Laguna Magdalena Trek

Guided day tour of the Archaeological Park of San Agustín

Explore natural and cultural sites: Lavapatas Fountain, Alto del Lavapatas, Forest of Statues, El Estrecho del Magdalena, Museum and craft shop in Obando, Alto de los Ídolos y Piedras, and Salto de Bordones

4 day trek on the traditional Quinchana Trail to high altitude lakes: Laguna de la Magdalena, Santiago, and Cusiyako

Hike across the astonishing Páramo de las Papas, a high-altitude desert in the mountains

Stay overnight in the historic town of Popayán to learn of Colombia’s largest and most important river, The Magdalena

What to Expect

Today, in San Agustín, discover Colombia’s #1 visited archeological site. Your bilingual guide meets you at 8 am at your hotel and you begin a short drive to the Archaeological Park of San Agustín. Enjoy a walking tour as your guide interprets the art and archeology of pre-Colombian statues in the Forest of Statues. Walk to the straights of the Magdalena, where the great Magdalena River is only 3 meters in width when it is normally one of the country’s largest rivers.

Visit Lavapatas Fountain, a ceremonial sacred site where a set of carved rocks rest on the bed of the creek. See water carried up to three ponds by the spirited silhouettes of snakes, lizards, and the mythical cults that worshipped water. In the afternoon, visit the museum and craft shop in Obando, Alto de los Ídolos y Piedras, Salto de Bordones, and Trapiches Paneleros.

In the afternoon, your guide helps you pack and prepare for your 4-day trek. Return to your comfortable hotel, within walking distance to delicious restaurant options, for a relaxing evening prior to your early morning hike.

Day 2: Trekking

Your 4-day trek begins today with a stunning hike to the Páramo de las Papas, a spectacular high-altitude desert ecosystem. To get to the Quinchana trailhead, take a scenic drive in a 4×4 jeep on 30 kilometers of unpaved road.

In Quinchana, enjoy breakfast prepared by the farmers of the area and take a locally packed lunch for the day. Your 21-km trek may take your group approximately 7 hours. The walk begins at 1680 meters until reaching the village of San Antonio, located at 2350 meters. The Quinchana trail has jungle sections along the Magdalena River, so be sure to have solid hiking boots and hiking poles.

Within a few hours of the trek, cross over a bridge over Magdalena River and walk up a creek to reach a beautiful ridge, where you can see beautiful views of Rio Magdalena valley and canyons. Enjoy lunch here before walking a few more hours before you reach the village of San Antonio. Stay overnight in simple, comfortable beds in humble village houses and dine with locals trying traditional food prepared by your guide and local cooks.

Day 3: Trekking

Start today’s trek from San Antonio and climb to Laguna de la Magdalena, the source of the mighty Magdalena river. Today, you’ll need to have a rain jacket, warmer layers, and a warm hat easily accessible. You’ll climb to 3327 meters and then descend to Vereda La Hoyola at about 3140 meters.

Your total hike today is 19 kilometers and will take your group approximately 7 hours. Today, you’ll see the central mountain range and the eastern mountain ranges of the Huila department. Stay overnight in a village near the lake in simple and humble houses, where you try traditional food prepared by your guide and local cooks. At this altitude it is cold, so you will be advised to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from us in advance for an additional cost.

Day 4: La Hoyola Trail and Village Stay

Have your camera handy today as you hike the spectacular La Hoyola trail for incredible views. Depending on how your group feels, choose between a grade 4 to the viewpoint of Santiago Lake, or a grade 3 hike to the Cusiyako Lake.

Stay overnight in a village near the lake in simple and humble houses, where you try traditional food prepared by your guide and local cooks.

Day 5: Popayán

Today enjoy a shorter 4 km walk to Corregimiento de Valencia of the Municipality of Cauca. Here, a van meets you to the historic city of Popayán. The 130-km drive to the town takes approximately 5 hours, but the journey is worth it for the scenery along the way. Carve through impressive canyons of the Colombian massif and gain a greater understanding of the department’s striking geography.

Upon arrival at your hotel in the historic neighborhood of Popayán, enjoy a relaxing evening dining in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. UNESCO appointed Popayán as a City of Gastronomy due to its many culinary specialties, such as the “empanadas de Pipian”, as well as the many international and vegetarian food options. The roots of the pre-Columbian culture, African culture and Spanish cuisine blend together to create unique flavors and specialties in this vibrant “foodie” city.

End of Tour

Included:

• All accommodation (hotel and camps in village homes)
• Professional driver for in-country travel
• Water
• All meals during expedition
• Dinners are only included on trekking trip. While in San Augustin our guides are happy to offer dinner recommendations based on your preference and budget
• Expert bilingual adventure and cultural guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
• Emergency beacon and Colombian insurance

• Travel/medical insurance
• Flights
• Tips