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Tour Itinerary

Colombia is one of those gems of South America that still is often skipped on the tourist trail. Be captivated by Bogota's colonial-era centre, laze on palm-fringed stretches of Caribbean shoreline and meet the locals that make Colombia one of the world's friendliest countries on this 10-day South American adventure. While Tayrona National Park and the Guachaca region offer gorgeous hiking trails, off-track swimming holes and powdery beaches nestled in lush jungle, eye-catching towns like Barichara are a dream to explore, and adrenaline-fuelled San Gil is just moments away. For an off-track trip in that's full of rhythm, music, colour and life, Explore Colombia is right up there with the best of them.

Countries Visited

Colombia

Cities Visited

Bogota , Cartagena , Tayrona National Park

Day 1

Cartagena

Bienvenidos a Colombia! Welcome to Colombia. Cartagena is one of South America's most historic cities. The old city, particularly the inner walled town, is the main attraction – it's packed with beautiful churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions. Your hotel is located in the vibrant Getsemani neighbourhood, a part of the old town with loads of colourful street art and an authentic feel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After the meeting, step out for an orientation walk with your leader to get a feel for the city (note that this may take place tomorrow morning instead).
Day 2

Cartagena

Spend some free time getting to know the old and new of Cartagena. Wander the old city, shop for local handicrafts, head up to San Felipe de Barajas Castle (the largest of the city's fortresses) or take boat to Punta Arenas or Playa Blanca for a well-deserved swim in the Southern Caribbean. Otherwise, book yourself in a tour out of town to the Volcan de Lodo El Totumo. Instead of lava, this peculiar volcano spews a cream-like mud that is said to contain many healing properties. Enter for a strange bathing experience, then wash the muddiness off in the nearby lagoon.The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Make sure to check in with your leader for great places to try some local food.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3

Guachaca

In the morning, take a private van transfer (approximately 6 hours) north of Cartagena to Guachaca – your home for the next two nights. Guachaca is located in northern Colombia and is surrounded with lush jungle and mountains that collide with the sun-kissed coastline. Visit an initiative that fights to preserve the prehispanic Tayrona culture that populated this area and glimpse what the famous lost city once was. Meet with an indigenous member from one of the four communities that are still occupying La Sierra. You will even have the chance to give back to nature and the community by helping in a local project to reforest the area. Your accommodation is a simple and comfortable family-run guesthouse, nestled high in the jungle. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail or two with your fellow travellers or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.
Meals: Dinner
Day 4

Tayrona National Park / Guachaca Region

Head to Tayrona National Park – a series of jungle and coves surrounding the Caribbean coast on the foothills of the Santa Marta mountains. Today is all about hiking the forest trails for Tayrona’s beaches, and with a fair amount of hiking involved today, be prepared and make sure your walking shoes are on and you’ve packed some bug spray. Along the way, you’ll experience lush the green rainforest, the ambience of the jungle and all wildlife that inhabit it, and the special glimpses of coastline and beaches that peek through the canopies. The trail to stunning Cabo San Juan is well worth the effort; it's further away than some other beaches however highly recommended. The hike today is flexible and can be tailored to suit all fitness and energy levels. There can be some steep ups and downs, high humidity, and some muddy spots if it’s been raining, so your group leader can organise a route that pleases everyone. When you’ve had enough hiking, swimming and relaxing, head back to Guachaca for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Day 5

Giron

Enjoy a final morning in your jungle haven. After a continental breakfast, head off for an included flight from Santa Martha to Bucaramanga (with a transit in Bogota). Arrive at Bucaramanga in the late afternoon and then head onto the peaceful town of Giron. This quintessential 'white city' is part of the Colombian Heritage Towns, thanks to the cobble street and colonial buildings well preserved to this day. Follow your leader on an orientation walk then have some free time enjoying this charming town in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6

