Colombian Culture, Caribbean & Lost City
22 days
From
$ 3159
Duration22 days
Embracing nature in Colombia and the Caribbean is like nowhere else on Earth. Imagine picturesque beaches, busy cities, and the freshest coffee you’ve ever had. And you’re only scratching the surface of what’s in store for you on this 22-day trip. Check out the resurgence of culture, art, and food in Bogotá and Medellín, dive deep into the Caribbean vibe of Cartagena, learn about Indigenous culture from the Wiwa people of Gotshezhy, get back to nature in Minca, and trek to ancient Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), known to the locals as Teyuna. Colombia will change you. All you have to do is let it.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 22 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Demanding
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Ends in: Santa MartaAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Bogotá
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Bogotá/Armenia
Visit Paloquemao market before an afternoon flight to Armenia, in Colombia's coffee region. Spend two nights outside Armenia in a traditional hacienda.
Enjoy a local breakfast at the Paloquemao market.
End place: Armenia
Meals: B
Day 3: Armenia
Start place: Armenia
Visit Armenia town before heading out for a tour of a coffee farm in the area and learn more about this important export.
Enjoy a tour of a coffee farm in the Calarcá area to learn more about the coffee culture here.
End place: Armenia
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Armenia/Salento
Start place: Armenia
Enjoy exploring Salento and getting a feel for the town.
Take a morning hike through the Cocora Valley before an afternoon arrival to Salento. Continue the full coffee experience in the region of Quindío.
End place: Salento
Meals: B
Day 5: Salento/Medellín
Start place: Salento
Drive through beautiful landscapes to Medellín. Opt to explore the city in the evening.
Meals: B
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.
Meals: B
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.
Meals: B
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.
End place: Cartagena
Meals: B
Day 9: Cartagena
Start place: Cartagena
Enjoy a free day exploring all Cartagena has to offer. Opt to enjoy the beautiful coast or explore the charming colonial city.
Opt to pre-book the "Totumo Mud Volcano" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Cartagena
Meals: B
Day 10: Cartagena
Start place: 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.
Please note hot water is uncommon in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Showers are likely to only have cold water while visiting this area.
Opt to pre-book the "Totumo Mud Volcano" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Opt to pre-book the "Totumo Mud Volcano" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Cartagena
Meals: B
Day 11: Cartagena/Minca
Start place: Cartagena
Travel to the small town of Minca, breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy free time to explore.
Please note that if the group is full, we may be required to use multi-share rooms in Minca due to the small size of this unique hotel.
End place: Minca
Meals: B
Day 12: Minca/Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Start place: Minca
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. Stay in a lodge close to the park.
Please note that Tayrona National Park is usually closed during the month of February. The indigenous groups in the area believe that mother nature needs a month of rest, and maintenance to the park is done during this time. If your trip falls in February, you will visit Taironaka Park, to learn more about the local Kogi people and their cultural practices.
End place: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Start place: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Spend the day with the Gotsezhi Wiwa indigenous community. Enjoy a G Adventures-supported lunch prepared by women from the community. Learn about Wiwa customs on a village visit and then lounge in a hammock by the river or opt to explore nearby waterfalls.
End place: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona/Taganga
Start place: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
In the afternoon, travel from Tayrona to Taganga. Orientation walk with CEO upon arrival.
End place: Taganga
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Taganga/Santa Marta
Start place: Taganga
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.
End place: Santa Marta
Meals: B
Day 16: Santa Marta
Start place: Santa Marta
Use the day to soak up some sun or make any last minute purchases before starting the big trek.
Relax on the beautiful Caribbean coast in Santa Marta or go further afield to explore.
End place: Santa Marta
Meals: B
Day 17: Santa Marta/ Wiwa Camp
Start place: Santa Marta
Transfer to Machete Pelao, where the trek to the Lost City of Teyuna begins. Trek through farmland, steamy jungle, and rural Kogi communities. Get a glimpse into the local way of life in the remote river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Wiwa Camp /Teyuna Paraiso Camp
Continue trekking along the route to Ciudad Perdida. Today is a tough portion of the trek with a lot of steep inclines, make sure to rest and take in the beautiful views. Arrive at the campsite in the afternoon and relax by the river.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Teyuna Paraiso Camp/ Wiwa Camp
Get started early to climb the 1,200 steps up to the Lost City. The view of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains makes it well worth the hike. Explore the Lost City and learn what is known of its origins from the indigenous guide, before making the descent back to Wiwa Camp for the night.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 20: Wiwa Camp /Ricardito Camp
Follow the path back through the deep jungle, wind through banana trees, cacao plants and small Kogi communities on the way to Ricardito Camp. The nickname for this camp is vista hermosa or beautiful views, sit back and soak them in.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
End place: Santa Marta
Meals: B, L
Day 22: Santa Marta
Start place: Santa Marta
Depart at any time.
End place: Santa Marta
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Wiwa Community Visit & Lunch, Gotshezhy Village Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Coffee Farm Tour, Calarcá Your Discover Moment: Cartagena
- Hacienda stay
- Valle de Cocora hike
- Medellín city tour
- City tour in Cartagena
- Hike to Pozo Azul (2hrs)
- Tayrona NP (excluding February itineraries)
- Hike with local guide (5hrs)
- Trek to the Lost City with an indigenous guide (5 days)
- Guided tour of the Lost City
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Plane, Private van, Public bus, 4x4, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/guesthouses (15 nts), Hacienda (2 nts), Camping (4 nts in hammocks or rustic bunks) -
Meals
21 breakfasts,
9 lunches,
5 dinners