NATURE AND ADVENTURE TRIP - 15 DAYS
HIDDEN TREASURES OF COLOMBIA
An expedition to the heart of the jungle
BETWEEN COLORS AND CONTRASTS
A unique journey through Colombia, from the stunning colors of Caño Cristales and the ancestral culture of the Misak people to the landscapes of the Coffee Region. A route through nature, coffee, vibrant cities, and the colonial charm of the Caribbean, discovering the extraordinary diversity of the country.
CAÑO CRISTALES
DAYS 3 - 6 (COLOMBIA, META, LA MACARENA)
COCORA VALLEY
DAYS 10 (COLOMBIA, QUINDÍO)
SILVIA
DAY 9 (COLOMBIA, CAUCA)
DURATION
15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD
$4,750
GROUP
12 PAX
COUNTRIES
COLOMBIA
DATES
UPON REQUEST
ITINERARY:
START OF TRIP: BOGOTÁ → ZIPAQUIRÁ → BOGOTÁ → LA MACARENA → CAÑO CRISTALITOS → CAÑO CRISTALES → LA MACARENA → BOGOTÁ → MONSERRATE → POPAYÁN → SILVIA → SALENTO → COCORA VALLEY → HACIENDA EL OCASO → SANTA ROSA DE CABAL → MEDELLÍN → GUATAPÉ & PIEDRA DEL PEÑOL → CARTAGENA DE INDIAS END OF TRIP: CARTAGENA DE INDIAS
Day 1: Wednesday / Arrival in Bogotá and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival in Bogotá, you will be met by your local guide at the international airport. After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you will have free time to begin discovering the charm of the Colombian capital, located at an altitude of over 2,650 meters and surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes.
Day 2: Thursday / Zipaquirá: a journey to the depths of the earth
Today we'll depart from Bogotá by private transport towards Zipaquirá, crossing the verdant landscapes of the savanna and the Cundinamarca region. Our destination will be one of Colombia's most unique places: the impressive Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, built inside an old salt mine.
We will descend into its underground galleries to walk the Stations of the Cross and discover its vast spaces carved into the rock, until we reach the main nave, dominated by a monumental cross. The combination of architecture, lighting, and salt formations creates a truly breathtaking atmosphere.
After the visit, we'll have time for lunch and to explore the historic center of Zipaquirá, with its streets, plazas, and colonial architecture. In the afternoon, we'll return to Bogotá by private transport.
Day 3: Friday / Heading to La Macarena: the adventure begins
We will fly to La Macarena, a small town surrounded by the lush Colombian nature.
Upon arrival, local staff will meet us at the airport and we will participate in an informational talk given by Cormacarena and National Natural Parks of Colombia, where we will learn about the conservation rules of this extraordinary ecosystem and the details of our stay.
After transferring to your accommodation and enjoying a traditional lunch, our first encounter with the region's natural beauty will begin. We will visit Caño Cristalitos, a small but spectacular tributary where we will be able to observe for the first time the Macarenia clavigera, the aquatic plant responsible for the striking red, yellow, and green hues of its waters.
Crystal clear pools, rock formations and a virtually untouched natural environment will be the perfect preview of what awaits us in Caño Cristales.
Day 4: Saturday / Caño Cristales: the river of seven colors
After breakfast, we'll begin our journey along the Guayabero River, venturing into the extraordinary landscapes of the Serranía de la Macarena mountain range. During the trip, we'll observe the natural surroundings of the river and, with a bit of luck, spot monkeys, turtles, parrots, caimans, and other local wildlife.
After disembarking, we will continue in 4x4 vehicles across the vast savanna, through palm trees, plains, and mountains, until we reach the starting point of our hike. The specific route is assigned each day by the environmental authorities and may take us, for example, along the Los Pianos trail.
We will then begin our hike through one of Colombia's greatest natural wonders: Caño Cristales, the famous "river of seven colors." The aquatic plant Macarenia clavigera transforms the riverbed into a fascinating mosaic of red, pink, green, and other colors during the rainy season.
We'll explore waterfalls, natural pools, rock formations, and colorful riverbeds, while our local guide reveals the secrets of this unique ecosystem. We'll have time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and relax by the river. At midday, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by nature.