Barichara

This morning, leave Giron behind and enjoy a spectacular drive through the iconic Chicamocha Canyon to Barichara (approximately 3.5 hours). On arrival, head to a local factory where you’ll learn the traditional method of making paper from the natural fibres of the Andean fique plant. This factory is the number one employer in Barichara, which began with the aim to financially support single-parent women who previously did not have any promise of work. Afterwards, set out on a 3-hour walk along the Camino Real with a local guide to the village of Guane. Declared a national monument in 1988, the ancient trail was built by the indigenous Guane people as a trade route between towns, and you’ll be hiking a small section between Barichara and Guane. The walk is stunning, full of panoramic views of the mountain ranges. It starts off with a gentle descent down the rim of a canyon before crossing a valley filled with cacti. The walking is mostly downhill, and you'll likely spot a few fossils embedded in the stones that pave the trail en route. On arrival in Guane, refresh with a cooling drink, soak up the peaceful atmosphere and perhaps check out the town’s church, before catching the local bus back to Barichara.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7

Barichara

With its quaint cobbled streets, stuccoed houses and hilly backdrop, Barichara is probably the prettiest colonial-style village in all of Colombia. With some free time, spend today however you please. Barichara means ‘resting place’ in the local indigenous language and is itself a fine place to wander around on foot, with its laidback feel and range of shops and artisanal workshops to explore. If you'd like to get more active, head over to San Gil, the thrill-seeking capital of Colombia (approximately 30 minutes' drive). Speak to your group leader for suggestions of things to do – rafting, mountain biking – it’s an adventure sport hub. The Pescaderito swimming hole on the way there is well worth a visit too; even if the water is a little chilly, it's an idyllic spot to relax for an hour or two.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8

Bogota

Today you’ll travel by local bus to Bogota via San Gil (approximately 8 hours), so kick back and enjoy the drive as the scenery rolls by. There will be only the one stop along the way, so ensure you take drinks and snacks for the journey. Your hotel in Bogota is located in the Chapinero neighbourhood, one of the most culturally diverse parts of town.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9

Bogota

Time for some exploring – today, You’ll explore the oldest area in the city and understand more about the Colombian past, present and future. One is La Candelaria, the historic heart of the city. Boasting a wealth of cosy cafes and colonial churches, it's a neighbourhood full of surprises. As well as loads of museums, art and great food to try, it's also just a beautiful town to walk around, an interesting clash of the old and new. You’ll also head to the Gold Museum for a chance to learn about the wealth this country once had. Fascinating and easy to navigate, the museum has 55,000 artefacts from various eras on display. During the day, you will also learn about Colombia’s turbulent past on a ‘War and Peace’ tour, which outlines their history of war, including political assassinations and armed groups in conflict, and how the country has developed into the situation it finds itself now.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10

Bogota

After an included breakfast, there are no planned activities today and no accommodation planned at night. If you wish to spend more time in Bogota, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals: Breakfast

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Inclusions

Cartagena - Orientation walk of hotel neighbourhood
Tayrona National Park - Entrance fee
Tayrona National Park hike
Barichara - Visit to a local artisan paper factory
Barichara - Walk along Camino Real to the village 'Guane'

Meals
8 Breakfast(s) Included
1 Lunch(es) Included
2 Dinner(s) Included

Style: Original

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Accommodations

Hotel (9 nights)

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Questions & Answers

Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?

Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.

Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?

Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.

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Intrepid Tours Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Accommodations

3.6

Itinerary

4.2

Professional Staff

4.4

Repeat with Operator

4.1

Value for Money

3.7

Ratings based off 211 reviews about Intrepid Tours - currently showing 9 reviews with comments only

MJ Marian on Sep 23, 2023

Intrepid is awesome. Our guide was superb. Everything went smoothly!

DM Danielle on Oct 01, 2022

Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.

VW Viraseni on Jan 31, 2020

Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.

SW Sabera on Aug 19, 2019

The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.

LT Laurie on Jan 19, 2019

The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations

JF Justine on Aug 18, 2018

Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.

PP Patricia on Mar 15, 2018

Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.

IA Ian on Feb 20, 2018

Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.

MW Michelle on Jan 26, 2018

Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.

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Explore Colombia

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Intrepid Tours Customer Reviews

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