Old Cattle Roads of Almeidas

Introduction
Orinoquia Colombia
Following the old cattle road of Almeida´s province, you will experience almost all the different climates and vegetation existing in Colombia during your holiday. From the cold mountains near Bogotá to the burning plains of Casanare, you will descend by the Royal Road made in cobbled stone, crossing the midlands and tropical forest to finally find the magnificent landscape and wildlife of the oriental plains of Colombia: the Llanos.

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 (we cannot guarantee private bathrooms for all nights). In Sabanalarga, you will sleep at a farm  in hammocks, just the way the llaneros do. This is an authentic experience not to be missed!
We suggest you bring your swimsuit as there are swimming pools at the following accommodations: Macheta, Chivor and Monterrey.
Wi-Fi is available at accommodations in Bogotá and Monterrey.
Laundry can be done in Bogotá for a small fee. 



Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Machetá
Night 2: Hotel in Chivor
Night 3: Farmhouse in Sabanalarga
Night 4: Hotel in Monterrey
Night 5 & 6: Hato near Tauramena
Night 7: 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

Our 4 x 4 Support vehicle is in permanent communication via 2 way radios and satellite tracker with tour guides and authorities. The guides carry a First Aid Kit.


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 9 days / 8 nights / 4 days of horseback riding / 1 day Emerald Tour / 1 day of cattle work in Llanos. -- please inquire
** Also available in extended version 9 days / 8 nights / 4 days of horseback riding / 1 day Emerald Tour / 1 day of cattle work in Llanos. -- please inquire

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Bogotá
After collecting all riders in Bogotá, we will drive to Machetá, a town located 1.5 hours from Bogotá. The drive will be besides the old Camino Real (Royal Road made of cobbled Stone by Indians and slaves during the Spaniard colonial period) used for hundreds of years to link the highlands with the Casanare llanos. This road was used to bring cattle on foot from the plains of Casanare to Sisga until the middle of the 20th century (a 2 weeks walk). The trip was so hard for the animals that they had to put on their feet  a kind of shoes made of fique, a vegetable fiber.
The mountains are astonishing and the change of vegetation and climate almost every hour is very special.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Machetá

Day 2 (Sunday): Macheta to Chivor
This morning, after a short visit to a coffee plantation besides the hotel we continue descending to Tenza valley following the Camino Real, with a spectacular view of the mountains and the towns of Guateque, Somondoco, Guayatá and Almeida, a region well known for emeralds mines.
Lunch will be at a local´s house in the countryside. Expect very traditional home-style food. In the afternoon, after washing the horses in the Somondoco river, will ride to a nice hotel besides Chivor dam where we can enjoy the pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Chivor

Day 3 (Monday): Chivor to Sabanalarga
We will cross the 15 tunnels besides Chivor dam by car. During the drive, we enjoy a beautiful view of the dam and surroundings. We then get in the saddle to take an old trail through tropical forest. We will enjoy lunch at a local´s house, with very interesting stories to hear. In the afternoon, we will cross the Upia river on horseback and arrive in a farm to have a delicious local meal (ternera a la llanera) and a concert of typical music played by local musicians.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse in Sabanalarga

Day 4 (Tuesday): Sabanalarga to Monterrey
Today, we make our way to Monterrey through a beautiful valley and have lunch beside a river with a natural pool. In the afternoon, we ride across the hills that separated us from the huge oriental grasslands that go deep into Venezuela and have one of the most wonderful views of the trip from this hills. In the evening, we arrive to a comfortable hotel with a wonderful pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Monterrey

Day 5 (Wednesday): Monterrey to Tauramena
We will ride through the open Sabanas of Casanare leaving behind the mountains we crossed on the previous days. The terrain allows for a faster pace. today, we will start observing the llanos wildlife and vegetation. This evening, we spend the night in a 2.000 Ha. hato (ranch) and will have the opportunity to sleep in hammocks as we learned on day 3!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hato near Tauramena

Day 6 (Thursday): Tauramena
We will wake up early to enjoy a magnificent llanos sunrise, have breakfast and ride along with llaneros in their cattle work routine. During the ride we will observe different species of birds and wildlife (Ant bears, deer, wild pigs, chiguiros, caimans). After this unique experience we will stay another night in the hato and enjoy a show of typical dance in the evening. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hato near Tauramena

Day 7 (Friday): Tauramena to Yopal & back to Bogota
In the morning, we will head from the hato to Yopal in order to visit local tack shops and chinchorrro manufacturing workshops. We will have lunch at a famous local restaurant and return from Yopal to Bogota in the afternoon by plane (dinner not included).
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Bogotá

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
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 Old Cattle Roads of Almeidas

Dates Note: Smaller riding groups sometime possible with an extra fee (please inquire)

Other Info
Meeting: Bogotá
Airport: Bogotá
Transfer: Bogotá

Climate:
                                                Bogotá 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.