Wade and Sarah
  • HOME
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Star Jumping South America
  • Our Map
    • Our Map
    • Where To Next??
  • Travel Guides
    • Cambodia | Travel Guide to Koh Rong
    • Peru | Flying over the Nazca Lines
    • Thailand | Riding from Chiang Mai to Pai
  • Tour Reviews
    • Malaysia | Pickles & Spices Cooking Class
    • Myanmar | Trekking to Inle Lake with Sam's Family Trekking
    • Sri Lanka | Samagi Villa Safari | Kaudulla National Park
    • Thailand | Greenleaf Tours | Khao Yai National Park
  • Accommodation Reviews
    • South America >
      • Casa Loma | Minca | Colombia
      • Park Life Hostel | Popayan | Colombia
      • Che Lagarto | Arequipa | Peru
      • Casa De Arena | Huacachina | Peru
      • Loki Hostel | Mancora | Peru
      • Wild Rover Hostel | La Paz | Bolivia
    • South East Asia >
      • Cambodia >
        • Damnak Riverside | Siem Reap | Cambodia
        • Siem Reap Rooms | Siem Reap | Cambodia
        • Treehouse Bungalows | Koh Rong
      • Laos >
        • Yuranan Guesthouse | Luang Namtha | Laos
        • Riverview Bungalows | Muang Ngoi | Laos
        • Saisamone Guesthouse | Luang Prabang | Laos
        • Laos Haven Hotel & Spa | Vang Vieng | Laos
      • Malaysia >
        • Alor Bunker Home
      • Myanmar >
        • Pickled Tea Hostel | Yangon
        • Yee Shin Guesthouse | Hsipaw | Myanmar
      • Thailand >
        • The Yard | Bangkok
        • La Mer Hostel | Chiang Mai
        • Baan Rub Aroon | Chiang Rai
        • The Stay Guesthouse | Loei
        • Bananas Bungalows Review | Ban Tha Lane | Krabi
        • Mam Hostel | Patong Beach | Phuket
        • Boss & Benz House | Krabi Town
        • Laughing Gecko Bungalows | Ao Nang
        • Greenleaf Guesthouse | Khao Yai National Park
        • Funky Fish Hostel | Long Beach | Koh Lanta
        • New Hut Bungalows | Lamai Beach | Koh Samui
        • Beer's House | Lamai Beach | Koh Samui
      • Vietnam >
        • Funny House | Nha Trang
        • Charming Homestay | Hoi An
        • VIVA Homestay | Hoi An
        • Danang Beach Hotel | Da Nang
        • Jade Hotel | Hue
        • Flipside Hostel | Hanoi
    • Sri Lanka >
      • Colombo Beach Hostel | Colombo
      • Kandy City Hostel | Kandy
      • Samagi Villa | Polonnaruwa
      • Bay Watch Hotel | Unawatuna
    • Africa >
      • East Africa >
        • Gorilla African Guesthouse | Entebbe
        • Fat Cat Hostel | Kampala
        • Bwindi Backpackers Lodge | Bwindi National Park
        • Milimani Backpackers | Nairobi
        • Diani Backpackers | Diani Beach
        • Ujamaa Hostel | Arusha
      • South Africa >
        • Once In Cape Town | Cape Town
        • The B.I.G Backpackers | Green Point
        • Hotel Portao Diaz | Mossel Bay
        • Bluesky Backpacker & Lodge | Knysna
        • African Array Backpackers Lodge | Plettenberg Bay
        • Away With The Fairies | Hogsback
        • Coffee Shack | Coffee Bay
  • Photo Albums
    • South America Photos >
      • Argentina
      • Brazil >
        • FIFA World Cup
        • Rio De Janeiro
        • Porto Seguro & Itacare
        • Morro de Sao Paulo to Jericoacoara
        • The Amazon
      • Bolivia >
        • La Paz & Death Road
        • Salar De Uyuni to the Atacama Desert
      • Chile >
        • Santiago
        • The Atacama Desert
      • Colombia >
        • Cartagena
        • Tayrona NP & Taganga
        • Minca & San Gil
        • Bogota, Medellin & Guatape
        • Santa Isabel Glacier, Salento & Ipiales
      • Easter Island
      • Ecuador >
        • Otovalo, Quito & Mindo
        • Baños & Montañita
        • The Galapagos Islands
      • Food Glorious Food
      • Iguazu Falls
      • Peru >
        • Lima, Huacachina & The Nazca Lines
        • Arequipa, Colca Canyon & Cusco
        • Machu Picchu
        • Lake Titicaca & the Uros Islands
    • South East Asia Photos >
      • Cambodia >
        • Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
        • Battambang, Sihanoukville & Koh Rong
        • Kampot & Kep
      • Laos >
        • Luang Namtha
        • Nong Khiaw & Muang Ngoi
        • Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng & Plain of Jars
        • Champasak & Don Det
      • Malaysia >
        • Melacca & Kuala Lumpur
        • Cameron Highlands & Penang
        • Langkawi
      • Myanmar >
        • Hpa-An, Kyaiktiyo & Yangon
        • Trekking Kalaw to Inle Lake
        • Inle Lake
        • Bagan
        • Hsipaw & Mandalay
      • Thailand >
        • Island Hopping
        • Krabi & Ao Nang
        • Koh Samui
        • Phi Phi to Koh Tao
        • Bangkok & Kanchanaburi
        • Ayutthaya
        • Khao Yai National Park
        • Phimai & Khon Kaen
        • Northeast Isaan Region
        • Sukhothai
        • Chiang Mai & Pai
        • Chiang Rai & the Golden Triangle
      • Vietnam >
        • Ho Chi Minh City & the Mekong Delta
        • Da Lat & Nha Trang
        • Hoi An
        • Da Nang & Hue
        • Phong Nha & Sapa
        • Cat Ba Island & Ha Long Bay
        • Ninh Binh & Tam Coc
    • Sri Lanka Photos >
      • Colombo & Dambulla
      • Polonnaruwa & Kaudulla National Park
      • Horton's Plains & Ella
      • Yala National Park
      • Tangalle, Mirissa & Galle
    • Africa Photos >
      • Uganda >
        • Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi National Park
        • Queen Elizabeth National Park
      • Kenya >
        • Masai Mara Safari
      • Tanzania >
        • Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari
        • Lushoto & the Usambara Mountains
        • Zanzibar
      • Malawi >
        • Lake Malawi
      • Zimbabwe >
        • Lake Kariba
        • Antelope Park
        • Matopos National Park
        • Victoria Falls
      • Botswana >
        • Chobe River National Park
        • Okavango Delta
      • Namibia >
        • Etosha National Park
        • Cheetah Park
        • Spitzkoppe
        • Namibian Deserts & Cape Cross Seal Colony
      • South Africa >
        • Cape Town
        • The Garden Route
      • Morocco >
        • Marrakech
        • Sahara Desert Tour
        • Essaouira
        • Fez & Chefchaouen
        • Volubilis
    • Europe >
      • England >
        • London
      • Spain >
        • Costa Del Sol
        • Galicia
        • San Sebastian & Barcelona
        • Valencia, Calpe & Torrevieja
        • Cartagena & Almeria
        • Granada
        • Cordóba
      • Portugal >
        • Southern Portugal
        • Lisbon
      • Hungary >
        • Budapest
        • Eger
        • Visegrad
      • Slovakia

