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	Santander Colombia Compliments of

GENERAL INFORMATION

Santander, Land of adventure, ecological tourism, agricultural tourism as well as of many cultural and historical sites of national importance, is an emerging Colombian tourist destination. In this beautiful, hilly and mountainous region with a wonderful climate, our guests can participate in all sorts of sports activities, enjoy nature with a rich flora and fauna or just relax in a wonderful, peaceful and quiet environment. We welcome all generations since we can offer our guests attractive tours that meet all tastes.

The Department of Santander is situated about 330 km North of Bogotá, on the main road from the capital city of Colombia to Santa Marta on the Atlantic Coast. It covers a surface of 30,537 square kilometers and is one of the most mountainous territories in the country; the Andes eastern mountain range crosses the department from south to north. It consists of mountains, hills, valleys, rivers and creeks and is located on the Eastern range of the Andes. Santander can be easily reached. It is a 5 hour ride from Bogotá. The countryside on the route via Chiquinquira is absolutely beautiful. The capital city of Santander is Bucaramanga. The population of the metropolitan area amounts to about one million inhabitants.

The region of Socorro - San Gil - Barichara - Curití forms the Southern part of Santander; two provinces with the names of “Comunera“ and “Guanentina”. „Comunera“ stands for strong rebellios folks and an important movement to gain independence in the 17th and 18th century, and “Guanentá“ pays respect to the pre-hispanic nation of the Guane which lived in the area.

Before the Spaniards began to colonize the region in the 16th century, the area was inhabited by the native nation of the Guane, a tribe which belonged to the great family of the Chibcha. The Guane were expert weavers and worked stone. But also their ability in craftsmanship was impressive. Unfortunately, after the Spanish conquest not many of these valuable relics remained as a heritage of this great nation.

Just an hour‘s drive North from San Gil lies the the huge, breathtaking canyon of the “Chicamocha“ river. Just recently, the government of the Department of Santander opened a very attractive national park.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Santander is a surprising and charming region that makes us think about history, the architectural heritage left by the colonists, but above all, ADVENTURE. The point of departure is the capital, Bucaramanga, a city full of parks framed by majestic trees. From there, we start a tour of colonial villages like Girón, Barichara, San Gil, and Guane, impressive examples of preservation that offer atmospheres charged with calm and tranquility.

The Picapiedras, (the term is actually a translation of the cartoon Flintstones), men and women working in roadside tents, continue the centuries-old tradition of carving stone, an ever-present element in the Santander land. It is equally interesting to savor the exotic gastronomy in dishes like their unique pepitoria (a mildly-spiced tripe stew), goat, and roast ants. There are plenty of places to visit, most of them embedded in the mountains, like the imposing Chicamocha canyon.

Three different kinds of views are seen when touring the Santander region: the arid, eroded Chicamocha canyon, whose points of reference are found along the Bucaramanga – Aratoca – San Gil – Socorro axis; the hot, tropical area bordering the Magdalena River, which revolves around the town of Barrancabermeja; and the varied peasant “pantries” of the prolific province of García Rovira. It was created as a state in 1857, and became a department in 1886.

Santander possesses a great variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions, and is one of the most striking and suitable places for Adventure Tourism.

Climate: Temperatures range between 23° and 31° Celsius. The varying altitudes provide different thermal floors and landscapes.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Socorro:

The town was founded in 1681. It is situated high above the Suarez river, at altitude of 1230 meters above sea level, with splendid view overlooking majestic mountain ranges on the other side of the open valley. The average yearly temperature is 22º C. a population of 35.000 inhabitants. Also Socorro can offer many historical and cultural treasures like Cathedral, Casa de la Cultura, the museum archaeology and anthropology, the Quinta Fominaya, the Hacienda Majavita and the Independece Park, just to name a few.

In Socorro began in 1871 the revolution of the Comuneros, the fight for independence from the Spanish crown. Socorro historically counts with an impressive number of heroes in the war of independence among them two of the bravest women, Manuela Beltran and Antonia Santos.

San Gil:

The town was founded in 1689. It is situated on the River Fonce, at an altitude of 1114 meters above sea level. The average yearly temperature is 24º C. The population amounts to about 45‘000 citizens. San Gil is rich in cultural and historical sites like the Cathedral, the Chapel of San Francisco, the “Casa de la Cultura“, the historic center with its “Parque Central de la Libertad“ and its giant trees. A special tourist attraction is the “Parque Natural El Gallineral“, located between the Fonce river and the Curití creek. Huge trees with silvery “beards“, small colonial bridges, tropical vegetation and a natural swimming pool are a few of the highlights.

Barichara:

(21 km from San Gil): This small, unspoilt colonial treasure was founded in 1714. It is situated on a plateau at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. The average yearly temperature is 23º C. Barichara is home to about 3‘000 inhabitants. Recently, quite a few Northamericans and Europeans settled in the town. From a viewpoint, the visitor has a spectacular view over the countryside, mountain ranges, valleys and rivers. In 1975, Barichara was declared National Monuments and is considered to be the most beautiful village in Colombia.

Finest colonial architecture, the majestic Cathedral, the Chapel of Santa Barbara, the “Casa de la Cultura“ and the sculpture park “Parque de las Aguas“ are just a few highlights to be mentioned.

Guane:

(36 km from San Gil): The tiny colonial village was founded in the 18th century by Catholic priests. It is situated on a mountain slope at an altitude of 1‘000 meters above sea level. The average yearly temperature amounts to about 27º C. Guane has a beautiful town square and hosts a museum of archaeology and anthropology, presenting relics of the Guane and impressive fossils from the last ice age.

