Caño Cristales river in Colombia

This beautiful river of five colors is located in the Sierra de La Macarena National Park, southwest of the department of Meta, and includes the municipalities of San Juan de Guaviare, La Macarena and plateaus.

The «river of the gods» as it is called by some, was declared a biological heritage. On your walking tour highlighted a range of colors, with giant tunnels and abundant species of endemic vegetation flourishing greenery is discovered.

The rocks of the Macarena reach 1,200 million years old and are an extension to the west called the Guiana Shield of Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil, whose rocks are considered the oldest in the world. Because the rocky bed of Caño Cristales, just a rain of moderate intensity to grow their wealth in an impressive manner, leaving isolated traveler on its shores. However, the river usually decreases as quickly. Caño Cristales is a succession of rapids, waterfalls, and pocetas correones. The water is so pure that displays the background.

Similarly, devoid of fish, due to its scarcity and entrainment material sedimentation. Other pipes Macarena, red plants also bear in winter, as the Caño Seven Machos. These red plants adhere tightly to rocks in places where the river is most common. But the most beautiful is undoubtedly Caño Cristales river.

The Serrania de la Macarena has, among others, 420 species of birds, 10 amphibians, 43 reptiles and 8 primates. The representative rainforest biome is subhidrofítica of warm, temperate and cold climatic zones.

La Macarena, the world’s richest wildlife site, and is located in the department of Meta. Kilip scientist U.S. Smithsonian institute, argues that the Serrania de la Macarena is the richest place in the world in forms of animal and plant life. Existence since before there the Cordillera de Los Andes. It is known as «the seed of the country’s biodiversity » because from there, millions of years ago began to be distributed species.

The safeguard natural parks and Tinigua Picacho. Presents archaeological sites where there are petroglyphs and pictographs of indigenous cultures that lived there. We also found the thermal Monserrate, jumping puddles and broken sidewalk Curia.

Is located in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of plateaus, Vista Hermosa, San Juan de Arama and Puerto Rico. Has 630 hectares and was created in 1971, a foundation that was ratified in 1989. There are variety of climates, from cold to warm.

The biological importance worldwide Macarena is because part of three rich ecosystem diversity of flora and fauna: Andes, Llanos Orientales and Amazon rainforest. «Every new germs rush gap pregnancies,» says Jose Rivera Eustasio Maelstrom, referring to this type of vegetation.

In the jungle fighting the Macarena for nutrients makes the floor is populated by various fungi that help break down the trunks of trees.

His birth is behind the oldest tepuys de la Sierra, in a rugged area where there are still many unexplored cave paintings. The characteristic red color of endemic plants that exist there corresponds to macarenias clavígeras plant so identified by biologist Idroibo Jesus. The appellation of the pipe due to a regional linguistic tradition, peasant and Amazonian nature, so called to distinguish them from creeks to large rivers.

By conservation requirements Macarenia clavijera alga, which prints the colors the waters, it is recommended that the site is open only for six months from June to December.

Join hours are from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm and permitted activities are: ecotourism, recreational swimming, wildlife watching, rafting and hiking.

It is recommended not to insecticides to avoid polluting the environment, the same way blockers and sunscreens should be applied before entering the site. In addition, you should not bring food or bags and always accompanied by a guide.

The capacity of the site allows groups of 20 people maximum and authorized trails are:

– The Eagle Falls Trail – Caño Cristales, whose attractive Seat Buddha and Eights; Pozo del Turista pool with Carol Glass.
– Sendero Los Pianos, pool with waterfall tourist and quartz.
– The Path Pailones – Caño Cristales – The Cristalitos Guayabera river and the path – Raudal Cachivera Camino Stone Town.