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You are here: Home1 / NATURE & CULTURE2 / NATURE & CULTURE of COLOMBIA3 / Santander

Santander

COL-92 / 4-day Trip

COL RAN Santander Barichara JCG 6
OVERVIEW

Santander

Experience the natural beauty and colonial charm of Colombia’s Santander region on this 4-day journey. Starting in Bucaramanga, visit Chicamocha National Park and cross its dramatic canyon by cable car.

Explore the historic towns of Barichara and Guane, then travel through Socorro to the charming Villa de Leyva. Conclude your adventure in the artisan village of Ráquira before arriving in Bogotá. A perfect blend of landscapes, culture, and tradition awaits.


Day 1Bucaramanga – Chicamocha Canyon – Barichara
Day 2Barichara – Guane – “El Camino Real”
Day 3Barichara – Socorro – Villa de Leyva
Day 4Villa de Leyva – Ráquira – Bogotá
ITINERARY
Day 1

Bucaramanga – Chicamocha Canyon – Barichara
Arrival at Bucaramanga airport. Transfer from Bucaramanga to La Mesa de Los Santos, where the adventure begins. At La Mesa we make a short stop at a viewpoint and continue on to the Chicamocha National Park, one of the most important tourist destinations in Colombia. The culture, traditions, and customs of Santander inform the architectural design of this beautiful park.

The park’s main attraction is crossing the Chicamocha Canyon over 6.3 kilometers by cable car, offering visitors a spectacular panorama. Chicamocha is the second-largest canyon in the world with depths reaching up to 2,000 meters. Panachi park offers a fascinating view of the Chicamocha Canyon and houses a monument to the “Santandereanidad”. This monument represents the Comuneros Revolution, a historic event in Santander that was the central axis for the construction of the park. There will be time for lunch at the park.

The driver will pick the group up at the other side of the Canyon. Continue to Barichara, one of Colombia’s most beautiful and well-preserved colonial towns. Here we’ll step back in time as we relax in the town’s serene main square, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere and watching daily life unfold in this enchanting setting. You’ll have free time in the evening to enjoy on your own.
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 2

Barichara – Guane – “El camino real”
Today, we’ll enjoy an active day of trekking along the historic Camino Real (Royal Road) to the village of Guane. This scenic trail winds through a picturesque canyon and lush valley, passing through rural landscapes dotted with traditional farms. The route covers approximately 6 km and takes around 2.5 hours, depending on your pace. It’s a mostly downhill walk (about 95%) along a mix of cobblestone paths and natural trails, offering spectacular views and opportunities to spot a variety of bird species along the way.

Upon arrival in Guane — a smaller, quieter version of Barichara — your guide will lead a short walking tour, sharing insights into the local way of life, regional products, and the area’s rich history. You’ll also have the chance to visit a small archaeological museum that preserves relics from the ancient Bari and Guane cultures.

There will be time to relax with a coffee or ice cream before we return to Barichara by vehicle. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. We’ll provide information for activities and tours that you can enjoy in town, including a papermaking workshop, a visit to a bee sanctuary, a pottery workshop, a basketry workshop, and more.
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3

Barichara – Socorro – Villa de Leyva
We depart from the charming town of Barichara in the morning. Our first stop is a visit to the historic town of Socorro. Here, we’ll take a brief walk to explore its colonial architecture, visit the cathedral, and learn about its important role in Colombia’s independence movement.

Our journey continues with a stop in a traditional bocadillo factory in Barbosa, where you’ll see how Colombia’s beloved guava jelly sweets are made — and enjoy a taste, of course!*

Afterwards, drive to Villa de Leyva. This is a charming colonial town located in the Boyacá department of Colombia, about 3 hours from Bogotá. Founded in 1572, this town is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and one of the largest town squares in South America — the Plaza Mayor. The town is a popular destination for its historical ambiance, nearby natural attractions, and cultural festivals. It offers a blend of history, nature, and a relaxed atmosphere.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE BOCADILLO TOUR:

-This tour is currently closed until July 2026

– This tour only runs on weekdays (Monday – Friday).
– This tour is only available in Spanish. If the group is not travelling with an AWT Tour Leader, please let us know if you are interested in the service of a translator local guide (at an extra cost).

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Villa de Leyva – Ráquira – Bogotá
We’ll begin the day with a brief walking tour of Villa de Leyva, exploring its most important plazas and delving into the rich history of this colonial town. Next, we’ll visit El Fósil, a community-run museum that houses a remarkable paleontological treasure — the fossilized remains of a 120-million-year-old Kronosaurus.

Our journey continues to the pre-Muisca archaeological site, managed by the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia. This sacred site preserves the vestiges of a pre-Hispanic ceremonial center, featuring over 50 phallic monoliths aligned with the sun — a powerful testament to the cosmology of the pre-Muisca civilization.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to the nearby town of Ráquira, known as Colombia’s “Capital of Handicrafts.” Its name comes from the Chibcha language and means “city of pots,” reflecting its long-standing tradition in pottery and ceramics. The town’s colorful, colonial-style homes are filled with handcrafted goods — from clay pots and mugs to woven baskets, toys, and decorative pieces. Ráquira’s artisanal excellence has earned it international acclaim, with its ceramics exported to countries across the Americas and Europe.

In the late afternoon we’ll continue our journey towards Bogotá, where we’ll arrive by night. Drop-off at your desired location and end of services.
Included meals: Breakfast

PRICING
COL-92 – To request prices, please click on the BOOK TRIP bottom on the right sidebar and fill the information.


INCLUDED 

  • Andes World Travel Tour Leader from 7 pax on
  • Private transportation throughout the entire program
  • All accommodation according to the Hotel List
  • All entrance fees and activities
  • English speaking guides during tours
  • Meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary

 NOT INCLUDED 

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Everything not mentioned in the “Included” list
HOTEL

TOURIST CLASS HOTELS


BARICHARA: Hotel Mission Santa Barbara or similar

VILLA DE LEYVA: Hotel La Posada de San Antonio or similar

MAP
GALLERY
View form La Mesa de Los Santos (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
Barichara's stone streets (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
Barichara's street art (photo: Lina Peralta)
Guane's main square (photo: Lina Peralta)
Guane's colonial church (photo: Lina Peralta)
Santander semi arid landscape (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
Barichara's beautifully preserved colonial architecture (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
Villa De Leyva's main square (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
Town of Raquira (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)

Tags: Colombia, Nature & Culture, Add-ons, Santander, Chicamocha Canyon, Barichara, Guane, Socorro, Villa de Leyva, Raquira

BOOK TRIP

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    PER-40 / 14-day trip


ADD-ONS (+)

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  • Amazonas (+)
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  • Kogi settlement on the palomino river banks (photo: Juan Carlos Gonzalez)
    Communitarian Tourism in ColombiaJune 11, 2025 - 8:38 am

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  • Mompox
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    COL-94 / 3 days

  • COL RAN Santander Barichara JCG 6
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    COL-92 / 4 days

  • COL 42 Punta Gallinas Guajira JCG
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    COL-57 / 4 days

  • COL RAO JardinAlrededores SM 001
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  • Ancient Colombia 1
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  • Southern Colombia
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  • CARIBBEAN BEACHES 2
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  • Nature & Culture of Colombia 1
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  • Hidden Treasures
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    COL-60 / 4 days

  • Whale Watching - Pacific - Nuqui
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    COL-54 / 4 days
    COL-61 / 4 or 5 days

  • Lost City Trek 1
    Lost City Trek – Indigenous Culture in the Sierra NevadaMay 26, 2015 - 3:57 pm

    COL-80a-LT / 6 days / T2


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