ATV Tour near Cartagena · Patrol the Reserve
Adventure with a mission: monitoring and protecting tropical dry forest · 35 km from Cartagena
ATV near Cartagena, with a mission: patrol the Los Loros Reserve.
This is not just another ATV tour. It is a real patrol through a 500-hectare nature reserve of tropical dry forest in Villanueva, Bolívar, 35 km from Cartagena de Indias. For one day you live what it means to be a ranger of the Los Loros Reserve: you ride the territory the Foundation protects and carry out the tasks that keep it alive.
Your mission as a ranger for a day
- Patrol the reserve by ATV along dry-forest trails, stream crossings and lookouts over the mountain range.
- Carry food and water to animals in the reintegration process.
- Monitor the behavior of released animals: the patrol records where they are and how they behave.
- Deter poachers and opportunists: patrol presence keeps them from entering to steal animals or timber.
- In the dry season, watch the reserve to prevent fires, the forest's biggest threat in those months.
The day starts with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a patrol briefing on the Foundation's work. At the end, you plant a native tree in the restoration zone: the same forest that will sustain tomorrow's reintegrated flocks.
Patrolling means protecting one of Colombia's most endangered ecosystems.
Tropical dry forest has nearly vanished from Colombia, and what survives is fragmented into isolated patches. Every patrol that rides the reserve is active presence: wildlife protection and monitoring across the territory the Foundation's rehabilitated parrots and macaws return to. The value of your experience funds that work.
The species your patrol protects
The reserve is home to the 8 parrot and macaw species of the Foundation's program:
- Yellow-crowned amazon (Amazona ochrocephala)
- Scarlet macaw (Ara macao)
- Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)
- Chestnut-fronted macaw (Ara severa)
- Orange-winged amazon (Amazona amazonica)
- Blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus)
- Orange-chinned parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)
- Brown-throated parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax)
And beyond them: 200+ bird species and the wildlife of the dry forest. Meet the reserve's wildlife →
A glimpse of the reserve
From the patrol
The views you earn on patrol
Pause the engine at the top of the trail and this is what you see: tropical dry forest stretching toward the mountain range — the 500 hectares your patrol helps protect. Filmed on a real patrol through the reserve.
They already patrolled the reserve
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide Spanish/English, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.
Do you offer discounts for children or groups?+
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 people or special inquiries, write to us using the inquiry button and we'll send you a personalized quote.
What is the minimum and maximum age?+
The minimum age is 7. There is no maximum age — the experience is suitable for people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the difficulty level for your group, contact us.
What size are the groups?+
We work with small groups: maximum 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.
What should I bring?+
Comfortable, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long trousers are better.
Where do we get picked up, and what time?+
We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. There are two shifts: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact location and time are confirmed 24 hours before by WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or rescheduling.
Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?+
Some experiences involve walking on uneven terrain. For guests with limited mobility, we have adapted options (UTV tours, observation from the farm). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put something together for you.
What languages is the experience offered in?+
All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can arrange.