Araracuara Canyon and Lost City
(8 days).
Immersion in the sacred territory of the Andoques, Murui/Muinane, Nonuya and N+pde, visiting the Araracuara canyon, the Salto del Diablo, the Strait of Angosturas, the Lost City, the Caquetá river, the Yarí river, the Mesái stream , the Gamitana stream and the bell stone; caves, rapids, cliffs and a lot of traditional culture hidden in the rocky outcrops of the Old Guyanese Shield, tied to the Chiribiquete formations, in historical and spiritual connection with the great jungle.
Day 1. Flight to Araracuara and Puerto Santander.
Charter flight by small plane or Doglas DC-3 for cargo and passengers, from San José del Guaviare to the Araracuara airport on the northern plain of the canyon.
Presentation with local authorities and downhill walk by road to the town of Araracuara, on the banks of the Caquetá River. Cross the river and disembark in Puerto Santander.
Walk to the hotel and multiple accommodation in shared dormitories (rustic wooden infrastructure, beds with mosquito nets, shared outdoor bathrooms), lunch.
Afternoon walk through the town and up the river bank to the mouth of the Canyon, Infiernito sector, bathing in wells and jets (depending on the water level). Observation of the jet and the salt water of the Macaws, on the rocks on the north side of the jet. Exploration of the area and return to the hotel at sunset.
Dinner and rest.
Day 2. Devil's Falls and Araracuara Canyon.
Sunrise and breakfast at the hotel.
Walk to the port, crossing the river and ascent to the track; hike across the plateau to the upper rim of the canyon.
Visit to the traditional maloca, presentation and conversation with the traditional authority; observation and photography from Salto del Diablo, panoramic view of the canyon. Exploration walk of the upper part of the plateau and descent along a trail with safety ropes, towards the bottom of the canyon; observation of fauna and flora, exploration of caves and paths; walk along the edge of the canyon towards the town, cross the river and return to the Hotel.
Lunch and walk to the Lost City (town of the Hacha people). Setting up the camp and view of the Caquetá River valley at sunset. Dinner in the countryside and rest in insulated tents.
Important: stargazing activity only on clear nights.
Day 3. Lost City Exploration.
Sunrise view and breakfast in the countryside
Exploration of the area, rocks, caves, waterfalls and observation of fauna and flora (Inírida flower among others).
Return to the hotel and lunch.
Walk to the port, cross the river and land transfer to the community of Puerto Arturo at the northwestern end of the canyon, where the waters of the wide Caquetá River flow to form it. River transfer by private boat to the fascinating Strait of Angosturas and navigation upstream through it.
Visit to the communities, lunch in the field and setting up the camp in the afternoon.
Dinner and rest in hammocks in native homes.
Day 4. Lost City, caves and Canyon.
Sunrise and breakfast in the countryside.
Navigation to Saldo del Sol, walk through the ravine and bathe in waterfalls.
Return to the house, lunch and navigation downstream to Puerto Arturo. Land transfer to Araracuara, crossing the river and accommodation at the Hotel.
Dinner and rest.
Day 5. Yarí River and Caño Mesái.
Sunrise and breakfast.
Walk to the port and board the Caquetá River downstream, to the mouth of the Yarí River. Navigation upstream along the Yarí until entering Caño Mesái; artisanal fishing activities, observation of fauna and flora, bathing in wells and jets, lunch and dinner in the countryside.
Setting up the camp in the jungle on the banks of the canal.
Day 6. Piedra Campana and El Chorro de la Gamitana.
Sunrise and breakfast in the countryside.
Exploration of the area and boarding the Yarí River upstream, to the Chorro de la Gamitana. Exploration of the area and setting up the camp; lunch and dinner in the countryside.
Rest on the banks of the river.
Day 7. Return to the town.
Sunrise and breakfast in the countryside.
Dismantling of the camp and navigation down the Yarí River, to go up the Caquetá River to Puerto Santander.
Lunch at the hotel and accommodation.
Walk to the port and cross to Araracuara in the afternoon for the closing of the expedition and farewell at the maloca; Return to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 8. Return to the town.
Sunrise and breakfast.
Preparation of luggage and transfer to the Araracuara runway to wait for the return flight.