Laguna Magdalena trek

Day 1

• Your bilingual guide will meet you at 8:00 AM at your hotel in San Agustín before a short drive to the San Agustín Archaeological Park, Colombia’s #1 visited archaeological site.
• Explore the Forest of Statues on a walking tour and discover the art, history, and archaeology behind the impressive pre-Colombian statues.
• Walk to the Magdalena Strait, where the mighty Magdalena River narrows to only 3 meters wide, despite being one of Colombia’s largest rivers.
• Visit the Lavapatas Fountain, a sacred ceremonial site featuring carved rocks, water channels, and mythical figures of snakes, lizards, and ancient water-worshipping cultures.
• Continue your cultural exploration with visits to the Obando Museum and craft shop, Alto de los Ídolos y Piedras, Salto de Bordones, and traditional Trapiches Paneleros.
• In the afternoon, your guide will help you pack and prepare for your 4-day trek before returning to your comfortable hotel in San Agustín for a relaxing evening before your early morning hike.

Day 2

• Begin your 4-day trek with a spectacular hike towards the Páramo de las Papas, a breathtaking high-altitude desert ecosystem.
• Take a scenic 4×4 jeep ride on 30 km of unpaved roads to reach the Quinchana Trailhead.
• In Quinchana, enjoy a traditional breakfast prepared by local farmers and collect your packed lunch before starting the trek.
• Hike approximately 21 km (around 7 hours) from 1,680 meters to the village of San Antonio, located at 2,350 meters, following sections of jungle along the Magdalena River.
• Cross the Magdalena River and follow a creek to reach a stunning ridge with panoramic views over the Magdalena River Valley and surrounding canyons.
• Enjoy lunch with incredible views before continuing to San Antonio, where you will spend the night in a local village house and share a traditional meal prepared by your guide and local cooks.

Distance: 21 km

Day 3

• Start today’s trek from San Antonio and climb towards Laguna de la Magdalena, the source of the mighty Magdalena River, Colombia’s most important river.
• Reach an altitude of 3,327 meters before descending to Vereda La Hoyola, located at approximately 3,140 meters.
• Trek around 19 km (approximately 7 hours) through spectacular high-altitude landscapes of the Colombian Massif.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of the Central and Eastern mountain ranges of Huila throughout the hike.
• Spend the night in a traditional village near the lake, staying in simple local houses and enjoying a traditional dinner prepared by your guide and local cooks.
• Due to the cold temperatures at this altitude, make sure to bring warm layers, a rain jacket, and a sleeping bag (or rent one from Expedition Colombia in advance).

Distance: 19 km

Day 4

• Have your camera ready today as you explore the spectacular La Hoyola Trail, offering incredible views of the Colombian Massif and its high-altitude landscapes.
• Depending on the group’s energy and conditions, choose between a challenging hike to the viewpoint of Santiago Lake or a shorter hike to Cusiyako Lake.
• Discover two of the region’s most impressive high-altitude lagoons, surrounded by the untouched landscapes of the Andes.
• Spend the night in a local village near the lake, staying in simple traditional houses and enjoying a homemade dinner prepared by your guide and local cooks.

Day 5

• Enjoy a final 4 km walk to Corregimiento de Valencia, in the municipality of Cauca, where your vehicle will be waiting to take you to the historic city of Popayán.
• Travel approximately 130 km (around 5 hours) through the spectacular landscapes of the Colombian Massif, crossing impressive canyons and discovering the region’s unique geography.
• Arrive in Popayán, one of Colombia’s most beautiful colonial cities, and relax at your hotel in the historic district.
• Enjoy an evening exploring the city’s renowned gastronomy, including the famous empanadas de pipián and a wide variety of local, international, and vegetarian cuisine.
• Discover why Popayán is recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, where pre-Colombian, African, and Spanish culinary traditions blend together to create unique flavors and specialties.

Distance: 4 km

Start-point

The meeting point is coordinated in advance with the Expedition Colombia team in San Agustín.

This expedition includes

- Day 1 -

Accommodation: Hotel in San Agustín


- Day 2 -

Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional village house in San Antonio


- Day 3 -

Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional village house near Laguna de la Magdalena


- Day 4 -

Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional village house

- Day 5 -

Food: Breakfast, Lunch

What is the food like ?

Meals are prepared daily by local cooks and communities along the Laguna Magdalena Trek, using fresh and traditional ingredients from the Huila region and the Colombian Massif.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly options are available, just message us!

What is the accomodation like ?

Before starting the trek, you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel in San Agustín. During the expedition, you will stay in a combination of traditional village houses and high-altitude mountain camps. In the mountain camps, you will sleep in tents equipped with sleeping bags and Therm-a-Rest mattresses.