Sample Itinerary -
subject to changes
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from El Dorado airport to the hotel in Bogotá.
Overnight at Hotel in Bogotá
Day 2: Flight to Yopal & Fundo Ride
This morning, transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Yopal. In Yopal, we go for a short visit to a local hat factory, before transferring to La Aurora Nature Reserve. At the Reserve, enjoy lunch, followed by a brief meeting and meeting with the horses. Once comfortable, we will ride to the “Fundo” Cascabel (typical farmer houses) to admire the sunset. Return to your accommodation in time for dinner.
Riding approx. 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Juan Solito Ecolodge
Day 3: Safari Ride
After breakfast we will cross the river Ariporo with the horses to start our great adventure through the savannas Casanareñas full of native wildlife. We will go to the estuary of the babillas (Caiman) in order to look for the Orinoco caiman.
Typical lunch at the estuary before continuing our ride to the Lagoon of the Capybaras where we will see hundreds of these large rodents. We should also spot some burrowing owls.
Tonight, we sleep in the green water fundo, llanera style (hammocks with a mosquito net).
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Green Water Fundo
Day 4: Path of the Jaguar
Today, we will follow the "path of the jaguar", and if we are lucky we will see one of these beautiful creatures. About 30 jaguars live in this area., We might also see tracks of jaguars, pumas, jaguarundis and ocelots. Then we will go to the main house of the reserve that was inhabited by the Jesuits many years ago, at the time of the colonization. This reserve promotes the conservation and research of these felines in agreements with the Pantera Foundation.
During our ride, we might also spot some white-tailed deer, capybara and buffalo.
At the end of the day we will reach our Ecolodge. In the evening, listen to local music and songs performed by the llanero cowboys.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Juan Solito Ecolodge
Day 5: Ariporo River & Anacondas
Our goal for the day is to look for traces of anacondas. We will also go sailing through the majestic Ariporo River up to the Caño del Indio, where we will fish.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Juan Solito Ecolodge
Day 6: Pore Visit
After a rich breakfast, we will ride through forests native plants and orchids, before saying goodbye to the horses. Lunch at the Ecolodge and departure to Yopal.
On the way to Yopal, we will visit Pore, a lovely heritage town that was the capital of New Granada for a few days.
Overnight at a hotel in Yopal.
Riding approx. 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Yopal
Day 7: Colombian Paso Fino Ranch & Hato Barley
We start the day with a visit to a Colombian Paso Fino ranch. The Colombian Paso Fino horse was declared as the national horse breed of Colombia and as a genetic heritage of the Nation in 2017. It has the peculiarity of walking in four lateral beats, maintaining a harmony and rhythm acquired in training, differentiating it from other horse breeds by the speed and smoothness of its walk.
After lunch, check out of the hotel and transfer to Hato Barley (2 hours drive from Yopal).
Once you are settled into your room, we will introduce the local program and activities. Get to know your new riding companion and meet the local cowboys. Go on a short ride with one of them to watch the sunset over the lagoon. During the ride, you might see some deer, capybara and many birds.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hato Barley
Day 8: A Day with the Llaneros
Wake up early (around 4 am) to enjoy a delicious cup of Colombian coffee followed by a morning ride. The llaneros (local cowboys) usually start riding before sunrise. We will help them collect round-up horses in the native savannas and transfer them to the corral.
Once we are back, it is time to enjoy breakfast around 10-11 am. Then, work in the corral with the llaneros, training young horses. This is followed by a typical lunch, traditionally taken in the afternoon between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Then the llanero takes out his musical instruments and relaxes for the rest of the day.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hato Barley
Day 9 & 10: Working with Cattle
We will have coffee and ride the horses to work with cattle herds.
Later, we will participate in the elaboration of traditional ropes that are made with raw leather.Discover why the llaneros do not wear shoes and learn more about their culture.
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hato Barley
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, we transfer you to the city of Yopal where we will visit a Creole saddlery. Then it is time for lunch, followed by a City Tour.
Finally, transfer to the airport. We recommend booking flights for the end of the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
