Intrepid Travel
DealEpic South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay · 39 days · Moderate4.2(6)
fromCAD 8,806
Next: 12 Aug
Operated by Intrepid Travel
18 to 35s Real Colombia
From
CAD 3,750
Duration
14 days
Countries
Colombia
Activity
easy
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
Join a 14-day adventure into the real Colombia and find yourself cruising through floating villages in the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, hiking to the Marinka Waterfalls and getting to know the cities of Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. Be surrounded by tropical rainforest when you visit the Rio Claro Nature Reserve and take in panoramic views from the pinnacle of 65-million-year-old El Penol. Plus, you’ll have plenty of free time to dig deeper into the sides of Colombia that intrigue you the most – how about a coffee farm tour, a daytrip to Tayrona National Park or ziplining through a canyon? Colombia’s your oyster!
Bogota - Orientation Walk
Bogota - Traditional Tejo Game
Honda - Visit
Rio Claro - Ecological Trail
Guatape - Climb El Penol
Medellin - Orientation Walk
Cartegena - Orientation Walk
Barranquilla - Bike Tour
Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta - Palafitos Village tour
Minca - Marinka Waterfalls Hike
Santa Marta - Orientation walk
At a glance
Duration
14 days
Route
Bogotá → Cartagena
Countries
Colombia
Activity level
easy
Style
National Parks & Wilderness, Trekking & Hiking, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Max 16
Ages
18+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Colombia
Showing Days 1-7
14-day itinerary
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.
BogotaHola! 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.
HondaAfter 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 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).
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.
GuatapeTravel 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).
MedellinDrive 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!
MedellinGet 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 7CartagenaToday, you’ll fly from Medellin to Cartagena – a port city rich in history, with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town that dates back to the 16th century. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of the trip. After the meeting, maybe gather your new group and head out for dinner. How about some warm arepas filled with melty cheese or some traditional local salted fish? Be sure to ask your leader for all the best places to eat in the city.
CartagenaToday, you’ll fly from Medellin to Cartagena – a port city rich in history, with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town that dates back to the 16th century. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of the trip. After the meeting, maybe gather your new group and head out for dinner. How about some warm arepas filled with melty cheese or some traditional local salted fish? Be sure to ask your leader for all the best places to eat in the city.
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What's included
Included
- ✓Lace up your boots and hike to the Marinka Waterfalls. Spend some time swimming in the clear waters at the base of one of the waterfalls, then join a local guide through the charming streets of Minca.
- ✓Explore Rio Claro – a nature reserve known for its clear rivers, tropical rainforest terrain and waterfalls. Swim in the river, hike along the Ecological Trail and maybe zigzag downstream along the canyon walls on a zipline.
- ✓Play a game of tejo with the locals – this is Colombia's national sport and a popular pastime in Bogota (think bocce with gunpowder).
- ✓Climb over 700 stairs for panoramic views from the top of El Penol – a 200-m-tall granite rock that used to be worshipped by the indigenous Tahami peoples.
- ✓Explore Barranquilla on two wheels. Visit the not-for-profit factory, cycle along the city’s waterfront promenade and see the statue of Shakira.
Discover Colombia
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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Operated by Intrepid Travel
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From
CAD 3,750/ person