Southern Colombia Round Trip – Tatacoa Desert, San Agustín, Puracé, Popayán and Silvia – 7 days
Desert canyons, mysterious stone statues, high páramo and the White City: this 7-day private round trip shows you a side of Colombia that few travellers see.
Why you will love this trip
Your route
Day by day
We leave Bogotá and descend from about 2,600 m into the warm Magdalena valley at about 500 m. After a photo stop at the Magdalena bridge we cross the wide river by ferry near Aipe and continue to the red desert of El Cuzco, where our hotel lies right next to the viewpoints and trails. With luck, the starry sky shows itself in all its glory at night.
Overnight: Hotel Sol de Verano, Tatacoa Desert (or similar) · Breakfast included
Early risers are rewarded: at sunrise the cactus forests and eroded canyons glow in red, yellow and orange. We explore the desert on foot (about 1 hour, easy), then drive south along the Magdalena River with stops at viewpoints. In the afternoon we reach our finca hotel just outside San Agustín and take a first walk through the village.
Overnight: Finca Hotel El Maco, San Agustín (or similar) · Breakfast included
With a local guide we explore the San Agustín Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with almost 300 larger-than-life stone statues, megalithic tombs and sarcophagi – their origin and meaning are still a mystery. In the afternoon we visit the Estrecho del Magdalena, the narrowest point of the river.
Overnight: Finca Hotel El Maco, San Agustín (or similar) · Breakfast included
We visit the site of La Pelota, where tombs and statues can be seen in their original place, then hike to the La Chaquira viewpoint, with a spectacular view over the Magdalena valley. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Finca Hotel El Maco, San Agustín (or similar) · Breakfast included
The road leads through cloud forest into the páramo at about 3,200 m, with frailejón plants, mountain streams and small waterfalls. In the afternoon we reach Popayán and discover the White City on foot – after Cartagena, Colombia’s most impressive colonial city.
Overnight: Hotel La Plazuela, Popayán (or similar) · Breakfast included
Early in the morning we drive to Silvia, home of the Misak indigenous people. With a local guide from the community we learn about their myths, traditions and way of life, and share a traditional lunch. Afterwards there is free time in Silvia.
Overnight: Posada Nakku, Silvia (or similar) · Breakfast and lunch included
Transfer to Popayán airport for your onward flight, or continue by road with your driver-guide to the coffee region – ask us about the extension to Salento and the Cocora Valley.
Included
- For single travellers and couples: private vehicle with a driver-guide
- For larger groups: separate private transport with a driver and a guide
- 6 nights in the hotels mentioned or similar, with breakfast
- Local guide and entrance fees for the San Agustín Archaeological Park
- Misak tour in Silvia with traditional lunch
- Ferry across the Magdalena River
Good to know
- Popayán and Silvia (department of Cauca) are subject to the current security situation and government travel advice, which we will inform you about before you book. If a visit is not advisable, you can fly out from Neiva airport after San Agustín to other parts of Colombia.
- The route can be adapted and combined with Bogotá, the coffee region or other regions of Colombia.
- Bring sun protection for the desert, warm and waterproof clothing for the páramo, and drinking water for the visit to the Misak community.
Price: on request – depending on group size, season and hotels.
