2-days Trip Hanging around Minca in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

In our entry Minca Ultimate Travel Guide, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta we tell you all about this wonderful destination in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Two weeks ago (mid May 2021) I made a quick visit with my friends and here I will tell you how my experience was hanging around Minca.

To get to Minca initially I took a 1-hour flight from the city of Bogota at El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to the Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) in Santa Marta. From the airport I took a cab to Mamatoco, 17 km away (30 minutes). Once in Mamatoco I found there are 3 possibilities to get to Minca: bus, cab or motorcycle.

Getting to Minca

In my case I took the alternative of motorcycle, the fastest option. After 30 minutes and a distance of 16 kilometers I arrived at the village of Minca.

To get to the Costeño River Hostel the motorcycle had to travel on a dirt road for 10 minutes. There is an alternative to reach the hostel walking just 10 minutes walk, but you must cross the river Minca.

It is worth mentioning that the hostel is Gay Friendly. The atmosphere in its facilities and the management of the staff is very friendly with the guests. The hostel has private and shared rooms, in my case I took one that had a view of the river from the bathroom. There is not need for hot water since the warm environment keeps the water warm and suitable for bathing.

Costeño River has a space that has 2 terraces in the form of meshes where you can appreciate the mountains of the Sierra de Minca, besides being able to easily appreciate species such as Iguanas, Squirrels and Geckos.

The lodge administrators, in support of the inhabitants of Minca, offer the tours that can be done, supporting the ecotourism in Minca.

Hanging around Minca

Hanging around Minca can be done on foot, but if you have little time you can do them on a motorcycle with a local guide. In my case I did the tour on a motorcycle, since I only had two days to visit all the places.

Pozo azul

Pozo azul is located a 45 minutes to walk from the center of the Minca with a medium intensity, the road reaches the entrance of the well 100 meters away from the contact with the water.

When you reach the entrance of the well you will find a bridge that is currently closed for maintenance, when you reach the well there is a waterfall of no more than 2 meters.

It is possible to appreciate different species of butterflies along with several coffee crops, the water is very cold in the well because the entrance of sunlight is scarce.

Pozo Azul, Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Finca La Victoria (Farm)

Finca La Victoria has its origin in 1892 as an association of 5 investors among them an English couple that after their admiration to Queen Victoria wanted to call it that way. The farm has 1223 hectares, 217 hectares are dedicated to the cultivation of arabica coffee, 300 hectares of pasture land.

Also the facilities of the farm is the craft brewery La Nevada, which is in operation since 2015; has 4 beers in its portfolio: black coca leaf-based (Happy Coca), golden (Happy Nebbi), red (Happy Tucan) and a coffee-based (Happy Colibri).

Happy Colibri is in the top 10 worldwide among the best craft beers and is only available between the months of December and March.

When you arrive at La Victoria Farm you can take a tour of the entire coffee production process from the cultivation to the packaging of the final product. At the end of the tour you can enjoy a delicious freshly ground coffee or a refreshing beer while you marvel at the view and tranquility that the farm has to offer. The entrance fee to the farm is COP 15,000 for the tour, if you do not wish to take the tour you can enter and consume any of the products offered.

Mirador Los Pinos

This viewpoint is located 11 km from Minca, about 30 minutes by car or motorcycle or 3 hours walking; it must be said that the intensity is high, as it is the highest part of today’s tour; from this point it is possible to see Minca, Santa Marta and the swamp.

View from Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Sierra Minca Hostel

Sierra Minca Hostel is a beautiful hostel located in the middle of the sierra where in addition to the lodging they offer tours to travelers who wish to take a picture in the famous Mano de Dios which has a panoramic view of the entire mountain, it also has a mesh terrace where 15 people can be accommodated and hanging beds where you can lie down and feel like you are sleeping among the clouds.

The entrance fee to the hostel is COP 15,000 for unlimited time.

