Ciénega de Pijiño tour

This river tour is available from hotels in the town of Mompox

About

A short distance from Mompox lies an entirely different landscape. The Ciénaga de Pijiño forms part of the vast Depresión Momposina, an extraordinary low-lying region where the Magdalena, Cauca and San Jorge river systems spread into a complex network of channels, floodplains, shallow lakes and wetlands.

These wetlands perform an important natural function, absorbing and storing water as river levels rise and releasing it again as they fall. The result is a constantly changing landscape of open water, floating vegetation, marshes and waterways which supports both an exceptionally rich ecosystem and the communities that have lived alongside it for generations.

The Ciénaga de Pijiño is one of these shallow wetland lakes, connected to the wider Magdalena river system by natural channels. Its waters and vegetation provide habitat for numerous species of birds, including herons, kingfishers, cormorants and jacanas, while iguanas and babillas can also be encountered around the waterways. Beneath the surface live many of the fish species characteristic of the Magdalena basin.

For visitors to Mompox, Pijiño offers an opportunity to experience the natural landscape that surrounds and helps define the town. The colonial streets of Mompox may be the reason you came, but the rivers and wetlands of the Depresión Momposina are an equally important part of understanding where you are.

The tour

Set out from Mompox on a private three-hour boat journey through the waterways of the Magdalena to the Ciénaga de Pijiño, a rich wetland ecosystem of open water, floating vegetation and abundant birdlife.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel before you board your private boat and begin the journey out towards the ciénaga. Along the way there are excellent opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat while experiencing a very different side of the landscape surrounding Mompox.

The excursion can be taken either in the morning, when the wetlands are coming to life, or later in the day when the heat begins to fade and the journey takes on the softer light of the late afternoon and evening.

Once at the Ciénaga de Pijiño, those who wish can take a refreshing swim before beginning the return journey to Mompox. Life jackets, juice, bottled water and a light snack are included.

The excursion lasts approximately three hours.

Groups sizes

All private guided tours are available from 1 person up to large tour groups.

Languages

Ciénega de Pijiño tours are available in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

We say

• The Ciénaga de Pijiño is a very different experience from historic Mompox and makes an excellent contrast within a short stay. In just a few hours you move from colonial streets to one of the wetland landscapes that define the wider Depresión Momposina.
• The excursion works particularly well in the late afternoon, when the temperature drops, the light softens and the return journey can offer excellent opportunities for golden-hour and blue-hour photography across the Magdalena and surrounding wetlands. Morning departures are equally rewarding for wildlife.
• Birdlife is one of the highlights of the excursion, but the journey itself is just as important. Travelling by boat through the river channels and wetlands gives a much better sense of the geography surrounding Mompox than you get from the town alone.

More options

Combining this tour in the afternoon with a morning walking tour of Mompox is the perfect way to make the most of a short visit to this charismatic and unique town.

See also

CartagenaMompoxMompox walking tourSanta Marta and TayronaThe Colours of Colombia