ATV expedition through a wildlife reserve · 35 km from Cartagena
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At a glance
Duration
6 hours
Morning shift 7 AM – 1 PM · Afternoon shift 12 PM – 6 PM
Price
USD $150 per person
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. All inclusive.
Group
Max. 5 people per guide
Small groups, bilingual guide Spanish/English.
Minimum age
16 years
Due to the physical demands of handling the quad
What's included
Everything, no extras
Private door-to-door transport + breakfast + lunch + bilingual guide + activity + native tree planting.
Tree planting included
A native tree
Each visitor plants their own tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone.
Location
Villanueva, Bolívar
35 km from Cartagena · view on Google Maps →
Languages
Spanish and English
Adventure with purpose: ATV through a reserve where parrots learn to be free.
Parrots should fly free. Every individual that arrives at Fundación Loros carries a history of captivity, seizure, or illegal trade — and an outstanding right: to return to the forest. While those rehabilitation processes happen behind closed doors, you move through the same territory where, in a few months, those parrots will fly again.
The day starts with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a short talk about the foundation's work. Then you get on an ATV and ride through tropical dry forest trails: stream crossings, viewpoints toward the mountain range, active reforestation zones. Before the day closes, you plant a native tree in the restoration area — the same forest that will shelter the reintegrated flocks tomorrow.
Tropical dry forest: one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean.
You are in Villanueva, Bolívar, 35 km from Cartagena de Indias. The reserve protects 1,300 acres of Colombian tropical dry forest, home to Amazonian parrots, macaws, toucans, howler monkeys, and the tití cabeciblanco — one of the most endangered species in the world. Every ATV that enters the forest passes through corridors the foundation is restoring with its own nursery and ongoing tree planting.
The full value of your experience is reinvested in the foundation's mission: rehabilitation and reintegration of psittacines, tropical dry forest restoration, and partnerships with farmers who steward the land. This is not recreational tourism: it is direct funding for an auditable conservation process.
"This experience changed how I think about conservation. The team's passion for their animals is evident, and the ATV ride made it extra exciting." — Maggie D., Viator (mayo 2025)
Itinerary
What your day looks like
Choose the shift that works best for you. Both cover all Stations of El Sendero hacia la Libertad — only the start time changes.
7:00
12:00
60 min
Pickup at your hotel
We pick you up in Cartagena with private door-to-door transport. Approximately 1 hour to Villanueva, Bolívar.
8:00
13:00
30 min
Arrival and breakfast by the lake
Welcome breakfast made with ingredients from our farm.
8:30
13:30
30 min
Conservation talk
How the foundation works: rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoration of the tropical dry forest.
9:00
14:00
150 min
ATV Tour
Tropical dry forest trails on a solo quad with a guide. Stream crossings, lookout points, reforestation zones.
11:30
16:30
30 min
Farm lunch
Lunch with local ingredients from our own production.
12:00
17:00
30 min
Plant your native tree
You plant your own native tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone. It's your physical legacy — the same tree that tomorrow will give food and shelter to the released parrots.
12:30
17:30
30 min
Farewell and return
We return to Cartagena by private transport. Estimated arrival at 13:00 (morning shift) or 18:00 (afternoon shift).
The Trail to Freedom
Your place on the trail
Each experience covers some of the 11 stations in the real rehabilitation and reintegration process. The ones you'll go through are highlighted.
Breakfast at the Lake
Fruit Kitchen
Feeding the birds
Aversion training
Trail of the tití monkeys
Nursery · tree selection
Horseback ride along the trail
Release point
Agroecological point
Commemorative tree planting
Toast and certificate
Station 4 · Aversion
Fear can save a life. Surviving also means knowing when to run.
Sanctuary team · Fundación Loros
The impact behind your visit
Real numbers from the Foundation's work
Every experience you book finances this measurable, verifiable work. These are the numbers behind Colombia's only specialized center for psittacines.
60+
Birds released and site-faithful
Parrots and macaws that flew back to the forest
200+
Birds in active rehabilitation
Rescued from illegal trade and in the process of reintegration
500 ha
Protected tropical dry forest
One of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean
20.000+
Trees planted in the reserve
Nursery on-site · native and fruit-bearing species
80
Years of longevity
What a parrot or macaw can go through
1.000+
Parrots seized per year in Colombia
The reason the Foundation exists
Voices from the expedition
What they found along the way
It is fantastic what they are doing here to support wildlife! We learnt a lot and saw beautiful birds. Everything was well organised. We recommend it to anyone who wants a different experience that supports wildlife and the local community.
Kari· Australia
GetYourGuide · Noviembre 2025
This is one of THE best experiences I've ever had anywhere in the world! You arrive at a nature reserve where they rescue, rehabilitate and 'rewild' parrots and macaws. It's truly fascinating to learn about them. We came across monkeys, horses and more. We ended this incredible day by planting a native tree.
Olga· Estados Unidos
GetYourGuide · Julio 2025
Wspaniały dzień w otoczeniu przyrody. Nasza przewodniczka Corina to cudowny człowiek, czuliśmy się bardzo zaopiekowani. Mamy ogromny szacunek do tego co robią dla ratowania zwierząt i roślin.
Monika· Polonia
GetYourGuide · Enero 2026
I cannot recommend this activity enough! The guides were absolutely incredible, we learned so much about how they rehabilitate the birds. The dogs that live there are wonderful too. We were given delicious fresh food, and we even got to choose a tree which we then got to plant atop the mountain.
Grace· Reino Unido
GetYourGuide · Diciembre 2025
This experience changed how I think about conservation. The team's passion for their animals is evident.
Maggie DiMatteo
Viator · Mayo 2025
These testimonials are real customer reviews. They can be verified on:
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide Spanish/English, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.
Do you offer discounts for children or groups?+
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 people or special inquiries, write to us using the inquiry button and we'll send you a personalized quote.
What is the minimum and maximum age?+
The minimum age is 7. There is no maximum age — the experience is suitable for people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the difficulty level for your group, contact us.
What size are the groups?+
We work with small groups: maximum 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.
What should I bring?+
Comfortable, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long trousers are better.
Where do we get picked up, and what time?+
We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. There are two shifts: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact location and time are confirmed 24 hours before by WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or rescheduling.
Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?+
Some experiences involve walking on uneven terrain. For guests with limited mobility, we have adapted options (UTV tours, observation from the farm). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put something together for you.
What languages is the experience offered in?+
All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.
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