Mitú, the capital of the department of Vaupés, located a one hour and twenty minute flight from Bogotá, is the ideal destination to immerse yourself in the depths of the jungle, where birds, nature and ancestral culture let you leave behind the routine of modern life.
Discover Mitú
It is a simple,small city situated on the bank of the Río Vaupés,surrounded by freshwater channels and the dense Amazon rainforest. When you arrive in the city you can stroll through the main square,Parque Santander,where the Departmental Government building,the María Inmaculada Cathedral and the “Guio” monument—which honors the origins of the indigenous peoples who live there—are located. In this park it is common to find food stalls,handicrafts and the region's typical gastronomic offerings.
Mitú has a cheerful population proud of the beauty of the Amazon rainforest and largely made up of ancestral indigenous tribes that guard this vital organ for humanity.
Although it is a relatively young city, founded in 1935, it is at the same time an ancient territory,culturally enriched by the traditions and wisdom of indigenous peoples such as the Tukano. The first inhabitants of this settlement were part of this community. According to legend, they arrived in this region from Brazil on a serpent.
The area also includes the indigenous Guananos, Yurutíes, Cubeos, Piratapuyos and Desanos and many others who are willing to open their doors so the whole world can soak up their knowledge and experience millenary traditions.
Places to enjoy
El Malecón is an ideal place for a thousand-meter walk along one of the riverbanks. This beautiful pedestrian avenue features plazas and kiosks adorned with local vegetation gardens,where you will connect with views of the water and the sounds of nature.
After this experience we recommend enjoying the local cuisine which benefits from exotic fruits such as arazá,copoazú and corombolo,among others. Yuca,corn,fariña,rice bread,manivaras ants,fish,quiñapira and mojojoy (white grub) are some of the delights the city offers during your stay.
The trip to Mitú is ideal if you like birdwatching. In Vaupés you will find more than 500 classified species,whose colorful plumage and songs will give you a unique show.
Specialized local guides will provide all the information about the birds you can find within the city. It is very common to see endemic species in the mornings near the local market. The city is a special meeting destination for ornithologists from across the country and the world.
It is also possible to follow special trails outside the urban area to enjoy a wide variety of species,not only birds but flora and different kinds of animals,always accompanied by those who know the jungle and with appropriate gear.
There are trails for walking and river trips that will take you to indigenous communities open to tourists,sharing their ancestral views on birds and other regional animals. The established ecological walks around the city lead to various elevated hills,from where we suggest you observe the rainforest that spreads from and toward the river.
Five kilometers from the city you can visit the community of Mituseño Urania,a small village where you will learn about Cerro Odocabeba (Urania),a 200-meter rocky summit where you will observe the famous guans and tanagers,and spend the day with the Cubeo people,owners of one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the jungle.
You can also visit the territory of the Cubeo god,and a rock traditionally called the “Silla de Cubay” from which,according to legend,the deity watches over the forest. Once you reach the summit you will find a landscape where the sky with the red colors of sunset is reflected in the river waters that carry small boats with goods and tourists through the thickness of the jungle.
The jungle in all its splendor
El Cerro Guacamayas is another jungle viewpoint. To reach its summit you must take a trail that crosses swamps where reptiles are commonly seen,through the thick green of the virgin forest adorned with colorful flowers,and through the chagras,small plots that sustain indigenous communities where crops are grown and relationships with the land are established.
Because the path is rugged,for hikes you should bring food and drinks,swamp boots,a long-sleeved shirt and insect repellent. The entire route is flat until you reach the hill,a gigantic rock that contains an ecosystem from which shrubs and vegetation sprout. You will climb the rock with the aid of a harness and once you reach the summit you will have the entire Amazon rainforest at your feet.
After descending from the viewpoint you will arrive at the Caño Sangre,a natural terracotta-colored "jacuzzi" formed by vegetation that grows on the bottom of the channel.
Eleven kilometers from Mitú is the community of Ceima Cachivera,whose Captain warmly welcomes visitors. After an introduction to the territory and the community,the Captain leads expeditions that last on average two hours.
Learning from different cultures
The most interesting thing about Mitú is that it is possible to share some communities' traditions,see their costumes and learn their customs. You will be welcomed in a Maloca,at the famous Yuruparí festivals,where you and the children will be invited to participate in the traditional "carrizódromo" dance.
During Mitú's festivities handicrafts are displayed and sold,and the myths,legends and songs of the ethnic groups that live there are shared. You will witness the knowledge of the jungle's wise people and the number of dialects that come from different communities,in which most indigenous people also speak Spanish.
Finally,you cannot leave without taking a canoe along the Río Vaupés to observe flora and fauna and to do birdwatching.
Numerous trails await you among the channels for you to explore,while you reorder your life's priorities in your thoughts,which will certainly include reconnecting with nature,caring for and protecting it,and pursuing true wealth:the joy of meeting and sharing with other cultures.