In the afternoon we will return to La Macarena, combining again the journey in a 4x4 vehicle and the navigation of the Guayabero River, after a day dedicated to one of the most extraordinary landscapes of our trip.
Day 5: Sunday / Caño Cristales and the spectacular waterfalls
After breakfast, we'll begin a new adventure in the heart of Colombian nature. We'll navigate the Guayabero River, enjoying the scenery and observing the local wildlife. With a bit of luck, we might see parrots, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and other species that inhabit this extraordinary region.
After disembarking, we'll continue in 4x4 vehicles across the savanna to reach the starting point of our hike. Today we'll explore the Pailones area, which will lead us to discover some of the most breathtaking spots in Caño Cristales.
During the hike, we'll encounter waterfalls, rapids, rock formations, and natural pools of crystal-clear water, surrounded by the vibrant colors that characterize this unique river. Pailones is particularly renowned for its spectacular rock formations and the powerful way in which water has sculpted the landscape.
At midday, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch by the river, surrounded only by the sounds of nature. After some time to relax and enjoy the surroundings, we'll return to La Macarena, combining the 4x4 journey with a boat trip on the Guayabero River. In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner and rest at our hotel.
Day 6: Monday / Llanero Sunrise and Caño Piedra
We'll begin the day in a very special way. Before dawn, we'll set out to experience the Llanero Sunrise, watching the sun rise over the vast savannas of this region of Colombia. From a viewpoint with 360° panoramic views, we'll see how the first rays of sunlight slowly illuminate the landscape as nature awakens around us.
In this setting we will enjoy a traditional Llanero breakfast, prepared with local products and typical flavors of the region.
Afterwards, we'll continue to Caño Piedra, a tranquil natural spot with crystal-clear waters, rocks, and small natural pools. We'll have time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and refresh ourselves before saying goodbye to this extraordinary corner of Colombia.
We will return to La Macarena to collect our luggage and transfer to the airport, from where we will take the flight back to Bogotá.
Day 7: Tuesday / Colors and flavors of Bogotá
After breakfast, we'll begin the day by heading to Monserrate Hill, one of Bogotá's most iconic landmarks, situated at an altitude of over 3,100 meters. We'll ascend by cable car or funicular as a breathtaking panoramic view of the vast Colombian capital unfolds before us. At the summit, we'll visit the Monserrate Sanctuary and enjoy the spectacular vistas of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Back in the city center, we'll visit a traditional market, where we'll discover some of Colombia's most characteristic flavors. We'll sample typical drinks like aromática and canelazo, and learn about local products, fruits, and specialties. Among Bogotá's most representative dishes is the traditional ajiaco santafereño, a hearty soup made with different varieties of potatoes, chicken, and corn, served with avocado and cream.
We will continue on foot towards the historic center of Bogotá, walking through its colonial streets until we reach the famous Gold Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of pre-Hispanic gold pieces and will allow us to approach the symbolic universe, beliefs and rituals of the ancient indigenous cultures of Colombia.
We will continue to Plaza de Bolívar, the historical and political heart of the capital, surrounded by some of its most emblematic buildings, including the Primatial Cathedral, the National Capitol and the Palace of Justice.
From here we will delve into La Candelaria, the most emblematic historical neighborhood of Bogotá, with its colorful houses, colonial architecture, small squares, cafes, galleries and urban art.
We'll conclude our tour with a visit to the Botero Museum, where we'll see the unmistakable works of the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Its collection also includes works by important international artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Dalí, providing a perfect cultural highlight to our day in Bogotá.
Day 8: Wednesday / Popayán, the white city
After breakfast we will take our flight to southwestern Colombia, bound for Popayán, known as "The White City" for its elegant colonial buildings with white facades.
Upon arrival, we will explore its beautiful historic center, one of the most representative colonial ensembles in Colombia. We will stroll along streets lined with churches, convents, plazas, and old mansions that recall Popayán's importance as a religious and cultural center during the colonial era.
We will visit some of its most emblematic landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, with its distinctive dome, and the historic Humilladero Bridge, built in the 19th century. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the old institutions and buildings that form part of the city's heritage.
