South America Adventures

Cundinamarca Colombia ( Journey Begins in Bogota Colombia)

Cundinamarca is a department located in the central region of Colombia, known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and economic significance. Cundinamarca is characterized by its varied geography, which includes parts of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, highland plateaus, and fertile valleys. The department's diverse terrain contributes to its wide range of climates, from cool mountain regions to warmer lowlands.

Capital of Colombia

Bogotá: The capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, is also the capital of Cundinamarca. It is a bustling metropolis and the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country.

Other Major Cities: Soacha, Facatativá, Zipaquirá, and Girardot are important cities in the department. Each city has its unique attractions and economic activities.

Home Base - Glamping at Laguna de Suesca -

Glamping at Laguna de Suesca offers a unique and luxurious way to experience the natural beauty of the Suesca region in Cundinamarca, Colombia. Here is a detailed description of what you can expect:

Location

Laguna de Suesca is located near the town of Suesca, about an hour and a half drive from Bogotá. A charming town with colonial architecture, local markets, and traditional Colombian culture. The area is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including the Suesca Rocks, which are popular for rock climbing, and the serene Laguna de Suesca, which provides a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
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Glamping Experience

Glamping, also known as glamorous camping at our Home Base, at Laguna de Suesca combines the adventure of traditional camping with adventure hikes and backcountry horseback rides (optional) while also seeing traditional small and historic towns from the Cundinamarca region. Glamping here provides a perfect blend of luxury and nature, making it an unforgettable experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty of the Colombian countryside.
Accommodation

• Luxury Tents: Spacious and well-equipped tents, with comfortable beds, quality linens, and furnishings. The tents are designed to blend with the natural surroundings while providing a cozy and upscale experience.
• The glamping site offers private bathrooms with hot showers and eco-friendly toiletries.
• Heating: Given the region's cool climate, tents are equipped with heating options such as portable heaters and heated blankets to ensure a comfortable stay.
• All sites feature relaxation areas with hammocks, outdoor seating, and fire pits where guests can unwind and enjoy the natural surroundings.
• Eco-friendly Practices: Glamping sites at Laguna de Suesca often prioritize sustainability, using eco-friendly materials, solar power, and water conservation practices. This ensures that the natural beauty of the area is preserved for future generations.
Amenities

Dining: Local meals from the region will be prepared daily with a focus on local and organic ingredients. The site offers cozy indoor and outdoor communal dining areas that are cozy but large enough for group privacy.
Itinerary

Itinerary Activities: Guests will enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, and boating on the lake. The nearby Suesca Rocks offer excellent opportunities for rock climbing and exploring the unique geological formations.

Day 1 (Saturday Arrival)

Bogota International airport and hotel stay in Usaquen, Colombia. (see pics) You will be greeted at the airport by our vetted security driver together with one of us brothers. After you settle in your room in Usaquen We’ll conduct an orientation meeting. Usaquén - Wikipedia
Day 2 (Sunday) Site seeing Bogota, the Capital of Colombia

Plaza Bolivar – What you didn't know about Bogota's Plaza de Bolívar | Bogota.gov.co
Candelaria - La Candelaria, Bogotá - Wikipedia
Museo del Oro – Gold Museum - Gold Museum | The Cultural Network of the Bank of the Republic (banrepcultural.org)
Monseratte for Sunset and view of the city - Monserrate - Wikipedia
Ceviche dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Bogota Colombia
Day 3 (Monday) Early start to Alam de Campo Glamping at Suesca Lagoon (7:30 am) Group shuttle from Usaquen to glamping drop off gear

Photo links (Carlos to include)
Stop on the way for a traditional Colombia snack (obleas) and walk around (12:00 PM) Briefing lunch at Home Base
Short loop hike from – start at Glamping site (5k to 7K)
Ajiaco dinner – Glamping site
Day 4 – Tuesday (Abandoned train station, tracks) 10K Hike

(7:00 am – 7:30 AM TBD) Colombian Breakfast
(7:30 am TBD Shuttle (approx. 45 minutes) to Nemocon trailhead (train tracks)
Lunch on the trail midpoint
Shuttle from end of trailhead to Home base
Dinner at Hernan’s and storytelling at outdoor fire pit
Day 5 - Wednesday (Carbon mining trail ) – Length of Hike ???

7:30 am Breakfast at base camp
8:30 am start hike from base camp
Snack and Fruits at epic lookout point
Late lunch at end of trail head (Mauricio’s hotel).
Shuttle to Home Base
Relax, recharge and take in the sites from Home base glamping facility
Late dinner Dinner at Hernan’s and storytelling at outdoor fire pit
Day 6 - Thursday (Horseback) and Cucunuba town visit – Length of ride -12 kilometer

7:30 am Breakfast
Shuttle from Hernan’s to Santa Rosita – Simmon’s stables
101 instructions (45 min – 1 hr)
4 hour horseback ride with snacks and breathtaking views of the back country of Colombia
End ride at the majestic town of Cucunuba Cucunubá - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Late luch in Cucunuba, walk around souvenir shopping
Shuttle back from Cucunuba to base camp.
Late dinner Dinner at Hernan’s and storytelling at outdoor fire pit
Day 7 – Friday – Check out from Home base and over to Ubate, Cundinamarca (Guala)

7:30 am Breakfast
Clients need to have bags packed and ready to be transported to La Cabana hotel (Ubate) 1 hour transfer
Shuttle to Guala trailhead hike will end at La Cabana hotel for a late lunch at picturesque location
Dinner, pizza, at La Cabana
Saturday (Day 6 Bogota airport)
Shuttles from La Cabana hotel to Bogota airpor
Booking and Accessibility
Reservations: It's advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, as glamping sites can be popular.
Transport: The site is accessible by car from Bogotá, and Nativo will coordinate all transportation from Bogota International airport to glamping site (home base) and back to Bogota International airport at the concludion of your adventure.

