"Ecohabs, tayrona park" gairavip's Profile

The Tayrona Park was created in 1964, on the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia, 34 km north.east of Santa Marta. In addition to the biological importance of the park, there is a wealth of cultural heritage. It is believed that some 15,000-20,000 years ago, when the effects of the last ice age were still apparent, small bands of nomad hunters and collectors occupied the area. In the sixth and seventh centuries, the area was occupied by tribes, known as the Tayronas, which took over the coast and the high ground behind it. This occupation lasted until the 16th century. The landscape is one of large white rocks and flagstone paths leading up to the last traces of the pre-Hispanic Tayrona culture.



Fauna

The variety of fauna and flora is due to the fact that the 12,000 hectares of mainland, and 3,000 hectares of coastal waters rise from sea level to 900m (3000ft), and therefore offer shelter to different ecosystems by land and sea. The park protects 27 species of typical flora and fauna, and 56 species threatened by extinction. More than 100 species of mammals have been reported, including the armadillo, deer, and small tigers; there are more than 40 species of bats and primates. More than 400 species of birds - the condor, the solitary eagle, the white eagle; and there is a variety of reptiles: the green turtle, the large turtle, snakes, iguanas, and amphibians.



Soil

Bays, beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, fish, molluscs and algae share our Park with hills, woodland and scrub; more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and archaeological ruins of the Tayrona culture. On the seabed there are coral reefs and sea-meadows which produce food and refuge for other organisms, 50 species of coral, more than 100 species of algae, and abundant and colourful invertebrates; sea slugs, fire slugs, rock sea-urchins, sea-anemones, snails, bivalves, shrimp, crabs, starfish, lobsters and sponges. The fish in particular contain populations of red snapper, toothfish, morenas and parrot fish.

Water
The sistem s formed a number of streams,rivulets and rivers wich flow down the mountainssides into the sea.

Hidrography
The marine system is formed by sets of creeks, streams and sewers that slide by slopes and flow directly to the sea.


How to get there
With an advance reservation, you can take a transfer to the Park from Simon Bolivar airport in Santa Marta. A representative of the Tayrona Concession will be waiting for you at the exit gate for domestic flight arrivals. If going overland, take the nearest road from Santa Marta to the Troncal del Caribe highway, towards Riohacha. At km 35 you will find the El Zaino entrance, which is the main gate to the Park, where you can enter the accommodation and restaurants sectors in Cañaveral and Arrecifes. If you are not in your own car, there are the following alternatives:
Take a van or taxi from Santa Marta airport - you can hire a driver on your arrival. In the centre of Santa Marta, at the Mamatoco Station, you can also take public transport to the El Zaino entrance to the Park. From there, you will have to hire transport inside the park to take you to Cañaveral or a place known as the “juice kiosk". If you are going to the Arrecifes sector, there are two options: walk 40 minutes on the path from the “juice kiosk”, or hire a horse. Admission to Arrecifes closes at 4 p.m.

Services - accommodation
Ecohabs
The Cañaveral sector has 14 Ecohabs (indigenous houses), three small ones with double bed, and another large one with any double bed and the option of two singles, which must be requested when making the reservation (applies for family accommodation, maximum 4).

MAURICIO ROBAYO
GERENTE GAIRA V.I.P cell pone Colombia 316 4541745, U.S.A 305 320 3689
WEB SITE www.gairavip.com msm gairavip@hotmail.com gerenciagairavip@yahoo.es