Marinka Waterfalls

Marinka Waterfalls are two falls of crystalline waters that at the end give rise to the Marinka Lagoon. Marinka in indigenous language means “Regenerate Body”, due to its beauty and tranquility.

To get to the Arimaca House-Farm, where is the access to the waterfalls, it is necessary to make a detour from the main road 500 m. There is a payment of COP 10,000 per person.

The distance is 3.3 km from the village, if you decide to walk, it is an hour’s walk with a medium intensity.

Waterfall in Marinka, Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Waterfall El Oido del Mundo

The origin of the name has 2 versions:

1. The indigenous people of the highlands said that at this point it was possible to hear what the mother earth, Pacha mama, wanted to tell men.

2. A foreigner after knowing it indicated that the rocks were shaped like ears and from there began to share this location as the “El Oido del Mundo”.

To get there is a 20 minutes walk from the town with a low difficulty.

The recommendations to enjoy these places is to wear a bathing suit, comfortable clothes and change at the end of the tour, insect repellent, sunscreen and plenty of water. At the end of the tour reach the center of Minca to taste the delicious pistachio ice cream at IL GELATO NEVADO, this artisan ice cream shop is the only one in town.

View from Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Cerro Kennedy

The next day I made the trip to Cerro Kennedy by motorcycle. Cerro Kennedy is the highest point of Minca, it is 3100 meters above sea level, below you can see the cloud forest, and the temperature ranges between 8º to 18º C. At this point there is a military post so it is safe to reach it.

Cerro Kennedy is located 26 km from Minca and there are 2 ways to get to this point:

1. Cerro Kennedy by walking

You can arrive walking, it will be 2 days with a high demand. At the end of the second day you will rest for a few hours, since you will start walking again at 4 in the morning to reach the summit before sunrise. From there you will be able to marvel at the bed of clouds covering the Sierra.

Also, from there you have a wonderful view of the peaks of the Simón Bolívar and Colón snow-capped mountains, Santa Marta and part of the Tayrona National Natural Park.

2. Cerro Kennedy by motorcycle or car

You leave the center of Minca at 3 am, as the road is unpaved and it is a difficult journey due to the fact that the road is not paved. The last part of the trip must be done on foot to reach the top.

At the end of the tour to Cerro de Kennedy and back to the hostel I decided to walk around the village, where I tasted Arabic food and some delicious French muffins in a small French bakery in town.

Final remarks

It is important to note that all the excursions I did in Minca were by motorcycle. The guides give you a protective helmet during the tours. The road is partially paved and belongs to the Cincinati trail, after the crossing at the El Campano store. The rest of the road is unpaved and very muddy.

During the rainy season, the guides told me that the difficulty of mobility increases, and recommended that those who walk the trail should wear rubber boots.

Finally, I returned to Mamatoco by bus. The trip lasted more than an hour, once there I continued my trip along the Magdalena department.

If you want to plan your trip to Colombia do not hesitate to contact us, visit our Plan your trip page!

About the authors

Luisa Martin

Engineer, world traveler, amateur photographer, traveling blogger, and foody.

5 Things you Should Know Before Visiting the Mavecure Hills in Colombia

All travelers visiting Colombia should visit the Mavecure Hills, a marvel of the Colombian Amazon region that remains unknown for many people. 

In this post, you will find all the information you need to know to visit the Mavecure Hills. A bit of its history, how to get there, where to stay, the best time to visit, and also what other attractions you can find along the Inírida river. 

Discovering the Mavecure Hills 

In southeastern Colombia, at some point in a river that looks like a large snake from above, three black, semi-rounded hills rise up as guardians of the pristine Amazon jungle that spans over the vast terrain. We’re talking about the Mavecure Hills -or Cerros de Mavecure– on the Inírida river in the department of Guainía. 

