecoglobal Expeditions are fervent nature lovers, uncomplicated and “all-terrain” travelers, patient, tolerant, collaborative, and enthusiastic. They like to travel in groups because they find in this experience an opportunity to learn from others, make friends, and share experiences during the trip.

With this in mind, we have proposed a list of “Good Group Travel Practices” that will help travelers have a richer and more enjoyable experience during excursions. You can find the list by clicking here: Good Group Travel Practices.

  • Do not carry or consume toxic, psychoactive, or hallucinogenic substances.
  • Carry the least amount of wrappers, cans, or glass as possible, and please, let’s all bring back all the inorganic waste that we bring in our backpacks. “If you carry it in your backpack, it can go back in your backpack.”
  • Bring snacks, chocolates, peanuts, “panela” (a traditional sweetener made from sugarcane in Colombia),, packed in resealable-reusable plastic bags (“Ziploc”), and remove the air from them when you pack them so that they take up the least amount of space possible in your backpack.
  • Do not bring jewelry or valuables (please leave your Rolex and Cartier earrings at home).
  • During hikes, do not separate from the group, do not go ahead or lag behind alone.
  • Keep in mind that we will be staying in a very remote place. Our hosts will do everything in their power to serve us as best as possible, within the conditions of the place and their culture.
  • We want that during our visit to these remote, distant, and often forgotten territories, all of us – guides, coordinators, and tourists – contribute to the economy of these regions and small towns by buying their products and goods (such as sweets, chocolates, soft drinks, snacks, fruits, etc.) in stores, markets, bakeries, and restaurants and acquiring local handicrafts. This is a small support through which we include these communities in the tourism value chain. In case you like to consume sophisticated or special diet foods between meals (such as almonds, sugar-free chocolates, dry seeds or dehydrated fruits), which you will not be able to find in the town stores, we recommend that you bring them with you. Thank you for adhering to this initiative, this is called sustainable tourism!

What to bring:

 

  • Water bottle, thermos or Camelback, single-use plastic or PET bottles are prohibited.
  • At least one change of lycra clothing (long-sleeved pants and shirt). We will be active practically all day, and lycra is the best material in these cases. It protects you from the sun and dries very quickly. Cotton takes a long time to dry if it gets wet due to humidity.
  • You can replace the lycra with loose pants with several pockets, and a long-sleeved shirt with pockets made of easily drying fabric.
  • Do not bring anything made of cotton for day activities. If it gets wet, it will not dry for the 4 days!
  • Quick-drying towel (swimming towels are suitable).
  • Adventure shoes that can get wet and have good grip (they can be sneakers, sandals with straps, or beach shoes) and an additional pair of sneakers or sandals.
  • Windbreaker jacket (optional).
  • Cap or hat.
  • Small flashlight and spare batteries.
  • Sunglasses (optional).
  • Small backpack for use on the tours.
  • Waterproof poncho.
  • Personal hygiene items in small quantities.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Cash for hydration, tips, souvenirs, and personal expenses.
  • Personal documents (identification, health insurance card).
  • Sweets / chocolates / peanuts / snacks / energy bars.
  • Camera (optional).
  • Walking sticks (optional).
  • Although all of our guides have knowledge of first aid and carry a first aid kit for emergencies, every good hiker should bring their own medicine and a small personal first aid kit.