COLOMBIA LAND OF SABROSURA 6 - 19 NOVEMBER 2023 Ignacio Palacios 1 COLOMBIA After many years of suffering caused by conflicts, the country is reborn. Past the Escobar-years, Colombia can be visited safely and its invaluable treasures can be appreciated. To dare to adventure into Colombia, is to face the risk of falling in love with it. The time is now! 2 3 COLOMBIA Colombia is known for its warmth, its welcoming people, always enthusiastic and willing to welcome foreign visitors. Its exceptional ecosystem and weather diversity, which offer tourists numerous experiences. Its culture: music and dancing are everywhere! Cumbia, salsa, vallenato… and for its fairs, handcrafts, food delicacies, coffee, tropical fruits... 4 5 You’re invited to a photography tour unlike anything you’ve COLOMBIA imagined or experienced before. LAND OF Join Ignacio on an extraordinary adventure into one of South SABROSURA America’s most beautiful and diverse countries, Colombia, where you’ll explore and photograph a land of striking visual contrasts. On this remarkable adventure you’ll discover warm-hearted locals and enchanting customs, jungles, unique wildlife and ancient churches. After many years of suffering caused by conflicts, the country is reborn and promises surprises at every turn and countless moments of creative inspiration. Colombia will present you with the chance to take urban and architectural photos bursting with life, stories and a kaleidoscope of colours. Colombia is known for its warmth, its welcoming people, always enthusiastic and willing to welcome foreign visitors. Its exceptional ecosystem and weather diversity, which offer tourists numerous experiences. Its culture: music and dancing are everywhere! Cumbia, salsa, vallenato… and for its fairs, handcrafts, food delicacies, coffee, tropical fruits... “ I like my women like Over 14 unforgettable days, you’ll journey across Colombia to I like my coffee, hot photograph the country’s historic, heralded and hidden visual and Colombian.” treasures. Ignacio Palacios At the heart of this adventure is your creative enlighten. As a multi- award-winning Master of Photography, Ignacio will share his unique expertise and personally help you on your photographic journey. From pre-visualisation to composition, processing to equipment, this adventure will be transformational and an incredible lot of fun! 6 Titi Monkey in Tayrona Park 7 DAY 1 | 6 November: Bogota ITINERARY Arrival in Bogota. Airport pick-ups and transfer to your hotel. (40min – 14.8km) Group gathering, presentations and dinner. Accommodation: La Opera **** DAY 2 | 7 November: Bogota Discover the centre of Bogota in an original and atypical way. The walking tour of the capital will take you through the most authentic places in the city. You will discover the colonial district of la Candelaria, Bogota historical centre and its squares and markets. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and to understand their way of life. In the afternoon: you will visit the famous Gold Museum and Botero Museum where you will be able to admire the masterpieces of the renowned Colombian painter and sculptor. Visit: 8hrs – English speaking guide. “ You don’t take Accommodation: La Opera **** a photograph. You make it.” DAY 3 | 8 November: Bogota – Villa de Leyva Departure from your hotel to the town of Villa de Leyva with a Ansel Adams stop at Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and at the village of Raquira. Transport: 4hrs, 173km. Arrival at the town of Zipaquira, a town that was declared a national Colombian heritage site and is well-known for its Salt Cathedral that was built inside of a salt mine. After the Cathedral you will visit the village, its churches and central square. Visit: 2hrs. Afterwards, arrival at the village of Raquira where you will have free time to buy souvenirs. Possible ceramic workshop in Raquira (subject to availability). Accommodation: Hotel Campanario de La Villa **** DAY 4 | 9 November: Villa de Leyva Breakfast at your hacienda and start of your excursion. Visit the main sites of interest in the surroundings area of Villa de Leyva by private transport including the Monastery of Santo Ecce Homo and the Terracotta house made of clay. Photo session at Villa de Leyva. Visit: 4hrs – Local English-speaking guide. Afternoon at leisure. Post processing sessions, relax or try the local shovelboard game or “tejo” with the local people. Accommodation: Hotel Campanario de La Villa **** 8 Colombian’s in Carnaval Time 9 ITINERARY CONTINUED 10 11 DAY 5 | 10 November: Villa de Leyva – Barichara ITINERARY Departure for Barichara, a traditional town located in the Andes, also CONTINUED called the red town due to the color of its bricks. Get settled in your hotel and then take an artistic and cultural walking tour. Transport: 4hrs, 186km Historical and cultural walking tour Artistic and cultural walking tour around the village. We will visit and photograph the church of Santa