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THE NATIVE EXPEDITION
Trekking, adventure, cultural and biological Expedition Sierra Nevada Santa Marta
A Group of farmers decided leave aside activities with a negative impact on the environment (intensive agriculture and livestock) and work in tourism. These families realized their home is a paradise of landscapes, biodiversity and cultural experiences! Now they want to show this paradise, and everything it offers, to the rest of the world. This trek is:  outside of others tourist treks saturated of visitors, wildlife, ancient rainforests, awesomes waterfalls, friendly people and stunning views of the mountains and the Caribbean Sea.

Of course, to get to the most beautiful places requires great effort, hiking along steep slopes, grass fields, forests and mountains. As such, it is necessary to be in a good physical and mental condition. You will be rewarded at the end of each day, when we will be welcomed, eat and sleep in the peasants houses where we will have a cultural exchange.
Farm in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in The Nativ Expedition
"The Clouds' Palace" farm, one of the peasant houses where we will be received at the end of each day.
The cloud forest in the best trekking experience in Santa Marta, Colombia
Tropical Cloudy Forest Ecosystem - from 1.500 meters high
Farmer Family of the Sierra Nevda Santa Marta
The Lazo family, one of the peasant families that are part of this initiative. Mrs. Yaneth (on the right) is head-family mother.
2 Days trip: Discovering the Chorrerón waterfall:
This 2-day trip. it is a level option: Moderate.
Day 1:
We'll pick you up at 08:00 from your location. A bit more than 1 hour by car.  Approximately 8 Km walking, descending from a height of 1400m to 990m, passing between forests and crops to a small village of peasants, where we will spend the rest of the day calmly, exploring the surroundings a little bit and learning about coffee crops and beekeeping, but mainly knowing the local family and then to us in the humble farm.
Day 2:
An early start (07:30), we will visit El Chorrerón waterfall, (1,5 Km). After that we'll cross the river twice and then we returning to the main road using a 2,4 Km alternative trail that will take us to the pick up point (1500 m.a.s.l.); then we headind to Minca village to get a very deserved lunch. We end around 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m back in Santa Marta.
The best hiking experience in Santa Marta, Colombia
Waterfall in Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta
3 Days trip:  Awesome view points!
This 3-day trip. it is a level option: Hard.
With around 34 Km of walking in total, this option offers the most panoramic views since many parts of the path pass through open areas at very high mountain points.
Day 1.
Starting at 06:00 AM from your location in Santa Marta, 40 minutes by car, and 1,5 hours by motorcycle until the starting point, then, we'll begin the hike starting from 950 Meters high during 8,5 Km and until reaching a peak of 2.200 Meters high in La Lujana Farm where we will have a lunch. After lunch, we'll continue hiking 2,5 Km to Clouds Palace (1.600 m.a.s.l.) a humble and welcoming farm where we will spend the night.
Day 2.
We'll wake up at 05:40 AM to see an awesome sunrise! 08:00 Breakfast and 09:00 ready again to a 6,5 Km path, the path of waterfalls!  visiting the Coffe Waterfall, Honey Waterfall and Ñymejan Fall! keeping hiking down to a 900 meters high Farm, Los Jaguares, where we will get a delicious lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Day 3.
Wake early again (05:40) not only to see another awesome sunrise but to start the longest hike of the journey: 18 Km! most of this distance is through the territory of a native community called Wimake, from the Wiwa native culture, one of the four indigenous cultures of the Sierra Nevada; to our final destination, La Tagua town (1.600 meters high) where we'll take the lunch around at 15:00 (a bit late, I know =D) and from there start our return to Santa Marta. Average arrival time in Santa Marta: 17:30.
Waterfall in Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta
Waterfall in Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta
Hiking in Santa Marta
4 Days trip: Path Of Waterfalls
This 4-day trip. it is a level option: Experts.
Day 1:
Starting at 06:00 AM from you location in Santa Marta, 40 minutes by car, 1,5 hours by motorcycle until the starting point, then, we'll begin the hike starting from 950 Meters high during 8,5 Km and until reaching a peak of 2.200 Meters high in La Lujana Farm where we will get a delicious lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Day 2:
We'll wake up 05:40 AM to see our first awesome sunrise on this trip! Later, after sharing throughout the morning with the Lazo family helping to milk the cows, we'll start (10:00) a very short hike (3 Km) going down until The Clouds Palace! (1.600 m.a.s.l.) a farm where we will get a rico lunch, and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Day 3:
We'll wake up at 05:40 AM to see our second awesome sunrise! After that, you can go back to sleep if you prefer. 08:00 Breakfast and 09:00 ready again for a short hike (6,5 Km), the path of waterfalls!  visiting the Coffe Waterfall, Honey Waterfall and Ñymejan Fall! keeping hiking down to a 900 meters high Farm, Los Jaguares, where we will get a delicious lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Day 4:
We will get up early (05:30) to face our second great day of hiking, about 18 Km, most of this distance is through the territory of a native community called Wimake, belonging to the Wiwa culture, one of the four indigenous cultures of the Sierra Nevada; to our final destination, La Tagua town (1.600 m.a.s.l.) where we'll take the lunch (about 15:00) and from there start our return to Santa Marta. Average arrival time in Santa Marta: 18:00.
Palacio de Las Nubes - Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta
La Lujana - Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta
The peasant and indigenous families are part of and contributed to the creation of the Native Experience Expeditions. On your part, by choosing this experience you will be contributing to the local community’s development as well as and the environmental protection of a region. From the enterprising peasant community, all of us will strive to give you a great experience, like  making this expedition exclusively yours (along with your partner/companions - unless another group of people schedules their expedition around your dates). You will also enjoy the traditional food of the region during your stay in the peasant houses.
The Wiwa community agreed to help us by giving us permission to visit their land of beautiful landscapes and to give us a hand in case of emergency. Equally we must show respect and kindness during our journey through their land.
A farmer woman cooking in her traditional kitchen in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
he main village on Wiwa territory: Wimake, in The Native Expedition Trek
Traditional Colombian Food
Costs Per Person
(The costs are for at least 2 people, if you want to made the expedition only you, just ask!)
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  • 2 days trip: $1.250.000 COP
  • 3 days trip: $1.950.000 COP
  • 4 days trip: $2.350.000 COP
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It includes
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  • Transportation (Taxi inside the city and motorcycle or 4x4 car from 4 people in the rural area) from your location in Santa Marta.
  • Meals (except first day breakfast and last day dinner).
  • Lodging.
  • 1 Mule/horse transport support.
  • Health insurance.
  • Guide.
Recommendations
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  • Headlamp (with new batteries).
  • Comfortable backpack.
  • Rain protection for clothing and electronic devices (bags or backpack cover).
  • Trekking boots / trail shoes.
  • Flip flops.
  • Long trekking pants.
  • Pajamas.
  • Waterproof jacket or umbrella.
  • Protection against the sun (hat or cream sunscreen).
  • 1L capacity bottle.
  • Personal hygiene items.
  • Medication Kit for personal use for possible emergencies (cold, diarrhea, muscle aches, etc.).
  • Insect repellent.
  • Report us about your health problems, allergies and/or injuries you have.
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