Indika Achagua: Unforgettable Glamping in Colombia's Choachi!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the kaleidoscope that is Indika Achagua, this glamping spot in Choachi, Colombia. And let me tell you, figuring out how to capture this place in words is like trying to herd cats in a disco. But hey, I'm here to try! Here goes nothing… a very human nothing.
Indika Achagua: Unforgettable Glamping in Colombia's Choachi! – A Review (and Maybe a Little Therapy)
Right, so Indika Achagua. The name itself sounds like a mystical chant, doesn't it? And the pictures? Oh, the pictures! Instagram-perfect domes shimmering under a sky full of stars. But does the reality actually live up to the hype? Short answer: mostly. Longer answer: grab a coffee (they have that, by the way) and let’s get messy.
Accessibility: Okay, Let’s Talk Ground Level (Literally)
Look, if you're expecting a perfectly accessible wonderland, Indika isn't quite there yet. They do have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a good sign. But be warned, this is glamping, so you're dealing with nature. Think undulating terrain, paths not exactly paved with gold. It appears there’s an Elevator, which is fantastic news for some, but I couldn’t definitively confirm its access everywhere… This requires a bit of inquiring beforehand.
Internet – Bless the Wi-Fi Gods! (and the Lack of LAN)
Okay, first things first: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! I’ve stayed in places that promise internet and deliver dial-up nightmares. Indika? Actually pretty decent. I was able to upload Instagram stories, make video calls (yes, even from the spa… more on that gloriousness later), and even gasp work a little. They offer Internet access – wireless and Internet, but Internet [LAN] isn't listed (which is totally fine if you're not tied to having a wired connection).
Cleanliness and Safety – The Stuff that Matters Right Now:
Alright, in a post-pandemic world, this is huge. And Indika seems to take it seriously. The usual suspects are there: Hand sanitizer everywhere, Staff trained in safety protocol, and they're using Anti-viral cleaning products. I saw them doing Daily disinfection in common areas and they have Room sanitization opt-out available, which you should always appreciate. They're even implementing Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, which is pretty standard these days. They also have Hygiene certification, Rooms sanitized between stays, and, for the love of all that is holy, Sterilizing equipment. The Safe dining setup was a definite plus, and they offer Cashless payment service (a bonus!). They offer Individually-wrapped food options, which is reassuring. Honestly? Felt pretty safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious Food! (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Okay, my foodie friends, this is a mixed bag. Let's start with the wins: They have Restaurants! Many restaurants! They even have a Vegetarian restaurant. I didn't get to explore it, but I'm sure it's delicious! They also offer Room service [24-hour] and Coffee shop, and most importantly has a Poolside bar. Breakfast [buffet] is available, and you can even get Breakfast in room which is a bonus (and, of course, a Breakfast takeaway service). I did get a chance to try the Breakfast [buffet] and the Western breakfast.
- The Good: Okay, the breakfast buffet was actually pretty darn good. Fresh fruit, good coffee, and enough variety to keep me happy.
- The Less-Than-Perfect: The à la carte menu had some issues, but nothing major.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Spa Day, Anyone? (Oh, Yes, Please!)
Okay, THIS is where Indika Achagua really shines. Think of a spa day and magnify it by a thousand. They have it all. The Spa/sauna is incredible. I spent at least a solid three hours there. Three glorious hours. They also offer a Body scrub and Body wrap. All you need to do is close your eyes and let them work their magic. Trust me. They have a Sauna, a Steamroom, and a Foot bath! I'm gonna be honest, I had a strong emotional reaction to the whole situation. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated spa bliss. They don't have a gym, but I didn't miss it.
There is a Swimming pool (and one with a Pool with view!), which is all sorts of appealing. You can relax on the Terrace. Need I say more?
Rooms – Your Cozy Cocoon (and the Minor Quirks)
The rooms themselves are a highlight. They offer Non-smoking rooms and Soundproof rooms. I stayed in a dome, which was gorgeous. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver. They offer Toiletries (very, very nice ones), Bathrobes, and Slippers. I even had Complimentary tea which was a nice touch.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Difference:
Okay, I also saw Concierge, Laundry service, and Dry cleaning. They have a Convenience store, too.
For the Kids – Family Fun (with a Caveat)
They certainly have Babysitting service, are Family/child friendly, and have Kids facilities.
