4 Days 3 Nights
Colombia
15
1
SIBUNDOY VALLEY-SPIRITUAL TOUR 4D3N
This destination offers breathtaking mountain landscapes in an territory where several indigenous communities live together, you will have a cultural immersion and will be able to appreciate the vibrant colors from their costumes and local art. You’ll enjoy bathing in a hot springs river and will engage with spiritual leaders, experiencing rituals involving medicinal plants with their ancient knowledge. You can optionally have the sacred ceremony of the “Yagé” (Ayahuasca).
Itinerary
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1 - WELCOMING TO THE REGION
On this day, a person from the local team will be waiting for you at the arrival time at the airport of Pasto. Then you will take taken by car to La Cocha lagoon. You will first arrive to the charming town where you will have lunch, depending on the available time you will have a boat tour by the lagoon. Later on, you will be taken to Sibundoy, where you will have the first immersion in the territory with a town tour also visiting the art house with its wood carved crafts.
Day 2 - THERMAL RIVER OF EL SALADO
On this day, you will have breakfast at the accommodation and later on, you will have a transfer to the village of Balsayaco, where you will start a trek to the thermal river and waterfalls of El Salado, admiring the unique warm waters of the place where can swim and will have an outdoor lunch. You will be taken back to the accommodation where you will have an explanation of the Yage ceremony, interacting with the indigenous spiritual leader (Taita).
Day 3 - ANCESTRAL CEREMONIES
On this day, you will have breakfast at the accommodation and will start to have the preparation for the sacred remedy of Ayahuasca Yage from the Taita, with the use of different plants, having rituals and a sound therapy. This day, you will have a very light lunch in the accommodation, which is needed for the Yage ceremony that at night that can last the whole night. People not doing the activity can have other kinds of ancestral rituals.
Day 4 - SIBUNDOY & FAREWELL
On this day, you will have a light breakfast at the accommodation and will have a talk and time for closing the Yage experience and time for additional healing therapies. By 10:00 AM you will head to the town, where you will do cultural visits to different indigenous communities, having music, dance interactions and learning about their way of life having lunch there. Later on, you will have a transfer to the airport of Pasto in order to be 2 -hrs. before your departure.
Cost Info
Cost Info
Included
- ACCOMMODATION Cabins in a rural refuge inside indigenous communities with all the basic facilities and. very authentic.
- ROOMS Ayén: Private single double or multiple rooms according to availability on the days of visit.
- ACTIVITIESAll the activities mentioned in the plan, all in private experiences and transportations (except when it is possible to share).
- MEALS 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners.
- TRANSFERS All land transportations in shared vehicles
- GUIDANCE Spanish speaking guides throughout the trip for all activities.
- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CARDThe tour includes a travel assistance card for all the days that covers possible accidents, medical attention and emergency transportations for a quick response in case of being necessary according to the evacuation time during the activities and level of medical attention at the destination.
Not included
- National and international flights.
- Activities, additional drinks or elements not described in the plan.
- Tips, snacks and souvenirs.
- Personal items not described in the itinerary.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators.
- Yage (Ayahuasca) ceremony that can only be paid directly to the spiritual leaders that lead this sacred ritual.
Add-ons & optionals
Add-ons & optionals Expand All
- Flights from & to Bogota or any other Colombian city. The price would depend of the dates and the anticipation the flights are booked.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators, according to availability of guides for the desired date, in this case it is advisable to book in advance.
- Private single rooms for just one person (price under request).
What to take?
What to take?
- Hat and/or other protection for the head and neck.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the reflection of the sun.
- Long-sleeved shirts to avoid sunburn and mosquito bites during outdoor activities.
- Comfortable pants.
- Bring waterproof clothing and/or rain poncho.
- Appropriate footwear for the hikes, trekking shoes are advisable and at least one pair of sneakers for change. Footwear can get wet during the hikes.
- Swimming suit, towels and water shoes, as there will be chance to swim in the thermal river of the area.
- Sunscreen.
- Protection for electronic devices since they may be susceptible to damages due to humidity and/or rain.
- Non-disposable rigid container to refill water (canteen or thermos).
- Day-packs for carrying personal stuff, hydration, snacks and other elements during the outdoor day activities.
- Personal documents and count with your own medical insurance.
- Personal medicines and first aid kit.
Map
Map
Gallery
Gallery
Recomendations
Recomendations
The Sibundoy region is special not only environmentally, but also spiritually; therefore, it is important to follow the recommendations in order to avoid or diminish any negative impact, as well as being prepared for a pleasurable experience, according to that:
- It is necessary not to have significant physical limitations, since the area does not have an infrastructure that facilitates activities for people with limited mobility.
- It is important to reduce waste generation (single-use plastics). According to that, it is important to take your own rigid non-disposable recipient for liquids.
- Follow and abide by the instructions of the guides and authorities during each of the routes and tours.
- The consumption of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances when doing indigenous rituals like Yagé is forbidden for this experience as it might be very risky for your own health in these kinds of activities.
- If you are willing to do the Yagé ritual, you must have a preparation on the previous days according to the recommendations of the spiritual leader (Taita) leading the activity.
- This is a deep cultural immersion trip that takes place in indigenous territories; therefore, it is important a good and respectful behavior regarding their traditions.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances during the activities mentioned in the plan can be harmful to your health and safety.
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
WEATHER CONDITIONS & BILINGUISM
It is necessary to be properly prepared for the weather conditions of the destination, which are detailed below but as this is an approximation, please note that they may vary. Also, keep in mind that there won’t be bilingual staff or people at the destination.
Sibundoy:
Temp. Min: 12ºC Max: 22ºC, slightly humid climate / (2.000 m.a.s.l.)
ATM´S
It is advisable to carry cash for extra expenses during the trip since access to ATMs and dataphones at the destination may be limited or present problems in the area.
PHONE SIGNAL & WIFI
You will visit a destination where there is good phone and internet signal. Once you leave the urban areas you might have poor or non-existent phone connectivity.
The accommodation offers Wi-Fi with decent connectivity, although the signal may not always be the best.
TIPPING
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you consider you can tip the guides and/or other staff with an amount from 20.000 to 50.000 COP (5 to 12 USD approx.) per day of service.
SEASONS
- The dry season in Colombia ranges from Mid-November till March, in this period of the year you can expect to have easier hikes and less rain in general.
- Getting by car to off the road paths will be easier, making the transportation times shorter to those spots in very rural areas.
- Migratory birds might be easier to spot during the dry season.
- The rainy season starts in April and ends in mid-November, being May and October the rainiest months in Colombia and from June to September a softer rainy period.
- In the rainy season you can expect to see the waterfalls and rivers with high levels and more imposing, with a greener vegetation.
- There is a carnival of the indigenous communities of the region
