Mavecure hills and all you need to know for a perfect trip

Traveling to Mavecure is visiting one of the oldest areas on the planet. In this post we are going to explain everything you need to know and show you the travel options we have with our local hosts. For every traveler who visits Mavecure with Go and Travel, we release 288 bees into the Amazon forests.

If after reading it you have any questions left, visit our travel blog, join our travel community or ask us directly on Instagram or whatsapp.

And if you want to visit Guainía and you have no idea where to start, then write us and we will design a tailor-made trip to the Amazon and Colombia. 📩 o .

1. What you should know before visiting the Mavicure Hills

You must arrive by air, and as you approach you will see from the air the great rivers that look like giant snakes in the middle of the jungle. The skies are confused with the magical sunsets. The Tupies (mountains), indigenous cultures, rivers, streams and beaches are just some of the wonders that await you. It is considered the largest river and ecological reserve on the planet, according to the researcher Humboldt. 

Why travel with Go and Travel to Mavicure?

• We work hand in hand with local hosts who help to conserve the planet and preserve ancestral knowledge. 
• We have many options for you to visit this destination and we can also design a tailor-made trip for you to enjoy your trip. 
• We will provide you with a travel guide so that you don't miss the most important things to do.
• We will create a whats app group with our travelers to accompany them from the beginning of the trip until they return home.
• For every traveler who visits Mavecure with Go and Travel, 288 bees are released into the Amazon forests. If you want to know how listen to our podcast here 🎙️.

3. What you can't miss in Mavicure: 

• See the sunrise or sunset at Los Cerros de Mavicure with a local guide
• Navigating the Orinoco River Star
• Share with an indigenous community and why not learn about traditional medicine.
• Buy handicrafts from the region.
• Taste the ancestral gastronomy (we love Pescado Moqueado)
• Visit the lagoons (Brujas and Negra) of dark waters where the toninas (freshwater dolphins) spend most of their time.
• Visit Puinawai National Natural Reserve.
• Ahh and learn that it is said Mavicure and not Mavecure (Oops).

Recommended plan: The hills of Mavecure by the hand of ancestral communities (3 days - 2 nights)

4. Proposed itinerary:

All this depends on your arrival time in Inírida, the amount of time you have available and the level of adventure you want to experience.

Being in the Municipality of Inírida and if you have time visit these three places:

Living Ethnological Museum of the City of Inírida: A good place to learn about the history of the place and the ancestral customs of the people of Guainía. 

Princess Inírida: A tribute to the indigenous woman and you find it in the indigenous area of Inírida. It is worth a walk through the area.       

If you want to buy handicrafts and learn about the cosmovision, we recommend you visit the Maloca. From Inírida hire a mototaxi to take you there.                       

Maloca Cultural Yuruparí: Small ethnographic museum, and a perfect place to learn about the indigenous knowledge of the aboriginal cultures of Guainía. See the instruments used in hunting and fishing, typical costumes, stones of strange shapes and drums played by shamans are some of the pieces that can be observed. It is located in the indigenous community of Cucurital, Resguardo del Pajuil, 15 minutes by road from the center of Inírida. 

Now yes, let the adventure begin, we will travel through the Colombian Amazon navigating the Inírida River through the tourist corridor hand in hand with our local hosts you must:

Sailing from Inírida for four hours we arrive at the Zamuro and Cualet streams, one of the most beautiful areas of the territory, and it is unusual to find several streams one after the other. 

Raudal de Zamuro and Cualet: is an ideal place for adventurers and sportsmen looking for extreme emotions in the middle of nature. The Cualet stream is 250 meters wide and has a drop of six meters along its entire length. It connects with the Zamuro Stream through an ecological trail. This place is perfect for sport fishing. 

Tip: Ascend the rock to observe the Chorro bocón, Cualet and Zamuro streams and marvel at the contrast between the jungle and the river. 

We then continue on to a second must-see stop, the iconic Mavicure Hills. 

Recommended Plan: The hills of Mavecure, the source of the Orinoco River and the jungle of Matavén (4 days - 3 nights)

The Mavicure Hills: For many this place is the reason to visit this territory, after reading this blog you will realize that it is one of the reasons, but not the only one. The Mavicure, Pajarito and Mono hills are tepuis that emerge in the landscape of the Guyanese shield, one of the oldest areas of the planet. 

For the native peoples, its character is mythical and cosmogonic, and it is a scenario where the pure essence of the force of nature is trapped. In this magnificent scenery, you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches along the Inírida and Atabapo rivers on the border with Venezuela. You can also go fishing or camping. 

TIP: Climb to the top at sunrise and sunset and let your soul rest and marvel at what this destination, one of Colombia's secrets, is all about. And listen to the stories of your local guide. 

