"Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people (The ecotourism society 1991). Nature lovers find here a true paradise. There are an abundant rain forest, rivers, mangroves, brooks with clear water, bordered by the Pacific Ocean. A Paradise for ecotourism, diving and surfing. The Choco disposes of a big variety in birds, amphibians, orchids and many other life forms. In the rainforest, treks with specialized leaders can be carried out and there is a season for whale observations. The sea turtle protection program in Bahia Solano is one of the most advanced ecological projects in Colombia.
Location:
Bahía Solano is a municipality which belongs to the Department Choco and located on the northwest side of Colombia in the Pacific north coast on 5-meter height over sea level.
Climate: Average temperatur 25°C / 77°F, average annual precipitation: 4.982 mms (very humid) Ecological system: Mangroves, estuaries, tropical rain forest and cliff formations, here and there with coral growth in the sea
Ecosistema: Manglares, estuarios, arrecifes coralinos y bosque tropical húmedo.
Expansion: 1667 km2
How to get there: From Medellin airport Olaya Herrera (1 ½ hours), depending on 10 – 15 kg of baggage and 5 kg of hand luggage permited
Lodge: El Almejal is a pioneer in the ecological tourism in Colombia. The Lodge distinguishes itself by the following qualities:
1. Physically - biological sphere Seven hectares of natural reserve, trekking with trained leaders, scientific information and raising of awareness regarding the protection and understanding of the natural sphere. The Lodge disposes of a high-class Seaturtle protection program (Olive- or Pacific Ridley-Lepidochelys olivacea).
2. Environmental-friendly operation
The Lodge El Almejal pursues composting, architecture design taking adventage of the natural light, policy of water saving, waste separation and recycling.
3. Social-economic sphere
Support of the local community (South American Indian and black Ethnics): An everyday platform is made available in the Lodge to the artists. Beautiful hand-done jewellery and animal sculptures are exposed for the viewers and the buyer. This helps the inhabitants of Bahia Solano to find new possibilities for income and alternatives to the hunt and the clearing of the woods. Now former hunters are leaders on the the rain forest treks and use their knowledge of fauna and flora to provide the visitors an unforgettable experience.
4. Entorno socioeconómico Aportación a la comunidad: La Plataforma diaria para los artesanos de la región y la contratación exclusiva de empleados de esta misma, ayudan a generar ingresos en el sector turístico y fomentar la conciencia ecológica de la comunidad. Anteriores Cazadores ahora son guías, que usan sus conocimientos especializados en reconocimiento de fauna y flora.
Bird watching
With 1876 species Colombia is worldwide number one in birds and therefore a Hot Spot for Birdwatchers. The Choco is a migration corridor between two oceans and a region with high concentration in Avifauna and in the category of AICA (Área Importante para la Conservación de aves/ important area for bird conservation). We find here, among the rest, the Harpye, Baudo oropendola, and the Black-tipped cotinga. The Choco is a still unknown paradise for ornithologists and bird's watchers.
Observations of other Fauna and Floraa
Passionate for amphibians like poissoned dart frogs? Looking for orchids? We organise your individualy designed observation tour. From the 1st of July to 20th of October humpback whales can be observed. Passionate for amphibians like poissoned dart frogs? Looking for orchids? We organise your individualy designed observation tour. From the 1st of July to 20th of October humpback whales can be observed.
Travel recommendations
Tetanus and yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before the departure.
Light clothes (cotton), long-sleeved shirt, rain protection, bath dress, mosquito repellent, (or if you prefer take 15 days before the departure Tiamina for the prevention of allergies to insect bites), flashlight with batteries (if possibly rechargeable).
Baggage is limited to 10 kg + 5 kg hand luggage, we recommend to carry light objects in the hand luggage (small backpack) and the heavier equipment in the main baggage. Overweight can be checked in in the low season for a low fee. Excess baggage can be left for safekeeping in in Medellin in our office.
ECOLOGICAL TOURISMUS BAHIA SOLANO - CHOCO PACIFIC “AN ENCOUNTER WITH NATURE” 10 days 9 nights.
TRIP ANTIOQUIA – BAHIA SOLANO ”AN ENCOUNTER WITH NATURE” English and Spanish speaking guides in Bahia Solano.
Excursions according to the number of booked days:
Natural Reserve -Tundó – Utría national park – Tigre Waterfall Cascadas del Tigre – Natural aquariums.
Season: 1st of Juli to 20th of October Every year, humpback whales migrate from the South Pole to warmer waters in for reproduction and birth of the young; the estimated population of the colombian pacific is around 2,000 individuals. Moreover, the area is a constant place of residence of the common bottlenose dolphin, atlantic spotted dolphin, Spinner dolphins. Should your holiday meet this season, your chances stand well to be able to observe humpback whales and the playful dolphins in Bahia Solano.
The whale watching trip includes every day another excursion.
10 days, PRICE 1024 € 1385 US$ Prices may change without prior notice.
WHALEWATCHING MAY BE COMBINED WITH THE SEATURTLE LIBERATION FROM SEPTEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 20
Day 1 Arrival Medellín Airport
Arrival and reception at José Maria Córdova International Airport (Rionegro/Medellín) and transfer by car/bus to the Mosaico country house hotel. This place is built in a traditional farm style, located to the East of Medellin, in the green and rural county of Santa Elena. Overnight stay.
