In the far eastern corner of Colombia, on the border with Venezuela and Brazil, lies Guainía, a territory where three great ecosystems converge: the Amazon rainforest, the savanna, and the Orinoco basin. Its name, which in the local Indigenous language means “land of many waters,” reflects the vast network of rivers that cross the region, with the Inírida River as its main artery. Peoples such as the Puinave, Curripaco, Tukano, and Cubeo live here, preserving ancestral traditions that shape a cultural and natural mosaic still largely unexplored.
The most iconic landmark of the department is the Cerros de Mavecure: three imposing Precambrian tepuis known as Mavecure, Mono, and Pajarito that rise dramatically above the Inírida River. Considered sacred sites, these ancient rock formations are surrounded by ancestral legends and reward travelers with breathtaking views of the rainforest and the savanna. Reaching them means navigating the river, passing untouched landscapes and small riverside communities that maintain a deep connection with their land.
Close by is Caño San Joaquín, a waterway known for its reddish hues, framed by the lush Amazon rainforest, and considered one of the hidden treasures of the region. Visitors can also reach the Indigenous community of El Venado, where daily life and ancestral knowledge are shared with travelers. One of the most remarkable lessons to learn here is the transformation of yuca brava, a root that is toxic in its natural state but, through ancestral techniques, becomes a staple food and a symbol of both cultural resilience and economic importance.
The natural wealth of Guainía is also reflected in the MORU Nature Reserve, which is home to almost one third of the bird species recorded in the eastern Orinoquía region of Colombia. This figure is only a glimpse of the ecological integrity that defines the territory, where biodiversity thrives in all its splendor.
At its heart, Guainía is a journey into the untouched: a land where nature remains in its purest form and Indigenous cultures keep alive the ancestral spirit of the Amazon.