Getting Around – The Logistics (and the View!)
They offer Airport transfer which is a must. There's also Taxi service available. There's also Car park [free of charge] and a Car park [on-site].
The Anecdote That Sums It Up (and Makes it Personal)
Okay, picture this: Me, mid-massage, eyes closed, muscles melting. The masseuse is humming some Colombian tune, the scent of eucalyptus fills the air, and I'm pretty sure a small bird landed on my shoulder (okay, that might be an exaggeration… but it felt like it could happen). That moment? That's Indika Achagua. It's about slowing down, breathing deep, and forgetting (even if just for a few hours) the craziness of life.
The Imperfections (Because We're Real)
Indika isn’t perfect. The food, at times, was a mixed bag. The terrain can present challenges for some. And the price point? Certainly not budget-friendly.
But. And it's a big but. The overall experience, the setting, the feeling of being there? That’s what you’re paying for. It's a sanctuary, a digital detox (if you choose to embrace it) and a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you.
The Verdict + A Compelling Offer
So, would I recommend Indika Achagua? Absolutely. Would I say it's “unforgettable?” Yep. It's the kind of place that sticks with you, a memory you'll pull out on a gloomy day and sigh with contentment.
Here's my offer to you, my discerning traveler:
Book your glamping getaway at Indika Achagua and get a COMPLIMENTARY Spa Treatment! (That’s right, an entire Body Scrub/Body Wrap! And a hot stone massage!!!) Seriously, this is the best deal you're going to find. Forget the stress, embrace the relaxation, and prepare to fall in love with Colombia all over again. Click [Insert Booking Link Here] and use code "INDEMEMORIES" at checkout to claim your free spa experience. Trust me, you deserve it. You totally, absolutely, deserve it. And after all, a long walk in the forest and a hot spa day is what you need.
P.S. - Don't forget to bring your camera! You'll want to capture every single Instagram-worthy moment.
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is INDIKA ACHAGUA, GLAMPING, CHOACHI, COLOMBIA, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. Consider yourself warned.
The "Probably Gonna Mess This Up Slightly" Indika Achagua Glamping Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh My God, This is Stunning" Moment (Followed by Mild Panic)
- Morning (ish) - Bogota to Choachi: The Great Escape.
- 8:00 AM: Wake up in my slightly-too-small Bogota hotel room, regretting last night’s third margarita. The "perfect" plan involves hailing a Uber. Reality? Probably a frantic scramble, my Spanish is terrible.
- 9:00 AM: Fight traffic. Pray to whatever deity controls the flow of cars in this city. Consider offering the driver a small bribe for speed.
- 10:30 AM: Arrive at Choachi… finally! The air is different. Cleaner, fresher, smells like countryside. The drive, which was supposed to be scenic and relaxing, was a bit of a white-knuckle affair, mostly because I was busy Googling "how to say 'please don't kill me' in Spanish."
- 11:00 AM: Finally, at Indika Achagua! Initial impression? "HOLY GUACAMOLE." Seriously. Panoramic views of the Andes. Lush green hills. Cute little cabins dotted around. My jaw currently resides somewhere near my ankles. I'm instantly captivated.
- 11:30 AM: Check-in. The staff is incredibly smiley and welcoming. I have the distinct feeling they're used to bewildered gringos stumbling through their property. Good. I fit right in. Ask for the Wifi password. Desperately.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I'm starving after the journey! Trying the local arepas, because I clearly haven't had enough carbs in my life. They are delicious. I accidentally spill half of my aguapanela on myself. Embrace the mess. It's part of the charm, right?
- 1:00 PM: Settle into my glamping cabin. It's adorable. Tiny imperfections in the wood, a view straight out of a postcard… I immediately take a gazillion pictures, trying and failing to capture the true beauty.
- 1:30 PM: A small, very cute dog (I named him "Chucho") wanders by. I spend a happy fifteen minutes petting him and contemplating my life choices. This is living.
- 2:00 PM: Explore the grounds. There's a fire pit, a small lake, and trails winding through the hills. I try to hike, but I might be a little out of shape, so I'm huffing and puffing after about 2 minutes.
- 4:00 PM: Relaxing… I try meditating. Fail. I'm probably too busy internally judging myself for failing to meditate.
- 5:00 PM: Happy hour! Local craft beer on the deck, watching the sun dip behind the mountains. Pure bliss.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the on-site restaurant. More delicious local food. Trying bandeja paisa. It's mountains of food. I might regret this later.
