Many of you ask us questions about the best way to visit Santander in Colombia, because it’s true that this region is not always easily “integrated” into a classic itinerary. Yet it’s one of Colombia’s most beautiful regions, offering a truly diverse mix of heritage villages and nature activities.
If it’s sometimes difficult to organize things on your own, why not turn to a local english-speaking agency specializing in Santander? The expertise of our friend Laura, a native of Barichara, will be your best ally for guided tours of Barichara, Zapataca or Las Gachas, treks in the Chicamocha Canyon or tours between Bogota and Bucaramanga…
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Guided tours of Barichara in english
English-speaking guide in Santander
Laura offers a range of experiences to help you make the most of the sublime village of Barichara, one of our favorite Colombian villages!
Activities in Barichara (with optional English-speaking guide) :
- Guided tour of the village of Barichara (2h)
- Trek along the Camino Real to Guane (5h)
- Meeting with ceramic craftsmen in Guane (5h)
- Meeting on the making of “Culonas Ants” in Barichara (2h)
- Meeting with painters in Barichara (2h)
Activities available from Barichara (with optional English-speaking guide):
- Day trip to a finca to meet local farmers
- Day trip to the magnificent Cascade Juan Curi and Cueva del Indio
- Day trip to the Las Gachas natural site near the village of Guadalupe
- Trek in the Chicamocha Canyon
- Paragliding and Rafting in San Gil
English-speaking guide around Bucaramanga
Guided tours in english in Santander
It’s possible to discover the Santander region from Bucaramanga, and it’s a great idea! Laura offers a host of great discoveries, including a magical trek we’ll tell you all about below, as well as day-long experiences that are, as always, all about meeting new people!
Visit Santander in Colombia from Bucaramanga
- Guided tour of Bucaramanga
- Guided day tour of Zapataco
- Day trip to Cueva del nitro
- Birdwatching in a nature reserve near Bucaramanga
- Encounter with an artisanal tobacco-manufacturing workshop (5h)
- Guided tour and tasting at Buacaramanga’s Guarin market (2h)
- Day trip to Chicamocha Canyon and coffee tour at Mesa de los Santos
- Coffee finca visit at Mesa de los Santos (5h)
5-day trek in Santander
From San Vicente del Chucuri to Chicamocha Canyon
Special mention for this 5-day trek, which is totally off the beaten track and allows you to discover a little-known region of Colombia around San Vicente del Chucuri and the village of Zapatoca.
5-day/4-night trek from San Vicente del Chucuri to Chicamocha Canyon
A magical roaming adventure from San Vicente del Chucuri to Jordan at the bottom of the Chicamocha Canyon! 4 days of walking totally off the beaten track, for an in-depth discovery of this sublime part of Santander.
Program:
- Day 1 – Transport from Bucaramanga to San Vicente de Chucuri
- D2 – From San Vicente to the “Magic Mountain
- D3 – Magic Mountain to Zapatoca
- D4 – Zapatoca to Guane then transfer to Barichara
- J5 – Barichara to Jordan in Chicamocha Canyon and return to Bucaramanga
What’sincluded:
- Private transport
- Meals
- Lodging
- 6 to 8 hours walking per day
- Difficulty 4/5
- Optional english-speaking guide
Tour of Santander with a local agency
Local agency to visit Santander
With tours departing from Bogotá or Bucaramanga, or linking the two major cities, Laura offers superb all-inclusive itineraries to discover Santander in Colombia.
6-day/5-night tour from Bogotá to Bucaramanga
A perfect itinerary for those who want to discover the two must-see destinations in the region between Bogotá and Bucaramanga. Villa de Leyva and Barichara are among Colombia’s most beautiful villages.
Program:
- Day 1 – Villa de Leyva stop at the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
- D2 – Villa de Leyva
- D3 – Barichara Camino real Guane
- D4 – Coffee tour in a finca around Barichara
- D5 – Meeting with local craftsmen Rafting on the Rio Fonce
- D6 – Transport to Bucaramanga
What’s included:
- Private transport
- Meals
- Lodging
- Difficulty 3/5
- Optional English-speaking guide
10-day tour from Bogota to Bucaramanga
Program:
- D1 – Villa de Leyva stop at the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
- D2 – Barichara stop at Socorrro
- D3 – Barichara Meeting with local craftsmen
- D4 – Guane Meeting with local craftsmen
- D5 – Trek in Chicamocha canyon, cable car ride to Mesa de los Santos
- D6 – Coffee tour in a finca at Mesa de los Santos Transport to Giron
- D7 – Zapatoca Cueva del nitro Mirador los Guanes
- D8 – San Vicente del Chucuri Cacao tour in a finca
- D9 – Cienaga San Silvestre de Barancabermeja
- D10 – Return to Bucaramanga
What’s included:
- Private transport
- Meals
- Lodging
- Difficulty 2/5
- Optional English-speaking guide
Get in touch with a local guide
Best local agency to visit Santander with english-speaking professional guide
Responsible tourism
In addition to offering beautiful nature activities and off-the-beaten-track treks to get away from the most touristy sites, Laura’s agency honors the people of Santander by offering cultural experiences that show a different face of rural life and help maintain ancestral know-how.
