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Itinerary
Day 1: Bogotá
Arrival in Bogotá. Transfer Airport / Hotel. Check into hotel and overnight (no meals included).
Day 2: Bogotá - Oiba
We will drive through the beautiful roads of the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Santander, up to the town of Oiba where we will spend the night (no meals included - only dinner).
Time: 05 hours approx.
Day 3: Oiba - Charalá
The horses, already saddled, will be waiting for us at the hotel, and we will ride from Oiba to Charalá through beautiful woodlands and mountains with a pleasant temperature of approx. 68°F, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and clear water streams. By mid-afternoon we will arrive in the noble town of Charalá, birthplace of our independence, where we will admire the Cathedral and the precious Arabian Saman tree planted in the main square in 1910, in honor of the martyrs of Independence. On August 4, 1819 more than 300 men and women were executed in this square, just 3 days before the final battle of Independence. This fact, no doubt, contributed to Bolivar’s victory at the Battle of the Bridge of Boyacá on August 7, 1819, since it prevented the troops of the Spanish General Gonzalez, which had destroyed Charalá, from joining those of General Barreiro in Tunja. At sunset we can walk along its beautiful cobblestone streets and enjoy the pleasant weather, the architecture, and the kindness of its people before dining and retiring for a well-deserved rest at a local hotel.
Day 4: Charalá - Paramo
We will leave at 10 am, and ride along the path that borders the majestic Fonce River, where we can see on the left-hand side how the river is formed by the confluence of the Pienta and Táquiza Rivers, under a natural arch of trees and bushes. To the right-hand side we can see mountains planted with sugarcane and grass pastures. We will cross the Fonce River by the bridge that goes to Ocamonte, in the place called Palenque, and then continue to the Juan Curi falls where we can see water falling more than 50 meters into a natural pool. Here we can refresh ourselves from the midday heat, and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared in the local restaurant. Afterwards, we will climb the mountain and pass along the top of the Juan Curi falls on our way to the village of Páramo, where we will be able to see one of the most beautiful churches in the region, made of stone and wood. The night will be spent at a hacienda (traditional manor house) in a coffee and sugar cane plantation, enjoying a home-cooked meal in the company of the owners, a traditional family of the region.
Day 5: Páramo - El Palmar
On the way to the village of El Socorro, another breeding ground of patriots and martyrs of the Independence at the end of the 18th century, we will see coffee plantations and spectacular mountains. After crossing the paved road that leads to Bucaramanga, at the municipality of El Socorro, we will proceed towards the voluminous Suarez River, famous for its rapids where Level V rafting is practiced, cross it on a suspension bridge and start our descent towards the town of El Palmar. On this journey we can fully appreciate the magnificent basin of the Suarez River, a geographical formation carved over thousands of years by this river that is born in the Fúquene Lake, and which serves as a preamble to the spectacular canyon of the Chicamocha River which we will appreciate further on. In the afternoon we will arrive in the beautiful town of El Palmar which features, on its main square, an enormous ceiba tree of approximately 10 meters in diameter. We will spend the night at a beautiful local hacienda.
Day 6: El Palmar - Barichara
After crossing the Suárez River again, we will take the path to Cabrera, a small village where colonial architecture has been exceptionally well preserved. From here, the trail continues to the Barichara plateau by way of the old royal road, and enters this emblematic jewel of colonial architecture through the royal bridge. We will walk along its beautiful cobblestone streets, observing its parks and churches, on our way to a spectacular country house in the outskirts of town.
Day 7: Sightseeing in Barichara
The real treasure of Barichara is its pristine colonial architecture. Many come to this pueblo just to wander its flagstone lanes, snapping photos of the white-washed, red-tile-roofed buildings. Start your exploration at the Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo on the main square. It is built of local stone carved by the village’s artisans. The "Capilla de San Juan de Dios" is a beautiful church with a noteworthy cemetery. The "Capilla de San Antonio" is a famous attractive with a small shaded plazuela. The "Casa Aquileo Parra" was once-home of a former Colombian President (1876-78). It's presently a museum. The "Capilla Santa Bárbara" is an amazing place to visit, now used for cultural events.
Day 8: Barichara - Cañón
We will have a 3 hour ride trough beautiful tobacco plantations on the way to The Chicamocha Canyon, a Colombian natural attraction nominated as part of the group of 261 destinations in the campaign to select the top seven natural wonders of the world. This paradise-like place is a not-to-be-missed visual spectacle. Imposing, majestic, and fascinating is how tourists describe the Chicamocha Canyon, a geographic accident located in the department of Santander. After having a light lunch we will return to Barichara to enjoy a delicious dinner and a well deserved rest.
Day 9: Barichara - Bogotá
Return to Bogota and accommodation in a comfortable hotel (no meals included).
Day 10: Bogotá
Transfer Hotel / Airport. End of this great adventure.
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