Itinerary
- Day 1
Bogota
You'll arrive in Bogota this afternoon and meet your group and local leader at 1 pm for an orientation walk through La Candelaria, the historic neighbourhood in the city center. After that, there's a welcome meeting at 6 pm, and then you'll head out with your new travel companions to check out the local food scene around the city.
Included Activities
- La Candelaria Walking Tour
- Orientation walk around La Candelaria neighbourhood
Optional Activities
- Montserrate cable car - COP29500
- Gold Museum - COP5000
- Zipaquira Salt Cathedral + Guatavita Sacred Lagoon Day Tour - COP390000
- Villa de Leyva Magic Town Day Tour - COP380000
- La Chorrera waterfall hike Day Tour - COP270000
- Museo Nacional - USD10
- Local Graffiti Tour - COP50000
- Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Tour - COP270000
Landmarks La Candelaria - Day 2
Bogota to Salento
Start the morning at a local food market to see Bogota's biggest selection of native tropical fruits and fresh vegetables, and try a traditional arepa if you're interested. Then you'll catch a short flight to Salento, a charming village where you can walk through its colourful streets and see the distinctive Paisa architecture. In the evening, you'll try tejo, Colombia's national sport, and have a cold beer with the group.
Included Activities
- Visit to local food market
- Traditional Tejo Game
Landmarks Salento 
- Day 3
Salento to Cocora Valley to Coffee Region
You'll travel by jeep to Cocora Valley, home to Colombia's towering wax palms. The morning is yours to either walk through the region or hike the wax palm tree forest (bring good walking shoes, plenty of water and snacks). A boxed lunch gets provided. After that, you'll head into Colombia's coffee region for a two-night stay at a traditional coffee estancia, so take it at your own rhythm if you prefer a relaxed pace.
- Meals
- Lunch (Boxed lunch)
Included Activities
- Wax palm tree forest hike
Landmarks Cocora Valley - Day 4
Coffee Region
You'll take a guided tour of the coffee plantation and processing centre to learn about Colombia's coffee from bean to cup. You'll see how coffee is grown, harvested, processed, dried, roasted and ground, then try different varieties and learn to prepare different types of coffees, finishing with a freshly brewed cup. The rest of the day is yours to relax amid the estancia's green hills and valleys.
Included Activities
- Coffee plantation tour & tasting
- Day 5
Coffee Region to Medellin
You'll leave the coffee estancia and head to Chinchina, then board a public bus for the journey to Medellin. During the trip, your leader will share information about the city's transformation from its difficult past in the 1980s and 90s to its current status as one of South America's most exciting destinations. Once you arrive, you'll do an orientation walk with your leader to get familiar with the city.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk with leader
Landmarks Medellin 
- Day 6
Medellin
You'll ride a cable car up to Santa Elena for views of Medellin from above, sailing over brick houses while the landscape transforms into green valleys and forested peaks. Then you'll visit an included tour of a flower garden where a local family shows off the region's traditional flower displays. Back in the city, you'll learn how Medellin has transformed through a barrio transformation tour, and in the evening, head to one of the city's lively salsa bars for some nightlife.
Included Activities
- Metrocable to Acevedo station and up to Santa Elena
- Flower Garden tour
- Barrio Transformation Tour
Optional Activities
- Comuna 13 Tour - COP150000
- Guatape + Penol Rock Day Tour - COP140000
- Violence + Posconflict Tour - COP50000
- Museo de Antioquia entrance fee - COP30000
- Historic Downtown Tour - COP50000
Landmarks Santa Elena - Day 7
Medellin
You have a free day to walk around Medellin at your own pace. Consider visiting the Museo de Antioquia to see works by the famous artist Botero, or check out the beautiful Museo de Arte Moderno for modern art. Your local leader is available with suggestions and tips if you want recommendations for how to spend your time.
