A Cundinamarca Tour: Hints for making your first tour in Colombia memorable.

Here there is no mention of the paragliding available in the area, nor of horseback riding, nor of the best places to dance. There are hints about making your visit to Colombia one of your better doings.

            Here are some hints for sparking interesting tour ideas. You may also find suggests for helping you to smooth your adventures. Remember that Colombians speak Spanish. You can find opportunities to test the quality of your Castellano. Your tour could turn out to me a number of smaller tours. I might be a good move to make some of them guided. A knowledgeable guide is a valuable asset. She could either make or break much of  the pleasure of the excursion. There are many tours and guides available in Bogota and some elsewhere. Enjoy some planning and enjoy your exploration a lot.

            Cundinamarca is the "departamento" (state) of Colombia in which the Colombian capital city of Bogota is located. It has been said that the name Cundinamarca comes from Chibcha word "kutur marga," which means "nest of the condor." Chibcha is the language of the Muisca, a principle pre-columbian people of what is now the Republic of Colombia.

            Cundinamarca has a great deal of interesting cultural attractions to offer beyond its marvelous landscape and natural attractions. Cultural attractions include, food, architecture, music, and dance available to you. As your Spanish grows much more culture is available.To begin with, just the geographical attractions could become near overwhelming. Still you may find it easy to forget that you are exploring a bit of the Andes, the longest range of mountains with many of the worlds highests peaks. 

            You might choose to begin getting acquainted with Cundinamarca by joining a tour group or two at least one an overnighter.Then again you might find and interesting guide in Bogota and by surprise him by saying you would like to get to know the towns of Fomeque, Guasca (Guasca may be the name of a bearlike animal. You could ask someone who knows more Chibcha than I do), Junin, Gacheta, Gama, Gachala, Uhala, and Medina. Most of these town names are hispanizations of Muisca names. Your guide may carry some Muisca DNA. He may be able to speak more English than Chibcha and his language will be Colombian Spanish. 

            Colombia is rich in water resources and Cundinamarca is certainly one of the richest states in that resource. Colombians have begun to develop and protect this resource, But you may come to feel that beauty of the streams, rivers, is the greater richness. On the Cundinamarca rout of my example this beauty abounds. Much of it comes from the sky in the form of rain, but you may find the water at hot water spas were the water comes from the earth has a great beauty of its own. I have heard that 1/4 of the hydroelectric energy of the country is produced in this department.    

            A major attraction in the area for some is a nature park called the Natural Chingaza. The origin of the name is a mystery to me. Speaking of mystery, This 150,000 acre park with peaks of over 10,000 feet above sea level is likely to hold secretes that only perhaps a few Muisca and Guayupes know of. Several of the towns I have mentioned here are within this park. There are pure water streams and lakes in the area. With legs better than mine there are many natural beauties to be seen within short walking distance of a good road. There is a great deal of beautiful and dramatic scenery to be seen without leaving the car.

            One might easily spend a month exploring the area. Do try to give yourself a week or ten days to enjoy a real chance to take in the curiosities, beauties, and more of the people, places, and doings in what may be called the heart of Colombia. You may delight in treks or hikes, but you do not have to.Very much can be enjoyed frequent road-side stops. Great hours or days can be enjoyed bathing at hot water and checking out the interesting eating opportunities. There is a taste treat or two you may never find elsewhere. To get up your appetite some good bird watching is often available. Perhaps available right from your hotel, cabin, chalet, or hostile. A guide may  help you to find lodging very well suited to you.

            Or you may be one to check out some of the local alcoholic beverages unknown to you. But you could enjoy the comfort of class of a beverage you know well. You may find simple breathing here a great joy. It is possible to discover some of the purest air you have ever experienced. You may find it best not to run as much as you are accustomed to. A these altitudes the air is often very pure, but may feel somewhat thin to a newcomer. 

            There are quick an easy ways to change altitudes. A trip doward can quickly get you into warmer more abundant air. You can easily change altitudes to find a warmer climate or air more congenial to you. When you feel a bit too warm, you can easily go up again to the refreshing cool air there.