We continue our navigation through the Inírida River, which flows into the Guaviare River and following this greater flow we reach the Atabapo River (natural border with Venezuela). And finally all these unified bodies of water reach the Orinoco River basin, forming the source of this river. All this area is the wetland of the Inírida's fluvial star. What you could visit in this area is: 

Confluence of the Guaviare, Inírida, Atabapo and Orinoco rivers (Estrella Fluvial de Inírida). At this point three rivers converge, the Inírida, the Atabapo and the Guaviare. From Inírida you can travel north by boat for about an hour to float on the Orinoco, the third largest river in the world. 

TIP: Don't miss swimming in this place. 

Birth of the Negro River, Meeting of the Guainía River with the Casiquiare Natural Channel.This is one of the largest basins in the world, where the Amazon and Orinoco basins meet, being catalogued as the largest biosphere reserve on the planet.

Caño VitinaCaño Vitina: It is located in an indigenous settlement of the Puinave ethnic group and has one of the most visited bathing resorts. It has large extensions of savannah, where the Inirida flower lives. It also has four kiosks located near the river and managed by the community, where you can sleep in hammocks to enjoy a night of stars with the indigenous curripacos, who tell their stories around the campfire.                                                                                    

The stone of MavisoMaviso: Besides being a border between two nations, it is one of the most beautiful river beaches in Colombia. In the rainy season it remains as an island with a rocky fort and in the dry periods the white sands appear contrasting with the imposing beaches of the Atabapo river. 

This place is ideal for camping or simply taking a dip in the river. To reach this point, just take a boat in the city of Inírida and sail for thirty minutes on the Inírida and Guaviare rivers towards the Orinoco.

TIP: In this place the white waters of the Guaviare River converge with the black waters of the Orinoco River, generating an unforgettable spectacle near the Orinoco's fluvial star.                                                                

El Coco: And its petroglyphs on rocks from the Precambrian period, are a legend in this territory and a place you must visit as it is one of the oldest places of the Colombian cultural heritage.               

Caños de la Comunidad de Sabanitas: Community of the Curripaco and Yeral ethnic group that comes from the jungles of Brazil, is located 45 minutes from the urban center of Inírida. In this place there are 7 kiosks built with traditional architecture. For those adventurers who want to share with the community, enjoy a swim in the red waters of the coconut pipe and enjoy the area is an ideal place. 

Witches Lagoon: Home of the toninas or dolphins of the Amazon. It is located 15 minutes from Inírida by river during the rainy season or by land during the dry season. It is characterized by the attractiveness of its waters, sport fishing and contemplative observation of flora and fauna. 

These are the main destinations you should visit on a trip to Guainía. In recent years new routes have been opened, but your visit depends largely on the security conditions in the area. Remember that it is vital to visit these places with an expert local host. 

These routes usually connect with the Tuparro National Natural Park in the department of Vichada. What you can visit is:

The Serrania del Naquen: known as the Guayana shield, is a place of great antiquity and that is a reason to visit it. And I say this because thanks to its endemisms to be discovered and the modeling of time as the first emerged territory of the planet, give that enigmatic nuance of its ancient landscapes, surrounded by majestic waterfalls and deep cliffs, which permanently evoke a photograph of the past, frozen in time. Its conservation takes precedence over any other interest. The Amazonian peoples consider it a sacred space.

TIP: It has thermal waters that can be used for medicinal treatments.

Caño Mina waterfall and the Serranía del Tucán: It is a geographical feature where they come together and form a spectacle of waterfalls and streams. This is a sacred place for all the indigenous communities of the Amazon. The immensity of the jungle and its sounds and the song of the Toucan make the experience of seeing this 20 meter high waterfall magical. It is located 18 hours from Inírida, navigating through the streams of Mavicure, Cualet, Zamuro, Chorro Bocón, Payara, Morrocó and Danta that will make this navigation an unforgettable adventure. The natives have traced a three-hour interpretative trail to observe the streams from the summit of the Tucán mountain range. 

Raudal de Guacamaya: It is a magical place for lovers of sport fishing and extreme sports. In its turbulent waters there is a mixture of varied ichthyological fauna such as the valentón, cajaro, payara, morocoto, chancleto, curbinata, caribe, bocones and pavones; since it is a sector used for spawning. It is located 15 hours from Inírida and is qualified for being the stream with the highest risk of accidents in Guainía. Exuberant beaches around it make this place one of the most important tourist attractions in the department.       

