18 to 35s Essential Colombia

The adventure

This seven-day adventure from Bogota to Medellin is perfect for those seeking the natural beauty of Colombia, with planned activities and plenty of time to wander at your own pace. Walk along an ecological trail, swim in the rivers at El Marmol and climb the zigzag staircase of El Penol for 360-degree views over Guatape. Visit the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia Province, Medellin and play tejo with the locals over a pint of local beer or two. Then, in your free time, maybe race down rapids in Rio Claro or explore the street art around Comuna 13 (San Javier) with your group of new friends!

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Colombia

Day 1BogotaHola! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts in Bogota with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, join your leader for an orientation walk at 3 pm. Maybe browse the stalls at the Usaquen Flea Market, visit the Botero Museum or take a cable car to Monserrate for panoramic views of the city. After your meeting, enjoy a local beer or two as you play tejo – a traditional Colombian game where you throw a metal disc at a target embedded in clay. Then maybe find a local restaurant for a group dinner of Colombian cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers.

Bogota

Hola! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts in Bogota with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, join your leader for an orientation walk at 3 pm. Maybe browse the stalls at the Usaquen Flea Market, visit the Botero Museum or take a cable car to Monserrate for panoramic views of the city. After your meeting, enjoy a local beer or two as you play tejo – a traditional Colombian game where you throw a metal disc at a target embedded in clay. Then maybe find a local restaurant for a group dinner of Colombian cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2Honda - Rio ClaroAfter breakfast, travel to Rio Claro. Today is a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Along the way, stop in Honda – a town nicknamed the ‘City of Bridges’ due to its 40 bridges spanning its small area. Get a quick glimpse of the culture and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant before continuing to Rio Claro – a nature reserve known for its clear rivers, tropical rainforest terrain and waterfalls. When you arrive, maybe settle into your accommodation and enjoy the sounds of nature. You'll have a full day to explore tomorrow.

Honda

After breakfast, travel to Rio Claro. Today is a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Along the way, stop in Honda – a town nicknamed the ‘City of Bridges’ due to its 40 bridges spanning its small area. Get a quick glimpse of the culture and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant before continuing to Rio Claro – a nature reserve known for its clear rivers, tropical rainforest terrain and waterfalls. When you arrive, maybe settle into your accommodation and enjoy the sounds of nature. You'll have a full day to explore tomorrow.

Day 3Rio ClaroSet off this morning on a walk along the Ecological Trail. Walk along rainforest terrain to riverside El Marmol (Marble Beach) – perfect for a swim to cool off after your walk. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Rio Claro at your own pace. Maybe go rafting and race down tropical rainforest rapids, zigzag downstream along the canyon walls on a zipline or go caving and explore the cavern sculpted by El Bornego. Tonight, perhaps try a Colombian dish for dinner like sancocho (a hearty local stew) or churrasco (steak).

Rio Claro

Set off this morning on a walk along the Ecological Trail. Walk along rainforest terrain to riverside El Marmol (Marble Beach) – perfect for a swim to cool off after your walk. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Rio Claro at your own pace. Maybe go rafting and race down tropical rainforest rapids, zigzag downstream along the canyon walls on a zipline or go caving and explore the cavern sculpted by El Bornego. Tonight, perhaps try a Colombian dish for dinner like sancocho (a hearty local stew) or churrasco (steak).

Day 4GuatapeTravel to Guatape – a small Andean town known for its houses decorated with colourful bas-reliefs (sculptures). When you arrive, climb the zigzag staircase of El Penol – a 65-million-year-old granitic rock remnant that used to be worshipped by the indigenous Tahami peoples. Take in the 360-degree bird’s eye view of the lake and nearby towns at the top before heading back into town for a free afternoon. Maybe walk along the cobbled stone streets of Calle del Recuerdo, visit San Rafael or head out for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Guatape

Travel to Guatape – a small Andean town known for its houses decorated with colourful bas-reliefs (sculptures). When you arrive, climb the zigzag staircase of El Penol – a 65-million-year-old granitic rock remnant that used to be worshipped by the indigenous Tahami peoples. Take in the 360-degree bird’s eye view of the lake and nearby towns at the top before heading back into town for a free afternoon. Maybe walk along the cobbled stone streets of Calle del Recuerdo, visit San Rafael or head out for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Day 5MedellinDrive to Medellin – the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province, nicknamed the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ for its temperate weather and annual Flower Festival. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get your bearings. Then, maybe wander through the Medellin Botanical Garden or take a cable car to Parque Arvi and set off on a hiking trail through the beautiful landscape. Tonight, you’re free to relax or ask your leader for the best local hangouts to try some arepas (crispy white corn cakes usually stuffed with meat and vegetables).

Medellin

Drive to Medellin – the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province, nicknamed the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ for its temperate weather and annual Flower Festival. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get your bearings. Then, maybe wander through the Medellin Botanical Garden or take a cable car to Parque Arvi and set off on a hiking trail through the beautiful landscape. Tonight, you’re free to relax or ask your leader for the best local hangouts to try some arepas (crispy white corn cakes usually stuffed with meat and vegetables).

Day 6MedellinGet out and about in Medellin with a free day today. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works, join a historic downtown tour of Medellin or explore Comuna 13 (San Javier) – one of the 16 communes of Medellin, known for its street art, graffiti and bright colours. Maybe take a guided tour of the area and learn about the transformation of this former no-go zone. Tonight, perhaps join your new friends in search of one of the city’s pumping salsa bars and toast to a trip well-travelled!

Medellin

Get out and about in Medellin with a free day today. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works, join a historic downtown tour of Medellin or explore Comuna 13 (San Javier) – one of the 16 communes of Medellin, known for its street art, graffiti and bright colours. Maybe take a guided tour of the area and learn about the transformation of this former no-go zone. Tonight, perhaps join your new friends in search of one of the city’s pumping salsa bars and toast to a trip well-travelled!

Day 7MedellinAs there are no activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. If you’d like to spend more time in Medellin just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Medellin

As there are no activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. If you’d like to spend more time in Medellin just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Colombia

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Upcoming departures