Colombian Culture, Caribbean & Lost City

Embracing nature in Colombia and the Caribbean is like nowhere else on Earth. Imagine picturesque beaches, busy cities, and the freshest...

Colombia

Colombian Culture, Caribbean & Lost City

DAY 1 Bogotá

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

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Optional Activities - Day 1Show

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Regina

Hotel
DAY 2 Bogotá/Armenia

Enjoy breakfast in Bogotá before boarding a flight to Armenia, in Colombia’s coffee region. Spend two nights outside Armenia in a traditional hacienda.

People

Hacienda Stay

Armenia

Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.

Air

Plane

Bogotá- Armenia

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Accommodation

Hostal Mi Monaco

Hotel
DAY 3 Armenia

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Visit Armenia market before coffee farm tour in the Calarcá area to learn more about the coffee culture here.

Armenia Market Visit

Armenia

Visit the city's historic, bustling market centre. Frequented daily by Armenia's residents and chefs alike, Armenia Market offers everything from new-age ingredients to traditional Colombian staples. Get caught up in the whirlwind of food stalls, flower shops, boutiques and cafés before determining your route through the market to sample the best the city has to offer.

Land Tour

Your Foodie Moment: Coffee Farm Tour

Calarcá6h

Visit a local coffee farm to learn more about the production of this important crop, from the planting stage all the way to your coffee mug, and savour a taste of this famous export.

People

Hacienda Stay

Armenia

Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.

Accommodation

Hostal Mi Monaco

Hotel
DAY 4 Armenia/Salento

Take a morning hike through the Cocora Valley before an afternoon arrival to Salento. Continue the full coffee experience in the region of Quindío. Enjoy exploring Salento and getting a feel for the town.

Landsport

Entrance Fee Cocora Valley

Valle del Cocora- Bogotá2h-3h

Head into the Cocora Valley by private vehicle and take in the magnificent views. Get active with a hike through the area and learn more about this fertile region.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Armenia- Salento0.5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

El Rancho de Salento

Hotel
DAY 5 Salento/Medellín

Drive through beautiful landscapes to Medellín. Opt to explore the city in the evening.

Bus

Local Bus

Salento- Medellín8h-9h

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Accommodation

Hotel Seven Inn Medellin

Hotel
DAY 6 Medellín

Enjoy a neighbourhood tour of the city and learn the fascinating recent history of the city's ongoing transformation. Spend the rest of the day with free time to explore this vibrant city.

Land Tour

Medellín City Tour

MedellínMORNING

Really get to know Colombia’s second largest city with a neighbourhood tour. Medellín has been revitalized since the issues of the 80s and 90s and is now one of South America’s most innovative and artistic cities. Explore the city’s varied barrios filled with shops, green parks, museums, churches, markets, and delicious cuisine.

Free Time

MedellínFULL_DAY

Opt to visit the famous rock El Peñol or hop on a sightseeing bus. Ride the MetroCable, part of Medellín’s public transportation, for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Hotel Seven Inn Medellin

Hotel
DAY 7 Medellín

Enjoy another free day and opt to visit the nearby town of Guatapé, with its colourful houses and famous rock. Or ride the metrocable, a cable car part of Medellín’s public transportation, for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Free Time

MedellínFULL_DAY

Enjoy another full day to explore one of Colombia's most popular cities.

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Optional Activities - Day 7Show

Accommodation

Hotel Seven Inn Medellin

Hotel
DAY 8 Medellín/Cartagena

Hop on a morning flight to Cartagena and arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring the old walled city. Opt for dinner and a night out in this lively town.

Air

Plane

Medellín- Cartagena1.25h-1.5h640km

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Land Tour

Orientation With CEO

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Accommodation

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia

Hotel
DAY 9 Cartagena

Enjoy a free day exploring all Cartagena has to offer. Opt to enjoy the beautiful coast or explore the charming colonial city.

Free Time

CartagenaFULL_DAY

Get out and explore.

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Optional Activities - Day 9Show

Accommodation

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia

Hotel
DAY 10 Cartagena

Enjoy a city tour, visiting the colonial walled city and fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time to take in the Caribbean vibe of the city and beach.

Land Tour

Cartagena City Tour

Cartagena4h-5h

Learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide on a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church.

