Plans in Yopal: preparing my trip

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING OR PACK FOR PLANS IN YOPAL CASANARE?

Here are some recommendations to keep in mind:

  • Comfortable and fresh clothing, quick drying, ideal earth colors that allow a greater camouflage in nature.
    Pants and long sleeve shirts.
  • Cap or hat, however you can find an offer of llanero hats in our allied store in Yopal “Fabrica de Sobreros Florentino”.
  • Closed shoes such as trekking boots or tennis shoes.
    Rubber boots (may be provided by us according to size and availability), we do not recommend the use of sandals for outdoors, however, they can be used in the areas of the lodge.
  • Waterproof layer.
  • Sun block and insect repellent.
  • Dry bags for equipment.
  • Water bottle, thermos or camelback that can be recharged with water suitable for consumption in the different places.
    Also ask if your plan includes a personalized thermos as a gift so you can use it in this and your next trips.
    Help us to reduce single-use plastic!
  • Sunglasses.
  • Basic personal hygiene items. Towels for personal use and bath soap are provided in all accommodations.
  • A medium sized assault backpack for use during activities.
  • Traveler’s documents for plans in Yopal: passport, identity card, civil registration or citizenship card (depending on age and origin), military passport and medical insurance card.
  • Health security: Covid 19 and yellow fever vaccines.
  • Medications for personal use.
  • Decrease or avoid the use of perfumes or make-up, thus improving the chances of encountering wildlife.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?

Really all year round has a high diversity of species and the Colombian Llanos always surrounds with its magic.
Here we tell you a little more about the dynamics that you can find in this region and the best plans available in Yopal.

Dry Season

(December to March): rivers and wetlands diminish considerably, there is a shortage of water in the savannas and in many forests, so birds and wildlife in general congregate near the water bodies, often in incredible abundance.
It is also the season of boreal migratory birds, and the easten Llanos is an important restaurant for the species that migrate through our American continent.

During this season it is also ideal to observe anacondas and jaguars.
Getting around during this time is very easy, as the roads are very dry.
Sunsets and sunrises are incredible.
Rainy season (April – November): the plains, bodies of water and wetlands have a lot of water and the birds and animals disperse, however the birds accentuate their colors in their plumage since it is the reproductive season.
It is the breeding season for antbirds and capybaras.
Horseback riding through the flooded areas is a great adventure and the landscapes with the rain will enchant you within the plans in Yopal Casanare available.

 

DO I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?

All our plans in Yopal Casanare include traveler’s assistance insurance that for safety and Colombian regulations are mandatory to develop our tourist activities.
They cover basic needs in case of emergency (accident or sudden illness).
If you want to know details of the policy, we can send it to you.
In case you are a foreigner, we recommend additionally to have medical insurance that covers your stay in Colombia.

WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED?

  • After the pandemic, the Covid 19 vaccine is required for entry into Colombia and many nature reserves require it.
  • Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended but not mandatory for the plains, as well as in different parts of the tropical American region.
  • Malaria vaccination is neither required nor necessary.
  • The use of insect repellent and protective clothing is recommended, since there are tropical diseases such as dengue and flu caused by these insects.

Consult with your physician regarding the measures to be implemented to travel to this tropical destination.
We do not assume any responsibility for the information provided by third parties in relation to the trip.

WHICH COMMERCIAL AIRLINES OPERATE IN YOPAL AND WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY OF FLIGHTS?

With about 10 daily flights, Yopal is an intermediate city very well connected by air which makes it one of the best tourist destinations in Colombia.
We have airlines such as LATAM, Avianca and Easyfly, with connections from Bogota, Medellin and Bucaramanga.

WHICH ARE THE ACCESS ROADS FROM THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY (BOGOTÁ) TO YOPAL AND WHICH IS THE MOST RECOMMENDABLE?

There are 3 land routes that connect Yopal from Bogotá:

  • Bogotá – Villavicencio – Yopal: 374 km: 113 Km Bogotá – Villavicencio (2:30 hours), 261 Km.
    Villavicencio – Yopal (4:30 hours).
    In distance it is the longest and with the highest number of tolls.
    It is completely paved, although adaptation works are being carried out in the Villavicencio – Yopal section, so there may be delays at the different stops along the road where the works are being carried out.
  • Bogota – Tunja – Sogamoso – Yopal: the road is mostly paved for about 365 km (7 hours); however, there is a short stretch in the Pajarito – Boyacá sector, with occasional landslides and road blockages, making it difficult for small vehicles to access in specific sections.
    This route is not recommended during the rainy season due to this situation.
  • Bogotá – Guateque – Santa María – San Luis de Gaceno – Monterrey – Yopal: 321 km (6:30 hours).
    In distance it is the shortest road and it is completely paved.
    It is recommended at any time of the year for its ease of access, conditions and landscapes.

