THINGS TO DO
WE APPRECIATE THE VOLUNTARY WORK OF OUR APPLICANTS. THAT’S WHY WE HAVE ORGANIZED SOME THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU VOLUNTEER WITH US.
THE CROSS PEAK
AN ECOLOGICAL HILL TREKKING WHILE VOLUNTEERING
An Imposing Mountain that once was was a volcano under the sea:
This is known for the vestiges of lava that can be seen from the Apulo River to the Summit, in addition to the number of fossils found in its path. In the past, it was an important cradle for agriculture such as sugar cane and coffee. From the peak, a cable came down to lower the cane to the trapiches or Mills and the train.
Nowadays, it is only one of the high grade walks because of its difficulty in the ascent. Its height is 1200 meters above sea level. In Holy Week, processions are held from the Church located in the San Javier Village to the Peak where the Cross is, that gives the name to this Peak.
On your way up, you have the opportunity to visit sugar cane farms and learn a little about the process that Sugar Cane takes in the sugar mills to turning them into a block of sugar known as Panela, which is used to sweeten hot drinks. You can appreciate a bit of the biodiversity of birds and trees, and from the top, you can see the surrounding villages.
Do you think that you have finished?
On the way down and before you go back home we will take you TREKKING BY THE APULO RIVER:
The Apulo River raises in the Alto de Petaqueros a Natural Reserve, has a route of 46 km and receives water from different rivers. In the short journey of this 1 km route can be found fossils dating from 65 million years ago, its waters are mineralized and black since the mineralized and black earth falls from the mountains that surround it, which were part of a volcano under the sea.
Experience an adventure, jumping between the giant rocks and water wells. Observing the Geology of its surroundings is a unique experience, and to understand a little the era to which this water system belonged is quite interesting. In its route, you can benefit from a mud bath which has healing properties and a good treatment for the skin, apart from that you may be lucky to find a good fossil.
One of the suggested things to do, CHOOSE ONE OF THE SUGGESTED TRIPS IN THE THINGS TO DO WHEN APPLYING
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THE MONJA WATERFALL
AN ECOLOGICAL WALK TO ENJOY NATURE
The Monja Waterfall
Is Located in the neighboring town of La Esperanza, a beautiful small town near to our headquarters.
A hidden natural jewel, to go there we start with a relaxing walk where you can appreciate nature and millenary trees. The waterfall is known for its legend that says that a nun took her life there because her love for a monk was not returned.
During the trip you will be able to see some of the coffee farms, a palm tree farm, the love tree, and some birds, and if you are lucky you can spot small hunter snakes from the region. The bath in its cold waters leaves you relaxed and ready for the walk back.
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THE PEDRO PALO LAKE
AN INSPIRATIONAL WALK INTO OUR ANCESTORS HISTORY
The Pedro Palo Lake
is surrounded by many legends and enchantments, it is a Hydrica and Historic Reserve since the Royal Botanical Expedition happened there in 1783. It is surrounded by an Andean tropical forest and by farms where corn is grown.
It is located in the Municipality of Tena, with an altitude of 2000 to 2800 msnm. One of his legends says that the inhabitants in the past had to throw objects into the water to appease the fury of a monster that caused great waves in the lake. On a clear day you can see how the trees are reflected in its waters which turn an intense green color.
There you can also find some stones from where apparently the Zipa and its court had their place of recreation and worship. At the moment you can only take ecological walks around. It is a walk that is worth doing.
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THE ORCHID SANCTUARY
GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL VARIETY OF FLOWERS
The Orchid Sactuary
Located 45 minutes from Bogota is the Orchid Park, a natural destination that offers visitors a walk with delicious aromas, colours and shapes in the kingdom of the most exotic flowers in the world.
The visit is a pleasure; the orchids in their inexhaustible variety are exposed looking to reproduce a natural environment, in the trunks of the trees, or on rocks. In addition to Orchids, visitors can also find a wide variety of heliconias, bromeliads, and ornamental plants that form a beautiful garden, recreated by birds and butterflies.
But before arriving to the Orchid Sanctuary we will take you around:
The Tequendama Region.
The Trip of the Tequendama Region takes you, First to know the San Antonio del Tequendama Municipality.