Free Time

CartagenaAFTERNOON

Get out and explore this vibrant colonial town. Refuel with some local fare—"patacones" or fried plantains are a must!

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Optional Activities - Day 10Show

Accommodation

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia

Hotel
DAY 11 Cartagena/Minca

Travel to the small town of Minca, breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy free time to explore.

Free Time

Minca

Enjoy free time to explore the lovely town of Minca. Go looking for unique birds, explore the area on foot or hang out at a local café by the river.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Cartagena- Minca4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Minca La Casona

Hotel
DAY 12 Minca to Tayrona National Park Area

Leave Minca behind as the group heads into the Tayrona National Park area to spend the day visiting a nearby indigenous community. Gain insights into the rich traditional cultures of this region, and the Arhuacos. Enjoy a textile weaving demonstration by members of local families in the Katanzama community. Afterwards, transfer to your accommodations just outside Tayrona National Park, where you will have free time to enjoy the property and its amenities. Relax in a nearby hammock, find a local restaurant for dinner, and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Minca- Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona1h-1.5h50km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

People

Your G for Good Moment: Katanzama Community Visit

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona5h

Visit the Katanzama community, located 30 minutes from Tayrona National Park, near Buritaca. Made up of approximately 80 Arhuaco indigenous families, this unique experience invites you to connect with one of Colombia’s most resilient indigenous groups, who have preserved their customs and spiritual beliefs for decades. Upon arrival you will be welcomed into the ceremonial center to learn about the community’s spiritual connection to nature, their history of resistance, and their ongoing efforts to restore their ancestral land, and the area where coca and cacao are cultivated. Then, gather around for a traditional textile weaving demonstration which showcases an ancestral craft that carries deep cultural significance here. Your experience will be led by a local Arhuaco guide and after the community visit the group will sit down together for an included lunch. Your time here fosters cross-cultural understanding but also directly supports the economic and social development of the Katanzama community, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona- Posada Villa Margarita

Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle from the nearby Indigenous community to the group's accommodations just 5-10 minutes away.

Free Time

Posada Villa MargaritaAFTERNOON

Lounge in a hammock on the hotel property or wander through the grounds admiring the thick green foliage and fragrant plants. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you please.

Accommodation

Posada Villa Margarita

Hotel
DAY 13 Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

Head into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local guide. This is a perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn a little more about the rich, natural diversity of northern Colombia. Lunch is included during your hike. Afterwards, the group will travel the short distance to our nearby accommodations and spend free time unwinding after a full day of exploring this stunning national park.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Posada Villa Margarita- Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona0.25h20km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Landsport

Tayrona National Park Excursion

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona3h-4h

Get outside with a hike into this beautiful park! Learn more about the rich diversity of Tayrona's natural heritage and explore Tayrona's gorgeous scenery with a local guide. Spend the night surrounded by nature in a lodge close to the park.

Human

Hiking

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona3h-4h

Lace up your hiking boots and get to the next stop under your own power.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona- Posada Villa Margarita0.5h-0.75h30km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

This evening, enjoy the tranquil setting by walking toward the ocean, or relaxing on the property of the hotel.

Accommodation

Posada Villa Margarita

Hotel
DAY 14 Tayrona National Park Area / Taganga

In the afternoon, travel from Tayrona to Taganga. Orientation walk with CEO upon arrival.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona- Taganga0.5h-0.75h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Land Tour

Taganga Orientation Walk

Taganga

Take a CEO-led orientation walk of this traditional fishing village and get acquainted with the main sites.

Free Time

Taganga

Soak up the Caribbean feel of this coastal town with some free time. Be sure to indulge in the area's fantastic fresh seafood or hang out in one of the many cafés along the beach

Accommodation

Ocean Taganga

Hotel
DAY 15 Taganga/Santa Marta

With a free day at leisure, tour Taganga by foot or don a snorkel and mask and explore the water. This evening, travel to Santa Marta and join your group for an optional evening out on the town.

Free Time

Taganga

Take advantage of free time in this coastal town by relaxing on the beach or exploring the waters with a snorkel.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Taganga- Santa Marta0.25h-0.5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

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Optional Activities - Day 15Show

Accommodation

Hotel Tayromar

Hotel
DAY 16 Santa Marta

Relax on the beautiful Caribbean coast in Santa Marta or go further afield to explore. Use the day to soak up some sun or make any last minute purchases before starting the big trek.

