Itinerary
- Day 1
Medellín
You'll start with a trip briefing at your hotel to get oriented. Then head out on a guided walk through Comuna 13 to see the vibrant street art and local culture. Around lunchtime, stop at Mercado del Río food market to grab some food and try local specialties. There's a Spanish lesson in the afternoon before you walk through Plaza Botero and the Cathedral to check out Medellín's main sites. For the evening, you've got options: catch a local soccer match, try the Colombian game of Tejo, or head to El Poblado for drinks and salsa dancing.
- Start point
- Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia (Los Patios)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Los Patios (Medellín))
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Comuna 13
- Spanish lesson led by Adventure Leader
- Walking tour of Medellín including Plaza Botero, Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, and Catedral Basílica Metropolitana
Optional Activities
- Paragliding flight offering bird's eye views of Medellín
- Watch local soccer game at Estadio Atanasio Giradot (depending on fixtures)
- Tejo game - Colombian throwing sport with clay and gunpowder
- Drinks and salsa dancing in El Poblado
Landmarks Comuna 13 Plaza Botero Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe Catedral Basílica Metropolitana Mercado del Río Estadio Atanasio Girardot El Poblado 
- Day 2
Guatapé
Start early with locally-produced Colombian coffee before heading out for the day trip to Guatapé. The main event is climbing the 740 steps up El Peñón de Guatapé to get panoramic views of the lakes and surrounding landscapes. You'll walk around town to see the vibrant zócalos (decorative murals), then kayak on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. Return to Medellín in the evening and take a tango dancing class to learn the moves and rhythms of this cultural tradition.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Locally produced Colombian coffee)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Los Patios (Medellín))
Included Activities
- Day trip to Guatapé
- Climb El Peñón de Guatapé (740 steps)
- Kayaking on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir (2 per kayak)
- Tango dancing class
Landmarks El Peñón de Guatapé Guatapé Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir 
- Day 3
Medellín to Salento
You'll leave early in the morning for Salento, a colonial town in the Coffee Triangle about 6 to 7 hours away by minivan. Once you arrive in the early afternoon, head to Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm where you can pick coffee beans, learn how the coffee-making process works, and taste the final product. The rest of the day is free to walk around Salento's central plaza at your own pace and explore the colorful architecture.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Viajero Hostel (Salento))
Included Activities
- Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm experience including bean picking, coffee-making process, and tasting
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Salento's central plaza and traditional Colombian culture
Landmarks Salento Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm Cocora Valley 
- Day 4
Salento to Cali
Take a bus transfer to Cali, arriving late in the morning. Spend time relaxing by the pool at your hostel. Later in the afternoon, explore Cali's landmarks like Plaza de Caycedo with its tall palm trees and the Neo-Gothic Catedral Metropolitana. A local guide will show you the city's salsa culture, connections to social movements, and the street murals around town. The evening is yours to spend however you like, whether that's checking out one of the hip salsa clubs or doing something else.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Viajero Hostel (Cali))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cali including Plaza de Caycedo and Catedral Metropolitana
- Guided tour exploring salsa culture, social history, murals, and music
Optional Activities
- Visit salsa clubs in Cali
Landmarks Plaza de Caycedo Catedral Metropolitana - Day 5
Cali to Bogotá
Enjoy a relaxing morning by the pool before transferring to the airport. You'll catch a short flight to Bogotá, Colombia's capital city high in the Andes. After you arrive, transfer to your hostel and settle in for some rest in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Cranky Croc Hostel (Bogotá))
Landmarks Bogotá 
- Day 6
Bogotá
Take a bike tour through Bogotá's vibrant districts, starting with the historic La Candelaria area, Plaza Bolívar, the Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace. Stop at a traditional fruit market to sample exotic fruits like lulo, uchuva, and passion fruit. From there, cycle through local neighborhoods and National Parks. In the afternoon, do a graffiti art session where you'll learn about Colombian history and culture, visit a gallery, and try spray painting. Finish by taking the funicular up Monserrate mountain (over 3,000 meters) for sunset views of the city, explore the church and surroundings, then return via cable car.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Cranky Croc Hostel (Bogotá))
Included Activities
- Cycle tour through Bogotá including La Candelaria, Plaza Bolívar, Cathedral, and Presidential Palace
- Visit to traditional fruit market
- Graffiti art experience including gallery visit and spray painting
- Monserrate mountain visit including funicular up and cable car down
Optional Activities
- Visit Theatron - Latin America's biggest club
Landmarks La Candelaria Plaza Bolívar Bogotá Cathedral Presidential Palace Monserrate - Day 7
Bogotá to Cusco