Trekking (& time out) in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

26/8/2014

1 Comment

 
Now not any old place would have us packing up and departing the wonderful city of Cartagena, but our next stop was well worth it. We booked a bus from our hostel directly to Taganga a small seaside village from where we hoped to enter Tayrona National Park. Many tourists choose to catch the boat from Taganga directly into the park because it means avoiding the long, hot walk into the campsites, however there is also the option of the bus. The bus takes you to the park gate on the eastern edge of the park from where you walk for around 45 minutes to arrive at the first campground. 

We had decided to do the walk because:
a) I had read that it's quite beautiful and you can see wildlife along the way
b) it seemed like the more adventurous and natural route into the park and
c) it was cheaper and we're now tightarse backpackers!

The thing we hadn't counted on was a 30 degree day with 90% humidity - the walk was strenuous to say the least! Most people leave the majority of their luggage in a bigger town and just take the necessities into the park. Not Wade and I! Due to the spontaneous nature of our travel, we took everything with us because we had no idea where we would be going next. This certainly didn't help our cause as we walked up and down rock staircases, across soft sand and hopped over tree roots crossing our path! 
Picture


Photo:
Ok, so maybe we don't pack as heavily as some people but it was still hard work!

After 45 minutes and almost 5 litres of water, we finally arrived at Arricifes Beach and campground. We were hoping our 5L water bottle would last us at least 2 days due to the price of water in the park but had clearly underestimated the walk in! 