Pajarito, Mono, and Mavecure are part of the Guiana Shield, the oldest geological formations on earth, which are thought to be around 3,500 years old! The hills are made of volcanic rock which gives them their dark color and reaches almost 800 meters. Specifically, Pajarito is 712 m (2,336 ft), Monois 480 m (1,570 ft), and Mavecure is 170 m (560 ft). 

The region around the Mavecure Hills is inhabited by several indigenous tribes belonging to the Puinave ethnicity, which consider the monoliths a sacred site. Also, this Colombian remote travel destination became widely known thanks to the Oscarnominated Embrace of the Serpent, a Colombian film that premiered in 2015 and directed by Ciro Guerra which displays a journey in the Colombian Amazonian jungle. 

Legend has it that three orphan siblings lived on one side of the Inírida river. The oldest brother was passionate about birds, so he spent his days in Cerro Pajarito (Little bird).

The second brother loved primates, so he lived in Cerro Mono (Monkey). The youngest brother, however, did not have a connection with nature and used a blowgun to kill all that his brothers loved, without any regrets. Upset about the actions of the youngest, they decided to exile him to the other side of the river.

 Mavi means cerbatana, a gun made of hemp that expulsed darts when blown, and ‘Cure’ refers to the poison used in the darts to kill the animals. This is the traditional story of the Mavecure Hills. 

How to get to the Mavecure Hills 

Mavecure Hills – Picture courtesy by Andrés Rodríguez

The Mavecure Hills are approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Puerto Inírida city on the Inírida river, so they are only accessible by river. But first, here is how you can get to the city. 

Satena Airline offers 5 weekly flights from Bogota to Puerto Inírida with a duration of 1 hour 45 minutes and flights 3 times a week from Villavicencio to Puerto Inírida. The Cesar Gaviria Trujillo airport is just 5 minutes from the city by car, you can take a taxi to take you downtown. The river is next to the city, so a short walk will take you to the port where you can get your boat ride to the hills. The sailing trip south lasts about 2 hours. 

Where to stay at the Mavecure Hills 

There are two options: staying in Inírida or staying next in the region of the hills 

Accommodation in Inírida 

There are a few recommended hotels in Inírida, including Cabaña Guainiana Hotel, Toninas Hotel, Parature Hotel, Fuente del Guainía. Prices range from COP 80,000 to 20,000 per couple per night. 

Accommodation in Mavecure Hills 

The immense Amazonian jungle surrounding Mavecure remains virgin and has no tourist infrastructure. Hopefully, it will stay this way. However, you can spend the night in a tent on the small beach in front of the three tepuis! This is free and allows you to enjoy an unrivalled landscape. 

The alternative is to stay in one of the nearby indigenous communities -El Venado and El Remanso, which offer accommodation in hammocks or simple beds. 

Mavecure Hills – Picture courtesy by Andrés Rodríguez, local indigenous guide.

Best time to travel to the Mavecure Hills 

As Guainía and the Mavecure Hills are still undiscovered by most Colombians and foreign tourists, you can have a nearly private experience traveling there, but a general recommendation is to plan your Colombian trips avoiding the high seasons, which usually go from June to early August and from November to February. 

What to do in Mavecure 

Hiking

Once you get to the hills, you will want to climb to the top. This is only possible in Cerro Mavecure, the smallest of all. The hike is not that long -it takes about 50 minutes to reach the top, but since it is quite steep, the difficulty of the climb is medium to high. 

On top of that, the weather in Guanía is hot and humid, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F), which makes it a bit demanding. There are some wooden and metal stairs to help visitors climb easily, though. 

The 360° view from Cerro Mavecure is worth all the effort! The majestic lush jungle divided by a meandering river of dark waters and all the life these places shelter is just breathtaking. 

Know the Local Culture

Two indigenous communities that live near the Mavecure Hills, are El Venado and El Remanso. They are actually guardians of the hills and offer guiding services too. You can visit the settlements to spend the night or to start alternative trips through the jungle and nearby fishing lagoons. These are rustic places that have energy during some hours thanks to a power station. 

