Bunkuany

Tairona Town

Discover Bunkuany, the Land of Ancestral Knowledge, a corner of our land blessed by nature, located in the mountains known as “the Heart of the World“: a

Magical Experience

Duration: 2 days, 1 night

Staring point: agreed meeting point.

Starting time: agreed meeting time*

*Due to the current situation, regulations and restrictions, starting time may be modified.

Itinerary

At kilometer 21 on the road that connects Magdalena region with La Guajira department, Calabazo is located – rural area of ​​Santa Marta. It is the access point to the path that leads to Bunkuany. In a vehicle and driving offroad for about 10 minutes from the highway in Calabazo, we will arrive at Madre Sierra, a Boutique hotel on the side of Río Piedras, which descends from Sierra Nevada mountains.

In MadreSierra we will be received by local baquiano tour guides who will give the recommendations and detail the itinerary plan, providing an introduction to the species of fauna and flora of the trail.

This adventure continues through a path of medium difficulty level for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes until reaching the archaeological site of Bunkuany.

One of the most experiential activities during the ecological walk is provided by the pleasant climate, expecially when getting to water streams and the native forest, where you will be able to see caracolí trees, higuerón, the “vine chain” or monkey ladder, the Macondo tree among others.

On a section of the path, the shade, the pleasant breeze and fruit trees will lead us to the farm of Ciro, an excellent host who receives lovers of nature tourism in a friendly and hospitable way. The peasant tells us about his farm full of fruit trees and his peaceful stay in the mountains. He is a Friend of Conservation who greets everyone who walks on the path. Here you will receive a fresh portion of fruit and you can refill your bottles with water. Just 20 minutes from the farm you reach the Bunkuany archaeological site.

This important archaeological attraction is located in Santa Teresa watershed at the foot of the coastal mountains of Sierra Nevada, in the middle of the last native forests in the micro-basin. Its terraces connected by a network of stone paths that were restored, and allow us to explore some sacred areas for our indigenous tribes. When exploring Bunkuany, its ancestral paths and ecological trails give you the possibility of experiencing the sensation of going back in time and walk again the footsteps of one of the most representative indigenous tribes of the Colombian Caribbean region at the time of the conquest. During the guided tour, we will explore a conservation area surrounded by one of the least explored agroecosystems of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

In the set of terraces it is possible to find metates – carved stones that were used to grind corn and other food. Terraces, stairways, stone corridors and stone trails lead to small offering sites where carved stones can also be seen. During the permanence in the archaeological area, the local expert guides will talk about nature, beliefs and cultural traditions of the heirs of the Tayronas.

After the visit and just 20 minutes from Bunkuany, we will arrive at a local restaurant where we will have lunch with a view of the mountain and the refreshing breezes that characterize the area.

The way back will be on the same path, getting again to MadreSierra, a boutique hotel that offers a mix of modern interiors, built with natural materials such as stone, wood and palm leaves. It is a totally natural and environmentally sustainable accommodation. The ecohotel also has its own restaurant, where you can taste your favorite dishes using the freshest ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available. Here you can enjoy a cocktail and a relaxing bath in the refreshing and crystal clear waters of Río Piedras. We proceed to check in, dinner and rest.

On the second day, after breakfast you can enjoy a relaxing massage in the spa area of ​​the ecohotel.

Return to Santa Marta will start after checking out.

What's Included
  • Transportation: Round trip, from-to Santa Marta
  • Meals during the tour
  • Accommodation
  • Travel insurance
  • Local expert guide (service in Spanish)
  • Visit to Bunkuany archaeological site
What's Not Included
  • Beers, drinks, extra snacks
  • Shopping tour and / or visits to other attractions
  • Handicraft items and tips
  • Guide service in English, or in any other foreign language
Recommendations

The itinerary may vary according to weather conditions and access road to the region;

The guide will provide information and give the necessary recommendations in order to make sure every visitor has full respect for the environment and for the local communities.

Accommodation in Hotel Boutique Madresierra depends on availability.

What to bring

 

It is recommended to bring a small backpack, comfortable clothes, bathing suit, sunscreen, hat and appropriate footwear for walking, a pair of sandals to rest your feet, camera, plastic bags to cover your backpack.

It is important that you take with you mosquito repellent and medicines you may need.

Cancellation Policy and Refund

Clients have the right to claim a total or partial refund of the amount he/she paid according to the following terms and conditions:

  • Teyuna Tours or its provider, has failed to provide the service, as long as the reason is different from force majeure *: you will have a refund of the total amount paid for the service.
  • Cancellation of a standard (non-private) tour, either the Lost City trek or another destination in Santa Marta, more than twelve (12) hours prior to the departure of the tour. You will have a refund of the total amount paid for the service.
  • Cancellation of a private tour, or transfer service, more than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the starting time of the service. You will have a refund of the total amount paid for the service.
  • Cancellation of a standard tour to the Lost City within twelve (12) hours prior to the departure of the tour: there will be a charge of the 10% of the total value of the tour.
  • Cancellation of a standard tour other than the Lost City trek within twelve (12) hours prior to the departure of the tour: there will be a charge of the 50% of the total value of the tour.
  • Cancellation of a private tour, or transfer service, within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the starting time of the service. There will be a charge of the 10% of the total value of the service.
  • Presenting a positive result for the Covid-19 test, after the starting time of a service that requires a negative result, implies a charge of the 20% of the total value of the service.

The customer will not get a refund in the following cases:

  • The client does not show up to start the tour (no show).
  • An accident or calamity occurs and prevents the service to be provided or provided in full.
  • The client resign during the service.
  • Events unrelated to Teyuna Tours occur, such as cancellation or delay of flights, loss of luggage, closure of roads, airports, terminals, borders, among other external reasons that may prevent the client to be provided a certain service.

* It is intended as force majeure: meteorological phenomena, disturbances of public order, unforeseen closures of the destination or roads, among others that prevent the service to be provided, or put safety of our customers at risk.

IMPORTANT

Campsites, accommodations and restaurants belong to local communities; we cooperate and work in order to provide a high quality service, however quality of lodgings and camps depends on them.

Trails and infrastructures are shared by all companies, so that the number of visitors depends on tourist season and number of visitors among all tour operators.

This tour involves risks; travel insurance covers accidents and injuries that may occur in the trek.

Teyuna Tours and the managers of the campsites on the Lost  City trek are not responsible for lost or damaged personal belongings.

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