- 8:30 PM: Stargazing. The night sky is absolutely breathtaking. Never seen so many stars. I'm starting to feel genuinely peaceful. I have a moment of existential contemplation. Am I ready for my life and death? Maybe not yet.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Exhausted, happy, and already slightly in love with this place.
Day 2: "Adventure" and a Lesson in Humility
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to the sound of… well, nature. Birds chirping, wind rustling through the trees. It's glorious, but I'm still tired. Hit snooze.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Eggs, fruit, coffee. Fuel for the day's "adventure." (Note quotation marks).
- 9:00 AM: The Hike. The Indika Achagua people have marked trails for the glampers. Today, I'm tackling the "challenging" one.
- 9:30 AM: Begin. Trail is beautiful. I feel great. I’m practically bounding up the hills. I tell myself that I'm basically Bear Grylls.
- 10:00 AM: Start to feel the altitude. And the lack of oxygen. And the fact that my cardio is abysmal. This "challenging" trail is kicking my butt. I'm now Bear Grylls, but the pathetic version.
- 11:00 AM: I'm pretty sure a small child could out-hike me at this point. I'm taking frequent "photo breaks" (read: gasping for air).
- 11:30 AM: Reach the viewpoint. The view is, predictably, stunning. I'm sweaty, exhausted, and incredibly proud of myself for not giving up. A wave of pure satisfaction.
- 12:00 PM: The descent is almost as bad. My knees are screaming. I stumble a lot.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the cabin– delicious! I treat myself to a well-deserved nap.
- 3:00 PM: Explore the nearby town of Choachi. It's charming and authentic. I wander around, soaking in the atmosphere, and try my rusty Spanish. I’m reasonably sure I accidentally ordered a coffee made with gasoline.
- 5:00 PM: Relax. I attempt to read, but I'm too distracted by the view. I can't believe this is my life right now.
- 6:00 PM: Back for Happy Hour! I deserve it after that hike. I chat with some other guests. Feel the camaraderie.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at the restaurant. More deliciousness. I'm starting to think I could live on this food.
- 9:00 PM: Listen to nature and feeling grateful for the experience.
Day 3: Departure (and the deep, deep sadness)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up slowly. I don't want to leave.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Savor every bite.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute photo spree, desperately trying to capture the magic I'll inevitably forget.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. The staff wave goodbye. I feel a pang of sadness.
- 11:30 AM: The drive back to Bogota. It's a little less stressful this time, but I'm still wary of the traffic (and terrified I won't find the best coffee).
- 1:00 PM: Get back to Bogota. Sigh. Back to reality. But the memories? They'll stay with me. And I will come back. Maybe I'll even try to learn some Spanish.
- 1:30 PM: Post on social media with "best weekend ever!!" and tons of photos.
- 2.00 PM: Dreaming of my return to Indika Achagua.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary isn't perfect. It's messy. It's probably a little embarrassing. But it's also honest. And that's the beauty of travel, isn't it? The imperfections, the unexpected moments, the stuff that makes you laugh (and maybe cry a little). Indika Achagua is a place where you can truly disconnect, recharge, and experience the raw beauty of Colombia. Go. Just go. You won't regret it.
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Indika Achagua: Choachí's Camping Chaos - FAQs (and My Totally Unreliable Opinions)
Okay, so... what *exactly* is Indika Achagua? Is it like, luxury camping? Or just really *expensive* camping?
Alright, picture this: You, surrounded by mountains, in Colombia. Not just any mountains, mind you – Choachí's. And instead of a leaky tent and instant coffee, you get... well, almost luxury. Think "glamping," but with a Colombian twist. They call it "unforgettable." Honestly? It's mostly true, but *unforgettable* in the way a first date with a llama is unforgettable. There's a lot of beautiful stuff, gorgeous scenery, the tents are legit cool - but there are also these… moments. We'll get to those. It's a definite step up from my usual backpacking, but is it justifying the price? Mmm, depends on your budget and your tolerance for slightly wonky logistics, which, let's be real, is part of the Colombian experience.
How do I *get* to Indika Achagua? Assuming I don't have a private helicopter.