Free Time

Santa MartaFULL_DAY

Get out and explore.

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Optional Activities - Day 16Show

Accommodation

Hotel Tayromar

Hotel
DAY 17 Santa Marta/Ricardito Camp

Wake up and hit the road to the village of El Mamey where your trek to the Lost City of Teyuna begins. Trek through farmland, steamy jungle, and rural Kogi communities. Enjoy and let it all soak in – this is your opportunity to get a glimpse into the local way of life in the remote river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The group will have lunch at the village and hike about 4 hours to the first basecamp.

Automobile

4x4

Santa Marta- Machete Pelao

Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

Landsport

Lost City Trek Day 1

Machete Pelao- Ricardito Camp4h-5h7km

Leave Machete Pelao and start trekking through the jungle along the Buritaca River. Pass by farmland and get a glimpse into daily life in the small communities en route to the campsite. This first day of trekking is relatively straightforward and a good way to ease yourself into it. There is a combination of uphill and flat sections that lead the way to the first campsite. Continue uphill to reach Ricardito Camp, known locally as vista hermosa or beautiful view, sit back and soak them in. If the weather is right, sunsets and sunrises here are not to be missed. Total distance: 7.6 km.

DAY 18 Ricardito Camp/Teyuna Paraiso Camp

Venture further into the lush jungle en route to Ciudad Perdida. Be prepared – today is a tough portion of the trek with a lot of steep views. Arrive at the campsite in the afternoon for some much needed relaxation by the river.

Landsport

Lost City Trek Day 2

Ricardito Camp- Teyuna Paraiso Camp8h14km

Begin trekking alongside the Buritaca River early in the morning. Pass through more farmland used for growing coffee or raising cattle. Climbing on this part of the trek can be challenging as the route progresses uphill from the riverbed and through the humid jungle. Take a look at the unique, circular huts that make up some of the Kogi villages in the area. Total distance: 14.7 km

DAY 19 Paraiso Camp to Mumake Camp

Wake up early feeling refreshed, recharged (hopefully!) and start your trek to La Ciudad Perdida. Climb the 1200 ancient steps and explore the different sacred sites of Lost City. Later, continue trekking through the deep jungle today on winding paths through banana trees and cacao plants as you make your way to Mumake Camp. The total hiking time today is 8 hours with about 3 hours to explore the Lost City.

Land Tour

Lost City Trek - Day 3

Teyuna Paraiso Camp- Mumake Camp8h-9h8km

The once-forgotten city is only an hour away and to get there you must climb the 1,200 steps built by the ancient Tayrona people. This is a very steep climb, but the rewards of the climb are more than worth it. Once at the site, the guide will explain the history of the Lost City and what is known of its origins. It is estimated that only 10% of the site has been discovered. Head back to the campsite for lunch and a swim before beginning the trek back the way you came to Mumake Camp. Most of the trek today is downhill which can be hard on the knees, a walking stick might be useful. Total Distance: 8.6 km

DAY 20 Mumake Camp to Las Cascadas Camp

The group will have an early departure from Mumake Camp. Hike past the village of El Mamey and arrive to Ricardito Camp where you'll have lunch and rest for the remainder of the day.

Landsport

Lost City Trek - Day 4

Wiwa Camp - Las Cascadas3h-4h8km

Head back along the same path through dense green jungle, pass by banana trees, Kogi communities, and grasslands. Continue uphill to reach Las Cascadas Camp, known locally as vista hermosa or beautiful view, sit back and soak them in. If the weather is right, sunsets and sunrises here are not to be missed. Total distance: 8.6 km

DAY 21 Santa Marta

In the morning, take in your last views of the jungle as you trek back to Machete Pelao. Transfer to Santa Marta where the rest of the day is yours to relax.

Automobile

4x4

Machete Pelao- Santa Marta

Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

Landsport

Lost City Trek Day 5

Ricardito Camp- Machete Pelao5h-6h7km

Continue the hike back down to Machete Pelao following the same route that you took in. The farmland will look familiar, but the scenery remains spectacular. Take in your last views of the jungle and local village life before heading back on the grid. Total distance: 7.6 km

Accommodation

Hotel Tayromar

Hotel
DAY 22 Santa Marta

Depart at any time.

Administrative

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Optional Activities - Day 22Show

Day
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