Subachoque Ashram
Ashram Location And Weather
Subachoque is a small rural town at one hour drive from the capital city of Bogota where 7 million people live and its Eldorado international airport. The ashram site is further out in the country within walking distance of the town. It covers an area of 20 acres of flat land where Satsang hall, Master's House, langar and all other facilities are located.
Altitude is 8.600 feet above sea level (2.800 mts.) in the midst of an Andean landscape where Februrary temperatures during daytime can rise up to 75° F (24° C) with plenty of sunshine, and also go down to 40° F (5° C) in the night. Layers of clothes are the best option to keep warm and stay cool at the same time. February is traditionally a very dry month and it has been especially so this year. The amount of sunshine requires good head cover and plenty of sunscreen lotion.
Housing Arrangements
There are no hotels whatsoever in Subachoque. The ashram facilities can only accommodate essential sevadars and some disabled dear ones. Master’s Grace has been such, though, that local families have been most willing to open up their urban and rural homes to accommodate satsangis, in a most helpful and trusting attitude that speaks of their good nature. Their lives are simple but comfortable and they are used to interacting with satsangis even if they do not share their beliefs.
Visitors from abroad, in particular those with few skills in Spanish can request information about their housing options from Maria Elena Garcia garciabotero@hotmail.com
Transportation
Dear ones arriving by air to the Bogota Eldorado airport from other cities in Colombia or abroad will be met at the arrival gate and taken to their homes by a dedicated team of sevadars – provided they have received flight details ahead of time. The same will apply for the return trip to the airport when the program ends or to catch the plane to the next city in the Tour. To give your flight details and request assistance to get to Subachoque please contact Rodrigo & Hayda Amortegui at amorteguitoro@hotmail.com
Participants staying in a town house do not require transportation. They would enjoy the short and pleasant walk to the ashram in a sunny day. Those staying in rural properties can make arrangements with local taxis, in case that their landlord does not offer to drive them to the ashram. At dusk when the daily program ends, a shuttle service runs from the ashram into town for the benefit of those staying there or going further beyond.
Meals
All daily meals during programs are provided at Master's free kitchen or langar. Hot drinks and biscuits are served during rest hours at the Tea house. Small vegetarian eateries run by satsangi brothers line up the street leading to the ashram and have become a permanent feature of town life. Local supermarkets offer a wide variety of goods.
Security And Visas
A lot has been said about security in Colombia - some things true, some not. All you need to know is that Subachoque, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga are secure and peaceful parts of our country and away from trouble spots. We have had no security problems whatever in the past. Local authorities are informed well in advance of our program and have always been most helpful and cooperative.
Entry visas into Colombia are not required for U.S., Canadian or most Latin American visitors. A valid passport is all you require. A departure tax from Colombia in the amount of $55 will be charged at the airport when leaving the country. But you can claim a $25 waiver for stays less than a month when checking in for final departure.
Travel arrangements
Travel arrangements can be made directly abroad or through a local travel agent - Colombian Tourist - owned and operated by satsangis who are most helpful including tours to India. The contact person is: Rocio Gonzalez centro93@colombiantourist.com Office phones (571) 635 1377 / 616 3294.
Barranquilla and Bucaramanga Programs
The other two stops in Master´s visit to Colombia are quite different from the Bogota and Subachoque area. Barranquilla is a city of 2 million people located on the Caribbean coast with daily temperatures around 80 to 90°F while Bucaramanga is smaller and enjoys a more pleasant climate.
The Barranquilla program is held in a rural ashram 45 minutes away from the city with very few facilities nearby. Participants stay in hotels or satsangi homes in the city and are taken by bus to the ashram. A dedicated team of sevadars arrange for all transportation and housing needs as well as langar service. Light clothing, good walking shoes and protection from the sun are recommended.
The Bucaramanga program is held at a rural location one hour away or more from the local airport and city. The surrounding area is a wide plateau at about 4500 feet altitude and swept by refreshing winds that make for a pleasant landscape and weekend tours. Participants stay in a well-managed resort hotel near the ashram and in rural homes of varying comfort. Camping is also a popular alternative. A shuttle service and private cars are the main means of transportation. Appropriate clothing for a few hours of temperatures in the 70’s and cooler mornings and evenings is recommended.