TREK TO THE GOTSEZHY REFUGE, WIWA INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

The trendy tourist option in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is called Gotsezhy. The tour to this destination consists of an ecological hike (trekking) to the Wiwa village to spend time with the indigenous people, descendants of the ancient Tayrona civilization.

Without a doubt, ethno-tourism in all its glory. Indigenous tourism is practiced in this Wiwa indigenous community, where your support promotes the social, economic, and cultural development of indigenous peoples.

Gotsezhy is home to more than 50 families of the Wiwa ethnic group. The region is crossed by a river named after the town, “El Encanto.” It is considered a cultural, educational, administrative, and political center for the Wiwa people in the department of Magdalena.

Tourists can take the Gotsezhy Refuge Trek, an ecological tour for families or groups, to learn about and interact with the Wiwa culture of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

During this excursion, you will be accompanied by indigenous guides and learn about their culture, beliefs, customs, values, and sustainable knowledge systems that shape the lives of the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the balance they maintain with nature.

Gotsezhy, Ethnotourism in Santa Marta

The trek to the Gotsezhy Refuge is a hike of approximately 3 hours through jungles and unpaved roads to the Wiwa Indigenous Community located 450 meters above sea level.

Here you can take pictures of the village and see the huts (Bohíos Indígenas) that are the homes of the Wiwa people. The indigenous guide leads the excursionists to the tourist area, where they will find a cabin-restaurant where only the very dedicated and helpful women of the Wiwa ethnic group work, who will make you feel at home with the local cuisine.

You will learn in detail how the Wiwa indigenous people maintain environmentally sustainable customs, and how they work with MAGUEY, a plant native to America that is used to make various products such as hammocks, clothing, bracelets, backpacks, key chains, and all kinds of handicrafts.

At this Wiwa Refuge, you will find a large hut where indigenous women weave and produce all their handicrafts using fique as their main resource.

You can find backpacks of all styles, sizes, and colors, as well as indigenous clothing, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and most importantly, they teach tourists who wish to learn how to weave. By purchasing a souvenir, you can support the Wiwa women and indigenous tourism in general, run by Wiwa Tours.

Thanks to our Wiwa Tours Indigenous Guides, you will have the opportunity to learn in depth about the indigenous culture and customs of our elder brothers who inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and who have a harmonious relationship with nature and the environment.

Matuna Waterfall

This spectacular natural waterfall is one of the main attractions of the Gotsezhy Refuge. It is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Here, travelers can cool off and swim peacefully in its crystal clear waters. You must visit this hidden wonder that Santa Marta has to offer, which is why we recommend it on behalf of Wiwa Tours.

Wiwa Tours Main Office in Santa Marta

PLACE OF DEPARTURE

Accommodation where travelers are located

DEPARTURE TIME

Please arrive early at the designated meeting point for a prompt departure between approximately 6:30 AM and 6:50 AM.

RETURN TIME

At approximately 5:30 PM on the last day of the tour.

TOUR DURACTION

3 Days / 2 Nights.

TOTAL VALUE

The price of the trek to Gotsezhy Refuge is $850,000 per person.

THE TOUR INCLUDES

Transportation in Van or Jeep 4×4	Native Indian Guide
Trekking a Gotsezhy.	Visita a la Cascada Matuna.
Almuerzo y Cena del día 1	Desayuno y Almuerzo del día 2
Alojamiento en Hamaca	Seguro de Viaje
Charla grupal con el Mamo.	Exposición de Artesanías Wiwa.
Contribution to Indigenous Community	Contribution to Peasant Community

IMPORTANT

Solo se podrá reservar este trekking al Refugio Gotsezhy, realizando un depósito de $ 255.000 COP que corresponde al 30% del valor total del tour ($ 850.000 COP).
The tour to Gotsezhy does not include an English translator.
The 1-day tour to Gotsezhy is the other option you can do in a single day.
El alojamiento en Gotsezhy es en Hamaca con Mosquitero.
Please note that the Trek to Gotsezhy Refuge is an adventure excursion along a trail surrounded by jungle, typical of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which involves constant physical activity.
Each traveler is responsible for their belongings. Wiwa Tours is not responsible for clothing or items lost in the cabin or on the trail.

TOURISM IN THE SIERRA NEVADA OF SANTA MARTA

If you don’t know how to get to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, here’s the best way to discover it on an adventure and cultural excursion, led by our native indigenous guides.

Day 1: Departure

The journey to the Gotsezhy Refuge, in the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, begins between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. from the hostel of the travelers

At around 9:45 a.m., you will arrive at the village of Guachaca, the starting point of the trek. There, an indigenous guide will share instructions and recommendations for the hike.

The journey to Gotsezhy (Wiwa Indigenous Village) takes approximately three hours, traveling along trails that cross peasant and indigenous territories.

Upon arrival at the Gotsezhy Refuge, you will be welcomed by the families who run it, who will be responsible for providing recommendations about the area. After refreshing yourself with a welcome drink, you will experience spiritual harmonization, where you will receive a cotton thread as a symbol of protection for the territory.

Afterwards, a short 10-minute walk will take you to the indigenous community of Gotsezhy, where you can learn about their way of life:

Traditional huts, a community school, and Wiwa families (children, adults, and elders) living in harmony with nature. This space is also known as the Gotsezhy Refuge, a place where culture and nature merge into a unique experience.

