Emerald Mining in Colombia Photography Tour

In the 1980’s drug dealers fought the country's leading emerald mining families for rights to the emeralds. The mine owners fought back, turning Muzo into the most dangerous place in Colombia 

Now Muzo is a peaceful and beautiful place where we will be able to watch informal emerald miners known as "guaqeros" scour the river beds along the Itoco river in the Muzo valley in search of the precious stones. This is a great opportunity for documentary photography as well as a chance to speak with emerald miners about life in the mining camps and surrounding areas. 

Trips are led by professional travel and wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer. Before moving to Medellin, Jeff worked as a photographer in the Peruvian Amazon for six years and has had his work featured in National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Wired Magazine and the BBC.

NOTE: This is a real adventure tour. This is a rough itinerary and is subject to change without notice.

Day 1 - Medellin to Chiquinquira, Santander

Leave Medellin in the morning and head off through Bello, Antioquia as we wind our way through the mountains of Colombia. After coming down from one mountain range we cross the hot plains as then begin our ascent into Colombias wild Cordillera Oriental mountain range. 

Day 2 - Chiquinquira, Santander to Muzo, Boyaca 

Today we take the trip to Muzo, Boyacá, the world capital of emeralds. Muzo is known not only for the quantity of emeralds in produces, but also for their superb quality and color with the Muzo mine producing the world's highest quality gems known for their warm, grassy-green color, with hints of yellow. 

Day 3 - Emerald Mining in Muzo, Boyacá

Today we visit the Emerald mining area. In the 1980’s drug dealers fought the country's leading emerald mining families for rights to the emeralds. 

Now Muzo is a peaceful and beautiful place where we will be able to watch informal emerald miners known as guaceros scour the river beds along the Itoco river in the Muzo valley in search of the precious stones. This is a great opportunity for documentary photography as well as a chance to speak with emerald miners about life in the mining camps and surrounding areas. 

Day 4 - Muzo, Boyacá to Medellin

The adventure isn't over yet. We leave from Muzo and drive through the heart of the Colombias Emerald mining zone passing through the towns of Coscuez and Otanche. The area is extremely remote but at the same time very beautiful and awe inspiring. We drop down from the mountain range and cross the plains of colombia again before winding up into the mountain range of Medellin and ending the trip back home in the beautiful Aburrá valley.