Ñymejan Trek, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Ñymejan – the great valley

Hidden in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a wonderful place called Ñymejan, where you can watch the most spectacular sunrises in the heart of the jungle, above the mountains, and spot amazing birds with their heavenly song.

This is a special place for the Indigenous peoples, known as the Sacred Falls of Ñymejan. Enjoy sacred ruins, warm hospitality at cozy guesthouses run by local farmers, great meals to suit your taste, and direct contact with the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Enjoy this wonderful trek, far from everyday life and focused on the amazing natural world of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Day 1: SANTA MARTA – CASA ARCO IRIS.

• 06.30 am, We pick you up at your hotel and drive to HOSTAL CASA ARCO IRIS in Minca, at 500 meters above sea level, for an energizing breakfast before continuing our adventure.
• 07.30 am, We continue by jeep for two and a half hours, enjoying beautiful landscapes and great coffee grown by local farmers. From the highest point of the mountain, San Lorenzo, we see the whole city of Santa Marta.
•  We start a 90-minute hike to spot Pyrrhura viridicata, a bird better known as the Santa Marta parakeet.
• We pass the Madre de Panku lagoon and continue to the base of CERRO KENNEDY, 3,000 meters above sea level, while enjoying juicy fresh fruit.. 
• 12.00 pm, We then descend for an hour to Casa Arco Iris, have lunch and rest for about two hours. Afterwards you can enjoy the farm and its activities, including the organic gardens.
• In the evening, enjoy a great dinner with a lively atmosphere, a campfire and rest.

Day 2: Casa Arco Iris – PALACIO DE LAS NUBES

• We wake up at 6:00 with a good cup of coffee.
• 06.30 am, We have breakfast and get ready for the day’s hike.
• 07.30 am,  We start a 12-kilometer hike of about 7 hours to Hostal PALACIO DE LAS NUBES, where we enjoy the wonderful viewpoint over the great ÑYMEJAN Valley, a magical spot above the clouds in the bright, beautiful sun. The trail is downhill all the way, and you may see endemic birds such as the military macaw (Ara militaris) and howler monkeys, until we reach La Hermosa waterfall, where you will have time for a swim and to enjoy the place.
• We continue for two more hours and finally reach PALACIO DE LAS NUBES around 14:00. We have lunch and rest while waiting for the beautiful sunset. In the evening, dinner and a campfire.

Day 3: PALACIO DE LAS NUBES – LOS JAGUARES.

• 05:00 am, Today we get up early to enjoy the beautiful view of the glaciers with a good cup of organic coffee.
• 07:30 am, After breakfast we start a 7-kilometer, 6-hour hike along THE WATERFALL ROUTE and THE SACRED MOUNTAIN, through cobbled INDIGENOUS RUINS that lead to the SACRED FALLS OF ÑYMEJAN, a sacred site and place of offerings.
• 12:00 pm, We swim for an hour at POZO MAYOR while enjoying juicy fruit and snacks, then continue for two more hours to Hostal Los Jaguares, where we have lunch, rest and share time with the Indigenous community.

Day 4: LOS JAGUARES – SANTA MARTA

• 06.30 am, After breakfast we start a hike of about 8 hours and 19 kilometers, visiting members of the Indigenous communities, who will share their customs with us.
• We continue to POZO DEL GRINGO, where we stop for a swim, fruit and drinks. Then we reach the village of the WIMAKE WIWA people, Indigenous to the area, where we can take photos and spend some time with them. Next we arrive at EL BOQUERÓN viewpoint.
• 14:00 pm, After a snack we continue one more hour to PUNTA BRAVA, where we have lunch and see the largest coat of arms of COLOMBIA made of clay while they tell us its story.
• 15:30 pmWe return by jeep for two and a half hours and arrive at our hotel around 18:00.