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Trip Report
Highlights in rural parts of Colombia
Come with me to adventures in rural Colombia - from horse back riding through nature spiked with murals from ancient societies to hiking to hidden waterfalls in the jungle.
+ 5
South AmericaColombia8 days / January - February - March - April 2023
Highs & Lows
Little monkies coming by my hostel for a snack.
It's harder and more costly to reach rural areas but it's worth the tip for me every time.
Itinerary Overview
Having backpacked through Colombia for 4 months, these are my most favourite hidden gems.
San Augustin is a pretty small town that is easily accessed by bus. I made my way there from Popayan. San Augustin has a lot of great cafes - check out Bici Café for example - and little stores to shop around. The great outdoors is just around the corner, as there are many hiking and horse ack riding trails around, even bungee jumping if you want to.
You can reach Mocoa by bus and 4WD from practically everywhere in Colombia. I made my way there from San Augustin, which included a bus ride to Pitalito, where you change into a 4WD jeep. Adventurous travellors will love the roughly 3 hour ride on the cargo platform. If that's not for you there is also space inside the car. Once you arrive in Mocoa, make sure you choose an accomodation outside of the city. As the surroundling nature is what actually draws you to this area. Transport within and out of town is very easy as there are several locas busses driving regularly. Mocoa and the surrounding nature offer many outdoor activities. From hiking waterfalls as Fin del Mundo and Honoyaco to even experience ancient plant medicine rituals. If your interested in that, stop by the Samay Hostel - they organise trips to a local Shaman tuesday and thursday night.
Mocoa Outdoor adventures in the jungle and ancient healing ceremonies.
1+Once you get to Mocoa you can already feel the spirit of the jungle. The city gets more chaotic with Tuk Tuks passing by every corner, the weather is hot and humid and people have a slow and simple way of life. I found a great accomodation at Posada Turistica Dantayaco. Each day, a group of monkeys come by to get fed some banans. You can hear them arriving by their screams from afar and even get to feed them. After they are full, they siesta in the trees and bushes around the communal area of the Hotel - so you get to watch them close by while having a coffee.
Even though the famous - and beautiful - Cascada Fin del Mundo is just around the corner, I decided to hike to Cascada Hornayaco the next day. The track is unbelievably beautiful. You really feel like you are deep in the jungle just by yourself - as I didn't encounter anyone during the hike. Still the path is easy to find and feels safe. But make sure you bring shoes with good grip! It's a blast to skinny dip into the gorgeously cold water at the bottom of the waterfall and spend the afternoon there, in the middle of the jungle.
Through the nearby Samay Hostel, I booked a plant medicine experience with a local Shaman. Every Tuesday and Thursday night they organise a trip to his house so you can take part in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony. It's been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
San Agustín
1+Q & A
What would you have changed?
I was there at the beginning of the rainy season so it rained a lot.Restaurant recommendations?
Try the selfmade ice cream at the Mocoa bus terminal!Tips you would give a friend?
In order to hike to Hornoyaco you need to pay an entrance fee to one of the families living near the path. You will get to an intersection, where you need to take a right turn, do NOT walk up the hill. There you'll find a little wooden hut. When I arrived there, noone was to be seen but one of the family members ehisteled at me to get back and pay. It's 5000 Pesos, bring change as they won't be able to split large bills.Packing tips?
For Macao pack quick drying clothes and a lot of mosquito repellent. If you go on a hike make sure you wear shoes with good grip and bring a lot of drinking water.
Lodging
Posada Turistica Dantayaco is a great, clean accomodation with simple rooms to beautiful cabanas, all equipped with spacious outdoor bathdrooms. Their special catch is a daily visit from a group of monkeys and a great on site restaurant that serves fantastic breakfast.
Casa de Nelly, a 5 minute drive outside San Augustin is one of my most favorite hostels in Colombia so far. Why? Great staff, a garden with hanging beds and hammocks in the shade, tasteful interior design and a great communal areas to meet people.