HOTEL PORTÓN DE OCETÁ

 

If you are interested in exploring the touristic attractions of the region, we offer the servicies of a local guide at a flat rate of 50,000 Colombian pesos (19 EUR, $24 USD) for groups of up to 15 people.

 

Route #1: For hikers

Get to know the countryside and its natural resources.

 

Duration:  3 to 3 1/2 hours
Highlights: The Rocks of Tórtula and Tortolita ("Turtledove" and "Little Turtledove"), the "King's Chest" (Caja del Rey), el polvadero, el frailejonal (a forest of frailejón shrubs), el pedrisco (rock field), the "Gordian Knot" (Nudo Gordinano), the "Sacrificial Altar" (Mesa de los Sacrificios), the waterfall of Penagos, the "City of Rock" (Ciudad de Piedra), the "Black Lagoon" (Laguna Negra), and some geological faultlines.

 

Detailed description: Departing from the Hotel of the Portón de Ocetá, the route first climbs up the Calle de la Otra Vida towards the east (from which one has a view of the entire town). From there, the walk continues on to el polvadero, the Tórtola and Tortolta (a site of ceremonial importance for the Titem), the "King's Chest" (a tourist attraction that is the subject of local legends), the frailejón forest, a field of rocks (including a sacrificial altar), the "Gordian Knot," and then the "City of Rock." This last attraction is not really an archeological site, although it has the appearance of a manmade town with streets and avenues carved out of the stones as well as "buildings" decorated with colorful hanging moss and other vegetation. Finally the walk passes by the Laguna Negra (Black Lagoon) before returning to the town.

 

In this hike you will get to know a variety of local flora including frailejones that are up to 2 meters tall, lupin (a tall flowering plant), árnica, and many other types of wild flowers.

 

We can prepare snacks and lunch for you to eat during this hike.

Route #2: The Pulpit (El Púlpito)
See natural and cultural attractions

Duration:  Between 3 1/2 and 4/12 hours
Highlights:  Natural resources, native plants, wetlands, natural springs, craters, fossils, and geological faultlines.

Detailed description: Departs 7 or 7:30 am from the Hotel Portón de Ocetá via Carrera 3, from which you will be able to see various historical architectural sites, such as: the chapel of San Antonio, a national monument constructed around 1559 by Franciscan monks and the first church which existed in our town; and the Calycanto Bridge over the Morro river (also a national monument), by which the stone used to build the church was transported. Then the hike goes along the road Hato Viejo-Cosguanoa and climbs up the Vía Tres Esquinas la Cumbre, where one can find a variety of crops and different landscapes, and passes by the Casa del Aire ("House in the Air") from which some of the local mountain ridges and the Tundama Valley can be glimpsed. The hike continues to a wetland and a water source with silver and golden colored frailejón plants as well as a diverse collection of native flora typical of our region. The guides will tell you stories and legends relating to farming around Monguí.

 

We can prepare you snacks and lunch to enjoy on the trail.
 

Coming back: The descent goes by the Colarada Lagoon and then the Camino del Ahogadero, from which you can appreciate the quality of the landscape, and returns to the center of the town via the main road.
 

 

Route # 3: Waterfall, Los Gavilanes, the "Spirit Cave", Alto de los Caciques, and Diagua

Departing from the Hotel Portón de Ocetá, you will go by Carrera 1 until you arrive at the Monserrate Chapel, Tovaquia Heights, and the quebrada de pericos ("Parakeet Stream"). Then the walk continues for about 1 hour to the waterfall (La Cascada), in which you will see the icon of the Sacred Family, a site to which pilgrimages are made the first Saturday of every month. The next stop is the Sitio de los Gavilanes ("Site of the Hawks"), which is so called because of natural rock formations which resemble those birds. Then you will go ot th the "Spirit Cave" (Cueva de las Ánimas), the subject of a legend according to which a group of Spaniards in the colonial period, in their frenzy to acquire wealth, made some natives work for them to search for emeralds and other precious stones, but they had the bad luck of being buried there by a landslide under tons of earth. From there, you will climb up to the Alto de los Caciques ("the Chieftan Heights"), a place from which you will be able to see different landscapes, the town of Gameza, the outskirts of Mongua, and a variety of flora from the páramo, as well as some small lakes and lagoons. The last stop is the Alerón de Penagos before returning back to the hotel.