February 19th-27th 2025
La Macarena
For experienced anglers only. This is the land of giants. A fairly small tributary in the upper Orinoco River Basin with the largest Payara in Colombia. This river is also full of catfish, many of which will eat flies!
The main focus of this trip is giant Payara. As the river lowers and gets more clear during this short window, the Payara congregate in riffles and against the rocks to smash the migrating bogachicko baitfish. At certain times of day they become very aggressive including on topwater patterns and you can rattle off several Payara in several casts. It’s wild! The casts can be difficult and there will definitely be dead times. The river is also prone to flooding which kills the Payara fishing. Luckily there is a clearwater tributary that is fun to explore for 1-2 days. Smaller Payara are here but also a plethora of other species including Bicuda, Yamu (also called Matrinxa or Yatorana), Palometta, and even Catfish. Then there is the catfishing with a spinning rod. These are true monsters that grow quickly and eat anything/everything off the bottom. Highly recommend some time targeting these beasts if interested. Overall this trip is unique, challenging, and very rewarding!
Another perk of this trip is A/C hotels throughout! We will be staying in downtown La Macarena in a comfortable hotel with private rooms, A/C and showers. Even a swimming pool and jacuzzi (nothing too fancy….). The hotel is located 100 meters from Chickees restaurant where breakfast and dinner will be served. The hotel is also 200 meters from the boat dock!
$3,200 includes everything except flights to/from Bogota, meals in Bogota, potential baggage fees, and tips to the guides (recommend 7-10%). The price does include all travel and hotels within Colombia, guides & boats, along with food & beer in La Macarena!
Itinerary below:
Feb 19— Fly from your home airport to Bogota. Take a taxi or hotel shuttle to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel and get to bed early!
Feb 20— A driver will be picking you up very early in the morning (between 2am-5am) for a 3-4 hour drive from Bogota to Villavicencio. You’ll then take a private plane arranged by Ecoturismo Macarena from Villavicencio to La Macarena. Check into the hotel, have a quick lunch, and off for a few hours of Payara fishing!
Feb 21-25— Five full days of fishing! Down river, up river, tributaries, and even a tourist day to Cano Cristales if desired! Fish for massive Payara or Catfish with side opportunities for Yamu, Bicuda, etc in this world class fishery.
Enjoy fishing El Cajón or “the box” which is a beautiful canyon at the entrance of Tinigua National Park. 60 minutes up river this canyon is the furthest you can fish but has amazing fishing with an unbelievable backdrop!
Cano Cristales is a beautiful series of waterfalls featured in the Disney movie “Encanto”. This would require extra $$ but looks amazing and I intend to take a look in 2025 as a rest day in the middle of the trip! Potential small stream Sardintata and Yamu opportunity…
Feb 26— Breakfast and pack up. Private plane from La Macarena to Villavicencio in the morning followed by the 3-4 hour drive from Villavicencio to Bogota. Stay in the same Courtyard Marriott Hotel
Feb 27— Fly home from Bogota.
Please use our contact page for any questions. Hope you can join and let us know if another week is better for you as we can arrange something!
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