Start your day with a visit to Paloquemao, a traditional market renowned for its diverse offerings, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to flowers and plants. This market plays a significant role in the daily lives of local Bogotanians, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in Colombian culture. Located just 25 minutes from the hotel area, Paloquemao provides a vibrant and authentic experience.

Next, we will visit the Gold Museum, housed in an enormous building with an astounding collection of precious metalwork. With at least 34,000 pieces from various ancient civilizations throughout Colombia, the museum offers a firsthand look at extraordinary artifacts with priceless historical value. The impressive collection includes metalwork from multiple regions in Colombia, providing insight into the role of gold and other metals in daily life and serving as an introduction to pre-colonial cultures.

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn or a similar hotel near the airport

(https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bogatgi-hilton-garden-inn-bogota-airport/)

Meals included: B, L, D

After an early departure from Bogotá, we will drive for 1.5 hours to reach the sub-páramo ecosystem, a natural transition zone between the high Andean forest and the open páramo. Here, we will search for the Spectacled Bear and other birds and wildlife. The park's gravel roads offer breathtaking landscapes, particularly in the unique páramo ecosystem.

Chingaza National Natural Park is situated in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, northeast of Bogotá. The park's elevation varies from 800 m (2,600 ft) to 4,020 m (13,190 ft), with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 21.5°C (39.2°F to 70.7°F). Today, we will explore the higher elevations, above 3,200 m (9,000 ft).

A páramo is a unique high-altitude ecosystem found primarily in the northern Andes of South America, particularly in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Characterized by its tundra-like environment, the páramo exists above the continuous forest line but below the permanent snowline, typically between 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) and 4,500 meters (14,800 feet) in elevation. The páramo plays a crucial ecological role in water regulation and climate mitigation, making it an important area for conservation efforts.

Conditions: gravel road, 3000 - 3500 m (9000 – 11.000 ft)

High chances: Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Superciliared Hemi-spingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Golden-fronted Redstar, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren.

Hotel: EcoPalacio or Chingaza (http://ecopalaciochingaza.co/)

Meals included: B, L, D

Spend a full day in the páramo, exploring the high elevations of the national park in search of the Spectacled Bear and various bird species. This area offers numerous opportunities for landscape photography. Our morning will be dedicated to the high elevation open páramo ecosystem, where we'll follow trails based on local rangers’ updates on Spectacled Bear sightings—our primary target. The Palacio area is renowned as one of the best spots for spotting Spectacled Bears.

In addition to bears, we will have the chance to observe páramo birds, including notable species like the Green-bearded Helmetcrest. We'll be operating at high elevations, walking on open gravel roads and occasionally venturing onto narrow trails within the national park.  In the afternoon, we will transfer for 2.5 hours to the town of Guasca.

Conditions: Gravel road and narrow trails at 3,000 - 3,700 meters (9,000 – 11,600 feet) above sea level

Wildlife Highlights: Spectacled Bear, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Rufous-browed Conebill, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Superciliared Hemispingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Golden-fronted Redstart, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren

Hotel: Posada San Antonio or a similar establishment 

(https://estanciasanantonio.com/)

Meals included: B, L, D

We will start our day early with a 1.5-hour drive to the high Andean forest for a captivating birding session in the rural area of Concepcion. This region, surrounded by high Andean forest, secondary forest, and dairy farms, is home to several range-restricted bird species of the Colombian eastern Andes, including endemics and near-endemics.

After exploring the forest, we will visit a local private reserve for a hummingbird photography session. Here, we'll have the opportunity to set up flowers and work around a beautiful garden in the countryside, capturing stunning photos of these magnificent birds.  Following our session, we will drive for 2 hours back to Bogotá.

Conditions: Rural unpaved road, high Andean forest at 3,000 meters (9,000 feet) above sea level

Good Chances: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Longuemare’s Sunangel, Mountain Cacique, Muisca Antpitta, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Slaty Brush Finch, Superciliared Hemispingus, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Tyrian Metaltail

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn or a similar hotel near the airport 

(https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bogatgi-hilton-garden-inn-bogota-airport/)

Meals included: B, L, D

San José del Guaviare is situated southeast of Bogotá, on the right bank of the Guaviare River. This river marks the natural transition between the Amazon and Orinoco regions, acting as an ecotone between two diverse areas, featuring elements from both ecosystems. A key highlight is the Lindosa Serrania, located a few kilometers south of the city. This outcrop of the Guayana rock shield is renowned for its extensive rock paintings, making it one of the most significant locations for rupestrian art in the world. The artwork depicts scenes of hunting, fishing, and spiritual rituals, among other daily activities.

We'll take a 1.5-hour flight to San José del Guaviare. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel in the city. In the afternoon, we will depart for a 30-minute drive to the entrance of Puerta de Orion. From there, we'll embark on a 2.2 km walk through the jungle and savannah over the Lindosa mountain range, culminating at an impressive stone structure. From this vantage point, the typical savannah landscape and the Guiana rock shield are visible. This rock formation has been established as an astronomical research center, as every December between 7 and 9 PM, the “Orion Belt” (three stars in the Orion constellation) can be seen.

