The Global Meaningful Travel Map

San Vicente del Caguán: Rafting For Peace

Experience thrilling rafting on the Pato River with ex-combatants, explore stunning canyons, and enjoy local culture and cuisine in a transformative setting.

OUR EXPERIENCES
Check out this video, created through a partnership between Tourism Cares, Tauck Ritzau Innovative Philanthropy and Collective Impulse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R0TTbOAGEs

Engage with ex-FARC members to learn about Colombia's history of armed conflict and the impressive story of how peace is being built with this group who chose to change their rifles for paddles. This activity takes place in Miravalle village, about a two hour drive from San Vicente del Caguan (reached by flight from Bogotá). Raft down the historic Pato River guided by ex-combatants. You can choose between a tour of the rapids or enjoy a contemplation tour of the Los Cajones sector in the El Pescador Nature Reserve to discover the impressive Pato River canyon and go through its caves, where guácharos and other species of fauna inhabit wild. For both rafting activities, you will receive an introduction to the history of the Pato River and a series of safety recommendations to enjoy this unforgettable experience to the fullest. The boat tour lasts approximately two and a half hours. At the end of the experience, you will try a traditional Colombian lunch and then we will take you to visit the productive projects of the community and the local museum of memory, a space created by women ex-combatants who have collected objects that the community has kept since the time of the conflict. . They will tell you about their experiences and learning after having lived in the war. There you will try a frozen arazá soda, an Amazonian fruit prepared by a woman from the community.

ABOUT US
Impulse Travel - We create, operate and promote tours that allow travelers to discover the country from an authentic and local perspective through connecting with people. We are a team of creators, connectors and storytellers on a continuous journey of discovery. Our company develops around people: travelers, locals and the team that brings them closer. We believe that travel has the power to transform lives - our experiences facilitate meaningful interactions between travelers and locals, fostering empathy. Travelers are inspired, locals are empowered, and their projects find financial support, which is key to going forward.

OUR IMPACT
Impulse Travel partnered with Tourism Cares on a Meaningful Travel Summit with Colombia in November, 2021 and operated as our DMC for the program, bringing our attendees to a handful of local experiences represented on this Map. They were also recipients of a grant from Tourism Caresand Tauck Ritzau Innovative Philanthropy. ProColombia partnered with Tourism Cares on a Meaningful Travel Map in advance of the Tourism Cares with Colombia Meaningful Travel Summit in November, 2021. The pins on the Colombia Map represent community tourism experiences around the country, offered by receptive operators who design their tours for local impact, economic benefit for communities, and to reflect the richness of the experiences you can have traveling throughout Colombia. Their work, and the organizations they support, diffuse the economic benefits of tourism and support sustainable tourism growth in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Turismo Comunitario Map can be found on the ProColombia website: https://colombia.travel/en/tourism-cares

DETAILS
Please note: these community tourism experiences are offered by in-country operators. We marked the Map with the approximate location of the community experience.