Curití:

(7 km from San Gil): The town was founded in 1540 by the Spanish conqueror Martín Galeano. It is situated very close to the breathtaking canyon of the Chicamocha river at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level. The average yearly temperature is 25º C. 12‘000 people call Curití their home. Curití is also the home of tobacco and “fique“ plantations. “Fique” is a plant which belongs to the family of the pineapple. With the fibres, many local artisans design and manufacture beautiful bags, carpets and much more.

A GLIMPSE OF WHAT TO DO AND PLACES OF INTEREST

ECOTOURISM

This recreational activity can be enjoyed with hardly any restrictions. Hiking, horse back riding on trails, ecological camping on the shores of brooks, and the exploration of natural parks like Ragonezzi, Gallineral, and Virolín are excellent ways of enjoying and experiencing nature and breathing pure air.

ADVENTURE TOURISM

New tourism alternatives have been developing over recent years. Among them is white water rafting which takes advantage of the abundant and rapid rivers. Speleology (Caving) is becoming popular as new and attractive caves and caverns are being found and explored. Rappelling, mountain climbing, canning, mountain biking, hiking, paintball, and camping attract their fair share of tourists.

Adventure Sports Rafting “Fonce River”, “Chicamocha River” and Suarez River : If there is a sport where teamwork is absolutely necessary then it is rafting. The whole crew is paddling to reach the same goal. Each time, conquering the river with its rapids is an emotional experience.

    The Fonce river is the birthplace of rafting in Colombia. The river‘s own characteristics make it an adventure in the dry as well as in the rainy season. An easy access and a paved road along the river make it a very safe place to practice rafting. All our guides are certified by the International Federation of Rafting (IRF) and/or the SENA, the Colombian equivalent for labor competences. The certification corresponds with all the necessary rules and standards to provide the required safety. The journeys range between 10 and 30 kilometers and one to three hours from sites like Puente Miranda and Ocamonte to El Gallineral park on the Fonce River, and from Cepitá to the Pescadero Bridge on the Chicamocha River. Canoeing is practiced over waterfalls or ravines. It can be practiced at El Cáliz waterfall and other minor falls located near the road to Charalá.

Adventure Sports Caving: What a thrill caving is. This activity will confront us with the unknown and will create strong emotions. Touring the caverns of our region is a great pleasure. There are hardly any risks thanks to perfect equipment and very experienced guides. Once we got into the caverns we will visit lovely halls with high ceilings and impressive walls of stone. Like in all of our caverns we will find stalagmites and stalactites, stone formations created long ago by water dripping from the ceilings and walls. They form beautiful ornaments in the interior of the caverns and transform them into majestic treasures. Experience the origin of evolution in this wonderland, this phenomenon of nature full of surprises and adventures. There are a great many caverns to be explored by tourists, as long as they are accompanied by expert guides who know very well the exploration area.

Adventure Sports Abseiling in Waterfalls: Abseiling from one of these mighty natural walls in a waterfall, surrounded by beautiful countryside, is an incredibly exciting experience and a great COLOMBIAN feeling. You will get to know where your limits are, how strong and how brave you are. Thanks to modern and perfect equipment and our experienced guides, there is hardly and risk and this adventure sport is not only for experts with specific skills. Everyone can do it with the guidance of our staff. What a boost to self-confidence. A pleasure without limit. These sports are practiced near the village of Curití and in the Pescadero area, always under the guidance of experts.

Adventure Sports Paragliding: If you like to enjoy the thrilling experience of taking off, letting yourself be carried in the air by the wind and enjoy the unrivalled sensation of flying, then the mountains and canyons of Santander are the best place to go on our entire globe. Enjoy for a few minutes the feeling of being a bird. One option is to fly over the Chicamocha canyon starting at the Tumba Del Alemán. The other is taking off from the Ruitoque plateau, located 20 minutes away from Bucaramanga. This site allows for longer flights and is considered one of the best in the country.

Ecological Tours Hiking: To open up spaces to communicate with nature we offer our guests wonderful hiking tours. You will walk on trails full of history (with its myths and legends). You will get to know our beautiful countryside and a great variety of crops. To do this you can count on the accompaniment of certified guides. They will show you all the beauties of our varied and extremely abundant vegetation, sometimes dry, sometimes almost tropical. You will find everything your mind can think of. There is nothing we cannot offer. You will discover and enjoy crystal clear waters of creeks, ponds, will walk in the wilderness of forests and breathe the clean air of rural Santander.

     Ecological Tours Horseback Riding: When in rural Santander you cannot possibly miss a tour on horseback. The “Santandereanos” are famous for and have a long tradition of breeding beautiful, strong and reliable horses. On horseback you will discover places you never would otherwise. Our tours are a unique country experience. Breathe deep, because the air is as clean as it gets.

Ecological Tours Country Lifestyle: Share a day of Colombian country lifestyle with your hosts and other locals on a beautiful farm. We have carefully evaluated and selected the places we will take you to. This day will become a unique experience. Your hosts will show you around the farm. They will explain all the crops like sugarcane, coffee, cotton, fruit trees and much more in this abundant nature with its fertile soil. Enjoy being around the animal world as well. Horses, cows, goats, dogs, hens and roosters are just a few to name. You can go for a walk on an ecological trail, discover other parts of the farm on horseback or go for a refreshing swim in one of the springs or creeks with crystal clear water. Enjoy a typical country lunch on the farm and exchange thoughts with the local people. A colorful and relaxing experience.