The town was born in a place known as Cubsio when the Indians of the Tundama community settled down.
In San Antonio, you can see a thousand-year-old Ceiba tree in the park, which floor is covered with stone, its colourful houses and the Cubsio temple where the impressive past of the indigenous tribe that inhabits this region is evoked.
You can see the hills the Hermit and the Alto La Palma from the town. Its past is written in the petroglyphs of Cubsio which is a branch that leads to the municipality and the Santa Cruz Zoo.
Second the SANTANDERCITO Village, Which in the Muisca language means “the guardian of the waters”, its temple is very famous since it was built in natural stone, now a Departmental Architectural Monument.
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THE TEQUENDAMA WATERFALL
A LEGEND FROM OUR INDIGENAS
The Tequendama Waterfall
A natural waterfall located in the Municipality of Soacha. Whose legend according to a Muisca myth, was formed by divine action to evacuate the waters that flooded the savanna of Bogotá. Some studies indicate that this could have happened effectively, and that its formation could occur in a short time.
After traveling more than 100 km through the Cundiboyacense plateau and the Bogotá savanna, the Bogotá River falls from about 132 meters above a circular rocky abyss forming the waterfall, which is in a wooded region of permanent fog. Part of its waters are also fed by the overflow of the Muña Dam.
The Castle
The magnificent Castle built on the edge of the waterfall is an history museum now after 70 years of being abandon by their owners. There is a lot of history and legends to learn in here.
We will take you around THE TEQUENDAMA REGION before arriving at the Tequendama Waterfall. Please read above for more information.
LET’S VISIT OUR SURROUNDINGS, CHOOSE ONE OF THE SUGGESTED TRIPS IN THE THINGS TO DO WHEN APPLYING.
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THE NILO HOT SPRINGS
A NATURAL SPRING WORTH TO SEE
The Hot Springs
Are located In the Casablanca Town a few hours from the headquarters. The groundwater is collected in pools, which contains a high dose of minerals that, according to the accounts, help to cure diseases such as cancer.
You can make use of the massage service with sulphur mud and steam baths that eliminate impurities.
It is surrounded by a beautiful landscape, a forest with exotic birds and a lake with small reptiles. Its climate is hot and together with the mud bath session it is good for the skin and very relaxing.
A TERMAL OPTION FOR OUR THINGS TO DO, CHOOSE ONE OF THE SUGGESTED TRIPS IN THE THINGS TO DO WHEN APPLYING.
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THE VERACRUZ ZOO
DO NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OUR EMBLEMATIC FAUNA
The Veracruz Zoo
At the Zoo you can see in an Andean forest in large cages exotic animals of the Colombian fauna brought for protection. Among a biological museum you can see mammals, reptiles, birds, primates, insects, and some farm animals that are well look after and some are protected from extinction. Also you will be able to know natives plants and flowers.
Before arriving at the Veracruz Zoo we will take you around: THE TEQUENDAMA REGION read above for information.
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CAVING – POTHOLING OR SPELEOLOGY
AN ADVENTURE FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY THE EXTREME
SPELEOLOGY:
The Speleology is the science that studies the Caves, Caverns or Underground or Maritime Systems. It is also known as sports activity with this name.
In Colombia this activity is not practiced and is not known as such. Some tourist agencies offer cave adventure packages but do not have enough training to develop this activity.
As a Speleologist the manager offer the opportunity to visit and to know this activity which is new in Colombia and we are trying to promote. The caves and caverns to be visited have been found, explored and documented for the first time by the manager. We know well where the visitor is going to have their first experience in speleology, and if the visitor is an experience caver we know that there is much to offer and still to explore in these underground systems.
THE CAVES
The caves you will visit will depend on your level of expertise. In addition, to get to these in the trip you will have the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes, rivers, mountains, small towns and villages, as well as to know and get involved with different cultures of Colombia. It is an experience that is worth having as an introduction to Speleology.
In order to apply for this please contact us before, to assess the caving area you will be visiting according with your expertise or level.
If you like helping to protect the environment, the underground water maybe you could support www.colombiancavingclub.com
WHAT ABOUT THE ADVENTURE? IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT, WHY NOT TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW?
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