Our friend Hanna had told us were she would be staying and without wifi or phones our only choice was to stay at the same place and hope to see her. Within half an hour of settling into our tent and showering a familiar face strolled by. In a 150sq km park we had managed to find our one friend! 

That night we had a few beers and watched the sunset from the beach before deciding to spend the following day exploring the park by doing the 4-5hour trek to the historic remains of the indigenous village of Pueblito. 
Picture



Photo:
No matter how many sunsets I see, the uniqueness and beauty of each one never ceases to amaze me

The walk from Arricifes on the east of the park to Cabo San Juan (the furthest west campground) was 8km of stunning beaches, natural pools and groves of palm trees that looked like they had been plucked straight from a coffee table book! 
Picture


Photo:
Wade and I both agreed that the walks between the beaches in Tayrona were some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes  we have ever experienced in one place. One minute you would be in thick rainforest and the next on a beach or palm tree grove such as this!
By the time we arrived at Cabo we were already hot and sweaty but that didn't deter us from our goal to climb up to Pueblito. The trek was only 3 km according to the sign but what it lacked to inform the naive traveller is that it is almost directly up the side of a mountain. We spent the next 2 hours puffing and sweating our way up steep tracks, crawling over huge boulders and spotting a variety of wildlife. 
Picture
Picture
Photo: The trek to Pueblito took us over, under and in between huge boulders to reach the remains of the city at the top
Eventually we reached Pueblito near the top of the mountain and could immediately vouch for its nickname as the "Little Lost City". The remains of Pueblito are scattered between what is still today a small indigenous village. Moss covered steps and smooth rocks used for grinding foods are scattered around the remains of ancient buildings. It's a beautiful site, almost as beautiful as the man selling ice-cold water under a shady tree! 
Picture

Photo:
Indigenous families still live on the site of Pueblito and build their thatched roof huts on the same foundations as the ancient ruins of Pueblito

The water man mentioned to us that there was an alternate route back down the hill which was welcome news after we had literally hauled each other over some 1m high boulders and weren't so sure about a downhill strategy! 

The track was much easier as it avoided the rocky valley we had climbed up but it was also much steeper and covered in loose rocks. We tip toed our way down the track and finally sighed relief as we heard the ocean crashing in the distance. 

Now we knew that this track met the ocean on a secluded beach west of the other more touristy campgrounds. We also knew there was a nudist beach on our walk back to Cabo but what we didn't know was there was a second nudist beach just for really close male friends to "hang out" on. While Wade quickened his pace and almost ran to the next beach Hanna and I tried to have a normal conversation while walking past some sunbathing men but all I could think about were the logistics of these naked men laying around without so much as a towel between the sand and their.... Yep, try not to think about it for too long! 
Picture


Photo:
The incredible beaches that greeted us at the end of our long, hot trek to Pueblito

Hanna left Tayrona a day before us so Wade and I spent our last day lounging around on the beaches while trying to avoid a group of French tourists who didn’t understand the meaning of personal space. It was such a peaceful and romantic day - Wade and I lying together on the beach while two elderly French women had a conversation over the top of us and their male companion decided to drape his sweaty t-shirt over my belongings. Such tranquility and bliss!

We left Tayrona the same way we entered, with the dreaded walk to the park gate, only this time it seemed much quicker and was made all the more special by some monkeys jumping over head and a capybara scuttling across the track in front of us.

Our next destination was Taganga and upon learning that it is the cheapest place in the world to undertake PADI Scuba Training, Wade jumped at the opportunity. I was unable to do it due to issues with my ears, but who am I kidding, the thought also terrifies me! So while Wade spent his days breathing underwater, chasing huge fish and learning all about the rules and regs for scuba diving, I chilled out with a few beers on our private balcony overlooking the beach. It really was a win win situation!
Picture
Picture
Photo: Wade working hard at becoming a PADI certified diver...... while I admire the sunset from our balcony in Taganga!
With a new PADI qualification under his belt, Wade proudly accepted his certification and spent the following days looking up all of our upcoming destinations that offer Scuba Diving. Looks like there will be more beers and balconies on the cards for me! 