 

WHERE DO THE PLANS START FROM?

All our plans in Yopal Casanare are designed to start from the capital of the department.
However, we can offer possibilities to link our plans to routes by road, entering through the south of Casanare, by river via the Meta River or private flights from the airport of Guaimaral.

WHAT IS THE HOTEL OFFER IN YOPAL?

Yopal has a good hotel offer, since there are chain hotels, local hotels and country cottages.
All our partners meet the quality standards required to provide the best service.

HOW ARE THE SECURITY CONDITIONS IN CASANARE?

Although some areas in the eastern plains of Colombia have been catalogued as unsafe or “red zone”, currently most of the territory of Casanareño has safe and appropriate conditions for tourism development.
The areas that we offer in our plans are safe and are not red zones or zones with some type of security restriction.
We work in coordination with the communities, service providers and local authorities to provide all the necessary security conditions.

The Safari Llanero, destinations and experiences

 

WHAT IS THE DISTANCE AND TIME FROM YOPAL TO THE DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS?

Distances in the Llanos are usually much greater than in other regions of the country, since the average distance to access these emblematic places for nature tourism is two or three hours, with some exceptions.
It is important to take into account that many accesses to the places are limited by the rainy season, so the type of transportation and its costs vary.
Our plans in Yopal are varied and are adapted to the different times available to visitors, however, wildlife observation is most likely to occur in remote places with little human intervention, which is why it should be noted that there are destinations 5 or 6 hours away by unpaved road, but also has a representative offer (2:30 hours) from Yopal by paved road, as well as nature reserves with short routes 20 minutes from the city.

WHAT TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION IS USED IN THE PLANS?

We have our own vehicles, as well as public transportation with all the regulations implemented, with expert drivers, friendly and very willing to provide the best service.
Most of them are comfortable, safe, modern, clean and air-conditioned 4×4 vans.
In the case of groups or families, we use vans or minibuses.
The safari car tours are done in 4×4 vans adapted with “African safari” type back seats, very comfortable and safe, improving the wildlife observation and photography experience.
The location of the staff in the back of these vehicles is in private properties and reserves off the main roads.

HOW MANY DAYS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR A PLAINS SAFARI?

The minimum recommended for the Safari Llanero plan is 3 days and 2 nights in the closest reserves, however, there are other reserves that, due to their distance and travel time, we recommend a minimum of 4 days – 3 nights, in order to have more effective days for the search and sighting of wildlife in their habitat.
The observation of wildlife in general or of any specific species cannot be guaranteed 100% because they are animals in natural conditions, and because there are many external factors that can prevent the wildlife from being recorded at a specific time and place.
However, you can consult our table of probabilities of the species to be observed according to the season, and in this way program the trip according to each objective.
Some of the plans offered in Yopal allow in one day to observe large herds of chigüiros, deer, groups of babillas and flocks of waterfowl among many other species; that is why in a day trip plan you can have a rough approximation to what a real llanero safari means.

CAN THE LLANERO SAFARI BE DONE IN ONE DAY?

Our plans are designed for the whole family and all ages; children enjoy wildlife observation and interaction with nature.
Our logistics allow us to provide the safety and comfort that parents and children require.
In the case of babies in arms during field expeditions, the lodges provide adequate conditions to wait for the rest of the group in case they prefer to be at home.
In this case, we recommend integrating the use of the safari van into your plan.

CAN SENIOR CITIZENS DO THE LLANERO SAFARI?

Our plans are designed for all ages; our safari vehicles offer comfort and safety for seniors to get on and off with peace of mind.
We suggest this type of vehicle for the experience, complementing it with short walks near the lodges, where there are spaces to rest comfortably and enjoy the wildlife and scenery.
Please communicate such requests in order to personalize the experience and adapt it to the visitor’s profile.

WHAT LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED FOR HORSEBACK RIDING?

Our plans in Yopal include from short horseback rides with a low level of riding experience, to long horseback rides according to the visitor’s request.
You can specify your preferences and we will customize your trip.
The horses are Creole breeds that have been trained to be ridden reliably, with equipment (saddle, bridle, halter, saddle pad and reins) adapted to the standards of this activity.
For short rides no experience is required, however, for multi-day rides moderate to high experience is required.
All horseback riding activities have a safety introduction according to the level of experience.

IS THE WILDLIFE SIGHTING FULLY GUARANTEED?

This region is highly biodiverse, so its current management and conservation allow the encounter to take place with relative ease compared to other areas of Colombia, since emblematic species are observed and in many cases in large populations, however, we cannot assure 100% that a certain animal will appear, since the encounters in nature have different surprise factors and variability, however, we provide information on the species with high, medium and low probability of encounter. You can consult our infographic “When to travel and what to see”, which shows the best times and the highest probability of encounter. We also develop wildlife monitoring working together with the Cunaguaro Foundation, as well as with the communities and guides in the area, to have more information and know how the wildlife is behaving in the nature reserves visited, and thus increase the probability of having an effective encounter with all the wonderful species we are looking for.