            In much of this area the land does seem more vertical than horizontal. But than again one can feel that one is in some beautiful lowland with lovely green meadows marvelous groves of trees. The fact is that the very lowest spot you may visit will be about 3000 feet above sea level. You may also find that the top of the little hill near you has an altitude of over 9000 feet. You could get up a good bit higher if you wish. Not good running country for a low-lander. Not at first.

            No need to tell anyone, but you may find yourself close to El Dorado, he Gilded One, or at least to the lake where he was washed of the gold dust covering his body. Remember that at a good hostel there may be some one ready to relate very interesting and useful information. This may be so even if there are youth their to exuberant for your taste and you do not intend to stay you may still find people there persons there pleased to give you very good valuable information with a smile. Before I forget, don't you forget to bring a light jacket and sweater or the like. Even though you are not so very far from the equator, the nights are chilly and some days can be pretty cool. There is some good shopping in Bogota and the prices makes it tempting. You could buy a sweater or jacket there.

            You can vis the area we have been considering from a variety of directions. This is best done one at a time. Many have found that a good start may be don from Bogota to the cement town of La Calera. Calera has many restaurants, and a few are quite good and probably much cheaper than the ones you may have eaten in the Capital. Still for one new to the country it may be best to drink bottled water or a gin fizz and stick to cooked food. You might have to leave some of your first beautiful salads.

            If you find that you have time to spend in La Calera and feel like decent walk, you find it easy and worthwhile to visit La Pena Tunjuaque while you are here. Take your time and take it easy, You may begin to feel like your are getting up close and personal with the country in a comfy way. If not it is a nice walk and could lead to a good night's sleep.

            Thank you for reading.

            Enjoy! 

A Cundinamarca Tour: find it intriguingly different

Intriguingly Different and a new joy.

            Here you could spark some hot ideas for interesting tours. Here hot could really be very good. Much of what I suggest here is at high altitudes. Some nights might get cold.

    

                Some days may call for a sweater or jacket. You will closer to the equator than many will be accustomed to, and you will find the temperature moderated by that fact.

                Remember that Colombians speak Spanish. It may be a very good idea to consider a guided tour with a guide who speaks your language. Even if this seems like a good opportunity to test the quality of your Spanish, consider testing it, at first, with a guide around. A knowledgeable guide who knows your language is a valuable asset who can multiply the pleasures of your outing. He, or she, may help you to see wonders that you might not even notice. He may help you to be more rewardingly engaged with the culture and country around you. There are many tours and guides available in Bogota. Arrangements for your tour will take time. You can enjoy that time by taking a couple of group day, or half day, tours try to avoid being angry or sad if your guide speaks only Japanese or Spanish.

                As you probably know Bogota is the Capital of Colombia and has a greater population than any other city in the Republic. Cundinamarca is the state in which Bogota is located. Colombians call Cundinamarca a "departamento." I am pretty sure that Cundinamarca is a Spanish interpretation of  the Chibcha for something like "nest of the Condor." You do not have to learn Chibcha, but you could be interested to know that I have been told the Chibcha expression might be rendered as "Kuntur marga.'  Chibcha is the language of the Muisca people. The Muisca are a principle pre-columbian people of what is now the Republic of Colombia.

                Cundinamarca interesting countryside, food, traditions, architecture, and cultural attractions. I like the hot water spas. There are geological attractions too. Sometimes it so seems that one is traveling through gently rolling wooded hills that one is reminded of places closer to home. It is good to remember that you could be at an altitude of of over 7,000 feet. The Andes can be deceptive.

                You might choose to begin getting acquainted with the "departamento" by joining a tour group or two. Then again you may choose to rent a vehicle and find a guide who speaks your language. You can do that in Bogota. You might surprise your guide by saying that you would like to get to know the towns of Fomeque, Guasca, Junin, Gama, Gachala, Uhala, and Medina. If several of the town names do not seem Spanish to you, it is because they are hispanizations of Muisca names. For example, I am pretty sure that Guasca is the Chibcha language name for a bear-like animal written in Spanish. Your guide might carry some Muisca DNA. He may also speak more English than he does Chibcha and his(or her)cultural heritage will be Colombian Spanish.