Head to the airport for a direct flight to Cusco, the former Incan Empire capital and your gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. You'll arrive in the afternoon and take a guided walk through Cusco's historic downtown, seeing the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and San Pedro Market. Have a group meal with traditional Peruvian dishes. An early night is recommended since you've got a lot of hiking ahead.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group meal featuring traditional Peruvian dishes)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Pariwana Hostel Cusco (Cusco))
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Cusco's historic downtown including Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and San Pedro Market
- Group meal featuring traditional Peruvian dishes
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Cusco Cathedral San Pedro Market 
- Day 8
Machu Picchu Trek Day 1
Begin your 4-day trek to Machu Picchu with a relatively gentle hike focused on getting used to the altitude while passing through Andean landscapes. Pack just a day pack while your larger luggage gets transported separately. At the end of the day, set up camp and have dinner prepared by your trekking team. Settle in for the night with views of the Milky Way from high in the mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Prepared by trekking team)
Included Activities
- 4-day/3-night Andean trek to Machu Picchu - Day 1 with acclimatization hike through Andean vistas
Landmarks Andes Mountains - Day 9
Machu Picchu Trek Day 2
The second day of hiking gets more intense as you traverse mountain passes, small archaeological sites, and beautiful natural scenery. Watch for hummingbirds along this part of the trail. Today's hike involves significant uphill sections and is more challenging than yesterday. The final couple of hours take you climbing to your next campsite where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4-day/3-night Andean trek to Machu Picchu - Day 2 with mountain pass hiking and archaeological site visits
Landmarks Andes Mountains - Day 10
Machu Picchu Trek Day 3
Day three starts with a gentle climb that leads to spectacular views. You'll see the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca, the third-highest point on the entire trail. Then head downward from the cooler altitudes into the more humid Amazon jungle climate, passing the impressive Intipata archaeological site. Arrive at your third campsite in the afternoon with time to rest after a busy couple of days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4-day/3-night Andean trek to Machu Picchu - Day 3 with Phuyupatamarca visit and descent through Amazon jungle zone
Landmarks Phuyupatamarca Intipata - Day 11
Machu Picchu
Start very early for views over Machu Picchu, the 15th century Incan citadel sitting high on a mountain peak in the Andes. This former royal estate and ceremonial center was abandoned during the Spanish conquest, forgotten for over 400 years, and rediscovered in the early 20th century by Hiram Bingham. Spend time exploring the site, then begin your journey back to Cusco where you'll have the evening free to relax and walk around at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Pariwana Hostel Cusco (Cusco))
Included Activities
- 4-day/3-night Andean trek to Machu Picchu - Day 4 with final ascent and visit to Machu Picchu
Optional Activities
- Massage to recover after trek
Landmarks Machu Picchu 
- Day 12
Cusco
You've earned this rest day after the trek. Spend the morning at leisure in Cusco wandering through charming streets, visiting a local café for traditional Peruvian breakfast, or heading to the Plaza de Armas or San Pedro Market. In the afternoon, head to Sacsayhuamán, an ancient Incan fortress complex on a hill overlooking Cusco, known for its massive stone walls, sophisticated masonry, and panoramic views. In the evening, consider joining the Cusco Bar Crawl to experience the city's nightlife.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Pariwana Hostel Cusco (Cusco))
Included Activities
- Visit to Sacsayhuamán ancient Incan fortress complex
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll and café visit
- Visit to Plaza de Armas or San Pedro Market
- Cusco Bar Crawl
Landmarks Plaza de Armas San Pedro Market Sacsayhuamán - Day 13
Cusco to Puno
Transfer to Puno following the Route of the Sun (Ruta del Sol), one of Peru's most beautiful routes showcasing Andean landscapes, ancient ruins, and cultural landmarks. Along the way, hike Rainbow Mountain, a short hike of about an hour and a half up this incredible peak named for its multi-colored earth formed by tectonic activity. After hiking back down, continue on to Puno, arriving in the early evening. Spend some time exploring this town on Lake Titicaca's shores.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Kantaya Hostel (Puno))
Included Activities
- Route of the Sun transfer from Cusco to Puno
- Rainbow Mountain hike (approximately 1.5 hours)
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain Lake Titicaca - Day 14
Lake Titicaca
Take a boat experience on Lake Titicaca, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest freshwater lake in South America at the highest elevation in the world. Spend time on the floating homes of the Indigenous Uros people, built from reeds centuries ago as protection against Incan attacks. The evening is yours to explore as you like, whether catching lively bars and restaurants on Lima Street, seeing a traditional dance show, or taking a leisurely stroll through Plaza de Armas to enjoy local culture and street performances.
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Kantaya Hostel (Puno))
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Lake Titicaca
- Visit to Uros floating reed homes
Optional Activities
- Explore bars and restaurants on Lima Street
- Traditional dance show
- Stroll through Plaza de Armas
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Islands Plaza de Armas 
- Day 15
Puno
Your Colombia and Peru adventure comes to an end this morning in Puno. Say goodbye to fellow travelers who are heading on to Bolivia and Chile for the rest of their tour.
- End point
- Puno, Puno, Peru (Kantaya Hostel)
