Araucana Lodge
Araucana Lodge is an ecological hotel in the Valle de Cauca, about 40 minutes from Cali. They strive to minimize environmental impacts, protecting and managing their natural resources such as forests and watersheds that are part of the property. They are committed to promoting the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, economic and cultural. Some of the ways they aim to protect the environment include: recycling, reducing single-use plastics, capturing rain water, composting our organic waste and using energy saving room keys. The ways they support their community include employment generation and trainings/professional development for children and adults in the area. They support local food producers to supply their kitchen and they hire local artisans and artists to decorate their spaces.
Araucana Lodge prides itself on serving nutritious, delicious and balanced meals and most of the products they use come from the organic farm located on their property. They are committed to growing sustainably - without the use of chemicals and pesticides- to produce clean food. On the rest of the property they grow fruits, such as citrus of various varieties, coffee, banana and cassava. At every dinner at Araucana Lodge, they serve extraordinary salads with freshly harvested organic lettuces.
The rooms are spacious and each one is unique. All rooms are equipped with:
For serious birders, at Araucana Lodge 186 species of birds have been registered, including 4 endemics: Parkers Antbird, Colombian Chachalaca, Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher. They also have many including Bar-crested Antshrike, Spectacled Parrotlet, Purple-throated Woodstar, and Blue-headed Saphire. Their forests host 17 species of hummingbirds that also visit their two areas with feeders with drinkers and bananas for fruit species.
Cauca Valley itself is one of the most diverse in the country. An astonishing 1,000 species have been recorded in the state. This is more than half of the species found in Colombia, yet the state only occupies 2% of the country’s landmass. This is due to the diversity of habitats, from the humid tropical forests of the Pacific lowlands, to the cloud forests and paramo ecosystems of the western and central Andes, to the wetlands and dry forests along the Cauca River in the valley. Birding guides can take you to a number of habitats on day trips from the lodge (at extra cost). |
The property has over 5 kilometers of walking paths through the forest for guests to enjoy. Guests might also enjoy doing day tours (at extra cost) to other places such as:
San Cipriano River The area is a protected reserve and is a part of the Choco Bioregion known for being one of the wettest and most biodiverse places on the planet. You can swim in the pristine waters of the San Cipriano River and enjoy the numerous waterfalls and trails that meander through the lush, tropical rainforest that is host to an amazing variety of birds. Or you can take a ride along a nice stretch of river in inner tubes and enjoy this wild and scenic gem, whilst learning about the afro-Colombian cultures and history of the Pacific region of Colombia. Hummingbird Haven and Dolmetsch Arboretum The morning begins in the km 18, a cool area at 1800 meters of altitude, only 30 minutes from the Lodge. Birding can be very productive here, and you can see species including Red Headed Barbet, Grayish Piculet, Emerald toucanet and many tanagers. You will be impressed by a show of hummingbirds at a private house along the same road. We will have a delicious traditional lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you can explore the Dolmetsch Arboretum with the director, Álvaro Calonje. The Dolmetsch Arboretum is home to more than 2,200 plants from around the world, and is known worldwide for its collection of cycads, which contains more than 60 species. This place provides an incredible diversity of plants and impeccable gardens. Cali City Tour Discover the traditions of the Valle Del Cauca, exploring the busy streets where your senses will be overwhelmed by the variety of colors, flowers, fruits, smells and flavors of the Alameda Market. Enjoy traditional cuisine from our Pacific Coast in the company of a local guide who will indulge you with authentic stories of our indigenous and Afro-Colombian cultures, also visit a traditional craft store where you will be able to shop for handcrafts from around the region. Cancellation policy
Full payment is due to confirm your reservation. Payments are non refundable, but we understand the current environment, so if you have to cancel due to airport closures due to a COVID outbreak, we will gladly rebook you for a different date within 1 year. |