ORINOCO PAYARA AND PEACOCK BASS EXPEDITION (8 DAYS)

Day 1 : Arrival in Bogota

When you arrive in Bogota, I will be waiting for you at the baggage pick-up exit holding a Colombia Wild sign. We will drive you to our accommodations and relax for the remainder of the day. As soon as we are settled and depending on arrival times, we will tour the city and perhaps visit Monserrate, a very popular place up in the hills that will give us beautiful views of the whole city, and eat at a great typical restaurant.

Day 2: Bogota-Villavicencio-Puerto Gaitan

We wake up early and head to the airport to catch our 5:30 am flight to Villavicencio, from here we will take a private transport to the town of Puerto Gaitan (3.5 hrs). Once there, we will be welcomed by Jhon our expert local guide and taken to our hotel. Once settled, he will give us a brief introduction to fishing in the region. We will learn about the various fish species and techniques to hook and land them. If time permits, we will go out for an afternoon of fishing.

Day 3 and 4: Fishing Meta, Yucao and Manacacias Rivers

For the next two days we will wake at 5:30 am and after breakfast fish one of our best options of the Yucao, Meta, and Manacacias Rivers. We will Fly fish, troll, or bottom fish for Payara, Butterfly Peacock Bass, Silver Croakers, Bicuda and Yellow and White Sardinata for the whole day. On our way to the fishing sites we will be accompanied by pink dolphins who will surely steal the show for a bit. We return by 6:30 pm for a great local cuisine each night coupled with quality wines. One one of the nights we may opt to do a bit of bait fishing at night for large catfish. It's up to you.

Day 5: Afternoon Fishing Rio Muco

Today, we wake up early (4:00 am) and take a private 4x4 to the Muco River, about 3 hrs east of Puerto Gaitan near the Meta and Vichada Departments. THe road is for the most part unpaved and we may get lucky and come across some caimans or capibaras. Our campsite is rustic but extremely clean and our hosts Humberto and Jenny are the best. They will do the utmost to make us feel welcome. Once settled we begin our fishing adventure targeting primarily Speckled Peacock Bass and Yamu.

Day 6 and 7: Fishing Rio Muco

For the next 2 days we will cast for Speckled Peacock Bass (the largest subspecies), Yaru, and Piranha spp. as well as a host of big catfish. On our fourth day, we will hit specific points for some bottom fishing targeting Pacu, Striped Catfish, and Carib Rays. In each of the evenings, we will be able to enjoy, as a group. our experiences by campfire with some of our fresh-caught fish (only non-game like piranha and catfish), local foods (capibara, and llanero veal) with quality wine and suds. We will return to Puerto Gaitan on the evening of day 7.

Day 8: Puerto Gaitan-Villavicencio-Bogota Today, we take our transport to Villavicencio to catch our flight to Bogota and home or to other fishing destinations.