1

I am leaving Medellin tonight for Pasto;I will spend the night in Pasto tomorrow and take a bus to Mocoa the day after tomorrow. I will let you know how the journey between Pasto an Mocoa is...... that's if I survive;)

2

IMPORTANT!!! I WOULD ABSOLUTELY ADVISE AGAINST THIS TRIP DUE TO RECENT ARMED CONFLICT!!!!!

The ceasefire with the FARC rebel groups ended this week and they want to make their presence known. If I were you I would see San Augustin, travel back to Popayan, and then take the main highway down to Ecuador through Pasto. Ipiales has an absolute must see church anyways.

YESTERDAY THERE WERE THREE ACTS OF TERRORISM ON THIS HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER JUST NORTHEAST OF THE HIGHWAY! Don't become part of the annual casualty count that is ridiculously high in Colombia. Here is an article with a nice little map showing where you can go to get killed on your little journey:

http://www.colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/27783-farc-launch-several-attacks-after-ceasefire-ends.html

3

Hi!

I travelled from San Agustin to Pasto via Pitalito and Mocoa last May as you can see in the first paragraph here:

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Otavalo/blog-718092.html

We did this in 3 legs, all of them in "colectivo" shared taxis. It was an amazing but long trip.

HOWEVER...as poster #2 says, this part of Colombia can be very dangerous. With the FARC ending their ceasefire today it would be unwise to travel through this area for the time being. Very sensible advice re. backtracking via Popayán, which is in and of itself extremely attractive.

Best of luck on your journey, In San Agustin I highly recommend "La Casa de François" hostel run by a lovely Frenchman. Superb horseriding opportunities exist:

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Huila-/San-Agustin/blog-716822.html

but the whole surrounding area may be highly volatile. This might be something to do on a future trip.

Have fun and stay safe!

Will

4

Wherever, however you choose to travel remember that you'll still be sharing the roads with the crazy commercial bus drivers. It's a roll of the dice no matter what.
What i do suggest is asking an impartial person (police, security, ticket checker, food vender) at the bus station which bus line they would recommend for the route you're taking. They'll typically have a good info to share.

5

hmmmm....I was travelling for over 6 year mocoa - sibundoy - pasto! Bus, car and riding my 250 Honda...... I´m still living.
You can also fall from the boardwalk! why not staying in club Mediterrane? o.k.....it may be dangerous too.

6

my dear, have you ever heard the FARC kidnapping tourists in Putumayo?????
If, tell them to contact me:)