How to Visit Cueva del Esplendor from Jardin: A Half-Day Guided Tour

Our Experience of Visiting Cueva del Esplendor

Check-in at the Tour Office (Jardin Town)

Our day began at the operator’s office near the main square.

After signing in, we received a quick briefing from our guide. The briefing is in Spanish, as the entire tour, however, most steps were self-explanatory, and the guide explained further in case there were any specific questions.

The group assembled for our tour was a diverse mix of travelers, families, couples, and group of friends, and were split into two groups for two vehicles.

Before beginning, each of us were handed a set of bottled water, a cereal bar and a bocadillo, a typical Colombian sweet candy made of guava paste.

Willys Jeep Ride into the Hills

The journey to the trailhead was an experience in itself. We climbed aboard a classic Willys jeep with tight benches and open-air at the back that offered unobstructed views of the countryside.

As we wound through farms, we got views of the green valleys and traditional fincas with their distinctive tiled roofs.

The ride was bumpy, especially on steeper, rutted sections, so holding on tight was essential, but that was part of the fun.

I (Indranil), on encouragement from a fellow traveler, stood on the footboard, hanging from the behind of the Willys jeep, to add a little more to the adventure.

This reminded me of when Pubali and I did something similar on another Willys jeep a few years ago, on our way to see the world’s tallest wax palm trees from Salento.

Trailhead Briefing and the Hike In

Upon reaching a farm gate, our guide gathered the group for a quick briefing about the route ahead, and a bit about the history of the trail.

The cave waterfall is on a private property and a protected area. The entries are restricted to protect the environment there.

The trail rolled through a mix of pasture and pockets of cloud forest. This part of the hike was easy, with a bit of uphill and downhill on the way.

Along the way, we passed cowbells hanging from trees, wild orchids, and breathed in the earthy scent of wet leaves.

Our guide set a steady pace, with a couple of short breaks at viewpoints to catch our breath and take in the scenery. She even introduced us to a beautiful flower which was edible. Yes, we tried.

Holding Area: Pause, Snacks and Beverage

Eventually, we reached a simple holding area near the trail to access the cave.

The place had a small house, sitting areas with roofs, a nicely landscaped garden that attracted hummingbirds and also had amazing views of the lush green rolling hills around.

The holding area also had bathrooms available, which was the last amenity before heading into the cave.

Stairway to the Cave

From the holding area, a set of stairs led down through the cloud forest vegetation and wet rocks covered in moss.

Handrails, made of rubber pipes, provided necessary support on the slick steps. We moved slowly, allowing our eyes to adjust to the diminishing light.

Along the way, we passed a couple of open areas that offered views of the river flowing through the surrounding cloud forest. The path culminated in a river crossing before reaching the cave entrance.

As we descended to a lower platform, the roar of falling water grew increasingly louder, a sign that we were approaching our destination.

Inside Cueva del Esplendor: The Waterfall and the Glow

Stepping inside the cave was a moment of pure wonder. It was like we entered a vaulted chamber where a perfectly round skylight funneled daylight onto a ribbon of water falling from above.

The waterfall crashed into the pool below, creating a constant mist that filled the air and echoed throughout the chamber.

Although, there were a few brave-hearts who dared the cold water to get close to the gushing waterfall.

The Climb Out and Return Hike

After spending time marveling at the cave and the waterfall, we began our ascent back up the stairs to the holding area. The climb can be bit tiring, but the cooling down at the cave and the atmosphere helps.

Upon returning, we enjoyed a refreshing blackberry drink and orange cake before preparing for the return journey.

The hike back followed the same farm trail, but somehow the countryside seemed more expansive on the return.

The coffee trees, bromeliads, and sweeping mountain views were more noticeable now that the anticipation of reaching the cave had been satisfied.

Jeep Ride Back to Jardin

Back at the trailhead, we climbed on to the Willys jeep for our return journey. The bumpy ride down toward town was accompanied by wind in our hair and that distinctive post-hike satisfaction visible on everyone’s face.

On the way back at the tour office, some of us requested to get dropped off at the main square. The timing was perfect to get ourselves a well-earned lunch after the morning adventure.