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Travel To Colombia: Natural Regional Park Ucumari
This is a nature reserve located about 30 km southeast of Pereira. Deputy to the National Park Los Nevados Ucumari Reserve covers 42 km2 of land pertenceciente the middle of the river basin Otún. The park’s mission is to conserve the Andean forest within an agricultural area.
In the Reserve there offering room and board. You ecological trails that run inside and allow to enjoy its exuberant nature and observing wildlife. Birds are most abundant, with about 185 different species recorded so far.
There are many other options for routes, like the popular path allows Otún upriver until reaching the National ParkLos Nevados. Another possibility is to reach Laguna Otún, reflecting a greater effort to be at a height of 3,950 meters (about 6 / 7 hours walk one way).
Growing areas are crossed, cloud forest and eventually moor. The visitors are also several waterfalls and Pena Bonita, La Vereda and El Bosque (5 hours walking).
The easiest path to the reserve is from Pereira to El Cedral. From here you have to walk 6 km walk to the Hostel La Pastora, which serves also as the administrative center.
Tags: National Park in Colombia, National Park Los Nevados, National Park Los Nevados Ucumari Reserve, Natural Regional Park Ucumari
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Feb 28th, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Cartagena de Indias
Located in a beautiful natural bay surrounded by islands, marshes and ponds is Cartagena de Indias, the heroic city, cruise port and a place full of fun and charm.
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by conquistador Pedro de Heredia, in the place where stood the Indian village of Calamari. Since its foundation became the most important port and vast Spanish colonial empire, as the point of penetration into the territory and place of arrival of ships. In Cartagena de Indias enormous wealth concentrated, thus became the most coveted piece by pirates and privateers.
The continuing siege determined its extraordinary military architecture characterized by thick walls and bastions. Outstanding the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, the battery of San Angel in Tierrabomba, the mighty fortress of San Fernando and San Jose battery Bocachica, eighteenth-century buildings with your firewall protecting the entrance to the bay.
Its principal tourist attractions are the beaches of El Laguito and Bocagrande, destinations for sun lovers and water sports, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, clubs and hotels to suit all possibilities.
The special climate and atmosphere of Cartagena de Indias, plus numerous and comfortable hotels, meeting centers, various places to enjoy the night, exquisite cuisine and restaurants of the charming vestiges of the past, make the Heroic City the perfect place to perform events of any size.
DATA
Average temperature: 30 ° C
Airport: Rafael Nunez International Airport
Main sites:
- Castillo de San Felipe
- Palace of the Inquisition
- Clock Tower
- Museo del Oro
- Naval Museum
- Cerro de la Popa
- Casa de Rafael Núñez
- Customs House
- Teatro Cartagena
- Convention Center
- Templo de Santo Domingo
- Iglesia San Pedro Claver
- Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos
Tags: Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Indian village of Calamari, San Angel in Tierrabomba
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Feb 22nd, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Lost City
It is without doubt one of the most beautiful places in South America. This City, the cradle of civilization Tayrona, was “discovered” in 1975.
In the midst of a lush forest that was buried, and located on the crest of a hill just over 1000 meters high, there are over 2 km2 plenty of traces of that civilization, such as giant staircases, terraces, walls and aqueducts. But like Machu Picchu in Peru, the most striking is the place where it is located.
On one side of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, surrounded by lush vegetation, is now a sacred place for Indians and Arsario Koguis living in its vicinity. It is estimated that its splendor is between the tenth and fifteenth centuries AD, hosting some 15,000 people.
Access to Lost City is demanding and requires good physical preparation. Getting there will take us three days of walking at a rate of about seven miles a day through a path in the jungle and a tropical environment with high rainfall.
But this leads to difficult access that few people visit, and when you reach the City has the same feeling I had the first travelers to Machu Picchu:’re seeing something incredible.
LEVEL: Requires good physical preparation.
ACTIVITIES: Nature and Culture
LODGING: Cabins and camping.
DURATION: 6 days / 5 nights
PRICE: On request
INCLUDES: accommodation, all meals, transportation from Santa Marta, guided tours, entrance fees to sites, mules, porters, helpers and cooks.
Tags: civilization Tayrona, Colombia Lost City, Lost City, most beautiful places in South America
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Feb 16th, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Carnival Of Black And White
The Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto is performed between 3 and 6 January, shows how different ethnic groups are expressed through a party that is considered Cultural Patrimony of the Nation.
Undoubtedly, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites is one of the richest traditions in Colombian folk arts. In addition, music and dance, Excel mastery of the craftsmen who are responsible for developing bulky floats, representing the magic of popular legends, the irreverent mockery of the characters from everyday life or just fantasy and artistic imagination.
