Caño Cristales Tour

After a night in Medellín, we fly to La Macarena, the small town that is our base for three days of hiking in La Macarena National Park: the Los Pianos trail, Salto del Águila and the Pailones trail of Caño Cristales. On the way back we spend two more days in Antioquia, with a Medellín city tour and a day at El Peñol Rock and Guatapé.

This tour is available from June to November, and it can be made shorter.

Day 1 · Arrival in Medellín

Start time: according to your scheduled flight

When you arrive in Medellín, our team picks you up at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest. Our adventure begins the following day.

Day 2 · Medellín to La Macarena

Start time: 11 AM

Around 11 AM we transfer to Enrique Olaya Herrera, Medellín's local airport, for the flight to La Macarena (included), where we spend most of the trip. This small town is our base: we leave from here and come back here after each day at the caño. Depending on the arrival time, we can choose between a 40-minute boat ride along the Guayabero River to see wildlife or a 25-minute trip across the plains of La Macarena. Dinner is at our hotel. Rest well tonight: the hikes ahead call for it.

Places to visit: the town of La Macarena, the Guayabero River and the plains of La Macarena.

Includes: breakfast, transfer to Olaya Herrera airport, flight to La Macarena, accommodation, dinner and medical assistance.

Day 3 · Caño Cristales (assigned trail)

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: full day

Before heading out into La Macarena National Park, the environmental authorities (PNN, CORMACARENA) give a short talk on how to keep the park in perfect condition and make sure our visit does not harm the environment. Then we set off: a 30-minute boat ride along the Guayabero River takes us to where 4x4 trucks wait to drive us to Caño Cajuche. Lace your boots up tight and start walking along the trail approved by the environmental authorities. Most of the time we visit the Los Pianos trail, known for its many waterfalls. We have lunch along the way, carried in our own backpacks: rice, meat and potato wrapped in a bijao leaf, the leaf of a plantain-like plant, since plastic is NOT allowed in the park. In the late afternoon we return to La Macarena for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Important: sunscreen and insect repellent are not allowed in the river. Wear quick-dry clothing and footwear with good grip. Plastic is not allowed in the park.

Places to visit: Caño Cristales, the Los Pianos trail, natural pools and several waterfalls.

Includes: local guide, local river and land transport, breakfast, lunch, hydration, dinner and medical assistance.

Day 4 · Caño Cristalitos or Bajo Lozada

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: full day

We start at 8 AM and, as on the previous day, take a boat along the Guayabero River and then the 4x4s to Caño Cajuche. From there we follow a different trail from yesterday's to Salto del Águila. Get ready for new landscapes and wildlife. The trail is long, so there is plenty of time to take photos, have lunch outdoors and enjoy nature. The return is the same as the day before, with dinner at the hotel.

Places to visit: Caño Cristalitos or Bajo Lozada, and Salto del Águila.

Includes: breakfast, transport, local guide, lunch, hydration, dinner and medical assistance.

Day 5 · Caño Cristales

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: full day

Our third and last day of hiking takes us to Pailones, where we swim in the natural pool called Pailón and visit Las Marimbas mountain. The day at the caño is shorter, because in the evening the local school puts on a folk dance show. We taste the local cuisine, meat roasted in a special way, and listen to the traditional music of the region: joropo, known for its speed and its foot-stomping zapateo. It's the perfect way to close our eco-tour before heading back to the big city.

Places to visit: the Pailones trail and Las Marimbas mountain.

Includes: guide, medical assistance, hydration, private transport, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6 · Caño Cristales to Medellín

Start time: between 11 AM and 12 PM, according to the scheduled flight

Flight back to Medellín, scheduled to leave between 11 AM and 12 PM. When we land, you are taken to your hotel and we visit the city's main attractions: Botero Plaza, Barefoot Park, Pueblito Paisa and more. For details, see our Medellín City Tour.

Places to visit: Botero Plaza, the Museo de Antioquia, the Metrocable, Comuna 13 and Pueblito Paisa.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), private transportation, medical assistance, entrance to the Museo de Antioquia and the Metrocable, lunch, artisanal ice cream, hydration and a local guide in Comuna 13.

Day 7 · El Peñol and Guatapé

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: 8 hours

The main attraction in Antioquia: El Peñol Rock. This 220-metre monolith has 700 steps you can climb to take in the view. From the top of the rock to the colourful cobblestone streets of Guatapé, there are great photos everywhere.

Important: climbing the rock is not recommended for people with reduced mobility or respiratory problems, older adults or children under 5. The drive to El Peñol takes about 2 hours.

Places to visit: El Peñol Rock, a shared boat ride, the replica of the old Peñol and the town of Guatapé.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), medical assistance, private transportation, hydration, entrance to the rock, shared boat tour and a typical lunch in Guatapé.

Day 8 · Departure from Medellín

Start time: according to your scheduled flight

Our time together comes to an end. After breakfast we take you to Medellín's international airport, so you can start planning your next adventure.

• Chemical products such as sunscreen and insect repellent cannot be applied before entering Caño Cristales.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol are not allowed during the hikes.
• The river water is clean but not drinkable: do not drink it.
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary are not included, so we recommend bringing cash to enjoy the local cuisine.
• Flights are not included in the price because fares vary. We recommend booking them yourself once your trip with us is confirmed, and we're happy to help you find the best options for your dates.
• The municipal tax (40 USD per person) is not included in the package. Please bring cash to pay it directly.

Cancellation

• If you cancel, the initial 50% payment is subject to a 10% administrative fee, plus any other administrative costs of the cancellation.
• 30 days before the start of services: 20% penalty.
• Up to 15 days before the start of services: 50% penalty.
• Less than 5 days before the service: 100% penalty (non-refundable).

Flight changes and airport transfers

• Any flight change must be reported at least 3 hours before the scheduled service.
• Waiting time at the airport is 1 hour (unless flight changes are reported in advance). After that, additional waiting hours are charged.
• If a change in flight time or flight number is reported only 1 hour in advance, the waiting time is charged, or the service is considered a no-show and a new one must be scheduled.
• After 2 hours of waiting with no prior notice, the service is considered a no-show.

Payment methods

• Bank transfer to Colombia Travel Operator's Bancolombia account. The bank details are sent to each client individually. Please send proof of payment by email.
• Credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners. Card payments carry a 5% surcharge and are charged in US dollars only. The authorization form is sent to each client individually.
• PayPal: payments carry a 5% surcharge. A payment request is sent to the email of the client's PayPal account.
• International bank transfer: the client pays the transfer fee directly to their bank (it varies by bank and country) and it is NOT included in our rates. This method can take up to 5 business days to clear. Please send proof of the transfer by email.

Other conditions

• Our rates do not include international or domestic airline tickets.
• Airport–hotel transfers between 9 PM and 5 AM carry an additional night surcharge.
• If the travellers are Colombian nationals, 19% VAT must be added.
• Accommodation rates apply to low season. If you'd like to upgrade the hotel category, please contact us.
• If you buy flights, accommodation or any other activity on your own, any issue or unforeseen event related to those services is beyond Colombia Travel Operator's responsibility, and we are not liable for it.