Conditions: 2.2 km walk on a single track at 300 meters (900 feet) above sea level

Highlights: Guayana rock shield formations, forest views, caves, and cliffs within the forest

Hotel: Quinto Nivel Hotel (https://hotelquintonivel.com/es)

Meals included: B, L, D

We will leave early in the morning for a 1.5-hour drive to the rapids of the Guayabero River. A few kilometers downstream, the Guayabero meets the Ariari to form the Guaviare River. Our 40-minute boat ride upstream on the Guayabero River will allow us to witness the Guayabero Strait or Guayabero Rapids, a short section of the river flanked by cliffs with impressive rock formations. During the boat ride, we may also spot river dolphins, birds, monkeys, and macaws.

After our boat trip, we'll embark on a 2 km walk on a single track through the forest to reach the rock art panels. This area features a remarkable collection of ancient paintings surrounded by jungle.

Conditions: Boat ride and single track walk through the forest, including short steep sections at 300 meters (900 feet) above sea level

Highlights: Rock art panels, rock formations, and wildlife

Hotel: Quinto Nivel Hotel 

(https://hotelquintonivel.com/es)

Meals included: B, L, D

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey southward to La Lindosa Serrania, a one-hour drive from our hotel. Upon arrival, we'll set out on an approximately three-hour walking circuit, immersing ourselves in a landscape of awe-inspiring rock formations that seem to defy gravity. The path will lead us through rock caves and along the impressive rock walls of the Guyanese shield. Keep an eye out for the endemic and highly localized "Guaviare flower," a natural treasure that exemplifies the region's unique biodiversity. This panoramic experience demands our utmost respect, care, and admiration for nature's wonders.

Our adventure continues at Los Pozos, situated just 8 kilometers from San José del Guaviare. Here, we'll encounter natural pools sculpted into the rocks by centuries of water flow. The area's minerals and vegetation create a mesmerizing spectrum of water colors, ranging from yellow to black and passing through shades of red. When you submerge yourself, your skin will appear to change colors, adding to the magical atmosphere. We'll then embark on a two-hour walk through the Guyana rock shield, following the course of the river.

The hike maintains a moderate pace, traversing singletrack paths with some slippery and steep sections. We'll reach an elevation of about 300 meters above sea level (900 ft). This diverse terrain offers excellent opportunities for various types of photography, including landscape, abstract, and macro shots, with a focus on the river and unique rock formations.

Hotel: Quinto Nivel Hotel 

(https://hotelquintonivel.com/es)

Meals included: B, L, D

Our journey today promises to be the most challenging yet rewarding, featuring the most extensive collection of rock art in the area. We'll start with a two-hour car transfer to reach the region of Cerro Azul, also known as Cerro Pintado.

Upon arrival, we'll embark on a 5.2 km loop walk through the jungle, which typically takes about five hours. This path winds around natural canvases, leading us to the walls locally known as Cerro Pinturas. Here, we'll have the privilege of viewing several murals left by our ancestors, representing the best-preserved panels and the largest collection of rock art in the Lindosa mountain range.

These invaluable murals contain thousands of pictograms dating back 10,000 to 12,000 years. They capture ancient stories, rituals, myths, and feature zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures, among other depictions. This site stands as one of Colombia's premier archaeological treasures.

After immersing ourselves in this prehistoric art gallery, we'll enjoy lunch at a local farm. In the afternoon, we'll make our return journey to the city, concluding this extraordinary day of historical and natural discovery.

Hotel: Quinto Nivel Hotel 

(https://hotelquintonivel.com/es)

Meals included: B, L, D

We'll start our day early with a 45-minute drive to the area of Laguna Negra, an oxbow lake formed by the Guaviare River and surrounded by natural Amazonian jungle. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a boat ride, starting from a creek and eventually reaching the open lagoon. This aquatic journey offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, with various bird species and other animals potentially visible along the way. If water levels permit, we might even be joined by Pink River Dolphins, adding an extra touch of magic to our expedition.

The pace of this excursion is easy, taking place in an open boat as we navigate through the creek and out onto the open lagoon. We'll remain at an elevation of about 300 meters above sea level (900 ft). Wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for a variety of species. High chances of sightings include the prehistoric-looking Hoatzin, Red-howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, and White-collared Titi Monkeys. Bird species we might encounter include the Ringed Kingfisher, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Long-billed Woodcreeper, and Cocoa Heron, among many others.

Come midday, we'll transition from our jungle adventure to modern travel, taking a 1.5-hour flight back to Bogotá. Upon arrival, we'll check into the Hilton Garden Inn or a similar hotel near the airport for our overnight stay.

We will have a farewell dinner together after we've had some time to refresh, change clothes, maybe pack a little, so we can recount all the wonderful landscapes and animals we saw recently.

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn or similar near the airport

(https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bogatgi-hilton-garden-inn-bogota-airport/)

Meals included: B, L, D

Based on your flight schedule, we will arrange a departure time from your hotel to Bogota's El Dorado International Airport.  Travel time from the hotel to the airport check-in counter is super brief. 

For domestic flights, it's recommended to arrive at the airport 1.5 hours before departure. For international flights, we suggest arriving 2.5 to 3 hours prior to departure to allow ample time for check-in, security, and other necessary procedures.

Hotel: none

Meals included: B

End of our services.