By Paul Lungu, Guest Blogger,

When thinking of Colombia, there are many things that pop into mind. The colourful city of Cartagena, vast & lush coffee fields, the incredible Amazonian forest or the sandy shores with swaying palm trees of the Caribbean Sea. But some of Colombia’s breath-taking natural wonders remain well-kept secrets to this day. 

Such is the case of Cienaga Grande, a natural reserve of astonishing beauty. Composed of 26,810 hectares of emerald-tinged lakes, idyllic lagoons, and surreal mangroves, Cienaga Grande is a paradise for rare bird species, as well as mammals and fish. It is also home to three charming fishermen villages that will make you feel as if you have just gone back in time. 

Navigating the narrow canals of Cienaga Grande

Lush mangroves, perfect pearly-white waterlilies and a complete sense of calm accompanied by the natural sounds of the animal life around you – this is what it means to navigate through Cienaga Grande. It is a journey of discovery full of surprises. 

In the wide lagoons, you may see flocks of pelicans stretching their impressive wings and getting ready to fly. Along the narrow canals, surrounded by tall grass, you may spot the great blue heron or the surprising hummingbird. In the mangrove areas, you may discover monkeys, otters and even caimans. 

And what truly makes this journey a spectacular one is the fact that everything is unexpected. A beautiful and rare bird or an exotic mammal can appear out of nowhere when you least expect it. You may find it difficult to blink as you will be wide-eyed, taking in all the beauty around you. 

Reaching the lake villages of Cienaga Grande

There are three villages in this region: Buenavista, Trojas de Cataca and Nueva Venecia. A total of 300 families live in the area and their main occupation is fishing. Isolated, but surprisingly beautiful, these villages represent a true paradise for anybody looking to unwind and rediscover the simple joys. 

Of the three villages in Cienaga Grande, Nueva Venecia is the most spectacular one. It is a village with no solid land. The houses are all built on water pillars, the streets are, in fact, canals and people travel by boat. Its colourful houses with old colonial architecture give Nueva Venecia a fairy-like vibe. 

When Ernesto Samper was the president of Colombia, he fell in love with Nueva Venecia and helped people improve their houses so that this surreal place can continue to exist. However, it was Ismael Ambrosio Moreno that gave the name of this place by comparing it to Venice. 

The village also has a school where teachers arrive every day by boat. Even though they live in a remote village, far from the buzzing of the world, the people in Nueva Venecia are welcoming and always happy to share stories with their visitors.

And while you are visiting Nueva Venecia, make sure to also try the delicious Sanchoco, one of the best Colombian fish dishes. Made with plantain, potato, yucca, and corn and served with avocado, rice, salad and lime, Sanchoco is a specialty of the people living in Nueva Venecia. 

Of course, Colombia is home to many other spectacular places as well. You just need the right guide to discover them and experience the unique charm of this amazing country.

If you are interested to visit Cienega Grande,  check out Intrepid Exposures’ Colombia photo tour. A two-week photography tour in Colombia led by award-winning photographer Tristan Quevilly, this journey will take you through the best-hidden gems of this gorgeous country. 

Paul Lungu is a travel & photography enthusiast with a passion for discovering new cultures, learning about the daily lives of different communities and exploring natural wonders. Along with photographer Jacob James, he founded Intrepid Exposures, a responsible travel company focused on off-the-beaten-path photography tours in unusual destinations. 

Tristan Quevilly became passionate about photography during a 3 years round-the-world-trip. After visiting around 30 countries, he came back to Colombia in 2015, captivated by its diversity and the warmth of its people. He has been working as a tour leader for 4 years, which offers him the opportunity to travel in a lot of remote places of Colombia.

About Intrepid Exposures: Intrepid Exposures was born out of a bad case of wanderlust, along with a desire to take great photographs and help others do the same. Our aim is to do what no one else is currently doing: use our experience of travel and as professional photographers to give you authentic, off-the-beaten path photo excursions to some of the most exciting and photogenic locations.

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