Raudal Alto Inírida River: The raudales are one of the most beautiful spectacles of the Amazon. It is a narrow rocky spot, where the water flows (from 100mts to 50 mt from shore to shore) in a small margin of hard rock of different composition that forces the current to open its way in a turbulent way. It is an impossible point for navigation, but a life-giving space; there an important volume of water is oxygenated which makes it prolific for life by making this space a cradle of diverse species of fish and therefore a recurrent visit of avifauna. It is located 12 hours from the city of Inírida. It is composed of 3 falls in which the Inírida River is boxed and takes the shape of a funnel.

Morroco StreamIt is the fifth raudal in the tour on the Inírida River and is an hour by speedboat from the raudal of Payara, has two waterfalls of two and three meters and an approximate width of 350 meters, is the widest raudal of the Inírida River. It is located in the vicinity of the Puinawai natural park. It is one of the streams that has served over time as a transshipment and bartering point for traders with indigenous communities. The meeting is in a slab that has the shape of a morroco turtle in the middle of the river.                                        

Puinawai National Natural Reserve: It is the largest natural reserve in Colombia 1,092,500 hectares. Basically most of the attractions that you will visit on your trip are within this place, among them the lagoons, streams and the hills of Mavicure.

Raudal de Chorro Bocón: This beautiful community on the banks of the Inírida River is the largest in the department, it is inhabited by 800 indigenous people in an interesting mix of ethnicities and knowledge (Curripacos, Puinaves, Piapocos and Yerales) share this territory in front of the raudal that bears the same name.  

The Cuwai Caves of the Caranacoa Community: They are located six hours walk through a path of savannahs and forests. A place where we will find wisdom and the presence of the ancestors. It is a sacred place and to visit it you must fast or else, according to the belief, later you will have an accident, it rains with lightning, or you will have a physical deterioration.

Cocuy Rio Negro Rock: It is the natural Amazonian triple border between Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, is a rock formation, unique in the world and corresponds to the Precambrian period. The summit line resembles the profile of an Indian's face, rises 365 meters above the surrounding jungle for a total of 472 m above sea level. 

If you have an adventurous soul, you can climb to the top. The ascent takes between 6-7 hours and you must pass through the tarantula and bat cave. Upon arrival you will be rewarded with a view of the Amazonian world of the three countries. 

What you absolutely have to try in Amazonian gastronomy

The Amazonian indigenous culture has a gastronomy full of ancestral knowledge that speaks of our customs and history and will be waiting for you as soon as you land in Guainía. 

The Ajicerofish broth with lots of chili (Amazonian) that is accompanied with cassava and mañoco from the yucca brava, which are the basis of the indigenous diet.

Moqueado Fish(ESPECTACULAR) Amazonian fish wrapped in banana leaves, without seasoning or condiments and cooked in a wood fire chamber. The meat is moist and soft and is accompanied with chili and salt. 

The Mañoco: It comes from the Yuca Brava that without any process is toxic. But the indigenous peoples have found the process to make it edible and obtain the Mañoco or fariña, which is an accompaniment to many dishes. 

El Mingadoa companion drink. It is based on mañoco with water and can be hot similar to a colada.

Ceje and Manaca Juicefrom wild palms and with a high nutritional content. 

Casabe The indigenous people's bread that also comes from the yucca brava previously processed to remove its toxicity. 

Recommended plan: The hills of Mavecure, the source of the Orinoco River and the jungle of Matavén (4 days - 3 nights).

5. How to get to Guainía

By air: You must take a flight from the city of Bogotá or Villavicencio and you will arrive at the César Gaviria Trujillo Airport, in the city of Inírida.

6. When to go?

Although this is a destination to travel at any time of the year. Although the season with less rainfall is from August to April. But, we recommend that you visit it when the beaches begin to appear in the rivers, which is from January to April.  

7. 📍Basic recommendations for visiting: 

To go to this destination it is advisable to have the following vaccinations: yellow fever and tetanus. 

In your travel backpack you should carry: 

• Comfortable and preferably synthetic, quick-drying clothing. For this type of places, the colors should be light. Long pants and long sleeve shirts, if possible made of breathable fabric. 
• Comfortable walking shoes that dry quickly and if they are sandals, they should be very comfortable and have a good grip. 
• Sunscreen and sunscreen for your lips, hopefully a natural one.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunglasses with a good protection filter, we recommend at least UV400.
• Thermos, hydrating backpack or something to carry water. This helps us to avoid drinking bottled water. 
• A small towel to take with you to the activities that does not exceed 30cm x 48cm.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Identity documents and medical insurance.
• If you take specific medications, take them with you, bring extra doses and sufficient information about each medication. 
• Swimwear.
• Hat or hat with neck cap or cap or hiking cap for more coverage.
• It is essential to carry a flashlight.
• Windbreaker jacket.
• Small backpack to carry the necessary (belongings). 
• Enough cash for an emergency. 
• Type A/B electrical adapter.

8. Listen to our podcast for more information

You can read our blog for more information here.