Oiba Trail Ride To Barichara

Introduction
Andean Colombia
Colombia`s Vergel and Independence birthplace – Royal Roads, Woods, Waterfalls, Colonial Architecture and Historical Heritage.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
On this ride, you will sleep in rural hotels or farmhouses where you will always find a clean bed and bathroom (private everywhere).
We suggest you bring your swimsuit as there are swimming pools at the following accommodations: Oiba, Charalá, Paramo and Barichara.
Wi-Fi is available at accommodations in Bogotá, Oiba and Barichara.
Laundry can be done in Bogotá for a small fee. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Bogotá
Night 2: Hotel in Oiba
Night 3: Hotel in Charalá
Night 4: Hotel in Paramo
Night 5: Hacienda in El Palmar
Nights 6, 7 & 8: Hotel in Barichara
Night 9: Hotel in Bogotá

Room Occupancy
We only charge a single supplement fee for solo riders who want to have their own room.



Meals
All meals are included in this trip except for the meals in Bogotá.
You will be served home-style Colombian food. Lunches are usually picnic style while dinners are taken in restaurants.

Breakfasts include eggs, bread, "arepas" (kind of corn cake) coffee, tea, chocolate, milk and fruit or juices of tropical fruits, in which Colombia has a wide variety and availability throughout the year (Pineapple, Papaya, Melon, Soursop, Feijoa. Mango, Grapefruit, Passion fruit, Lulo, etc).
For lunch we carry Sandwiches, accompanied by potato chips, various drinks (soda, beer, water) and brownies or cookies for dessert.
For dinner depending on the place it is possible to have at least two menu options normally including beef or chicken with potatoes, salad and fruit.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
This trip caters to strong intermediate riders and above as it includes several long days on horseback.
Overall, guest should come with a positive attitude and ability to listen to the guide’s instructions.

Horses
Our horses are the result of a careful selection for more than 25 years, and all of them have some Colombian Criollo in their blood. Our horses have a heart marked on their left forearm. This symbol has been used on cattle and horses in family haciendas for more than 150 years.
For our trails, we like to use angloarabians crossed with Colombian Criollos as they are particularly suited for multi-day excursions and long distance rides.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

** Also available in extended version 12 days / 11 nights / 7 days of horseback riding -- please inquire

Day 1 (Saturday): Bogotá Arrival in Bogotá
Transfer Airport / Hotel. Check into hotel and overnight.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Bogotá

Day 2 (Sunday): Transfer from Bogotá to Oiba
We will drive through the beautiful roads of the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Santander, up to the town of Oiba (transfer is about 9 hours long) where we will spend the night. On the way, we stop at Puente de Boyacá , where the final battle for the independance of Colombia took place. We will also stop in Villa de Leyva for a mini tour and lunch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Oiba

Day 3 (Monday): Oiba to Charalá
The horses, already saddled, will be waiting for us at the hotel, and we will ride from Oiba to Charalá through beautiful woodlands and mountains, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and clear water streams. We will enjoy an homecooked lunch at a very humble local´s house. Be prepared to eat a lot, it is just not possible to have small portions in the countryside in Colombia!
By mid-afternoon we will arrive in the noble town of Charalá, birthplace of our independence, where we will admire the Cathedral and the precious Arabian Saman tree planted in the main square in 1910, in honor of the martyrs of Independence. On August 4, 1819 more than 300 men and women were executed in this square, just 3 days before the final battle of Independence. This fact, no doubt, contributed to Bolivar's victory at the Battle of the Bridge of Boyacá on August 7, 1819, since it prevented the troops of the Spanish General Gonzalez, which had destroyed Charalá, from joining those of General Barreiro in Tunja.
At Sunset, we will visit an artisanal cotton workshop run by women who use the same techniques coming from the Guane indigenous tribes. After that we will have a short city tour and historical talk along Charala´s beautiful cobblestone streets. We spend a food night's rest at a local hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Charalá

Day 4 (Tuesday): Charalá to Páramo
We will leave at 9 am, and ride along the path that borders the majestic Fonce River. We can see on the left-hand side how the river is formed by the confluence of the Pienta and Táquiza Rivers, under a natural arch of trees and bushes. To the right-hand side we can see mountains planted with sugarcane and grass pastures. We will cross the Fonce River by the bridge that goes to Ocamonte, in the place called Palenque, and then continue to the Juan Curi falls where we can see water falling more than 50 meters into a natural pool. Here, we can refresh ourselves from the midday heat, and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared in the local restaurant. Afterwards, we will climb the mountain and pass along the top of the Juan Curi falls on our way to the village of Páramo, where we will be able to see one of the most beautiful churches in the region, made of stone and wood. The night will be spent at a nice hotel with a pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Paramo