La Ceiba is another community, located some kilometers north of Mavecure, where you can have two plans. The first one is ‘the honey route’, a tour where you learn the way that locals are developing a sustainable business out of beehives (beekeeping). The other plan is a river tour to sail next to the river dolphins, known as toninas, and watch the incredible sunset from a small beach. 

River Trips

Now that you are in this part of Colombia, you should seize the opportunity to visit other wonderful attractions. By sailing north of Inírida, you will get to the Estrella Fluvial del Sur, the point where the Guaviare, the Atabapo, and the Inírida rivers converge to originate the great Orinoco River, one of the longest on the continent and the thirdlargest in the world. This happens at the border with Venezuela and the scene is amazing. 

Shop souvenirs

The Coco Viejo community is the place to admire -and perhaps buy, their handicrafts. Locals make ceramics and different products such as baskets and bags woven in Chiqui chiqui fiber. Also, there is where you find ancient petroglyphs (images carved on rocks) which are witnesses of the ancestral cultures. 

Mavecure Hills – Picture courtesy by Andrés Rodríguez, local indigenous guide.

Know the Inirida Flower

Finally, another attraction in the region is the Inírida Flower Garden in the savannas, en route to Caño Vitina. The Inírida Flower, the flagship flower of the region, has an exotic beauty that is worth a conservation project.

There are mainly two varieties: Flor de Verano (Schoenocephalium teretifolium) and Flor de Invierno (Guacamaya superba), which flower at different times of the year: December to March and June to October, respectively. 

What you should consider for your travel to the Mavecure Hills 

Although it is possible to travel to the Mavecure Hills independently, it is better to book with a local agency to avoid any hassles and feel safer with everything set. 

  • At the port, look for boats with hoods as the sun is very intense for a 2-hour sailing trip. 
  • Just in case it rains, pack a raincoat. It is also useful while you sail the river. 
  • Bring enough water for you and your travel companions. Staying hydrated is key! 
  • Consider the weather in the region to pack your clothes. 
  • Support the local communities using their services and paying fair prices. With the income generated by tourism, they can have a better quality of life and keep working towards natural conservation. 
References 
 About the authors

Ana María Parra

Current content writer for Sula. Modern Languages professional with an emphasis on business translation. Interested in the cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content.  Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism, and sustainable living.

9 Destinations for Trekking and Mountaineering in Colombia  

Trekking and mountaineering in Colombia are becoming more popular among all tourists, not only backpackers. This is because these activities provide a different experience that allows people to connect with nature while discovering incredible places. Both require a good physical condition though, so think of this when planning an expedition!  

Colombia offers many trails for go trekking or mountaineering, from the world’s highest coastal mountain in the Caribbean coast to rock hills in the Amazon and some of the greatest snowy peaks in the imposing Andes mountain range that splits into 3 branches in Colombian ground. 

If you are an adventurous traveler, you need to know the diverse trails for trekking and mountaineering in Colombia. Here they are! 

1. The Lost City  

Lost City, or Teyuna, is the greatest archaeological finding in Colombia. This ancient indigenous civilization was built in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, along the Buritaca river, by the Tayrona culture.

Over 200 stone structures including interconnected roads, stairs, terraces, canals, and ceremonial buildings are the remnants of the city, which was forcibly abandoned during the Spanish colonization. 

The round trip is 50 km long approximately and to enter, you must climb a 1,200 step stone stairway through the forest. This unique trek experience takes an average of 4 days but goes up to 6 depending on your physical level and stops done during the trip.

You will not only challenge your body but get to interact with Kogui local indigenous group and discover the immense biodiversity that inhabits this sanctuary. No need to say more, live the Lost City trek yourself! 

2. Tayrona National Natural Park  

The foothills of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta merge into the intense blue-colored Caribbean sea, forming gorgeous white sanded beaches surrounded by mangroves and dense jungle with many endemic fauna and flora species. This is the breathtaking landscape you can appreciate in Tayrona. 

