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16-Nights Complete Colombia: Coastal Caribbean & Inland Hidden Gems - 18-to-Thirtysomethings from $2,749
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1569696
Complete Colombia: Coastal Caribbean & Inland Hidden Gems
We get it, choosing the right itinerary for a country as diverse as Colombia is tough. But we’ve got you covered with this 17-day whirlwind adventure that ticks all the boxes. From coastal Cartagena to vibrant Bogotá, explore the best of both worlds: iconic highlights and hidden gems. Trek the jungle trails of Tayrona National Park, dive into waterfall plunge pools in Minca, soak in the chill vibes of Palomino, and uncover the lesser-known hot springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal. With adventures at every turn and plenty of time to soak in the culture, you’ll come home with stories - and a deeper connection to Colombia - that’ll last a lifetime.
Highlights
Enjoy laid-back coastal vibes with a beach bonfire in Palomino, Explore the jungle trails and biodiversity of Tayrona National Park with a local guide, Visit Comuna 13 in Medellín and witness the area’s reinvention and a G Adventures-supported community initiative there, Visit and climb up El Peñol Rock in Guatapé, Relax and soak in the warm soothing thermal waters in Santa Rosa de Cabal
Accommodation
Hostels (2 nts, multi-share), Hotels (14 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, Indigenous local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 16.
Meals Included
16 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Tour Comuna 13 Guide Local, Medellín
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Big Night Out Moment: Santa Marta
Your Big Night Out Moment: - Bogotá, Bogotá. CEO-led orientation walks in old town Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Guatapé. Walk to the Marinka Waterfalls outside of Minca. Tayrona National Park visit and moderate hike. Palomino beach bonfire. Comuna 13 visit and tour. Climb El Peñol. Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs visit. Moderate hike in the Cocora Valley. Walking tour of La Candelaria neighbourhood in Bogotá. Free time for optional activities in Cartagena, Minca, Palomino, and Santa Marta, Guatapé, Santa Rosa de Cabal, Salento, and Bogotá. Internal flight. Transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
16 nights from $2,749 per person
G Adventures: Complete Colombia: Coastal Caribbean & Inland Hidden Gems
Day 1: Cartagena
Arrive at any time. After a welcome meeting at the hotel in the evening, choose to join your fellow travellers for an optional group dinner and check out the local flavours and bustling atmosphere of Plaza Trinidad.
Day 2: Cartagena
Start the day with a CEO-led orientation walk through streets of the historic old town. Depart from your hotel and pass by the Plaza de San Diego, Murallas de Cartagena for views of the Caribbean Sea, Heredia Theatre, and Monumento Torre del Reloj, during the route. Then, the day is yours to explore this coastal colonial city. Check out the San Felipe fortress, keep walking the lively streets, or take a break from the heat and people watch in one of the city’s many plazas, like Plaza de Santo Domingo.
Day 3: Cartagena/Minca
Leave the liveliness and pulsing energy of Cartagena behind and travel to the small town of Minca, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and take advantage of free time to explore. This growing village has a laid back, but energetic vibe with lots of opportunities for jungle hiking, waterfalls, and other adventurous activities.
Day 4: Minca
In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, set off on one of the best, but lesser-known activities while in Minca; a hike to the Marinka Waterfalls. These two large jungle cascades can be found about 3.6km from town amidst the beautiful forest, and they offer a deep swimming pool to cool off in after your hike. The group will arrive back to Minca for a free afternoon to lounge about, or be as adventurous as you choose.
Day 5: Minca/Palomino
Get ready to lean into those beach vibes and a laid-back coastal paradise energy as the group travels from Minca to Palomino, on the Caribbean coast. Due to it’s location at the southern portion of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, you get the lush mountain greenery right up against the warm sea. Upon arrival there will be free time for lunch on your own as well as the opportunity to book an optional tubing activity on the nearby river. Later, kick back with your travel buddies around a beach bonfire before a free night out in Palomino on your own.