Barbara, a great panoramic lookout point of the Suarez Canyon, the central square, Parque de las Esculturas. Then, our guide will take you to the workshops of local craftsmen and artists (painting, sculpture, paper, tobacco etc). Visit: 4hrs – Local Spanish-speaking guide Accommodation: Hotel Hicasua **** DAY 6 | 11 November: Barichara Tour of Butaregua and Guane – 8hrs Morning departure by 4WD (40 minutes) to Butaregua. On the road you will discover and photograph tobacco and fruit plantations. We will join the local community where we will have lunch and will have the opportunity to photograph the locals and swim in a natural springs pool. We will also have the opportunity to discover local games such as “bolos”. We will travel to Guane and discover this charming village where life seems rocked by an ancient rhythm. Great photography opportunities of its whitewashed mud houses, stone streets and small archaeological museum take us back in time. Accommodation: Hotel Hicasua **** DAY 7 | 12 November: Barichara – Mesa de los Santos – Bucaramanga – Santa Marta – Tayrona area Transfer Barichara – Bucaramanga Airport with stop in Panachi Leave Barichara in the morning by private transport, heading to Panachi – Chicamocha National Park. On the road, admire and photograph the impressive Chicamocha Canyon that crosses the department of Boyacá and Santander. This 227 kilometre long natural marvel will leave you breathless. In order to maximise your experience of the Chicamocha Natural Park, we will take the cable car to Mesa de los Santos. Observe from another point of view the awesome nature around you. Discover and photograph the tiny village before heading to the airport of Bucaramanga. Flight Bucaramanga/Santa Marta with a stop in Bogota. We will have a lunch on the way (Bogota’s Airport). Transfer by private transport to get to your hotel in the Tayrona Park area. Accommodation: Maloka Barlovento **** 12 Beautiful Colombia 13 DAY 8 | 13 November: Tayrona area – Arhuaco village – ITINERARY Tayrona area CONTINUED Arhuaco Village Live a unique experience by visiting and photographing one of the most mysterious Indigenous communities in the world: the Arhuaco Indigenous people, direct descendants of the Tayrona. Enjoy the natural charm surrounding this valley of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range, a world-renowned biosphere reserve, and cradle of the great Tayrona civilization. Early morning departure from Santa Marta to an area between Don Diego and Palomino where our guide will be waiting for us. In his company, we walk along the river to reach the Arhuaco indigenous community. Note that we will cross the river several times. If we are lucky, we will see howler monkeys, birds and many species of butterflies. In the Arhuaco village, we will visit the school and the local traditions such as the weaving of the famous mochila and can meet the Mamo (spiritual authority). Transport: 3hrs – Hike: 1h30 – Meal: picnic – Indigenous guide “ Immortality is to live your life. Doing great Note The program is open to changes. Due to the importance of his role in things and leaving the community, the Mamo (spiritual leader) might not be available. your mark behind.” However, a member from the community will always be there and will Brandon Le join us for a unique cultural experience. Solidarity Tourism By experiencing this unconventional visit, you step into the world of sustainable tourism. We ask to respect the native community and not to harm their environment, especially with cameras. Always smile and ask the locals before you take a picture. Transfer to your hotel located in the surroundings of Tayrona National Park. Accommodation: Maloka Barlovento **** DAY 9 | 14 November: Tayrona area – Tayrona Park In the morning we will depart from Barlovento and visit the park with an expert nature guide. We will photograph the forest, its wildlife and landscape. Average walking level, but hot and humid. Mules are optional. Picnic at the beach “La Piscina“ and photo session. In the afternoon we will visit Cabo San Juan and we will have a bit of time to relax and swimming. Then, photo session in the forest and monkey research and return to the beach and photo session at sunset. 14 Palenquera, Afro Colombian from Cartagena 15 ITINERARY CONTINUED 16 17 Our advice ITINERARY You will meet the guide at the Park Entrance. Bring a copy of your CONTINUED passports, sun protection, mosquito repellent, hiking shoes, swimsuit, towel, cash for lunch/entrance and a plastic bag to protect your belongings in case of rain. Walk: 2hrs – Transport: 20mins. Accommodation: Cabo San Juan (hammocks) DAY 10 | 15 November: Tayrona Park – Minca We will have breakfast after sunrise before heading to Cabo San Juan del Guia, a wonderful bay of white sand surrounded by huge volcanic rocks. On the way, we will photograph the local fauna and flora of this magnificent park with your guide. You will be able to take many beautiful pictures.