ITENIRARY

DAY 1: BOGOTÁ – BARICHARA (SANTANDER)

In the morning, we will drive from Bogota to Barichara. Upon arrival, we will walk around the beautiful streets of colonial Barichara. Barichara was declared national monument because of its well preserved colonial architecture. It is a town of cobble-stoned streets and wooden balconies -- an oasis of peace.

DAY 2: BARICHARA – REINITA CIELO AZUL NATURAL RESERVE (SANTANDER)

In the morning we will travel to San Vicente de Chucuri region, where the Reinita Cielo Azul Natural Reserve (Little Queen Blue Sky Natural Reserve) is found. We will spend the next two days exploring this reserve. As we travel to the reserve, we will go to see the Suarez River Canyon and the towns of Galan and Fuente.

The Reinita Cielo Azul Natural Reserve is named after the Reinita Cerulea (Dendroica cerulea) migratory bird. This 200 ha reserve was created in 2005 with the purpose of protecting this species.

DAY 3: REINITA CIELO AZUL NATURAL RESERVE (SANTANDER)

We will spend the day bird watching, as well as exploring other fauna and flora from the high cloud Andean forest.

DAY 4: REINITA CIELO AZUL NATURAL RESERVE (SANTANDER)

On our forth day we will continue exploring the reserve and its natural resources.

DAY 5: REINITA CIELO AZUL NATURAL RESERVE – CERRO DE LA PAZ (SANTANDER)

In the morning we will travel to the Cerro de la Paz (Peace Hill) where we will stay for the next two days. This reserve is an important bird watching location in the high cloud Andean forest.

DAY 6: CERRO DE LA PAZ (SANTANDER)

Today we are going to explore the Cerro de la Paz.

DAY 7: CERRO DE LA PAZ – BUCARAMANGA (SANTANDER)

We will travel to Bucaramanga (Santader’s Capital) where we will spend the night. Bucaramanga lies in the scenic valley of the Río de Oro. This is city is known as the Ciudad Bonita (the Pretty City) due to the parks found here. It's a major commercial hub in the north-eastern Colombia playing a significant role in trade between Colombia and Venezuela. You will have the opportunity to enjoy some panoramic views of the city and its environs.

DAY 8: BUCARAMANGA – OCAÑA (NORTE DE SANTANDER)

We will travel to Ocaña and then to the Hormiguero de Torcoroma Reserve (Recurve-billed bush bird). This 250-acre reserve was created in late 2006 with the purpose of protecting the habitat of the Hormiguero Pico de Hacha (Clytoctantes alixi) endangered bird. This species is found exclusively in bamboo forests.

DAY 9: HORMIGUERO DE TORCOROMA NATURAL RESERVE (NORTE DE SANTANDER)

Throughout the day we will explore the reserve, its fauna and flora and we will be concentrating on bird watching.

DAY 10: HORMIGUERO DE TORCOROMA NATURAL RESERVE (SANTANDER NORTH)

In the morning we will continue to explore the reserve. We will spend the afternoon packing our equipment and resting.

DAY 11: ESTORAQUES UNIQUE NATURAL AREA (NORTE DE SANTANDER)

Today we will travel to the Estoraques Unique Natural Area passing by the small town Playa de Belen (Belen Beach). After visiting Belen, we will continue our trip to the Estoraques. The Estoraques is located between 1,450 (4757 ft) and 1,700 (5577 ft) meters above sea level and its rainfall is less than 1.000 mm. per year. The main attraction of this 640 ha natural area is the sandstone geo-morphology. The different formations are the result of millions of years of erosion. The biogeography of Los Estoraques will allow the visitor to enjoy hikes and the diversity of local vegetation and wildlife. In the higher elevations there are natural pools for swimming and bathing. In the reserve you will find deep gullies and underground amphitheatres, accessible from above, which form labyrinths and chambers of great beauty.

DAY 12: OCAÑA – BUCARAMANGA (SANTANDER)

Early in the morning we will travel back to Bucaramanga where we will spend the night.

DAY 13: BUCARAMANGA – VILLA DE LEYVA (BOYACA)

Today we will travel to historic town of Villa de Leyva. This town was founded in 1572 as Villa de Nuestra Señora de Santa Maria de Leyva and looks very much now as it did then. Cobblestoned streets, red-tiled roofs, balconies and private courtyards retain the heritage, making it one of the most representative towns of the colonial architecture in Colombia.

DAY 14: VILLA DE LEYVA – BOGOTÁ

After breakfast we will return to Bogotá.