The remote Pacific coast of Colombia is the perfect playground for those that want to head off the beaten path. This extension allows for plenty of time to explore the natural wonders and secluded beaches in Uramba-Bahia Malaga National Park, as well as learning about afro-colombian culture from the locals.
OTHER DESTINATIONS
COFFEE AREA & PARAMOS . MASSIF & CULTURE . THE PACIFIC . ARAUCANA LODGE
YOU CAN COMBINE ANY THESE JOURNEYS LISTED ABOVE IN ANY WAY YOU WANT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO EXTEND THEIR TRIPS, WE HAVE A VARIETY OF EXTENSIONS TO SOME FASCINATING SPOTS IN COLOMBIA
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Cali – Buenaventura – Juanchaco – Ladrilleros
The morning starts with a 3 hour drive descenting to the port city of to Buenaventura, on the Pacific coast. From Buenaventura the adventure continues by boat, first crossing the bay in order to wrap around the El Tigre peninsula towards the village of Juanchaco. The photographic opportunities begin as soon as you make landfall on the pier of this lazy village. After a short transfer to the hotel, there will be some time to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views before an afternoon hike along the beach to La Barra, a nearby fishing village.
Apart from the incredible landscapes , La Barra offers a chance to photograph the locals, and experience how they live and work in this remote beach village. Chances for sunset photography will abound on the walk back to the hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
DAY 2
Visit to Uramba – Bahia Malaga National Park
Uramba Bahía Málaga National is one of the newest Colombian national parks, and was created in 2010 as Colombia’s 56th national park. Known as a hot spot for biodiversity, the park is explored by boat, visiting several remote fishing villages and the interminable mangroves and waterfalls that abound in the Malaga Bay.
The group will disembark at several sites within the bay to photograph the villages, waterfalls and natural wonders the bay has to offer. Lunch will be taken as a picnic in order to maximize field time in this amazingly diverse location.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
DAY 3
Whale Watching
Each year, hundreds of humpback whales make the 8,000 km journey from the frigid Antarctic Ocean off the coast of Chile to the warm waters of Colombia’s Pacific coastline, gathering in bays and coves by the dozens or even hundreds to mate and calve their babies before beginning the long trip back. This area has the largest concentration of breeding Humpback whales along the Colombian Pacific coast. This species of whales are known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making them ideal for photographers wanting to capture this majestic being.
The specific logistics of the boat ride in search of the whales will depend on the weather and tides, so the day will be split between time searching for whales and time at the hotel working on photographs.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
DAY 4
Beach Time – Photo Review and Pacific Music
The morning will consist of free beach time! After lunch, a talk on the history of the Pacific coast of Colombia and the people that inhabit it. At night the evening comes alive with a live dance and music concert on the cliffs overlooking the beach. Escaped African slaves from the sugar cane plantations of the nearby Cauca Vallley settled in this region of Colombia, and African roots are deeply ingrained in the traditions, cuisine and music and dance of the local people.
The traditional songs and dances and the sounds of the marimba instrument were declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The marimba is basically a xylophone made of wood with keys that are made from specific palm trees that grow in the region. The cultural expressions we will witness make up an important part of the social fiber, where men and women tell stories and recite poems as they dance rhythmically. The objective is to celebrate life and death, and in some cases the events take a religious, ritualistic or festive tone.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
DAY 5
Ladrilleros to Buenaventura and drive to Araucana Lodge
The morning will be spent enjoying the beach or processing photos before lunch and an afternoon boat ride to Buenaventura. A 2.5 hour drive will have at the Araucana Lodge, evening will be spent on the Carnaval Terrace, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner and reminisce on the good times and the memories and photographs that were made in Colombia.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
DAY 6
Depart From Bogota
You will take a shuttle to the airport to take flights home. The hotel is 5 minutes from the airport.
Our Peace-of Mind Trips Include
- All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
- All Meals From Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6
- Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
- All Activities Listed in Itinerary
- Bilingual Guide During Trip
- Internal Terrestrial Transport From Airport Pickup to Airport Drop-off
- Limited Health and Accident Insurance
Trip Does Not Include - Tips
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Insurance
- Airfare to Colombia
- Laundry
- Items of Personal Nature