Carnival is itself a space where the Narino own shyness becomes friendly spontaneity: January 5, blacks are playing the “pintica” in the face of friends and strangers, remembering the days of slavery when the Spanish crown allowed a day of freedom for blacks and the next day, played the whites, under a rain of perfumed powders preceding the slow pace of the floats to the sound of the troupes of ñapangas, as they affectionately call rural women.
Extras who are accompanied by Indoamericanto, a group of musicians with ready-made suits thousand each year for the parade, with panpipes, flutes and pipes.
The staging has characters such as “Michita Linda”, which is the same Virgin of Mercy, the Castaneda family, who are the visitors, Pericles Carnival, Carnival’s highest authority under whose mandate only happiness and enjoyment is mandatory for the people, the lavish floats and of course, blacks with currulao, marimbas and drums, and the white and mixed with all the brilliance of the sound of his flutes and pipes.
The writer referred to the Profane Salvador Carnival of Blacks and Whites in the following way: “I’ve met other parties, but the carnival of blacks and whites are indelible and embedded in memory. What I remember most are the smells of the carnival: the old years night is packed with gunpowder and firearms.
Tags: Carnival Of Black And White, Carnival Of Black And White Colombia, Carnival of Blacks and Whites, Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto, traditions in Colombian
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Feb 13th, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Villa De Levya & Boyaca
Located just three hours from Bogota is Villa de Leyva, one of the best examples of colonial architecture. Founded in 1572, is very well preserved and it highlights many buildings of that period.
To highlight the main square which is the largest in Colombia. The villa has very good hotels and restaurants, as well as a variety of crafts.
Located in the region of Boyaca, we will see a dinosaur fossil marine and archaeological site of El Infiernito. Optionally we can make a short ride to arrive at a beautiful waterfall area.
Back in Bogota Ráquira visit famous artisan center, and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira.
LEVEL: No difficulty
ACTIVITIES: colonial architecture
LODGING: Hotels 3 * / 4 *
DURATION: 3 days / 2 nights
PRICE: On request
INCLUDES: Accommodation with breakfast, transfers from Bogota, guided tours, entrance fees to sites.
Tags: Bogota, Colombia, region of Boyaca, Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, Villa de Leyva
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Feb 10th, 2010
Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia
In 2003, the Carnival of Barranquilla was the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Carnival is the result of the confluence of cultures Spanish, African and Indian. To this are added the subsequent migration of cultures such as Arabic (Syria and Lebanon), Asian (Chinese), Jewish and European (German, French, English and Italian).
All came together in Barranquilla and were enriching cultural expression, dance, music and food, gathered in a carnival that always, whatever happens, making the city the first weeks of the year. Four days of celebration, ending with the burial of Joselito, Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday.
The Carnival tradition of Western origin evoking ancient rites of propitiation earlier Greek and Roman gods to Christianity, came to the New World with the Europeans.
Settlement, social and symbolic significance and the changes that have occurred in various rural and urban communities in Latin America have become the subject of socio-political studies, anthropological and aesthetic.
In Colombia, the Carnival of Barranquilla is the city that has so far attracted most attention. However, historical records indicate that in the eighteenth century there were already calls carnival festivities and days of meat not only in the city of Cartagena and the village of Mompox, but in places like Magangué and elsewhere along the Magdalena River in the plain stretch of Caribbean.
Tags: Barranquilla Carnival, Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia, Carnival of Barranquilla, Carnival tradition of Western
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Feb 8th, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Cali
Department: Valle del Cauca
Average temperature: 23 ° C
Altitude: 1000 m
Airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Alfonso Bonilla Aragón
Main sites:
- Archaeological Museum La Merced
- Museum de Arte Colonial and Religious La Merced
- Chapel and Convent of La Merced
- Archbishop’s Palace
- Gold Museum
- The Hermitage
- Holguines Trade Center Mall
Cali is known as the world capital of salsa. It is a friendly city, home to civic and gay friendly people and beautiful women, is the ideal place to hold events and meetings because resort has good national and international level.
In his search for the much cherished legend of El Dorado who undertook Sebastian de Belalcazar, left Quito guided by strange tales of a Northerner who preached the richness of its soil. Reported that the principal chief, after bathing in gold dived into the clear waters of a sacred lake while offerings of his people threw gold and jewels in honor of their gods.
In this way, and after seeing the failure of two of his expeditions, Belalcazar permanent foundations choose to use them as reference points, and finally on 25 July 1536, the day of St. James, Miguel López Muñoz, by delegation of Belalcazar , stuck a banner and make the foundation of the city under the name of Santiago de Cali.
The region currently has the largest sugar mills and one of the largest industrial areas of the country to the point that is the third city Cali Colombian industrial and commercial importance. The city has convenient shopping, social clubs, modern hotels and restaurants and green areas that make Cali one of the most pleasant cities in the country.