                The route above is rich in water resources as is most of Colombia. There is some development of these resources I have heard that 1/4 of hydroelectric energy of the country is now produced in this area. Natural beauty abounds. Trout also abounds. Trout is an invasive species  here, but has come to be appreciated. Most any restaurant at which you stop is likely to have trout on the menu. Too often the cuisine's best feature may be its freshness. Your guide may be helpful here. The rich natural resources around you, their beauty, the location of the restaurant, its somewhat exotic nature and your health hunger may make a tasty sauce for your trout.

                    An attraction of the area is a nature park called the Natural Chingaza. The origin of the name is a mystery to me. Speaking of mysteries, this 150,000 acre park with peaks of over 10,000 fee above sea level is likely to still hold secretes which perhaps only a few Musica and Guayupes know. Many of the towns I have mentioned here are within this Park. There are pure water streams and lakes here. With legs better than mine there are many natural beauties to be seen within short, long, or medium walking distance. Horse or mule may be available. For your first time here your excellent guide is very valuable.

                One could easily spend a year exploring the area. Two could do the exploring together and probably double their enjoyment. Do try to explore, and relax, for a week or ten days to get a real taste of its curiosities and beauties. You may delight in hikes or treks, but you do not have too. There is very much which can be enjoyed from roadside stops. A good guide can come up with appropriately interesting side excursions.

                Great days can be enjoyed while just bathing in one of a variety of developed hot water spas and sampling interesting local cuisine. There are some local dishes which are real treats. Still, treat your digestive system with loving care and respect.

                You might treat binoculars with respect and use them to do some birding. When it is to your liking you can sometimes do some bird-watching from your cabin, Chalet, or hotel. You will probably discover more variety here than you do on your home ground. If you are serious about this activity, take time to find a specialized tours for this activity. It is best to seek such specialize tours while in Bogota.

                Or, depending on your tastes, you could find it fairly easy to try out some of the alcoholic beverages here. Their will be varieties new to you, but there are good local beers available which. Their are imported drinks available, but burban is rare. Do remember that just a little excess can spoil a day or two or worse. However, what can as much as a glass a day spoil.

                Or, if your great joy is breathing, you may find, on this trip, some of the purest air you have experienced. The air in Bogota is pretty good for a big city, but take time to be aware of the air quality away from the big city and out of your vehicle. You may find it best not to run to run during your first week or so at these altitudes and a game of basketball is not recommended, practice relaxed activity.

                Remember that it is relative easy here to change altitudes, weather, and even climate. You can move up or down, uphill or downhill fairly easily. It may be good to remember that what looks like a hill here may be a mountain peak. Still if you are feeling chilly just go down a ways. when you are feeling a bit too warm go up a bit. It is a treat and there are vary pleasant and nearly just right temperatures to find and enjoy. That which you find congenial to you is available.

                Much of this land sometimes can seem more vertical than horizontal. In this area the lowest altitudes you experience may be over 3,000 feet above sea level  and you might reach a place near a small hill the top of which is over 9,000 feet above the sea. Do not let me disturb you. You may not even find yourself feeling the altitude. But this may not be a good running country for a low-lander. You are experiencing the Andes, one of our Earth's great ranges!

                Don't tell anyone, but you may come close to El Dorado where the Gilded One bathed. Before you begin your trip you could benefit by reading a bit about the country, and so feel a bit more of the reality and the romance. Often a good place to find valuable local information is at a good hostel. You may find one where the youth are a bit too exuberant for your taste, but still find good information there. You may also be directed to a calmer, quieter, more beautiful place to sleep and awake.

                Have I said to do bring a windbreaker and a sweater or the like. Even a hat or stocking cap may be useful. You can buy something in Bogota. Shopping a bit, if that is 

"your thing," you may find very good buys. But you may find good and useful purchases elsewhere too.

                You can visit this area from more than one direction, but is best done one at a time. I do recommend Bogota as your first starting place. Then on to the town of Calera.

Calera is known for cement production, but also has many restaurants, some quite good. If you feel like stretching your legs La Pena Tunjuaque may be too much. If you stay Calera for a day and sleep the night you might find it a decent walk and a worthwhile visit.

                I recommend that you follow your bliss, eat well, and sleep the best bed you can find. It is OK and recommended to ask for the best. May you enjoy your adventure well. If you like taking pictures take some. It will not be easy to explain your experience when you return home and photos can be a help.

                                                                                                            Richard