To get to the camping zone from the entrance, you need to take a 2-hour hike and there are other trekking trails:

  • The Kogui trail or Knowledge route from Cañaveral to Arrecife lasts 1 hour and has a low difficulty level.
  • The Arrecifes – Boca del Saco trail, also moderate and 2-hour long, in which you can pass by Playa Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo de San Juan del Guia. 
  • Another popular trek is Pueblito, something like the mini version of Lost City where Kogui families live. 

3. Los Nevados National Natural Park 

Los Nevados National Natural Park is in the Central mountain range of the Andes and comprises the three coldest thermal floors.

This means that here you can get to know Andean forest, paramo, and glacier ecosystems. 38 nearby municipalities and crop fields are provided with water thanks to the rivers that descend from the paramos and glaciers in the park. 

The snowy mountains that belong to this protected area are Ruiz, Tolima, Santa Isabel, and El Cisne, Quindio, and Santa Rosa paramillos, which form the greatest volcano complex in the country.

Many tourists visit this park to climb to the highest peaks of these mountains that go up to 5,300 meters above sea level!  

Currently, Nevado del Ruiz presents volcanic activity so access is restricted. Here are the two snowy mountains within the park you can climb to. 

4. Tolima and Santa Isabel Snow-capped Mountains

With its peak at 5,220 MASL, Nevado del Tolima is one of the two currently available options for mountaineering in Colombia.

The excursions take 4 days in total and usually start from Ibague or Salento. When you get to the summit, a view over Los Nevados Park and the Magdalena valley will take your breath away -on sunny days, of course.

This is one of the most demanding treks in Colombia because of its steep slopes and only experienced mountaineers should attempt to climb to the 2.8 km2 glacier.  

Located between the snowy volcanoes of Tolima and Ruiz, Santa Isabel is the lowest snowy mountain in Colombia.

Unlike others, it does not have a conic structure with a crater but a set of domes created by lava outpouring that allows the glacier thermal floor to existing. Poleka Kasue, as the Quimbaya indigenous culture called it, has its highest peak on the central summit at 4,968 meters above sea level.

Unfortunately, it suffered deglaciation in recent years, passing from 1.9 kmto 0.5 kmin 10 years. In fact, IDEAM studies have determined that it would take only a decade for this glacier to become extinct. 

The trip to Santa Isabel’s summit starts from Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal, or Manizales and takes 1 or 2 days to the summit.

Among the attractions of the trek is the viewpoint of Laguna del Otún and Paramillo del Quindío, and the gorgeous paramo landscapes that boast a frailejones valley and endemic flora and fauna species.

Once again, it is recommended to have experience in mountaineering and take all the safety precautions. 

5. Puracé National Natural Park 

Another Andean volcanic zone, this time declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this is Puracé NNP.

The Coconucos volcanic range has 11 volcanoes, among which Puracé is the only active one. The Magdalena, Cauca, Patía, and Caquetá rivers (some of the main rivers in Colombia) originate in this mountain, along with around 30 crystalline lagoons and several sulfur springs for hot baths.

It is located in the Cauca department and its name means “fire mountain” in the Quechua language, spoken by the homonymous indigenous culture that protects the territory. Puracé is a privileged spot for those looking for the majestic Andean condor, which soars over the paramo ecosystem. 

Departing early from Popayan, a road takes you to the park entrance, where you will find various trekking trails: one directly to the volcano and others with lower difficulty that pass by its beautiful water bodies and are 20 km long approximately. The landscape is stunning and the park is quite calm. 

6. El Cocuy National Natural Park  

Sierra Nevada of Güicán, El Cocuy, and Chita is the largest glacier mass in Colombia: within two mountain ranges it has over 20 snow peaks from 4,800 to 5,330 meters above sea level, Ritacuba Blanco being the highest.

