On the old cattle trails of the province of Almeida, you will experience almost all of Colombia's differences in climate and vegetation during your vacation: From the cool mountains in the hinterland of Bogotá to the sun-drenched plains of Casanare, you will follow an ancient route, cross the midlands and the tropical forest to finally discover the magnificent landscape and wildlife of Colombia's oriental plains: the Llanos.

Itinerary

Day 1: Once all participants have been collected in Bogotá, you will drive to Machetá, 1.5 hours from Bogotá. The journey takes you along the old Camino Real (royal road, which was built from cobblestones by Indians and slaves during the Spanish colonial period), which for centuries connected the highlands with the Casanare llanos. This road was used until the middle of the 20th century to bring the cattle on foot from the Casanare plains to Sisga (a 2 week walk). The journey was so strenuous for the animals that they had to wear a kind of shoes made of plant fibers on their hooves or claws. The mountains are amazing and the hourly change in vegetation and climate is something very special.

Day 2: Macheta to Chivor
After a short visit to a coffee plantation next to the hotel, we descend to Tenzavalley, following the Camino Real, with spectacular views of the mountains and the towns of Guateque, Somondoco, Guayatá and Almeida, a region known for its emerald mines. Lunch is served in a house in the countryside. You can look forward to very traditional home cooking. In the afternoon, after washing the horses in Somondocoriver, to ride you will travel to a beautiful hotel by the Chivor reservoir, where you can enjoy the pool.

Day 3: Chivor to Sabanalarga
You cross the 15 tunnels next to the Chivor Dam by car. During the drive you enjoy a beautiful view of the dam and the surrounding area. Then you hop on the saddle to take an old path through the tropical forest . You will have lunch with a local who will tell you very interesting stories. In the afternoon, you cross the Upiariver on horseback and reach a farm, where you enjoy a delicious local meal (ternera a la llanera) and a concert with typical music by local musicians.

Day 4: Sabanalarga to Monterrey
Today to ride you travel through a beautiful valley to Monterrey and have lunch at a river with a natural water basin. In the afternoon you cross the hill that separate you from the vast oriental grasslands that deep extend into Venezuela, and from these hills you have one of the most beautiful views of the trip. In the evening, you arrive at a comfortable hotel with a beautiful pool.

Day 5: Monterrey to Tauramena
You to ride through the open sabanas of Casanare and leave the mountains you crossed on the previous days behind you. The terrain allows for a faster pace. Today you will observe the animal- and flora of the Llanos. Overnight in a 2,000 ha Hato (Ranch) and have the opportunity to sleep in hammocks, as you learned on day 3!

Day 6: Tauramena
You wake up early to enjoy the magnificent sunrise in the Llanos, have breakfast and to ride join the Llaneros in their cattle work. During the ride, you will be able to observe various bird species and wild animals (anteaters, deer, wild boars, chiguiros, caimans). After this unique experience, you will stay another night in the Hato and enjoy a show with typical dances in the evening.

Day 7: Tauramena to Yopal and back to Bogota
In the morning, you will drive from Hato to Yopal to visit the local saddleries and workshops for making chinchorro. You will have lunch in a famous local restaurant and fly back from Yopal to Bogota in the afternoon (dinner not included).

Day 8: Breakfast and departure.Non-rider:
Non-riding companions are welcome on this trip. We can arrange some activities for you. Please ask us for more information.

Accomodation

On this trip you will stay in rural hotels or farms, where you will always find a clean bed and a bathroom (we cannot guarantee a private bathroom for all nights). In Sabanalarga you will sleep in hammocks on a farm, just like the Ilaneros do. This is an authentic experience that you should not miss out on!
We recommend that you bring your swimsuit, as there are swimming pools at the following accommodations: Macheta, Chivor and Monterrey.

Wi-Fi is available in the accommodations in Bogotá and Monterrey.
Laundry can be done in Bogotá for a small fee.

Accommodation plan - subject to change depending on availability
1st night: Hotel in Machetá
2nd night: Hotel in Chivor
3rd night: Farm in Sabanalarga
4th night: Hotel in Monterrey
5 & 6 night: Hato near Tauramena
7th night: Hotel in Bogotá

Room occupancy
We only charge a single room supplement for single travelers who wish to have their own room.

All meals are included in this trip, with the exception of meals in Bogotá.
You will be served Colombian home cooking. Lunch is usually taken in the form of a picnic, while dinner is served in a restaurant.

Breakfast consists of eggs, bread, "arepas" (a type of corn cake), coffee, tea, chocolate, milk and fruit or juices made from tropical fruits, which are available in great variety all year round in Colombia (pineapple, papaya, melon, soursop, feijoa. mango, grapefruit, passion fruit, lulo, etc).
For lunch, there are sandwiches with potato chips, various drinks (lemonade, beer, water) and brownies or cookies for dessert. For dinner, there are at least two menu options depending on the location, usually beef or chicken with potatoes, salad and fruit.

Dietary restrictions
We can also cater for vegetarians with prior notice.
Special dietary requirements can be accommodated on this trip.
Meals on the first and last day at the hotel in Bogotá, alcoholic drinks and tips

Saddle & Tack: English, McClellan with saddlebags

Experience: You have to be confident at a walk, trot and canter, and a good level of fitness is also required, as you will be sitting in the saddle from morning to evening on four riding days. First riding day shorter. The ride is rather calm in keeping with the terrain, but offers the odd trot and canter section.

Horses: Anglo-Arabs, Arabian mixtures, Criollos

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