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San Gil / Barichara
Waking up under a beautiful sun, but it’s cool 12° and the first guests arrive.
The road continues to climb and at the top we have a splendid view of the whole region.
We go first to " San Gil "
The village of San Gil is a must of the region for all thrill seekers. Indeed, San Gil is renowned throughout Latin America for its offer of exceptional activities. Abseiling, canyoning, climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping, caving, … There’s something for everyone ... except for us !!!
We visit the " El Gallineral Natural Park ", a beautiful park, well maintained with beautiful trees but few animals and then we head towards the lively city center on this holiday (assumption). Very steep town.
Then we have only 22 km to reach Barichara, our drop point for two days.
Another steep village, even very hanged, and our bivouac is of course at the top ... We climb slowly because the streets or alleys are crowded by many vehicles ... today is the feast in the village ...
The view from our location is splendid ... Incredible spectacle on the Andean mountain, the valley and the sloping streets.
Founded in 1705, the village remained frozen in its colonial atmosphere: streets paved with huge cut stones, houses with whitewashed walls, wooden openings and doors.
Throughout our stay, many Colombians come to see us and ask us about our project ...
On the second day we hike on the "Camino Real" towards the village of "Guane"
We start from 1300 m to descend to 800 m ... easy on the way down !!!
It was once part of the road to Santa-Fé de Bogota, Tunja, Bucaramanga, Pamplona and Cúcuta, with ramifications leading to Cartagena and even to Venezuela.
Originally built by the indigenous people of the region, it was later restored by the German George von Lengue from 1864 onwards.
Once in the village of "Guane" we have lunch in a small restaurant and take a Tuk Tuk to go up ..
Parque Nacional De Chicamocha
We continue our journey southwards to reach the canyon of Chicamocha.
The landscapes are fabulous, the road goes up in laces but the show is magnificent.
We park in the almost full parking lot of the site and we get the agreement to stay there tonight Many vehicles are turned back and there are no other parking lots ... they have to leave !!!
The Chicamocha Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world with a depth of 2000 m and a length of 230 km.
The Chicamocha river that dug the canyon is an impressive river that springs from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.
The main attraction of the park is its 6.3 km long cable car that flies over the canyon. Inaugurated in 2009, this technological feat, French construction, has 39 cabins (for 8 people), which run at 6 meters per second. We start from the entrance of the park, we descend above the río Chicamocha then we go up the Vereda Tabacal until the Mesa de Los Santos.
We climb to the top of the mountain to admire the 360° view and the "Monumento à la Santanderanidad" (great sculpture to the glory of the revolutionary spirit of the inhabitants of the region).
We are not alone ... to take the cable car the waiting time is one hour on both sides of the canyon ... idem for lunch ... today is Sunday.
The parking lot empties at 7 o'clock and we are alone with the national police ...
Giron
We have about 400 km to travel to reach our destination.
Considering the state of the roads and traffic we calculate two days of driving, stopping at a supermarket " Olimpica " very well stocked to do our shopping.
There are small grocery stores in each village but the choice is very limited and consists mainly of basic foods, salty groceries, soft drinks and beers.
We travel 250 km in 5 hours .... We stop in the middle of the afternoon ...
The next day we continue our journey towards Bucaramanga by taking the mountain road.
Sublime spectacle ... A winding road that climbs gently through the premises of the Andes.
Our average speed is 40 km/h .... We always have in front of us either a truck, a local bus or a tuk-tuk .... And it’s hard to overtake them.
Our first scheduled stop of the day, Bucaramanga, turns out to be a fiasco ... impossible to park ... the car parks have limited entrances in height and our companion cannot access them. In addition, it is Saturday and the city is invaded by a huge crowd.
We are fleeing this village for our second stage: Giron
This city is part of the Colombian Heritage Villages network for the good state of conservation of its colonial sector. Sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century buildings and cobbled streets form the city centre.
After having parked our camper we go to explore this white city trying to find a restaurant ... difficult : we only find snacks ... We choose a bistro that serves "Pollo assado" that we eat with our fingers (gloves provided).
Strolling through this steep town, we end our lunch with a delicious cake and then taste the "Maracumix" (ice cream served inside a passion fruit)
Back to the car park that costs us a fortune to spend the night ... but we have no choice
ROAD BOOK 118
MAVROS ODYSSEE