WHAT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CAN I FIND?

All our plans in Yopal Casanare include the accompaniment of local llanero guides with high knowledge of the work of the llano and its ecosystems.
Many of our plans include folkloric representations of music, dance, handicraft workshops, typical gastronomy, visits to artisans and llanero culture, learning of llanero crafts and articles, among many others.
For more culturally focused experiences, we offer customized activities upon request:

  • Horseback riding.
  • Working with cattle on the plains.
  • Work on the plains with horses.
  • Craft workshops.
  • Experiences of traditional gastronomy.
  • Llanero party.
  • Joropo dance classes.
  • Sample of plain working edges.

In case of other more specific cultural experiences, it is possible to evaluate the possibility of designing and offering the required experience.

DO I SHARE THE PLAN WITH OTHER TOURISTS?

Most of our plans in Yopal, Casanare, are personalized and we do not integrate groups.
There are some exceptions when we offer group plans that are offered in that way and are clarified within the activities.
In the nature reserves you may meet other groups of tourists, which is constantly controlled so that the carrying capacity of these places is minimal, as well as the observation of wildlife is very personalized.

CAN I CREATE MY OWN ITINERARY ACCORDING TO MY AVAILABILITY OR DO I HAVE TO STICK TO A SET ITINERARY?

We invite you to tell us your preferences and availability, so we can customize your trip and offer the best experience.
We will be willing to help you meet expectations, reviewing which are the best options and advising which things can be modified or not.

IN WHAT LANGUAGES DO YOU HANDLE THE PLANS?

The plans are made in Spanish, however, we have specialized guides in English, French, Portuguese and German.
This request must be made in advance to confirm availability and be included as an additional cost.

DO YOU HAVE OPTIONS FOR CAMPING OR SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK AND/OR HAMMOCK?

We mainly offer plans with accommodation in rooms with private bed and bath, however, some reservations offer these possibilities and this type of request can be made.

Lodging

 

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE NATURE RESERVES LIKE?

As part of the development process, the different providers have been gradually improving their services with rooms with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, electric or solar energy and excellent service, including specialty food and Wifi in most of them.
There are different levels of comfort; to learn more about these places check the following link:

WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
ARE THERE VEGETARIAN AND/OR VEGAN OPTIONS?

The food supply is varied; the protein of animal origin, such as beef, is based on animals fed with natural pastures in natural reserves that have livestock as an economic source.
During your visit you will be able to appreciate the paradox that occurs in this area, since cattle ranching promotes the conservation of ecosystems.
During the tours you will be able to see how wildlife coexists amicably with cattle and their consumption finances conservation activities.
Likewise, chicken, fish and pork are also fed with farm products and raised under favorable animal welfare conditions.
If vegetarian or vegan options are required, we have varied options based mainly on grains, vegetables and side dishes that will complement different dietary preferences very well.
It is possible to provide suitable alternatives in case of food restrictions.
Due to the location of the nature reserves and the distances needed to reach them, all food requirements must be requested in advance so that our chefs are prepared to offer the best service.

WHAT ELECTRICAL OUTLETS ARE AVAILABLE OR WHAT DO I NEED TO ADAPT THEM?

Note that domestic power in Colombia is 110 volts alternating current at 60 Hertz (110V AC, 60Hz).
Power outlets are type A and B (as in the United States).
You will find electrical connectors with two flat input pins or with a third round pin, if you do not have them, you should bring the necessary adapters.
In many of the nature reserves the electrical connection is by solar energy systems, or momentary power outages may occur due to weather conditions, so we recommend having complementary power banks to ensure the charging of equipment.
In the case of requiring permanent power for medical needs, be sure to contact us in advance to advise the best option to book.

About the fauna in the plains

 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR SIGHTINGS OF PALM BEARS?

There is no time with a higher probability, in fact there have been recurrent sightings throughout the year, however, in the dry season (January to March), it is much easier to access places that due to the rains and road conditions are not accessible the rest of the year, moving to areas further away from the reserves, increasing the likelihood of encountering the species.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR ANACONDA SIGHTINGS?

The probability of anaconda sightings increases as the dry season intensifies (February and March); during these months the fauna concentrates where there are water reservoirs, and species that depend on these conditions, such as the anaconda, do not travel long distances and are relatively easier to find.
In many cases, after feeding, they spend several weeks in the same place developing their digestion, so they can be seen.
On the other hand, during the rainy season the savannas and water bodies are flooded and overflow, so these animals camouflage and hide easily, decreasing the possibility of observing them, although sometimes it is possible to see them moving from one place to another.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR JAGUAR SIGHTINGS?

