Our Story
Three former professionals based in London —Colette, Stefan & Sam— tired of being cogs in the machine, we left behind the fast-paced corporate grind in search of an alternative way of living. After planning and saving for several years we followed our instincts back to the Sierra Nevada, in search of a more nourishing and meaningful existence. One where we could live within nature to learn from it.
2019
We left the UK seeking new ways to live, which led us to the Sierra Nevada. After several months of living in the region, a 40-minute motorbike ride and a river crossing brought us to a remarkable place — an old farm split for cacao production and cattle, with a white sandy river beach, surrounding rainforest and views of the snowy peaks.
Our focus became land restoration and exploring how regenerative tourism could contribute to this landscape and community in a positive way
2020
With no prior experience in bioconstruction, permaculture or reforestation, we threw ourselves into local courses and learned through trial, error and the local knowledge in our community.
One week after arriving on the land, the world went into lockdown. The urgency to live off-grid—and live well—became very real. With zero excuse for distractions, we spent the next 2 years planting trees, renovating the existing farmhouse and building using bio-construction techniques.
2022
La Ponderosa Reserve opened as a hostel, running on solar energy, serving farm-to-table meals grown on-site or in neighbouring farms and welcoming individuals seeking an escape from the complexities of modern life.
What began as a wild idea has blossomed into a thriving community—welcoming guests who seek to slow down, reconnect with themselves through nature, travel consciously and experience the magic of Colombia’s extraordinarily diverse mountains.
The La Ponderosa Reserve is constantly evolving and adapting as we continue learning whilst juggling sustainability and community priorities within financial limitations. As the land heals and grows, so do we. La Ponderosa is a living project—and we feel deeply privileged become part of its ongoing story and call this place home.
Our Values
Permaculture
The farm and living spaces were designed using the principles of permaculture, with the intention of creating a closed-loop system that actively reduces resource and energy consumption and minimises waste. All our kitchen and animal waste is either composted, to then feed the veggie gardens, or converted to biogas in our biodigestor which is used for cooking in the kitchen.
Restoration
Within the 13 hectare farm, we are actively managing 4 hectares for organic food production, conserving 3 hectares of existing rainforest and restoring the remaining 6 hectares of over-grazed and eroded grassland back to its natural ecosystem with several focuses: create a biodiversity corridor and improve the soil and hydrological health of the landscape through reforestation with native or nitrogen fixing species.
Off-grid
We are proudly powered entirely by solar energy. All of our water comes from a fresh mountain spring and our sewage is treated using natural composting systems. We harvest our own organic fruit and vegetables & create our own biogas for cooking. We keep connected using high-speed STARLINK Satellite internet.
Community
We prioritise local employment and support neighbours in the development of their own tourism initiatives.
We have recently created an Association in Farming & Eco-system Services with our neighbours, in a wider project that aims to support the transition towards sustainable farming and land stewardship.
Bio-Construction
We prioritise local materials as much as possible and have experimented with a number of different bioconstruction techniques, using clay, bamboo and palm. With an abundance of local available wood, the majority of construction has been built from fallen trees or driftwood.