Popayán is also known for its famous Holy Week celebrations, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and for its rich culinary tradition that blends Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. We will have the opportunity to sample local specialties such as the traditional pipián empanadas, made with a flavorful potato-based filling and served with peanut sauce.
In the afternoon we will have free time to continue leisurely exploring the streets of the White City or enjoy one of its cozy cafes.
Day 9: Thursday / Silvia, Misak territory and Salento
After breakfast we will leave behind the colonial city of Popayán and head towards Silvia, a small town nestled in the mountains of Cauca and closely linked to the Misak indigenous culture, also traditionally known as Guambiana.
Our visit won't be limited to the town. We'll venture into the Guambía Indigenous Reserve, where we'll have the opportunity to respectfully experience the life and traditions of the Misak community. Accompanied by local hosts, we'll learn about their worldview, community organization, traditional agriculture, medicinal plants, clothing, and ancestral customs, discovering a culture that has preserved a strong identity across generations.
Although Silvia's famous traditional market is held on Tuesdays, our visit on Thursday will allow us to experience something different and more focused on direct contact with the community and its territory, away from the busier atmosphere of market day.
After this experience, we will continue our journey to the Coffee Region, whose Coffee Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will travel through a spectacular succession of mountains, green valleys, farmlands, and small Andean towns until we reach Salento.
This charming town, with its brightly colored houses, traditional balconies and cozy cafes, will be our base to discover one of the most emblematic landscapes of Colombia: the Cocora Valley and its gigantic wax palms.
Day 10: Friday / Wax palms and the aroma of Colombian coffee
After breakfast we will set out to discover one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Coffee Region, whose Coffee Cultural Landscape was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011. A region of green mountains where coffee cultivation, peasant traditions and the landscape are an inseparable part of the local identity.
From Salento, we'll depart aboard traditional Willys jeeps, authentic symbols of the region, heading towards the spectacular Cocora Valley. There, we'll begin our hike among verdant hillsides and mist-shrouded mountains, dominated by the impressive wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense), Colombia's national tree and one of the tallest palms in the world, capable of reaching around 60 meters in height.
During the tour we will enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the valley, where the stylized silhouettes of the palm trees emerge among the mountains, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in Colombia.
In the afternoon, we'll return in our Willys Jeeps and continue to the traditional Hacienda El Ocaso, where we'll delve into the fascinating world of Colombian coffee. We'll learn about the entire process, from the cultivation and harvesting of the coffee cherries to the selection, drying, roasting, and final preparation of the beans.
We'll walk among the coffee plants, learn to identify the different varieties, and taste the fruit straight from the tree before discovering how it transforms into a cup of coffee. We'll conclude the experience with a tasting of freshly brewed coffee and the opportunity to purchase different varieties grown right here on the farm.
At the end of the afternoon we will return to Salento, after a day among two great symbols of Colombia: the wax palms and coffee.
Day 11: Saturday / Santa Rosa de Cabal Hot Springs and on to Medellín
After breakfast we will leave Salento and travel along the winding roads of the Coffee Region, enjoying beautiful views of the Andean mountains, until we reach Santa Rosa de Cabal, famous for its hot springs and lush nature.
A well-deserved break awaits us at the Santa Rosa de Cabal Hot Springs, where thermal waters spring forth amidst lush mountains and spectacular waterfalls. We'll have time to relax in its natural hot pools and enjoy this privileged setting.
Santa Rosa de Cabal is also known for its traditional Santa Rosa-style sausages, one of the region's most famous culinary specialties. After the hot springs, we'll have the opportunity to try them before continuing our journey.
In the afternoon we'll head to Medellín, known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its pleasant climate. Over the last few decades, the city has undergone a profound urban and social transformation, becoming one of Colombia's main economic, cultural, and innovation centers.
Its transportation system is part of this transformation. The Medellín Metro is complemented by the famous Metrocable, whose lines climb the mountains and connect different parts of the city, also offering spectacular panoramic views over the Aburrá Valley.
Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel to rest and prepare to discover Medellín the following day.
Day 12: Sunday / Medellín, art, history and transformation
After breakfast we will begin our tour of Medellín, a city that has undergone an extraordinary urban and social transformation in recent decades.
