Caño Cristales: the most beautiful river on the planet is in Colombia
Only one percent of Colombians know instead . That is why several projects promote it, but they also try to raise awareness of the importance of protecting it and mass tourism is not encouraged.
The Caño Cristales thing seems like a Magical Realism thing , capable of inspiring his compatriot, the long-awaited Gabriel García Márquez. Walking along the river bank one understands why this biological wonder is so appreciated by gourmet travelers and nature lovers.
The chromatic party, helped by the transparency of its waters, leaves you speechless. The river seems aware of its virtues and plays hard to get. Its five colors are the result of a combination of wonderful factors . The presence inside of a striking red plant called Macarenia Clavigera , which in times of high light can appear orange or purple, and the optical effect caused by its crystalline waters, whose hue can appear green or blue under the intense Colombian sun, combine this rainbow.
But magic doesn't happen all the time, only in rainy season (approximately six months a year, until January) . Without sufficient flow in the river, the plant that gives it its color does not survive and you have to wait until the following year for it to bloom again.
Macarenia Clavigera, the plant 'guilty' of the colors of Caño Cristales
** GLASS SPOUT **
The legend of El Dorado It is very popular in Colombian culture. It speaks of the offerings of gold and emeralds that the natives threw into the water, which aroused the greed of the Spanish conquerors, obsessed with finding aquatic treasures.
The Caño Cristales River seems to perpetuate it. Not even when it is not hidden is it easy to find it. There are no roads that allow access to it from La Macarena , the nearest point of communication. You can fly there and then take a horse or donkey trip. The more adventurous can undertake a hiking trail through the Serranía de la Macarena National Park , not very extensive and always controlled by operators focused on ecological tourism.
It is difficult to get there but it is VERY worth it
NATIONAL PARK
Another reason why the area is almost unexplored is because until a little over five years ago it was controlled by the guerrillas. Today, with these problems solved and a level of security guaranteed one hundred percent, the area is under the protection of the Colombian army , who is also in charge of preserve its ecological value.
Caño Cristales has also been one of the filming locations for the documentary Columbia: Wild Magic . The film celebrates the spectacular biodiversity of the South American country , certified as the second in the world with more animal and plant species after Brazil. the of Serrania de la Macarena It is only one of the more than fifty national parks in Colombia. Behind the camera is an expert in the field such as the British mike slee , who rolled with David Atteborough the prestigious documentary series for television Life on Earth.
'The Eight' of Caño Cristales
The film shows many other areas of the country and serves as a “wake-up call to protect its rich but fragile natural landscape” , tells us the director and producer. From the Andes to the Caribbean, passing through this spectacular and almost unknown river, the film reveals to the world the natural wonders of this nation.
One of those responsible for these projects to raise awareness of the Colombian natural landscape is the Ecoplanet Foundation , who has been studying the country's ecosystems for 20 years and who is already preparing a virtual encyclopedia with information about Caño Cristales and the rest of the places in this documentary supported by Grupo Éxito.
For those who cannot approach the desired Caño Cristales they will be able to admire it with great detail on screen . In 2015 this film will be able to be seen almost free of charge in movie theaters and in educational centers in Colombia, in addition to having its premiere guaranteed in the rest of the world. "It's going to take just 80 minutes to fall in love with the country," Slee tells us. In Caño Cristales it takes just 80 seconds for that to happen.
Crystal Spout