Colombia: Orinoquia natural reserve

Día 1: Bogota

ITALY/BOGOTA (-/-/-)

Join us for an adventure in the Orinoquia nature reserve, where we will travel approximately 180 km in search of jaguars, pumas, and anacondas. This is one of the six natural regions of Colombia, located east of the Eastern Mountain Range, covering about 253,000 square kilometers. It consists of about 75% savannas and 25% forests. The region is traversed by the Orinoco River, which gives the territory its name, and is also known as the "Eastern Plains," a term coined by the Spanish colonizers. We will ride over 320 meters above sea level, embarking on a true safari through vegetation that houses thousands of bird species, jaguars, pumas, anacondas, and caimans. Highlights of this trek include:

Babillas Estuary with its caimans
Capibaras Lagoon
Juan Solito and the native feline conservation area
Caño el Indio
Pick-up from El Dorado International Airport in Bogota (BOG) and transfer to the city with an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Hotel (or similar).

Día 2: Yopal

BOGOTA/YOPAL (B/L/D) Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Yopal. Upon arrival, transfer to Hato La Aurora, a typical Colombian ranch once inhabited by Jesuits during colonial times. After breakfast, we will saddle up for a 3-hour ride to admire the sunset. Dinner and overnight stay.

Día 3: Bogota

YOPAL/NATURAL RESERVE (B/L/D) After breakfast, we depart for a full day of riding: we will cross the Ariporo River to reach the Casanareñas area and then the Babillas Estuary, where we will see caimans! We will stop for lunch before heading to Capibaras Lagoon and finally to the Fundo, where we will have dinner and sleep in hammocks covered by mosquito nets.

Día 4: Bogota

NATURAL RESERVE (B/L/D) After breakfast, we will saddle up to return to the main farm, where we will see how the horses work with cattle. This area is a reserve, in partnership with the Pantera Foundation, that protects local felines. It is not uncommon to find jaguar and puma tracks on our trails. In the afternoon, we will reach Juan Solito, an eco-lodge where we will spend the night.

Día 5: Bogota

NATURAL RESERVE (B/L/D) Today, we will search for anacondas and travel to "Caño el Indio," where we can also fish.

Día 6: Yopal

NATURAL RESERVE/YOPAL (B/L/D) After breakfast, we will ride through the forest, where we can admire the native flora. After about 3 hours, we will bid farewell to the horses and travel by boat along the Ariporo River to "Caño el Indio." We will stop for lunch and, in the afternoon, return to Yopal for dinner and an overnight stay.

Día 7:

YOPAL/BOGOTA/ITALY (B/L/-) After breakfast, we will visit a Paso Fino horse farm, stop for lunch, and before transferring to Yopal airport, we will visit a Creole saddle factory. Arrival in Bogota with a domestic flight in the late afternoon.

Note: The itinerary above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. Extensions can be booked upon request.

Notes: (B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°

DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS DIFFICULTY: FROM ° TO °°° (BASIC - INTERMEDIATE) ACCOMMODATION: Eco-lodge EQUIPMENT: MCCLELLAN SADDLE (a typical saddle used by the US Military during the Civil War in the second half of the 19th century). HORSES: COLOMBIAN CRIOLLO, all born locally, accustomed to the reserve's terrain PACE: 3 to 5 hours per day in the saddle. The pace will be adjusted to the group's equestrian level. WHAT TO BRING: Lightweight, waterproof clothing. Sunscreen, insect repellent, protective helmet, water bottle, swimsuit. TYPE: Itinerary with overnight stays in eco-lodges ACCOMMODATION: Night 1: Holiday Inn Hotel in Bogota (or similar) Nights 2/3/4: Eco-lodge Juan Solito, surrounded by lush gardens and riverfront (7 rooms with private bathrooms) Night 5: Hato Aurora, 1 night in a hammock Night 6: Holiday Inn Express in Yopal (or similar)

Typical cuisine made from fresh produce, local wine included with meals. Special diets can be requested.

Departure dates available year-round upon request, with a minimum of 4 participants.

From 01/01 to 31/12

PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 15

Additional information: Supplement for 2/3 people departure -> price per person €1020