6-day Carnival of Blacks and Whites tour in Pasto
Watch the Grand Parade and explore Nariño's mountains, lagoons and colonial towns
A 6-day tour centered on Pasto's Carnival of Blacks and Whites, Colombia's largest celebration, combining festival attendance with guided exploration of Nariño's natural and cultural sites. You attend the Singing to the Earth Parade and the Grand Carnival Parade, visit Cocha Lagoon and the Cumbal páramo, walk to Wilke Waterfall, and tour Las Lajas Sanctuary and colonial towns including Sandoná and Encano.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: City tour and Singing to the Earth Parade
- Visit main museums and historic center
- Try typical regional foods
- Attend Singing to the Earth Parade
Day 2: Castañeda Family Parade and Fiesta
- Attend Castañeda Family parade
- Enjoy Andean music festival with drinks
Day 3: Cocha Lagoon visit and town tour
- Visit Cocha Lagoon viewpoints
- Tour Encano town
- Taste trout and local dessert
Day 4: Grand Carnival Parade
- Attend Magno parade of Blacks and Whites
Day 5: Wilke Waterfall and Guinea Pig Day
- Walk to Wilke Waterfall
- Optional bath at waterfall
- Visit Sandoná town
- Attend guinea pig event in Obonuco
Day 6: Las Lajas Sanctuary and Cumbal Lagoon
- Visit lagoon at Cumbal volcano
- Tour Las Lajas Sanctuary church
What’s included
- Private transportation throughout the 6 days.
- expert guide in English or Spanish.
- medical insurance.
- all entry fees and taxes.
- attendance at the Singing to the Earth Parade and the Grand Carnival Parade.
Times
- Every day 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Urcunina Adventures
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The itinerary weaves carnival events through the region's geography. On January 3rd you tour Pasto's historic center and museums, tasting regional specialties like paila ice cream and aged empanadas, then watch the Singing to the Earth Parade where choreographers compete for spots in the main event. The Castañeda Family Parade follows the next day, a traditional carnival procession, and the evening takes you to an Andean music bar for guayusa and regional drinks. Between parades, you reach Cocha Lagoon, Colombia's second-largest and most ecologically important, where you can view it from multiple vantage points and visit Encano, known as the Venice of South America, to eat fresh trout and chilacuan dessert.
January 5th is the Grand Carnival Parade, the Magno, the festival's centerpiece. The remaining days balance outdoor exploration with cultural stops. Wilke Waterfall sits 40 minutes from Pasto in Florida municipality. A 30-minute easy walk leads to water fed by Galeras Volcano, where swimming is optional. Afterward you visit Sandoná, famous for toquilla straw crafts and panela products, and the guinea pig festival in Obonuco. The tour closes at Las Lajas Sanctuary, a Gothic church built into the Guamuez canyon near Ipiales and ranked among the world's most beautiful, followed by the Cumbal páramo and lagoon at the volcano's base.
Private transportation, medical insurance and all entry fees are included. Expert guides lead in English or Spanish, and the operator works directly with local communities using an ecotourism approach. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to experience Colombia's largest carnival celebration alongside guided exploration of Nariño's natural sites: the itinerary pairs festival days with mountain lagoons, waterfalls and colonial towns so you see both the celebration and the region itself.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 7 years).
What happens on the day of the Grand Carnival Parade?
January 5th is the Magno, the main event of the entire Carnival of Blacks and Whites, when the day centers entirely on parade, joy and celebration throughout Pasto.
Can I swim at Wilke Waterfall?
Wilke Waterfall flows from Galeras Volcano and sits at the end of a 30-minute easy walk. Swimming is optional for those who want to bathe in the water.
What is Encano known for?
Encano, a town near Cocha Lagoon, is known as the Venice of South America and serves fresh trout and chilacuan, a regional dessert made with blackberry and peasant cheese.
How far is Las Lajas Sanctuary from Pasto?
Las Lajas Sanctuary is located in the Guamuez canyon near Ipiales, about 20 minutes from the city, and is recognized as one of the seven wonders of Colombia.
What regional foods will I taste during the tour?
You'll try paila ice cream, aged empanadas, lapingachos, fresh trout, and chilacuan dessert. You'll also experience typical regional drinks like guayusa and boiled beverages at the Andean music bar.
6-day Carnival of Blacks and Whites tour in Pasto
6d · EN · ES
from US$ 550 per person
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