Caño Cristales River Trip - 3 Days Rainbow River - "The most beautiful river in the world" Caño Cristales Tour, (aka the most beautiful river in the world) is an exceptional and surprising natural beauty. Its unique ecosystem is very fragile and now belongs to the Sierra de la Macarena Natural National Park.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Private Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Travel Insurance
- Explore the National Park Sierra de la Macarena
- Visit the Caño Cristalitos
- Visit the Cormacarena and the National Park
Day 1: Cano Cristiletos (Smaller Cano Cristaler River)
- Flight from Bogota to La Macarena (1 hour flight) OR from Villavicencio (3 hour taxi from Bogota to Villavicencio airport) if flights are not available from Bogota that day
- Greeted at La Macarena airport by FlashpackerConnect guide/representative
- Mandatory Information session with National Park Sierra de la Macarena (video and talk with park representative). Here you will receive all passes needed for the parks.
- Check in to hotel. Depending on how far in advance you book, a/c rooms are available upon request
- Please note that La Macarena is a very remote Amazon town and while comfortable, accommodations come with only the basic amenities. Most do not have hot water.
- Transport to Caño Cristalitos (a smaller Caño Cristales) or Caño Piedra depending on water conditions
- Lunch at the river. In an effort to preserve the natural beauty of the parks, all lunches are packed in banana leaves to prevent any trash from ending up in the parks.
- Return to La Macarena and rest before dinner. Dinner will be at a local restaurant with your guide.
- Please note that your guide will be with you during all excursions and meals.
Day 2: Cano Cristales Full Day Tour
- Breakfast at a local restaurant with your guide
- Launch from La Macarena boat ramp for a 30 minute boat ride.
- Along the way, you have the opportunity to see monkeys, and exotic bird species such as the prehistoric Hoatzan
- Transport in 4x4s from the La Cachivera district to Caño Cajuche
- 1-2 hr walk from Caño Cajuche to Caño Cristales.
- Your route through the park is assigned the morning of your trip by Cormacarena and the National Park. While the park admits up to 350 people per day, you will most likely see no more than 20 people due to these planned trails. All routes will end at Los Ochos or "The 8s" which is considered the most picturesque location throughout the park.
- Enjoy hiking and exploring for around 6 hours. While this will include many breaks for pictures and swimming, it is often very hot so please bring an ample supply of water.
- Return in 4x4s to the Guayabero River and back to La Macarena
- Rest at your hotel and meet for dinner with your guide.
- There is often salsa dancing each night at a locals house. Be sure to ask you guide about this if you would like to join in the fun!
Day 3: Departure > Bogota
- Sunrise wildlife boat ride
- Breakfast, at the Farm and back to hotel at 9am to pack
- Return to Bogota. Flight out between 10am and 2 pm depending on availability and flight schedule that day. (Lunch included if you have an afternoon flight.