Optional Activities
- Museo de Antioquia
- Museo de Arte Moderno
Landmarks Museo de Antioquia Museo de Arte Moderno - Day 8
Medellin to Cartagena
You'll fly to Cartagena, one of South America's most historic cities. Upon arrival, explore the Old City at your own pace with its beautiful churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions. Consider visiting the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the largest fortress, or spending time at Plaza de la Trinidad in the colourful Getsemani neighbourhood where kids play football and street performers jam out. In the evening, you can join your leader and travel friends for an optional celebration dinner.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of hotel neighbourhood
Optional Activities
- San Felipe de Barajas Castle - COP33000
- Walking tour Cartagena Walled City - COP50000
- Walled city + Getsemani District Tour - COP50000
- Mangroves Tour - COP150000
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez Walking Tour - COP50000
- San Basilio de Palenque Full Day Tour - COP300000
Landmarks Cartagena Old City San Felipe de Barajas Castle Plaza de la Trinidad Getsemani 
- Day 9
Cartagena
You have a free day to walk around Cartagena. Head into the vibrant Getsemani neighbourhood with its colourful street art and look for the 'umbrella streets' to capture photos under the colourful umbrella installations. Spend time with locals at Plaza de la Trinidad. In the evening, there's a welcome meeting for new group members, followed by a walk with your leader to see more of the city, and you can join an optional group dinner afterward.
Landmarks Getsemani Plaza de la Trinidad - Day 10
Cartagena to Santa Marta
You'll take a scenic private transfer to Santa Marta, the historic coastal gateway to the Lost City. Your leader will walk you through downtown Santa Marta to learn about the city's port town history and local culture, passing by the Santa Marta Cathedral, Parque de los Novios and Plaza de Bolivar. As the sun sets, you'll have free time to relax or explore further, and your leader can give you dinner recommendations at local restaurants.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk
Landmarks Santa Marta Santa Marta Cathedral Parque de los Novios Plaza de Bolivar - Day 11
Santa Marta to Lost City Trail - Day 1
You'll head off-road by 4WD to the small mountain town of Machete Pelao at about 120 m elevation. After a couple hours of walking, you'll stop in a local community to plant native trees and give back to the area you're about to trek, and you'll even get to name a tree yourself. Then you'll continue through the tropical rainforest with mountain views all around, enjoying a provided lunch. You'll arrive at camp around 450 m elevation and have dinner with the group under the stars.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with the group under the stars)
Included Activities
- 3 Night/4 Day Lost City trail guided trek
Landmarks Machete Pelao Sierra Nevada - Day 12
Lost City Trail - Day 2 (Teyuna)
You'll wake to a sunrise over the Sierra Nevada mountains and hike through rainforest on jungle trails, crossing rivers to reach the sacred Lost City of Teyuna. You'll cross the roaring Buritaca River and climb over 900 stone steps to reach the city's first stone rings. After arriving this afternoon, you'll take a guided tour to learn about this archaeological site, which is older than Machu Picchu, and enjoy exploring with fewer afternoon visitors around.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Lost City of Teyuna
Landmarks Lost City of Teyuna Buritaca River - Day 13
Lost City Trail - Day 3 (Wiwa Community)
You'll hike back to the Wiwa community camp this morning, traversing river crossings with your local leader's guidance. The rest of the day is yours to rest, or if the weather is nice, take a swim in natural pools. Later, you'll meet El Mamo, the sage and spiritual guide of the community, who will share their way of living, the roles of men and women within the community, and explain the spiritual importance of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Included Activities
- Wiwa Indigenous community camp visit
Landmarks Wiwa Community Camp - Day 14
Lost City Trail to Santa Marta
It's your last day in the mountains and time to return to Santa Marta. You'll wake early and walk back to Machete Pelao, stopping to rest and take in views of the Sierra Nevada. After you continue your descent, you'll have lunch before hopping in your private transfer back to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, you have a free evening to rest, and maybe head out with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of this adventure.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Day 15
Santa Marta
Your Colombian adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, you're free to leave at any time following check-out. You could consider extending your stay in Santa Marta to relax on the beautiful beaches of this port city before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