Back at the Gotsezhy Refuge, you will have time to rest, settle in, and share a delicious traditional dinner. Finally, you will spend the night in beds or hammocks, surrounded by the tranquility and silence of the Sierra Nevada.

Day 2

The day will begin with a local tea drink and a delicious breakfast, followed by a 1.3 km hike to the Guachaca River.

Back at the Gotsezhy Refuge, after enjoying the river, you will have the opportunity to change clothes and rest in the hammocks before moving on to lunch.

After lunch and a short break, the guide will invite you to participate in a talk and experience with the Wiwa women weavers of the community. During this meeting, an indigenous woman will share the ancestral art of weaving mochilas, explaining why this activity goes beyond craftsmanship: it is a way of transmitting thought, memory, and culture. During the activity, you will be able to observe the entire process, from spinning the yarn to the finished mochila, as well as learn about the different products available in their community stores.

The day will culminate with a talking circle, a space for reflection and spiritual connection with the Wiwa culture, reinforcing the experience lived at the Gotsezhy Refuge.

Day 3

The day begins early with a hearty breakfast at the Gotsezhy Refuge. Immediately afterwards, the indigenous guide will share a series of recommendations before setting off on the hike to Matuna Waterfall.

To get there, you take a 15-minute walk along nature trails surrounded by nature. Upon arrival, hikers are greeted by a majestic sight: Matuna Waterfall, a waterfall over 10 meters high that forms a crystal-clear lagoon, perfect for a refreshing swim.

At noon, we will return to the cabin, where travelers can have lunch and rest before getting ready for the return trip.

In the afternoon, we will begin our trek back to the village of Guachaca, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us on the final leg of our journey to the city of Santa Marta, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m. This last leg of the journey will bring to a close an unforgettable experience at Refugio Gotsezhy, a place that combines nature, spirituality, and ancestral culture.

Note: The itinerary for the excursion to Gotsezhy Refuge may vary depending on weather conditions or ground transportation.

Información Importante para el Trek Refugio Gotsezhy

Durante este Trek al Refugio Gotsezhy, deben respetar la privacidad y la cultura de los indígenas Wiwa. No debemos entrar en sus chozas, ni tomar fotografías de ellos o sus pertenencias, sin antes informar al guía indígena solicitar el debido permiso.

Carry only the essentials in your suitcase, as weight is a determining factor when walking long distances, make sure you are in good physical condition, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages the day before and try to bring all your garbage back to Santa Marta.

Do not damage natural or cultural property in Gotsezhy. During the tour there is no cell phone signal, so please advise your family and friends that you will only be able to communicate with them once you return from your experience.

During the day, the weather is hot and humid, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothing, T-shirts, and shorts for walking. At night, the temperature drops to approximately 15°C, and there are more mosquitoes and other insects, so it is important to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to sleep and to use insect repellent.

What to bring on the Gotsezhy Refuge Trek

Biodegradable Cleaning Supplies.

Small backpack.	Camera.
Comfortable walking clothes.	Sturdy sandals.
Walking shoes.	Hat or cap.
Bio-Repellent.	Sunscreen.
	A Flashlight
Vestido de Baño.	Bolsas Plásticas para la humedad.
Personal medicines.	Vaccine – Yellow Fever (optional).

Reservation Policies

This trek to the Gotsezhy Refuge can only be booked by making a deposit of ($255,000 COP), which corresponds to 30% of the total cost of the tour ($850,000 COP), through our online payment gateway. The remaining 70% (COP $595,000) must be paid at the Wiwa Tours office on the day we leave for Gotsezhy.

An identity document is a fundamental requirement for booking the Gotsezhy Tour. For nationals, a copy of your personal identification card or passport is required if you are a foreigner. For the day we leave for the tour, it is not necessary to bring your identity card, at least bring a copy of it.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy
For cancellations, WIWA TOURS applies a penalty of 100% of the deposit amount, equivalent to 30% of the total price. However, if notification is given at least 20 days in advance, the customer may transfer the reservation to another person, change the tour, or request a voucher to be redeemed within the next six months.

No Show and Penalties
Failure to show up at the agreed date and time will result in a charge of 100% of the amount reserved for this activity, which is equivalent to 30% of the tour price. WIWA TOURS is not responsible for circumstances beyond its control, such as delays, missed flights, illness, notification problems, or any other situation that prevents you from arriving on time at the meeting point.

Voucher
WIWA TOURS can issue a voucher that allows you to reschedule your reservation or use it for another trip without losing your deposit. This voucher is valid for six months from the date of issue and will not be refunded for any difference in value in the services contracted.

Reprogramming of the Reservation
It is possible to reschedule a reservation, as long as it is requested at least ten (10) days prior to the start date of the trip.

Reservation Modification
Travelers are responsible for managing changes to their reservations and assuming the associated costs. Rescheduling is subject to WIWA TOURS’ approval and may incur additional fees.

Right of Withdrawal
The customer has a maximum period of five (5) business days, counted from the delivery of the goods or the signing of the contract, to exercise the right of withdrawal. This right shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of Law 1480 of 2011.

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