Day 5 (Wednesday): Páramo to El Palmar
On the way to the village of El Socorro, another breeding ground of patriots and martyrs of the Independence at the end of the 18th century, we will see coffee plantations and spectacular mountains. After crossing the paved road that leads to Bucaramanga, at the municipality of El Socorro, we will proceed towards the voluminous Suarez River, famous for its rapids where Level V rafting is practiced. We cross it on a suspension bridge and start our descent towards the town of El Palmar. On this journey, we can fully appreciate the magnificent basin of the Suarez River, a geographical formation carved over thousands of years by this river that is born in the Fúquene Lake, and which serves as a preamble to the spectacular canyon of the Chicamocha River, which we will appreciate further on. In the afternoon, we will arrive in the beautiful town of El Palmar which features, on its main square, an enormous ceiba tree of approximately 10 meters in diameter. We will spend the night at a beautiful local hacienda.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda in El Palmar

Day 6 (Thursday): El Palmar to Barichara
After crossing the Suárez River again, we will take the path to Cabrera, a small village where colonial architecture has been exceptionally well preserved. From here, the trail continues to the Barichara plateau by way of the old royal road, and enters this emblematic jewel of colonial architecture through the royal bridge. We will walk along its beautiful cobblestone streets, observing its parks and churches, on our way to a spectacular country house in the outskirts of town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Country House in Barichara

Day 7 (Friday): Barichara Cañón
We will have a 3 hour ride trough beautiful tobacco plantations on the way to the Chicamocha Canyon, a Colombian natural attraction nominated as part of the group of 261 destinations in the campaign to select the top seven natural wonders of the world. This paradise-like place is a not-to-be-missed visual spectacle. Imposing, majestic, and fascinating is how tourists describe the Chicamocha Canyon, a geographic accident located in the department of Santander. After having a light lunch we will return to Barichara to enjoy a delicious dinner and a well deserved rest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Country House in Barichara

Day 8 (Saturday): Sightseeing in Barichara
The real treasure of Barichara is its pristine colonial architecture. Many come to this pueblo just to wander its flagstone lanes, snapping photos of the white-washed, red-tile-roofed buildings. Start your exploration at the Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo on the main square. It is built of local stone carved by the village's artisans. The "Capilla de San Juan de Dios" is a beautiful church with a noteworthy cemetery. The "Capilla de San Antonio" is a famous attractive with a small shaded plazuela. The "Casa Aquileo Parra" was once-home of a former Colombian President (1876-78). It's presently a museum. The "Capilla Santa Bárbara" is an amazing place to visit, now used for cultural events.
The afternoon is free to walk around Barichara or simply rest at the hotel or enjoy the pool, but most of our visitors enjoy doing rafting (level 2) in the Fonce river (optional - extra fee applies).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Country House in Barichara

Day 9 (Sunday): Transfer from Barichara to Bogotá
Return to Bogota and accommodation in a comfortable hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Bogota

Day 10 (Monday): Departure
Transfer Hotel / Airport. End of this great adventure.
Meals included: Breakfast


Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome on this trip. We can arrange some activities for them. Please inquire for more information.

Rates and Dates for Oiba Trail Ride To Barichara

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Bogotá
Airport: Bogotá
Transfer: Bogotá

Climate:
                                            Piedecuesta area

• Hat of wide wing. 
• Raincoat. 
• 2 baggy pants. 
• 2 shirts (long sleeves). 
• 3 to 6 pairs of socks.
• 2 t-shirts. 
• Footwear: 1 – 2 pairs of sporting shoes. Do not wear very wide shoes to avoid trouble putting your feet in the stirrups. Riding boots are recommended.
• Breeches. If you want to wear jeans or similar we recommend to use chaps if you have them or long underwear to avoid bruises. 
• Gloves to avoid sunburn and bruises.

• Particular medications. 
• Flashlight and batteries. 
• Sunglasses. Eyedrops (for people sensitive or allergic to the dust). 
• Sunblock factor (30 minimum, desirable 50), moisturizer, lip balm, creams to heal bruising.
• Elements for personal hygiene (medium towel, soap, toothbrush, wet wipes, etc.). 
• Camera with good or rechargeable batteries.