As always, there are plenty more photos from our time in Tayrona National Park, they can be found in our "Colombia - Part 2" Photo Album! 
1 Comment

    Author

    Enthusiastic but Useless Traveler. 
    Super Average Photographer. 
    Creepy Crawly Lover.  
    Try-Anything-Once Foodie. 
    Wannabe Blogger. 
    Captain of Under 13 Girls Cricket Team 1998 (true story)


    Archives

    July 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Accommodation-review
    Africa
    Amazon-jungle
    Argentina
    Bahia
    Bogota
    Bolivia
    Brazil
    Cambodia
    Chile
    Colca-canyon
    Colombia
    Easter-island
    Ecuador
    Fifa-world-cup
    Galapagos-islands
    Gorillas
    Iguazu-falls
    Jericoacoara
    Kenya
    Koh-rong
    Laos
    Lesotho
    Machu-picchu
    Malawi
    Malaysia
    Minca
    Morro-de-satildeo-paulo
    Myanmar
    Namibia
    Peru
    Rio-de-janeiro
    Salar-de-uyuni
    Salento
    Salvador
    San-gil
    Santa-isabel-glacier
    South Africa
    South-america
    South-east-asia
    Swaziland
    Tanzania
    Tayrona-national-park
    Thailand
    Trip Statistics
    Uganda
    UNESCO World Heritage Listed
    Valle De Cocora
    Vietnam
    Wildlife
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    RSS Feed


      shoot  us  an  email!