Day 2 Flight Medellín – Bahia Solano/Pacific
After breakfast transfer by car/bus to Medellin Olaya Herrera Domestic Airport (approx. 30 min.) Check in and flight to Bahia Solano, where our local partners or one of our tourguides is expecting you. Following Jeep transfer to the lodge. After arrival you receive a welcome juice and introductory information and are brought to the Cabañas (holiday huts). Afterwards lunch. Afternoon at free leisure. Enchant your selve by the abundant nature and the extensive Pacific beach.
Day 3 Whale Watching
Boat excursion and observation of humpback whales. At this time the babies are born. An event full of magic, its a privilege to be able to look at these giants from such a nearness.
Day 4 Natural reserve el Almejal
After the breakfast tour around the Lodge. You will learn about the seaturtle protection program and the organic garden. Afterwards walking to the natural reserve, following the stairs at 30 meters altitude you get to a seightseeing point with a astonishing view over the coastline. Then you step into the rain forest and receive interesting information about the ecology of the area. Then back to the Lodge and lunch. The afternoon is availabe to enjoy the sea or the rainforest as you please.
Optional: Climbing and abseiling (rappel) on gigantic trees
Day 5 Canoeing in the river Tundó.
50 minutes walk to the shore of the river Valle where the canoes are mounted. Afterwards comfortable paddling upriver and deviating into the river Tundo Time to marvel the mangroves and at the rain forest. Toucans, parrots, butterflies and a big variety of orchids and bromelias may be observed. At the end of the journey time remains to take a refreshing bath in the clear river water.
Day 6 Tiger Waterfalls
15 minutes boatride from the Lodge to an untouched beach with a waterfall and possibility to take a bath, the sporty can climb up the waterfall and find other bath places. When low tide it can be walked along the beach, and get access to an other waterfall and a spectacular cave with bats living inside.
Day 7 National park Utría
After the breakfast 40 minutes boatride along the coast (beautiful scenerie of hills and tropical rainfores) to the national park Utria. Payment of the entrance fee in the National park head quarter and following information speech about the biology of the Park. Afterwards time to snorkel, take a bath and a walk on the shore. On the way back visit of a white sand beach of the National park.
Optional: Mask rental
Day 8 Return to Medellin
After the breakfast transfer with Jeep to Bahia Solano airport. National flight to Medellin Olaya Herrera. Arrival in Medellín and transfer by car/bus to the finca hotel los Lagos/Ceja.
A true place for relaxation, located in a hacienda built in the typical style of the region Antioquia, situated one hour from Medellin and half a hour from the international airport in Rionegro. Enjoy the rest of the day at free leisure.
Day 9 Finca hotel Los Lagos
The hotel offers horse-back riding, fishing in front of your door, walking and hiking in the surroundings or to the close village la Ceja. We highly recommend the fantastic 2 hours SPA program wich will renew and refresh you. At night, there is a possibility of having a barbecue. The terrace and the chimney in the room offer a comfortable atmosphere.
Day 10 End of the journey
Transfer to the Jose Maria Córdova International Airport for the return flight home or continuation of the journey in Colombia.
INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS
TRIP ANTIOQUIA – BAHIA SOLANO ”WHALE WATCHING”
SEASON JULY 1. to OCTOBER 20. English and Spanish speaking guides in Bahia Solano.
Excursions according to the number of booked days:
Whale watching - Natural Reserve -Tundó – Utría national park – Tigre Waterfall Cascadas del Tigre.
EL ALMEJAL BAHIA SOLANO - CHOCO PAZIFIC 10 days 9 nights.
SEASON: September 1 to January 15
Thanks to the seaturtle protection program in Bahia Solano, located in the colombian pacific, hundreds of the Olive- or Pacific Ridley seaturtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) could be saved and grew up into adult animals. The since more than 100 million years existing sea turtles are threatened by extinction. Fishing and the destruction of their natural habitat have strongly decimated their number. In the Ecolodge el Almejal the turtle eggs are bread in a special protected incubator medium, buried in an air chamber in the sand and after 60 days the turtle babies will begin to hatch. It is amazing, the staff of el Almejal knows precisely the day of hatching. Fascinating to be observed how the small turtle babies, after getting out of their eggs, start immediately to crawl towards the ocean, knowing exactly the direction. The visitors accompany the turtles on your way to the sea. As soon as the turtles make contact with the water, they dive and swim off into the large unknown.
This behavior is explained by César Isaza, the owner of the Lodge. Already 70,000 baby turtles
(Lepidichelis olivacea) have been left to the sea. An important contribution for the survival of this species.
The release of the sea turtles and the whale watching may be combined from september 1 to october 20.
DATES AND PRICES SEA TURTLE PROTECTION PROGRAMM “ AN ENCOUNTER WITH NATURE” SEPTEMBER 1 2009 – JANUARY 15 2010 English and Spanish speaking guides in Bahia Solano Valid until: 20th of December 2009
Excursions according to the number of booked days: Natural Reserve -Tundó – Utría national park – Tigre Waterfall Cascadas del Tigre – Natural aquariums
WHALEWATCHING MAY BE COMBINED WITH THE SEATURTLE LIBERATION FROM SEPTEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 20.
NOTE:
The excursión schedule is coordinated by the lodge management.
The excursion travel plan may vary according to climatic and logistic conditions.
Should the excursion be cancelled because of force majeure, the paid-up amount is refunded.
Not claimed services are neither refunded nor shifted to other days.
Leader in ecotourism in Colombia, english speaking tourguide from medellin.whale watching and seaturtle liberation program.“pacific and rainforest all in one”.10 days, 21. – 30. September 2009
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