Our first stop will be the Jardines Montesacro cemetery, where Pablo Escobar's tomb is located, a figure closely linked to one of the darkest and most complex chapters in Medellín's recent history. The visit will allow us to approach this period from a historical perspective and better understand the profound transformation the city subsequently underwent.
We will continue to Botero Plaza, one of the most emblematic spaces in downtown Medellín. Here we will find numerous monumental sculptures by Fernando Botero, the celebrated Colombian artist internationally recognized for his characteristic language of voluminous forms.
Afterwards, we will head to one of the areas that best represents the social transformation of Medellín: the famous Comuna 13. A neighborhood that for decades was marked by violence and that today has become a vibrant scene of urban art, music, dance and community projects.
Accompanied by local guides, we'll explore its colorful streets and learn the stories behind its impressive murals and graffiti. We'll discover how art and various community initiatives have helped create new opportunities for its residents. During the tour, we'll have the opportunity to meet local artists and, if we wish, purchase some of their works, directly supporting their projects.
After this intense day dedicated to getting to know different facets of Medellín, its history, its art and its transformation, we will return to our hotel in the afternoon.
Day 13: Sunday / Guatapé: Among colors, mountains and emerald waters
After breakfast, we'll depart Medellín for Guatapé and the El Peñol Reservoir, one of Antioquia's most spectacular landscapes. The construction of the hydroelectric complex profoundly transformed this region, flooding part of the former municipality of El Peñol and creating the breathtaking landscape of islands, peninsulas, and waterways we see today.
We will take a boat trip on the reservoir, enjoying magnificent views of the green mountains and the imposing Piedra del Peñol. During the trip, we will also be able to see from the water some places related to the recent history of the region, including the remains of La Manuela, Pablo Escobar's former property.
We'll continue to the picturesque town of Guatapé, famous for its colorful streets and traditional zócalos, decorative reliefs that adorn the facades of houses and depict scenes of daily life, professions, animals, and local traditions. We'll have time to explore its plazas and streets and enjoy the lively atmosphere of one of Colombia's most photogenic towns.
Next up is the Piedra del Peñol, a gigantic monolith that dominates the entire landscape. Those who wish can climb its more than 700 steps to the top, from where an extraordinary 360° panoramic view opens up over the reservoir, its numerous islands, and the mountains of Antioquia.
After the visit, we'll continue to Medellín airport to catch our flight to Cartagena de Indias. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel to rest and begin experiencing the warm atmosphere of the Colombian Caribbean.
Day 14: Monday / Cartagena de Indias
After breakfast, a fascinating tour of Cartagena de Indias awaits us, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History, architecture, and Caribbean culture blend together here amidst centuries-old walls, vibrant plazas, and flower-covered facades.
We will begin by visiting the imposing San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the largest fortification built by the Spanish in their American colonies. We will explore part of its complex tunnel system and learn about the defensive strategies that protected Cartagena from attacks and sieges for centuries.
We will continue towards the Walled City, where we will walk through narrow colonial streets among brightly colored houses, wooden balconies covered in bougainvillea and elegant squares that retain all the charm of the Caribbean.
We will arrive at Bolívar Square and visit some of the city's most representative historical buildings, such as the Palace of the Inquisition and the Church of San Pedro Claver, linked to the history of the enslaved African population that arrived at the port of Cartagena during the colonial era.
During our walk we will also discover the more cheerful and everyday side of the city: tropical fruit vendors, small shops, artisans and the famous palenqueras, with their colorful dresses and fruit baskets, who have become one of the most recognizable symbols of Cartagena.
At the end, we will have free time to continue enjoying the Walled City, buy handicrafts and souvenirs, or simply sit on a terrace and refresh ourselves with a delicious coconut lemonade, while enjoying Cartagena's irresistible Caribbean atmosphere for the last time.
Day 15: Tuesday / Cartagena de Indias - return home
After breakfast, we'll enjoy our last moments in Cartagena de Indias. At the designated time, we'll transfer to Rafael Núñez International Airport for our flight home.
We will say goodbye to Colombia after a trip full of contrasts, from the colors of Caño Cristales and the mountains of the Coffee Region to the indigenous Misak culture, the transformation of Medellín and the irresistible Caribbean atmosphere of Cartagena.
End of our services and have a safe trip home.