    Submit
Home                  |
About Us          |
Blog            |
Our Map            |
Travel Guides            |
Accommodation Reviews          |
Photo Albums
All text and images displayed on this website are the original work and property of Wade and Sarah Harris unless otherwise specified.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • Star Jumping South America
  • Our Map
    • Our Map
    • Where To Next??
  • Travel Guides
    • Cambodia | Travel Guide to Koh Rong
    • Peru | Flying over the Nazca Lines
    • Thailand | Riding from Chiang Mai to Pai
  • Tour Reviews
    • Malaysia | Pickles & Spices Cooking Class
    • Myanmar | Trekking to Inle Lake with Sam's Family Trekking
    • Sri Lanka | Samagi Villa Safari | Kaudulla National Park
    • Thailand | Greenleaf Tours | Khao Yai National Park
  • Accommodation Reviews
    • South America >
      • Casa Loma | Minca | Colombia
      • Park Life Hostel | Popayan | Colombia
      • Che Lagarto | Arequipa | Peru
      • Casa De Arena | Huacachina | Peru
      • Loki Hostel | Mancora | Peru
      • Wild Rover Hostel | La Paz | Bolivia
    • South East Asia >
      • Cambodia >
        • Damnak Riverside | Siem Reap | Cambodia
        • Siem Reap Rooms | Siem Reap | Cambodia
        • Treehouse Bungalows | Koh Rong
      • Laos >
        • Yuranan Guesthouse | Luang Namtha | Laos
        • Riverview Bungalows | Muang Ngoi | Laos
        • Saisamone Guesthouse | Luang Prabang | Laos
        • Laos Haven Hotel & Spa | Vang Vieng | Laos
      • Malaysia >
        • Alor Bunker Home
      • Myanmar >
        • Pickled Tea Hostel | Yangon
        • Yee Shin Guesthouse | Hsipaw | Myanmar
      • Thailand >
        • The Yard | Bangkok
        • La Mer Hostel | Chiang Mai
        • Baan Rub Aroon | Chiang Rai
        • The Stay Guesthouse | Loei
        • Bananas Bungalows Review | Ban Tha Lane | Krabi
        • Mam Hostel | Patong Beach | Phuket
        • Boss & Benz House | Krabi Town
        • Laughing Gecko Bungalows | Ao Nang
        • Greenleaf Guesthouse | Khao Yai National Park
        • Funky Fish Hostel | Long Beach | Koh Lanta
        • New Hut Bungalows | Lamai Beach | Koh Samui
        • Beer's House | Lamai Beach | Koh Samui
      • Vietnam >
        • Funny House | Nha Trang
        • Charming Homestay | Hoi An
        • VIVA Homestay | Hoi An
        • Danang Beach Hotel | Da Nang
        • Jade Hotel | Hue
        • Flipside Hostel | Hanoi
    • Sri Lanka >
      • Colombo Beach Hostel | Colombo
      • Kandy City Hostel | Kandy
      • Samagi Villa | Polonnaruwa
      • Bay Watch Hotel | Unawatuna
    • Africa >
      • East Africa >
        • Gorilla African Guesthouse | Entebbe
        • Fat Cat Hostel | Kampala
        • Bwindi Backpackers Lodge | Bwindi National Park
        • Milimani Backpackers | Nairobi
        • Diani Backpackers | Diani Beach
        • Ujamaa Hostel | Arusha
      • South Africa >
        • Once In Cape Town | Cape Town
        • The B.I.G Backpackers | Green Point
        • Hotel Portao Diaz | Mossel Bay
        • Bluesky Backpacker & Lodge | Knysna
        • African Array Backpackers Lodge | Plettenberg Bay
        • Away With The Fairies | Hogsback
        • Coffee Shack | Coffee Bay
  • Photo Albums
    • South America Photos >
      • Argentina
      • Brazil >
        • FIFA World Cup
        • Rio De Janeiro
        • Porto Seguro & Itacare
        • Morro de Sao Paulo to Jericoacoara
        • The Amazon
      • Bolivia >
        • La Paz & Death Road
        • Salar De Uyuni to the Atacama Desert
      • Chile >
        • Santiago
        • The Atacama Desert
      • Colombia >
        • Cartagena
        • Tayrona NP & Taganga
        • Minca & San Gil
        • Bogota, Medellin & Guatape
        • Santa Isabel Glacier, Salento & Ipiales
      • Easter Island
      • Ecuador >
        • Otovalo, Quito & Mindo
        • Baños & Montañita
        • The Galapagos Islands
      • Food Glorious Food
      • Iguazu Falls
      • Peru >
        • Lima, Huacachina & The Nazca Lines
        • Arequipa, Colca Canyon & Cusco
        • Machu Picchu
        • Lake Titicaca & the Uros Islands
    • South East Asia Photos >
      • Cambodia >
        • Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
        • Battambang, Sihanoukville & Koh Rong
        • Kampot & Kep
      • Laos >
        • Luang Namtha
        • Nong Khiaw & Muang Ngoi
        • Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng & Plain of Jars
        • Champasak & Don Det
      • Malaysia >
        • Melacca & Kuala Lumpur
        • Cameron Highlands & Penang
        • Langkawi
      • Myanmar >
        • Hpa-An, Kyaiktiyo & Yangon
        • Trekking Kalaw to Inle Lake
        • Inle Lake
        • Bagan
        • Hsipaw & Mandalay
      • Thailand >
        • Island Hopping
        • Krabi & Ao Nang
        • Koh Samui
        • Phi Phi to Koh Tao
        • Bangkok & Kanchanaburi
        • Ayutthaya
        • Khao Yai National Park
        • Phimai & Khon Kaen
        • Northeast Isaan Region
        • Sukhothai
        • Chiang Mai & Pai
        • Chiang Rai & the Golden Triangle
      • Vietnam >
        • Ho Chi Minh City & the Mekong Delta
        • Da Lat & Nha Trang
        • Hoi An
        • Da Nang & Hue
        • Phong Nha & Sapa
        • Cat Ba Island & Ha Long Bay
        • Ninh Binh & Tam Coc
    • Sri Lanka Photos >
      • Colombo & Dambulla
      • Polonnaruwa & Kaudulla National Park
      • Horton's Plains & Ella
      • Yala National Park
      • Tangalle, Mirissa & Galle
    • Africa Photos >
      • Uganda >
        • Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi National Park
        • Queen Elizabeth National Park
      • Kenya >
        • Masai Mara Safari
      • Tanzania >
        • Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari
        • Lushoto & the Usambara Mountains
        • Zanzibar
      • Malawi >
        • Lake Malawi
      • Zimbabwe >
        • Lake Kariba
        • Antelope Park
        • Matopos National Park
        • Victoria Falls
      • Botswana >
        • Chobe River National Park
        • Okavango Delta
      • Namibia >
        • Etosha National Park
        • Cheetah Park
        • Spitzkoppe
        • Namibian Deserts & Cape Cross Seal Colony
      • South Africa >
        • Cape Town
        • The Garden Route
      • Morocco >
        • Marrakech
        • Sahara Desert Tour
        • Essaouira
        • Fez & Chefchaouen
        • Volubilis
    • Europe >
      • England >
        • London
      • Spain >
        • Costa Del Sol
        • Galicia
        • San Sebastian & Barcelona
        • Valencia, Calpe & Torrevieja
        • Cartagena & Almeria
        • Granada
        • Cordóba
      • Portugal >
        • Southern Portugal
        • Lisbon
      • Hungary >
        • Budapest
        • Eger
        • Visegrad
      • Slovakia