Getting there... that's an adventure in itself. I remember, we're talking about Bogotá. You take a car (organized by Indika, or a taxi). The journey is about, oh, an hour and a half, maybe two, depending on the traffic (which, in Bogotá, is a beast of a different species). The road gets increasingly winding. And then you reach the last bit – the *real* test. It's a dirt track that looks like it was designed by a committee of particularly mischievous potholes. My personal car – a plucky little thing – probably shouldn't have attempted it. It felt like a slow-motion roller coaster, but without the fun. My advice? Trust the Indika transfer. They *know* the way. And bring motion sickness tablets. Seriously.
So, what are the *tents* like? Are we talking "rustic" or "instagrammable dream home?"
Ah, the tents. The heart of the operation... and the reason you're paying the big bucks. They're pretty damn good. Picture this: a spacious tent with a *real* bed (hallelujah!). Good quality linen. A private bathroom (thank god for that). My tent had a little deck overlooking the valley – views for days! The design is cool, very boho-chic-meets-mountain-lodge. I’d take it as my apartment. Like, genuinely. They're definitely the "Instagrammable Dream Home" end of the spectrum. But...and there's always a but, isn't there? Water pressure wasn't always amazing. And on a particularly drizzly evening, I think I might have heard some rain *inside* the tent. Minor details, I told myself. Minor details. But still, the overall vibe is fabulous.
What's the food like? Because a hungry camper is a grumpy camper...
The food... this is where things get more interesting. They advertise gourmet, and, I'm sorry, that's a bit of a stretch. It leans heavily into classic Colombian fare, which is good – arepas, bandeja paisa (massive plates of food), the works. It’s not bad at all. My first meal was excellent. The second? Not so much. They are trying. The staff really, really are trying. But sometimes the execution falls a little… short. I’m remembering a soup that tasted suspiciously like dishwater. And the coffee could be hit-or-miss. (Colombian coffee, people, it’s supposed to be a religion!) But hey, at least no one got food poisoning. Also, the views during meal times were perfect. That alone almost makes up for the slightly underwhelming cuisine. Almost.
What is there to *do*? It's not like there's a mall up there, right?
Okay, so activities. It's all about being outdoorsy. Hiking is the big thing. There are trails, and… well, more trails. The guides are friendly – one was this absolutely hilarious guy, let’s call him "Diego." He knew the flora and fauna better than I know my own address. The hikes are beautiful. The air is fresh. And the views? Worth it. Also, you got yoga sessions. Good for the muscles. Good for the soul. There are bonfire nights. And honestly, just sitting there and *doing nothing* is a perfectly acceptable activity. It's really all about unplugging. And believe me, it's easy to unplug when your phone signal is weaker than my patience.
Any "oops" moments? Any advice for someone who's thinking of going?
Oh gosh, yes! "Oops" moments! Where do I even start? Okay, so... there was the time I locked myself out of my tent at 2 am. In the pouring rain. Thankfully, I wasn't wearing anything I'd regret. And the staff quickly fixed it, bless their hearts. Ah. And then, there was... the alpaca incident. (We *will* get into this). But my main advice? Pack layers! The weather changes on a dime. Seriously, be prepared for sunshine, rain, and possibly a sudden blizzard. And bring earplugs. The wildlife – the birds, the insects, the… things that go bump in the night. They can make a racket. Embrace the slightly chaotic. Embrace the imperfections. Embrace, above all, the sheer glorious *remoteness* of it all. Because that, more than anything else, is what makes Indika Achagua… well, unforgettable.
Tell me about the *alpaca* incident. I have a feeling this is going to be juicy.
Okay. Fine. You want the alpaca story? Here it is. They have alpacas. Cute, fluffy alpacas. And you can (allegedly) feed them. I, thinking myself a seasoned animal handler (I've managed a house cat, which is practically the same thing, right?), approached these fluffy creatures with a handful of… something. They seemed friendly enough. Then, BAM! One of them, a particularly assertive fellow, decided my hand was lunch. Not a little nibble. A straight-up, "I'm going to eat your fingers" bite. I yelped. I dropped the food. The other alpacas pounced like a pack of miniature, woolly wolves. Chaos ensued. I ran. They ate the food. It hurt. My ego, more than my hand. The staff, again, were wonderful. Cleaned me up. Offered me tea. And tried, bless their hearts, to hide their snickers. So… yes. The alpacas. They are adorable until they aren't (which is basically the second you get close and want to feed them). Proceed withStay Collective
