Colombia Photo Expeditions has just introduced a new unique once-in-a-lifetime expedition, a brand new exclusive Camp experience in Colombia. We can make it the core of your Colombia exploration, or add it, as a superb extension to your main trip. With a maximum capacity at the camp for 10 persons, the Camp is located in El Encanto de Guanapalo, a 9,000-hectare private reserve in the region of Los Llanos, also known as Orinoquia. The reserve is a 2-hour drive from Yopal Airport and 30 minutes from the town of San Luis de Palenque. The region of Los Llanos consists of savannahs covered with flooded grasslands, lush forests, and wild rivers that derive from the vast Orinoco basin.
WILDLIFE • This private reserve is home to a diversity of wildlife including deer, capybaras, jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, giant and lesser anteaters, and more than 200 bird species. It’s also a natural habitat of the anaconda, one of 65 species of reptiles in the area. The entire region of Los Llanos is home to more than 600 bird species and 200 mammal species, including giant otters and exceptional pink river dolphins.
CONSERVATION • The Camp works in partnership with Cunaguaro, a local conservation organization that leads the installation of camera traps and tracking devices to monitor species, collaborates with guest scientists, and implements essential community and educational projects.
CULTURE • El Encanto de Guanapalo continues to operate as a cattle ranch, and the locals are called llaneros, or Colombian cowboys. Llaneros have a very distinct culture and continue to preserve traditions such as horseback riding barefoot, singing to call and ease their cattle, and playing the harp and the cuatro guitar. Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, llaneros’ work songs are a means of vocal communication sung a cappella style on the themes of herding, horses, adventures, and love.
THE CAMP
The Camp was designed to offer the utmost comfort and service while minimizing environmental impact. The reserve covers 9,000 hectares, of which a specific area is restricted for the camp’s guests use only, making it an ideal and exclusive location to see wildlife.
The camp consists of 4 sleeping tents located beside a river and at least 50 meters from each other to allow for privacy. Tents include:
• 1 king bed or 2 twin beds with premium mattresses and sheets
• En-suite bathroom with vanity table and Loto del Sur amenities
• Flush toilet and shower (no hot water)
• Solar powered lights and fan, desk, radio communication system,
portable USB battery packs, and binoculars
• Private terrace with lounge chairs and hammock
GASTRONOMY
The camp’s chef uses local ingredients and traditional cooking methods to prepare delicious and beautifully presented dishes. The majority of products are sourced from neighboring farms and villages.
GETTING THERE
Reservations at the Camp: www.colombiaphotoexpeditions.com
From Bogota: Guests can take daily flights to Yopal (45 minutes)
via leading airlines of Colombia (Avianca, LATAM, and EasyFly).
From Yopal:
• Drive 2 hours on paved roads to the reserve and continue 45 minutes off-road to the camp.
• Take a 25-minute flight on a helicopter (12 pax).
Our team is happy to help coordinate ground transfers and private charter planes to/from major cities including Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta, and Armenia.
OPTION 1: LLANERO PHOTO EXPEDITION
ALL-INCLUDED • 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
DAY 1
Airport Transfer (English) • Arrive at Yopal airport where an English-speaking host and a driver will be waiting to drive you to Corocora Camp. Please note that travel time is 2 hours on paved roads and approximately 45 minutes inside the reserve on unpaved roads.
Nature Walk • Explore the reserve in search of local fauna including deer, capybaras, howler monkeys, and giant anteaters, or partake in one of the camp’s included experiences: Bird watching, canoeing, or artisanal fishing.
DAY 2
Llanero Traditions • Spend the early morning hours with llanero cowboys experiencing their traditions: Barefoot horseback riding, herding and corralling cattle, using a lasso, and singing to call and ease cattle. Witness why llanero chants were declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Recommended 5:30am – 10:00am when llaneros do their daily activities.
4×4 Expedition • On-board a 4×4 or tractor, explore more remote areas of the reserve. The expedition combines driving and walking to view more wildlife and explore inaccessible areas such as gallery forests. Please note that the type of vehicle will be adapted depending on the weather and road conditions.
DAY 3
Riding with Llaneros (Half Day) • Spend the morning or afternoon riding with a local llanero cowboy and an English-speaking naturalist guide. Experience the essence of the llanero riding culture and explore the most inaccessible and natural parts of the reserve. Recommended 5:30am – 10:00am and 3:00pm – 6:00pm, when the sun and heat are low, and the animals are more active.
Parrando Llanero – Music (1 hour) • Conclude the day with a traditional parrando, which consists of a bonfire dinner and live music: Harp, guitars, and maracas. Llanero songs recount stories of adventure, love, nature, and traditions.
DAY 4
Conservation Program • Learn about the conservation initiatives such as visiting the camera traps to do maintenance and acquire recent footage and learn about the tracking systems.
Airport Transfer • Transfer to Yopal airport with an English-speaking Host and a driver.
CANOEING • On-board a curiara, a traditional canoe, silently explore the creeks to catch better sightings of animals and birds without disturbing them. Available for day- time and night-time in the green season from May to December.
ARTISANAL FISHING • Alongside a local Llanero learn how to fish caribes, also know as piranhas, a fascinating fish species, and a local delicacy in Los Llanos.
CONSERVATION PROGRAM • Learn about the conservation initiatives such as visiting the camera traps to do maintenance and acquire recent footage and learn about the tracking systems used to study wildlife.