The jaguar is one of the species of fauna with less possibility of being observed, however, there are increasingly recurrent encounters in one of the natural reserves that we offer.
The Hato La Aurora Natural Reserve is the only place in Casanare and one of the few in Colombia, where you can have some chance of observing this feline.
Some encounters that have been presented since three years ago, show that the probabilities increase as the dry season intensifies and places that harbor water in the savannas are limited.
When you have the objective of observing this species, you must have a plan based on the patience of waiting in one place for several hours on different days.
Although there have been sporadic encounters in the framework of other tourist activities, if you have exclusively this objective, you must travel with all the willingness to take the method designed for it; in the same way, be aware that the probability is low and many times you are not lucky enough to record it.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR BIRDWATCHING AND IN WHICH PLACES?

Throughout the year you can go bird watching and one of the best plans in Yopal Casanare is to go to photograph them.
With more than 700 species registered for the department, in an average day in the natural reserves, you can observe more than 100 species.
All our destinations offer a great diversity of avifauna and we have many of the species of interest monitored.
Waterbirds are the most emblematic of this region. Their abundance and congregations are very particular with hundreds of colors and many species in the same place.
During the rainy season (June and July) many species of herons can be found breeding, while during the summer (between January and March) it is common to record them in the few wetlands that remain with water.
Between the months of October and March you can also observe the great influx of migratory species that use the plains as a stop-over restaurant on their great journey.
Don’t forget that Casanare is also mountain and foothills: you can complement your trip with species from these ecosystems.

Ready to book with Cunaguaro Travel

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE PLAN?

In each of our plans we have clearly established what is included and what is not, so you should review each of them in detail.
What is always included in our plans:

  • Assistance insurance.
  • Local guide in Spanish.
  • Meals specified in the itinerary.
  • The activities specified in the itinerary.
  • Lodging and transportation according to the type of request and plan.
  • Contribution to the conservation projects of the Cunaguaro Foundation.

Within what is not included:

  • Air tickets.
  • Additional activities not described in the itinerary.
  • Bilingual guide if not previously requested.
  • Gratuities.
  • Laundry, personal expenses.
  • Expenses not stipulated.
  • VAT 19% (applies only to domestic tourism).

 

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A SAFARI PLAN?

The prices of the plans in Yopal Casanare are variable according to the length of stay, the distance to the nature reserve from Yopal, the number of activities you wish to do and the number of people; likewise, if you require guides in a second language or with a specialty in some type of biological group of fauna or flora.
Some fixed costs are shared among the number of visitors, such as transportation, guides and some activities; however, the costs of entrance to the natural reserves, insurance, food, some types of lodging, are paid individually.
Please note that the costs are stipulated based on the rates established by our suppliers.
Our plans in Yopal Casanare are handled in Colombian currency (COP pesos), although their price can also be established in other currencies (mainly dollars and euros), according to the respective exchange rate.

HOW DO I BOOK AND PAY?

We request the initial deposit of 30% of the total value of the plan once it is approved.
The 70% corresponding to the remaining value, must be paid within 30 calendar days of the date of commencement of the service.
If your application is approved with less than one month, the term for the payment of the 70% will be agreed directly.
The consignment supports are received through the mail cunaguarotravel@gmail.com It is mandatory that before executing the plan, the following information and/or documents are sent, since they are necessary to perform the electronic invoicing once the plan is finalized, as established by the Colombian regulations:

  • Unique Tax Registry (RUT) or in its absence the following information:
    • Full Name
    • Type and number of identity document.
    • E-mail address
    • Address, city and department.
    • Contact telephone number.

 

WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT METHODS?
CAN I PAY BY CREDIT CARD?

Payments, consignments and national transfers through the Bancolombia savings account N° 36300044381 in the name of CUNAGUARO TRAVEL SAS with NIT 900.739.930-2.
For international payments, consignments and transfers through the Bancolombia savings account N° 36300044381 in the name of CUNAGUARO TRAVEL SAS with NIT 900.739.930-2 BANCOLOMBIA SWIFT CODE: COLOCOBM if more digits are required, please enter XXXX.
If you wish to make your payment with credit cards, Nequí, PSE, BOTON BANCOLOMBIA you can request a link through the WOMPI platform, taking into account that there will be an increase of 4.75% of the value to be paid.
We also have datafono in our office in Yopal.
Now we also have our payment button through WETRAVEL for easy transfers from anywhere in the world, with low commissions.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Consult the details of our cancellation policies in the following link.
POLICIES If there are any inconveniences or evidence that any problem may interfere with your trip, please contact us directly, we will be willing to find a fair solution so that you do not miss the opportunity to visit this region.