IDEAL FOR:

Our adventure is catered for a maximum of 4 travelers; double occupancy booking is required. Our adventure is perfect for couples or friends looking to have a mix of adventure hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding while immersing themselves in the local culture and taking in the beauty of the Colombian countryside. Your day will end in luxurious accommodations that provide a perfect blend of luxury and nature, making it an unforgettable experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

This adventure is catered for those who love nature mixed with comfort will find glamping at Laguna de Suesca an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors.

NEED TO KNOW: Cundinamarca, Colombia

Security: Luis to include wording

Logistics: Trips must be booked with two months in advance of trip start date. Travel to and from the trip starting point is not included in the cost of our trips. Please plan on arriving on the first Saturday associated to the trip itinerary.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All transfers from Bogota International airport (round trip), accommodations, excursions and all meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day

A professional, knowledgeable, certified local hiking guide

Emergency equipment including a first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Clothes, raingear, and footwear

Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items

Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight

PACKING LISTS

IMPORTANCE OF BEING PREPARED

Your safety and enjoyment will depend on your level of preparedness. It is your responsibility to arrive with the items listed below. Our gear guide below is a resource to find more information about these items and links to online options. If you have additional questions about what to pack, please ask your guide during the pre-trip contact (~10 days prior to the trip start date) or call 7 days a week at +1954-980-4633.

STANDARD CLOTHING CHECKLIST

The following items are required for your trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

Gear Guide:

Hiking Boots/Shoes – mid-weight, lug-soled, waterproof, and ideally well broken in (Note: buy your boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than your street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)

Secondary Footwear – supportive, lightweight, well-drained shoe or sport sandal for creek crossings and/or for camp comfort (Base camp shoes)
Hiking Socks – one pair for every two days of your trip, plus an extra pair to sleep in. Hiking-specific padded socks, no cotton, please! (Note: wearing thin liner socks under your hiking socks can help prevent blisters)

Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo (Sun Hats GG)

Warm Hat & Gloves – lightweight beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves

Base Layer/Long Underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool…etc.
Hiking Shirts – 1-2 non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long-sleeve shirts (Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)

Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material – merino wool, fleece or polypropylene

Mid Layer Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy-weight fleece jacket

Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings

Rain Gear – waterproof jacket and pants, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. For the pants look for side zippers that will allow you to pull them over your boots.

Mosquito Headnet – recommended for June/July. Aug/Sept may be needed but will be weather dependent.

GEAR CHECKLIST

Hydration System – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
(Note: We recommend always having a bottle with 1 liter of capacity as a back-up in case of a hydration system failure and to use while in camp)

Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries
(Note: always test your headlamp before trips, travel/pack without batteries in device, and for longer trips (4+ days) consider a spare bulb and 1 set of spare batteries)

Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm

Contact Lenses and Glasses – if you wear contact lenses, please also bring a pair of glasses – your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean

Bug Repellent – preferably a product containing at least 25% “DEET”
(Note: some people are sensitive to this product)

Toiletries – small amounts, travel sizes and/or just what you need for the trip (important that they are small!)

Prescription Medication – please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking

Money – for any shopping you would like to do and for consideration of tipping your guide. We will provide you with best and safe way of exchanging USD to Colombian pesos.
Important Note: We need to be “bear aware” on our trip. All food, toiletries, and scented items must be secured each night and never left in tents or backpacks overnight. Please keep scented items to a minimum and bring the smallest amount necessary for your trip (travel size items are perfect) in order to best fit into bear canisters or into bear bags to be hung away from camp each night.
OPTIONAL ITEMS

Personal Trekking Poles

Swimsuit – only if swimming is an option on your trip, some guests prefer to swim in quick drying hiking clothes, sports bra, etc…

Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc…)

Camp Reading Material – lightweight paperback book, magazine or small notebook/pen for journaling

Cell Phone or Camera

Spare Batteries – for camera, headlamp or other electronics

Solar Charger or Charging Bank – small, lightweight devices to recharge electronics

Vitamins & Supplements

Quick Dry Towel – lightweight, compressible and packable – bandanas also work

TRIP INSURANCE

We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. We designed our terms and conditions with trip insurance in mind. When you register for a trip, your spot is no longer available to other guests. Therefore, if you discover inside of 30 days (prior to your trip departure date) that you are unable to travel, no refund is available. With trip insurance, your payment to Nativo will be covered. Your flight and other and other travel costs will not be insured.
Medical Insurance
Proof of international medical insurance is required.
TRAINING

Training is extremely important for you to maximize your enjoyment! The more physically prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have! Click below to read our training recommendations. It is possible there will be a discrepancy in fitness levels on your trip. Consider that the trip may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for your fellow travelers and it