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Travel inspirations by local experts.
Cano Cristales
From US$ 488 p.p. / 3 days / ask for your group discount.
Highlights
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Explore the famous rainbow river
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Discover incredible fauna and flora
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Enjoy the flair of a woodland village
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Tropical forest hiking tours
Program description
Discover Caño Cristales in Colombia's Sierra de La Macarena
Explore one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world—Caño Cristales, located in the heart of Sierra de La Macarena Natural Park, Colombia. Often called “The River of Five Colors”, Caño Cristales offers a surreal and unforgettable visual experience, where vibrant reds, blues, yellows, greens, and blacks dance beneath crystal-clear waters.
What Makes Caño Cristales Unique?
The river owes its breathtaking colors to an aquatic plant called Macarenia clavigera (formerly known as "Macarena Claveria"), which flourishes on the rocky riverbed. When water levels are just right—typically from mid-June to early November—this plant blooms and creates a dazzling natural kaleidoscope that is visible only in this part of the world. Hiking trails, natural pools, and waterfalls invite visitors to immerse themselves in this vibrant ecosystem. Photographers, nature lovers, and eco-tourists alike will find Caño Cristales to be a bucket-list destination.
Sierra de La Macarena: A Biodiversity Hotspot
The Sierra de La Macarena National Natural Park is more than just Caño Cristales—it's a biological bridge where ecosystems from the Andes, Amazon, and Orinoco regions converge. The result is extraordinary biodiversity:
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Over 500 bird species
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Around 1,200 insect species
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Nearly 100 species of reptiles
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48 types of orchids
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Over 2,000 species of flowering plants
This humid tropical park features a blend of rainforests, savannas, and rivers, creating ideal conditions for flora and fauna to thrive. The climate is hot year-round, averaging 27°C (80.6°F), with short but intense rainstorms—after which the colors of Caño Cristales are at their most vivid.
How to Get to Caño Cristales
The gateway to the park is the town of La Macarena, founded on November 18, 1980. This remote village is accessible only by air, usually via flights from Bogotá or Villavicencio. From there, we lead visitors into the park and along Caño Cristales.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Caño Cristales is during the blooming season—from mid-June to early November. This period offers optimal water levels and the most vibrant river colors.
Route
Bogotá - La Macarena - Caño Cristales
Beaches
Nature
Wildlife
Adventure
3 days / 2 nights
Check availability and plan the trip of your dreams!
Itinerary Details
Day 1
Flight Bogotá - La Macarena, Pick up at La Macarena airport, tour briefing and Caño Cristalitos visit. Flight from Bogotá to La Macarena, where our team will be waiting for you. Hotel Check-In and afterwards tour briefing given by Cormacarena, the tourism bureau of the place. Put your hiking shoes on because the action starts from now on! After sailing approximately 30 minutes along the Guayabero River, we will transport you to Caño Cristalitos. Once there, we will accompany you to explore the surroundings. Lunch close by the river and then back to the village of Macarena. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy the traditional gastronomy.
Day 2
Caño Cristales visit, the rainbow river. After a traditional breakfast we will move to Caño Cajuche, first by boat and then in 4x4 trucks. Once there, your hike through Caño Cristales will start. We will take the path to discover the most beautiful corners of the area. The climate in this region is very pleasant which makes it ideal for a well-deserved bath and lunch on the river. Return to the Macarena. Prepare your camera to capture a beautiful sunset on the way back. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3
Caño Piedra, Cristalitos and airport transfer. Todays destination is Cristalitos and Caño Piedras, where you can enjoy the river and its incredible tropical environment for the last time. After lunch, the return trip starts. Transfer to the Macarena airport.
Price & Inclusions
From US$ 488 p.p.
Group discount from the second participant.
Included
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Airport transfers in La Macarena
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2 nights accommodation (Standard Categorie)
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All meals (2xB,3xL,2xD)
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All daily boat and ground transfers
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ES guide (Optional: EN guide)
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Local accident insurance, entrances
Not Included
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National flight BOG - LMC - BOG
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Tips and personal expenses
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Optional: Higher class Hotel
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EN guide (on request)
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MCN airport fees (ap. COP 15K)
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Tourism fees: COP 240K foreigners, COP 140K nationals
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Airport taxes: COP 15 K COP
Important Notes
Availability
Caño Cristales can only be visited from mid-June to mid-November. The rest of the year, the park is not open to the public. Start: Charter flight from Bogotá.
Physical Difficulty: 3
Language
Duration
3 days / 2 nights.
4 or 5 days of program, to visit more paths in Caño Cristales. Contact us if you want to stay longer.
Accommodation
La Macarena is a small town, which does not have a tourist infrastructure like the others tourist cities in Colombia. There are very few hotels in the town. The ones there are basic but very well maintained. Accommodation will be offered at hotel La Cascada or a hotel of equivalent category according to availability. The rooms are equipped with double or single beds, fans, LCD TV and private bathrooms.
Recommendations
We recommend you to bring: hiking clothes (long pants, long-sleeved shirt, tennis or special walking boots), sleepwear, raincoat, swim suit, sandals or flip flops, sunglasses, personal hygiene items, snorkel, cap, repellent only for night use (repellent, sunscreen, creams or soaps are not allowed in the river), flashlight, battery, camera, towel, small backpack for walks. Although there is a Bancolombia ATM and an office of the Banco Agrario in La Manacrean, we recommend you to bring some extra cash.
National flights from/to Bogotá
National flight is not included in the plan. Check: www.satena.com or www.clicair.co. We can assist with the flight reservation and booking.
Daily departures from/to Bogotá (Ground transfers to/from Villavicencio)
The trip to Caño Cristales can be started any day but only from the city of Villavicencio. For this we move first by road from Bogotá to the Villavicencio airport (ap. 4h), where we will then take the flight to Macarena. Contact us if you want to take this option. We will gladly help you to organize and book this part of your itinerary.
Departures from Cali and Medellín
The trip can also start in Cali and Medellin. For this we also offer special programs. Contact us for this option.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner will be offered in typical restaurants of the region. For lunch we offer a plate that includes rice, chicken and potatoes wrapped in banana leaves. Our guide will offer you this delicious typical dish of the Colombian cuisine, past noon during the hike. It is accompanied with a refreshing lemonade that will give you energy to continue the journey in the afternoon. Please advise if you have some allergies or if you are vegetarian.
Vaccination
It is mandatory to have the yellow fever vaccine before traveling to Caño Cristales, according local laws. The yellow fever vaccine must be applied at least 10 days before the trip.
Communication
The cell phone signal is weak. There is an internetcafe in the village and a free WiFi network is enabled during some hours in the day.