It is located in the departments of Arauca and Boyacá and is sacred territory for the Uwa indigenous community, because of this there are some restricted areas.

This trek is particularly stunning cause you can find waterfalls, lagoons, important rivers such as the Magdalena or the Orinoco, frailejones, Andean condors, spectacled bears, and white-tailed deer! An unbelievable view. 

Mountain climbers of all levels visit the park to go trekking for 5 days usually, although now there are simpler trails for one-day hikes that start from El Cocuy municipality. However, it is better to be in good shape for any trekking trail, especially at such high altitudes. 

Notice: Since February 10th, 2020, El Cocuy NNP closed temporarily due to public order issues. Check its status on the web page before your trip. 

7. Chingaza National Natural Park

Chingaza páramo is a National Natural Park on the Eastern range of the Andes, between the departments of Cundinamarca and Meta.

Here you will face a cloudy environment hiding the blue sky, which reflects on the lakes surrounded by frailejones. Plus, it is possible to spot spectacled bears, deer, pumas, páramo tapirs, Andean condors, and Andean Cock-of-the-rock in the lower areas near Villavicencio.  

Trekking trips start from Guasca or La Calera municipalities and depending on the starting point, you will get to different lagoons. These water bodies were sacred to the former inhabitants, Muisca indigenous communities.

Among the most famous ones are the Siecha Lagoons, three small glacial lakes with high biodiversity around them. The maximum height you can reach is 3,800 meters above sea level and the route to the lagoons can be done in 1 day. This is an excellent option for practicing trekking near Bogota. 

8. Mavecure hills  

In the Guainia department, part of the Colombian Amazon region, three majestic rock hills rise from a pristine jungle by the Inirida river.

El Mono, El Pajarito, and Mavecure belong to the millenary Guiana Shield and can be reached by boat on a 3-hour trip from Puerto Inírida, the capital. Out of the three majestic black rounded hills, you can only climb Mavecure, which is 170 meters high.

Although it is not a really demanding hike that takes about an hour, the experience of sailing the river for hours and exploring a remote natural territory makes it a whole adventure. 

Take into account that this is a tropical zone and the weather here is hot, therefore you should be vaccinated against tetanus and yellow fever, also you should dress properly (long pants and rain boots) and keep with you a piece of basic safety equipment.   

9. Chicaque Natural Park 

Just 30 minutes away from Bogota, this eco-park covered by cloud forest offers several hiking trails for all adventurers. Although the routes individually do not take much time, there are over 20 km (12.5 miles) of hiking trails that you can complete in over 1 day, if you stay there, whether in camping zones, the hostel, cabins, or treehouses.  

After going into the forest, you can get to the Eagle’s peak, a viewpoint at 2,290 MASL from where you can see the Tequendama region and the snow-capped peaks of Los Nevados NNP on clear days.

Other trails are:

  • Roquedal, 667-meter long trail of high difficulty;
  • Butterflies, 1.6 km trail that leads to the hostel;
  • Oak Forest, 2.5 km trail surrounded by 30-meter oak trees;
  • Waterfall, 3.5 km long trail of high difficulty with a 70-meter high gorge; and the 
  • Colonial trail, 1.5 km long which was used by Muisca and Panche natives to connect the Bogota plateau with the Magdalena valley in the pre-Columbian era.

It is worth visiting Chicaque park on the outskirts of Colombia’s capital. 

These were 10 destinations to go trekking and mountaineering in Colombia in different regions of the country: the Caribbean coast, the Andes mountain range in the central region, and the Amazon jungle to the south.

From tropical to cloud forests, moorlands, and glaciers, trekking in Colombia is always a new adventure! 

If you want to know more about the most incredible natural destinations in Colombia, plan your trip with us!

References 
About the author.

Ana María Parra

Modern Languages professional with an emphasis on business translation. Interested in the cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content.  Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism, and sustainable living.