Day 6: Tayrona National Park
Travel into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike thorough the stunning landscape accompanied by a local guide. Experience the natural biodiversity and beautiful trails while any nature lovers unite on a search for wildlife amid the dense jungle forest. Spend half of the day here in the park before an included lunch and transfer back to Palomino. Arrive in the early evening and spend it as you choose. Opt to find a local spot for dinner and toast with your travel pals to a day well spent, maybe catch the sunset.
Day 7: Palomino/Santa Marta
In the morning the group will travel by private vehicle to Santa Marta from Palomino. Upon arrival, join your CEO for an orientation walk of the town passing by landmarks such as, Parque de los Novios, Parque Bolívar, Parque Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas (along the water), and the marina. Then, take advantage of free time in the afternoon to explore. Choose to grab some lunch at a local restaurant, or maybe head to El Rodadero for white sand beaches and warm water. Tonight, head out for a final night out on the town with your travel crew.
Day 8: Santa Marta/Medellín
Wheels up! In the mid-morning, fly inland to Medellín, a city that has transformed into one of Latin America’s safest destinations. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to become acquainted with your surroundings on your own before an optional night out with the group.
Day 9: Medellín
Explore Medellín today and visit the Comuna 13 neighbourhood—a community transformed. Embark on a walking tour and learn more about the organization Berracas de la 13, a G Adventures–supported project. Afterwards, enjoy time to grab lunch on your own and choose to visit museums, take a historical tour, or try one of the other optional activities available in the area.
Day 10: Medellín
Take advantage of this full free day in Medellín to try various optional activities in the area. Perhaps prebook a day trip to a nearby town focused on adventure activities, or ride the metrocable, which is this cool cable car part of the city’s public transportation, and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and sprawling Medellín.
Day 11: Medellín/Guatapé
Travel from Medellín to Guatapé, where the town sits on the shores of the man-made reservoir, and is home to the climbable granite stone called El Peñol Rock. Climb the staircase in the rock and from the top, enjoy epic views of mountains and lakes in the distance. Then, enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk of the town and spend the remainder of the day free for optional activities in the area. Consider pre-booking a boat trip out onto the lake for some fun on the water.
Day 12: Guatapé
The entire day is yours to adventure is the funky outdoorsy town. Walk the streets adorned with brilliantly painted frescoes (called Zócalos locally) each one telling a story. Choose to prebook a boat excursion on the lake or try kayaking along the shores. Maybe even climb El Peñol again. There are also loads of restaurants and street food to try like arepas and fresh cheeses.
Day 13: Guatapé/Santa Rosa de Cabal
Transfer by private vehicle in the morning from Guatapé to Santa Rosa de Cabal with a stop en route to grab lunch on your own. The town hosts natural hot springs fed by nearby active volcanoes and is nestled at the base of the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano. Picture clouds clinging to the sides of these ultra green mountains and feel in a different, lost world out here in the jungle amid coffee plantations and thermal pools. Upon arrival in the late afternoon there will be some free time before an included visit to the hot springs for a relaxing evening.
Day 14: Santa Rosa de Cabal/Salento
After breakfast at the hotel the group will travel to Cocora Valley. Along the way stop to enjoy a hike through the area where the wax palm, Colombia’s national tree grows up to 197ft. Be on the lookout during the hike for the yellow-eared parrot that calls this place home. Arrive in Salento in the afternoon and enjoy exploring on your own and getting a feel of this majestically green and hilly landscape.
Day 15: Salento/Bogotá
Spend a free morning in Salento and choose to join some optional activities in this gorgeous area. Grab some lunch on your own before the transfer to Armenia where the group will then board a public bus to Bogota. Arrive in the evening and choose to have some dinner together or on your own.
Day 16: Bogotá
Set off to explore Bogotá today on a walking tour of the charming La Candelaria neighborhood and listen to fascinating tales about the town's origin, legends, and other key historical moments. Then there will be free time for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon is open for optional activities in the area like, visiting museums or going on a cable car ride for panoramic views of the city. In the evening attend a farewell dinner with the group at a local restaurant.
Day 17: Bogotá
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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