The most beautiful natural sites to discover Colombia

The Valley of the Xilópalos offers a beautiful 3-hour round trip hike, less frequented than the other sites of the Tatacoa. There are interesting geological formations full of legends, such as the "passage of the snake", a narrow mineral canyon through which the trail passes (and which, according to legend, allows you to regain your virginity...), and especially the famous xilópalos, petrified wood stumps, a type of fossil that dates back millions of years (Tertiary era), reminding us that the area was once covered by forest.

The "Cerro Azul de Guacari", also known as the "Piedra de Guacari", is an emblematic rock formation, the guardian of prehistoric paintings that have become the region's archaeological treasure trove. Nicknamed the "Lascaux of Amazonia" by the French, Cerro Azul is home to a heritage that is, to say the least, unique in the world: (re)discovered by the scientific community from the 1950s onwards, the oldest remains found on the site date back 12,000 years! This makes Cerro Azul one of the oldest artistic sites in Latin America.

A tributary of the Rio Guayabero, the Caño Canoas owes its name to the traditional boats of local populations ("canoas" meaning canoes): it is therefore likely that it was named by the natives who navigated its course. Meandering through a wide variety of habitats, the Canoas is home to a unique variety of wildlife, from swamps to jungle treetops. Accessible by guided hike, it's the ideal place for nature lovers to admire toucans, howler monkeys and sloths.

Caño Siete Machos is a canyon formed by the erosion of rock over time by the waters of the Rio Guayabero. Its high, steep walls make it a sinuous, almost mysterious canyon! Local legend has it that seven warriors were once charged with protecting the region, and that the site's name pays tribute to their courage and strength. At the heart of the canyon, water rushes down the rock faces to create a spectacular waterfall: if you want to cool off, it's time for a swim!

Both historic works of art and witnesses to Colombia's cultural richness, petroglyphs are precious relics of the region's pre-Columbian past. Engraved by ethnic groups such as the Guahibo or the Nukak who once inhabited the territory, they often represent a variety of abstract symbols, human figures, animals... As a means of artistic expression, they continue to be considered sacred sites, and often have spiritual significance for indigenous communities.