Barichara
A beautiful backdrop to Colombian life
Colombia has stolen my heart; the country has an endless amount to discover. During a visit to Barichara and the Chicamocha Gorge earlier this year, I once again came across two unique gems that I’d love to share with you here.
A new world in Colombia, a country that is becoming increasingly well-known
Leaving a rainy Bogotá behind, I set off by car towards the province of Santander, leaving Colombia’s largest metropolis behind. As I travel further and further from the city limits, the sky clears and the sun begins to shine over the lush green, mountainous landscape. I’m on my way to the historic town of Barichara, with its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and roofs covered in orange tiles. A whole new world in an increasingly well-known Colombia.
Barichara and its impressive surroundings are still hardly visited. That’s remarkable, as the town is often cited as one of the most beautiful historic towns in Colombia. Incidentally, ‘town’ is a bit of a stretch; it’s more of a village, situated in a fertile valley. Barichara lies just under 15 kilometres from the main road linking the Caribbean coast with the Colombian capital. On the way to Barichara, I make a stop-off in the equally historic town of Villa de Leyva, which is generally a little better known. The town was founded in 1572 by Hernán Suárez de Villalobos. The enormous central square, the Plaza Mayor, is, at 14,000 square metres, considered the largest square in the whole of Colombia.
Where time moves at a different pace
Barichara itself lies in a green valley, in the catchment area of the Rio Suarez, and is about 60 kilometres from the breathtakingly beautiful Chicamocha Gorge. In places like this, time moves at a different pace. My walk turns into a leisurely stroll as I make my way through the narrow streets. As evening falls, there’s a bit of activity in the main square. There aren’t many restaurants yet. I have a bite to eat on the terrace of Al Fogolar, which overlooks the cosy little central park. I visit the Fundación San Lorenzo, a women’s co-operative that makes all sorts of paper products, such as lampshades, figurines and trendy bags. The ladies take the time to explain what they do and how the process works. It’s pretty much the most exciting thing to do in Barichara, but that’s precisely what appeals to me so much about this place. A beautiful setting where Colombian life unfolds at a leisurely pace.
The Chichamocha Gorge
For a bit more activity, I venture just outside the town. I go for a walk to the village of Guane. It’s a walk of about 6 kilometres along a path that gradually descends from Barichara to the banks of the Suarez River. The historic path runs over large boulders and was built by an indigenous group before the arrival of the Europeans. Guane is an even smaller version of Barichara.
The next day, I get into the car and drive to the Chicamocha Gorge. I take a short route along a dirt track, which leads me through a green and peaceful rural landscape. A beautiful but challenging route that is best undertaken only in a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle and in dry weather. The Chicamocha Gorge is the catchment area of the Umpala River, a tributary of the Suárez River. The gorge is over 220 km long and 2 km deep, making it larger than the Grand Canyon. A trip on the cable car is highly recommended. This cable car is over 6 kilometres long and takes you to altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,600 metres above sea level. Here, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views.
Fancy a trip of Colombia?
A visit to the province of Santander takes you just a little further off the beaten track. Here you’ll find places of unparalleled beauty that are still largely undiscovered. Would you like to organise your own trip of Colombia, including a visit to Barichara, and are you curious about the options? Then do take a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have an immediate question? Then feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an e-mail to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We are happy to help.