2 days

duration

6/10

physical effort

10 Km

trekking

Scheduled Departures

dates

10 +

age

TREK REFUGE GOTSEZHY, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

The fashionable tourist option in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is called Gotsezhy, the tour to this destination consists of an Ecological Walk (TREKKING) until reaching the Wiwa Village and living with the indigenous, descendants of the ancient Tayronas.

Without a doubt, Ethno-tourism in all its splendor. In this Wiwa Community, Indigenous Tourism is carried out, where with its support the social, economic and cultural development of indigenous peoples is promoted.

More than 50 families of the Wiwa Ethnic Group are housed in Gotsezhy, the region is crossed by a river that bears the name of the town “El Encanto” Considered as a cultural, educational, administrative and political center of the Wiwa people in the department of Magdalena.

Tourists can visit the Gotsezhy Refuge, doing an Ecological Trek as a family or in groups so that they can learn about and interact with the Wiwa culture of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

During this excursion you will go with indigenous guides, you will learn about their culture, beliefs, customs, values and sustainable knowledge systems that articulate the life of the Native Indigenous of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the balance they maintain with nature.

Gotsezhy, Ethnotourism in Santa Marta

The Tour to the Gotsezhy Refuge is a 3-hour walk through jungles and uncovered roads towards the Wiwa Indigenous Community, located 450 meters above sea level.

Here you can take pictures of the town and view the huts (Indigenous Bohíos) that are the homes of the Wiwa, the indigenous guide leads the hikers to the tourist area, where they will find a Cabin – Restaurant where only Wiwa ethnic women work, very dedicated and helpful, who will make you feel at home with a cuisine typical of the place.

They will learn in detail how the Wiwa indigenous people maintain sustainable customs with the environment, they will learn how their fabrics work based on the MAGUEY, this native plant of America that is used for the elaboration of various products such as: hammocks, clothes, handles, backpacks, key rings and all kinds of crafts.

You will find in this Wiwa Refuge a large hut where indigenous women weave and produce all their handicrafts based on fique as the main resource.

You can find what are backpacks of all styles, sizes and colors, also indigenous clothing, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and the most important thing is that they teach weaving to tourists who wish. With the purchase of a souvenir, you will be able to support the Wiwa women and in general the indigenous tourism carried out by Wiwa Tours.

Thanks to our Wiwa Tours Indigenous Guides, you will have the opportunity to get to know in depth all the indigenous culture and customs, typical of our older brothers who inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and who have a harmonious relationship with nature and the environment ambient.

The Matuna Waterfall

This spectacular natural waterfall is one of the main attractions of the Gotsezhy Refuge. It is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Here, travelers can cool off and swim peacefully in its crystal clear waters. Santa Marta, that’s why we recommend it to you by Wiwa Tours

DEPARTURE PLACE

Wiwa Tours Main Office in Santa Marta

DEPARTURE TIME

Please arrive early at the indicated meeting point for a prompt departure at approximately 6:30 AM.

RETURN TIME

At approximately 5:00 PM on the last day of the tour.

TOUR DURATION

2 Days / 1 Night.

TOTAL VALUE

The price of the Gotsezhy Trek is $214 USD per person.

THE TOUR INCLUDES

Transportation by Van or Jeep 4×4	Native Indigenous Guide
Gotsezhy Refuge Trekking.	Visit to the Matuna Waterfall.
Lunch and Dinner on day 1	Breakfast and Lunch on day 2
Accommodation in hammock	Travel insurance
Group Chat with Mamo.	Wiwa Handicrafts Exhibition.
Contribution to the Indigenous Community	Contribution to the Peasant Community

IMPORTANT

This trekking to Gotsezhy Refuge can only be booked with a deposit of $51 USD, which corresponds to 30% of the total value of the tour ($160 USD).
The tour to Gotsezhy does not include an English translator.
The Gotsezhy 1-day Tour is the other option you can do.
Accommodation in the Gotsezhy Refuge is in hammock with mosquito net.
Keep in mind that the Trek to Gotsezhy is an adventure excursion along a path surrounded by jungle, typical of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which involves constant physical activity.
Each traveler is responsible for their belongings, Wiwa Tours is not responsible for garments or articles lost in the Cabin or on the Trail.

TOURISM IN THE SIERRA NEVADA DE SANTA MARTA

If you don’t know how to get to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta? Here we indicate the best way to get to know it on an adventure and culture excursion, hand in hand with our native indigenous guides.

