There is one reason I came to Tayrona National Park, and that was to visit the indigenous regions. I’d seen the two documentaries by Alan Ereira on the Kogi people (the first one from the 70s), and I wanted to come to where the world began. It took me a while to find Tierra Nativa, even though they have a good website: www.tierranativacolombia.com. After some conversations with Juan David via WhatsApp, I settled on the trip to Ñitaxalda Waterfall. I'm not usually a waterfall person, but for some reason, this one called to me. I was a bit surprised at how far east the hike was (I thought most trails were closer to Calabazo), but I decided to go with it—and I’m glad I did. First of all, I ended up staying at Ecolodge El Ebenezer, which was incredible. Secondly, even though the itinerary described the experience well—visiting the waterfall, walking through Kogi villages in the mountains, and meeting the Mamo—it was the unexpected moments that resonated most. My guide, Yeis, isn’t Kogi but grew up on the mountain and knows everyone there. He learned about medicinal plants from his grandmother. We even asked a young Kogi boy named Bash for help finding the best path to the falls. He was helpful and enjoyed watching people jump from the cliffs into the water. Eventually, he joined us for a swim and savored the delicious pineapple Yeis brought from his farm: Delicious! Speaking of Yeis’s farm, lunch was prepared by his family, and everything, EVERYTHING, came from the farm. We ate, relaxed, and conversed before continuing on to meet the Mamo—an insightful experience. We continued along the river to where it met the sea (or trickled into the sea). The only picture I took was this final point. This means that because I didn’t think to pull out my camera that I was totally in the moment. And that’s exactly what this journey was about.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and heartfelt review. It was a true privilege to share this experience with you. We are honored that your interest in the Kogi culture and the Sierra Nevada led you to Tierra Nativa, and we are delighted that the journey exceeded your expectations in such meaningful ways. We will be sure to share your kind words with Yeis and his family. They will be very happy to know that their hospitality, the fresh food from their farm, and their knowledge of medicinal plants made such a lasting impression. These genuine connections with local families are at the heart of what we hope every guest can experience. We are also grateful that you took the time to meet the Mamo and visit Ñitaxalda Waterfall with an open mind. Sometimes the most memorable moments are the ones we never plan, and your story beautifully reflects the spirit of the Sierra Nevada. Your final words touched us deeply—that you were so present that you forgot to take photos. For us, that is one of the greatest compliments we could receive. Thank you for trusting Tierra Nativa. We hope to welcome you back one day to continue discovering the culture, nature, and ancestral wisdom of this sacred land. Warm regards, Juan David & the Tierra Nativa Team 🌿🏞️✨