Framed by the Statue of Christ the King, the Monument of the Three Crosses, the Sebastian de Belalcazar Monument Park and the Farallones, Cali, the country presents itself as a friendly city, civic and joyful celebrations as the Feria de la Caña Sugar, held between 25 and 30 December, making it the “World Capital of Salsa” intermingling singing, dancing, bullfights, horseback riding, culture, typical food and fun.
In the lands near Cali, green and fertile, there are beautiful farms that invite you for delightful excursions. A 36 km north of Cali, on the road to the Hill, is the Hacienda El Paraiso area in which the action unfolds in the novel Mary, greatest work of American romantic realism of Jorge Isaacs, several times taken to film.
We can also find on the outskirts of Cali and the estates of Cañasgordas Piedechinche, the latter is the seat of cane museum, it is also possible to know the Farallones National Park.
Tags: Archaeological Museum La Merced, Archbishop's Palace, Colombia travel destination, Gold Museum, Travel to Cali, Travel to Colombia
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Feb 6th, 2010
Travel To Colombia: Bogota
State: Cundinamarca
Average temperature: 14 ° C
Altitude: 2630 m
Main sites:
- Museo del Oro
- Mint
- Museo Nacional de Colombia
- Casa Museo Quinta de Bolivar
- Interactive Center of science and technology Maloka
The city of Bogota, capital of Colombia, important center for business and home to cultural events. It offers its visitors various attractions such as museums, historical monuments, theme parks and entertainment, national and international cuisine and great shopping.
Founded in 1538 by Don Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, and since then it has remained an important political, cultural and economic. The quality of capital city was granted in 1740, in colonial times when there was still the Viceroyalty of New Granada. In 1819, on attaining independence, the present Republic of Colombia adopted it as their capital.
Currently, Bogota holds part of its history in the imposing mansions inhabited in colonial times by viceroys, judges and various officials in the Spanish administration. These beautiful homes now function as museums, restaurants and cultural centers, and most are located in the neighborhood of La Candelaria, the historic city center.
On Seventh Avenue, between 10th and 11th Streets, is the Plaza de Bolivar, the largest of the capital. All around are the Cathedral, the Capilla del Sagrario, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Capitol (where sits the Congress), the building Liévano (home of the mayor of the city), the House Museum from 20 July and the courthouse was built recently. To the south of the Plaza is the Palacio de Nariño, residence and office of President of the Republic.
These buildings represent different eras and styles contrast with the colonial architecture of the area. It retains a great number of ancient churches of Baroque and Renaissance styles, among which are the Cathedral and the Monserrate Sanctuary, which though less ancient, is known as a pilgrimage site and tourist attraction offering a spectacular panorama of the city.
The area surrounding the city provide pleasant restaurants, antique shops and interesting places to visit include the Cathedral of salt Zipaquira Guatavita Lagoon, the savannah of Bogota. among others.
Tags: Archbishop's Palace, Bogota, Capilla del Sagrario, city of Bogota, Palacio de Nariño, Plaza de Bolivar, TRavel to Bogota
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Feb 4th, 2010
Travel to Colombia
We propose you to travel to Colombia that will surprise you for its richness, color and contrasts. Colombia will lead to a prosperous, wealthy, with a strong currency for years, hardworking, manufacturer and exporter of many products: coffee, sugar, coal, petroleum, nickel, and other more elaborate as furniture, textiles, flowers, medicines sold worldwide, with a large middle class mostly of European origin, a rich cultural life, the best culture in South America customer, a Castilian beautiful, a highly developed artistic creativity, and Overall, a mixed population (European, Indian and African) intelligent and awake.
Colombia is a country of contrasts where they exist, its people will captivate you with his kindness, his charm, his talents, as you walk through the unique old town of Cartagena de Indias heard as background music of an accordion vallenato de Carlos Vives, a cumbia, joints and fandangos, butt sauce, or just one of those great songs that interpret Shakira, Juanes or Maia. What more could you want!
If we also take into account its location between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, with beaches and spectacular sites, the three ranges that traverse from north to south, giving us the valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena highlighting their National Parks and Tayrona Los Nevados with its volcanoes and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta erected along the Caribbean Sea, we conclude that its geography and relief combine perfectly, if not explain, vigor and vitality of the Colombian people.
Especially attractive are its archeological remains. At the head of them, the Lost City. A dream location, difficult access and where we perceive a sensation similar to what must have felt the first to arrive at Machu Picchu, before mass tourism environment.
In short, this is an amazing country Colombia, sometimes surreal for the visitor because you have said is happening around and it seems that nothing happens, except the time, although the Colonel did not care because you have blind faith that ultimately The letter waiting for so come.
Tags: amazing country Colombia, Colombia, Travel to Colombia
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Feb 2nd, 2010