Day 1: Departure

The start of the tour to the Gotsezhy in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is approximately at 8:30 am from Santa Marta.
All the adventurers meet at the main office of Wiwa Tours, where they will start the excursion in a van or truck.
At around 9:45 am, they will be arriving in the village of Guachaca, where the Trekking through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta begins, here the indigenous guide announces the route and the first indications of the excursion.
The Trek to Gotsezhy (Wiwa Indigenous Village) lasts approximately three hours along a path that crosses peasant and indigenous territories.
Arriving you will be able to observe the way of life of the indigenous, huts, traditional houses, a school, Wiwa families, children, adults and the elderly living in a sustainable society and in total balance with nature.
The trek continues 15 more minutes until you reach the Gotsezhy Refuge (Wiwa Tourist Center) where you will receive a warm welcome from the Mamo (Spiritual Leader of Gotsezhy) who will give you a short talk and give you a bracelet as a sign of payment and protection.
They will take a well-deserved rest, settle down, and then begin the tourist activities at the Gotsezhy Refuge.
Depending on the time of arrival, the guide decides whether to go to the Matuna Waterfall before or after the typical lunch with the Wiwa Indigenous Community.
To visit the Matuna Waterfall, you must take a walk of approximately 15 minutes along trails on an ecological tour.
Arriving you will be able to appreciate a very beautiful natural scenery, the Matuna Waterfall, a waterfall of more than 10 meters high that generates a crystal clear lagoon where tourists will enjoy a refreshing swim.
Back at the Gotsezhy Refuge, after visiting the Matuna Ancestral Waterfall, you can change your clothes and rest for a while in the comfortable hammocks.
After the break, the guide will give you a tour of the surroundings of the Wiwa Gotsezhy Refuge, where you will be able to interact with the culture and traditions of the Wiwa indigenous people, natives of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
After the talk of the indigenous guide at night, they have dinner in the main cabin of the Gotsezhy Refuge and right after they go to the lodging place where the adventurers will spend the night in beds or hammocks.

Day 2

The day starts early, the hikers have breakfast, right after the indigenous guide carries out activities to show the culture and customs of the Wiwas.
One of the activities is to extract all the sap from the Maguey in order to obtain the fique.
The fique is the raw material of the indigenous fabric, just after the man extracts the fibers and washes them well, he gives them to the woman to dye them naturally and make all her own handicrafts of the Wiwa indigenous people.
The Wiwa women are in charge of weaving all these fibers and making backpacks, clothes, bracelets and all kinds of crafts for sale.
They will give a talk and an exhibition of handicrafts typical of the Wiwa culture.
At around noon they will have lunch, rest for a while and then get ready and go back on a Trek to the village of Guachaca, where the 4×4 truck will be waiting for us to take us back to the city of Santa Marta at that time. at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Note : The Itinerary of the Trek Refuge Gotsezhy It may vary depending on weather conditions or the means of land transportation.

Important Information for the Trek Refuge Gotsezhy

During this Trek to Gotsezhy Refuge, they must respect the privacy and culture of the indigenous Wiwa. We must not enter their huts, or take pictures of them or their belongings, without first informing the indigenous guide and requesting proper permission.

Carry only the essentials in your suitcase, since weight is a determining factor when walking long distances, make sure you are in good physical condition, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages the day before and try to return all garbage to Santa Marta.

Not damage natural or cultural assets in Gotsezhy. During the tour there is no mobile phone signal, so tell your family and friends that you will only be able to communicate with them once you return from your experience.

During the day the weather is hot and humid, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothes, T-shirts and shorts for walking; During the night the temperature drops to approximately 15 °C and there is a greater presence of mosquitoes and other insects, it is important to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts to sleep and use insect repellent.

What to bring to the Gotsezhy Refuge Trek

A small backpack.	Photographic camera.
Comfortable clothes for walking.	Sturdy sandals.
Walking shoes.	Hat or cap.
Bio-Repellent.	Sunscreen.
Biodegradable Cleaning Tools.	A flashlight
Swimsuit.	Plastic bags for humidity.
Personal medicines.	Vaccine – Yellow Fever (optional).

Reservation Policies

You can only book this trekking to Gotsezhy Refuge by making a deposit of ($51 USD) which corresponds to 30% of the total value of the tour ($160 USD) through our web payment gateway, the remaining 70% ($109 USD) must be paid at the Wiwa Tours office, the same day we leave for Gotsezhy

The identity document is a fundamental requirement to reserve the Gotsezhy Trek for nationals, a copy of the personal identification card or passport in case of being a foreigner. For the day we go out on the tour, it is not necessary to bring your identity document, at least bring a copy of it.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy
For cancellations, WIWA TOURS applies a penalty of 100% of the value deposited in the reservation equivalent to 30% of the total value. However, if notice is given at least 20 days in advance, the client may transfer the reservation to another person, change the tour or request a voucher to be redeemed in the next six months.

No Show and Penalties
Failure to show up at the agreed date and time will result in the charge of 100% of the value reserved for this activity, which is equivalent to 30% of the value of the tour. WIWA TOURS is not responsible for external causes, such as delays, missed flights, illness, notice problems, or any other situation that prevents the punctual arrival at the meeting point.

Bonus Voucher
WIWA TOURS can issue a voucher that allows you to reschedule the reservation or use it in another trip without loss of the deposit. This voucher is valid for six months from its issuance and will not be reimbursed for any difference in value of the contracted services.

Reprogramming of the Reservation
It is possible to reschedule a reservation, as long as it is requested at least ten (10) days prior to the start date of the trip.

Reserve Modification
Travelers are responsible for managing changes to their reservations and bear the associated costs. Rescheduling is subject to WIWA TOURS approval and may involve additional fees.

Right of Withdrawal
The customer has a maximum period of five (5) business days, counted from the delivery of the good or conclusion of the contract, to exercise the right of withdrawal. This right will be adjusted according to the provisions of Article 47 of Law 1480 of 2011.

Consultation of complete policies
It is recommended to consult the complete terms and conditions in the following link -> Terms and Conditions.