Colombia’s great treks: Cocuy, Nevados & Ciudad Perdida

Arrival at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, at an altitude of 2,640 m. Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and end of the day free to enjoy the Colombian capital at your leisure, with its mix of modern and historic districts, urban architecture and verdant parks. Overnight at Hotel Casa de la Vega in a Standard room.

Depart by bike for an unusual immersion in Bogotá’s historic and cultural center, which has preserved its authentic colonial atmosphere. Along the cobbled streets, you’ll discover colorful facades, beautifully carved wooden balconies and Baroque churches. Discover the Plaza Bolivar with its imposing buildings (City Hall, Palace of Justice, Cathedral, National Congress…) Then head for the Paloquemao market, where you can sample exotic flavors and shop for Bogotanos’ favorite dish *Note: the order and content of the activities are indicative and depend on the day of the week.* Excursion with your English-speaking guide. Overnight at Hotel Casa de la Vega in a standard room.

Departure for Chingaza, on the outskirts of Bogotá. Covering 76,000 hectares, this natural park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species (Andean condor, spectacled bear). During the hike, you’ll enjoy the rich ecosystem, between sacred lagoons (Siecha and Guasca are important sites in Muisca mythology) and frailejones (typical high-altitude shrubs, above 3,000 meters). *Note 1: approx. 5-hour round trip.*

*Note 2: hike on uneven terrain; approx. 3 to 4 hours’ walk; moderate to difficult level*. Note 3: lunch (midday) included, in the form of a packed lunch*. *Park info: cold/temperate climate (4° C to 21.5° C); 800 to 4,020 msnm altitude* Overnight at Hotel Casa de la Vega in Standard room.

Transfer to Bogota airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to Medellin. Welcome in Medellin and transfer to your hotel. On this tour, you’ll discover the city of Medellin in an original and environmentally friendly way. On board electric bikes, you’ll ride through the city of eternal springtime, visiting the Museum of Modern Art, the los Pies Descalzos and Del Rio parks, and discovering the Plaza Botero. *Note 1: tour lasts approx. 4 hours* *Note 2: museum entrance fees are not included.* Overnight at Hotel 574 in Standard room.

Early morning departure for a day of adventure to the Rio Claro. On the way, stop for a typical Antiquarian breakfast. Continue on through the small villages of Santuario, Cocorná and San Louis before reaching the Claro River. Here, you’ll set off for a hike in the heart of the lushly landscaped nature reserve. Finally, you can take advantage of this excursion to go rafting, potholing or explore a beautiful canopy. *Note: activity of your choice (rafting, potholing or canopy) to be specified at time of booking.* Overnight at hotel 574 in Standard room.

Morning departure for the mirador de San Felix, the starting point for your paragliding adventure. During your flight, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Antiquarian countryside and its small villages. An original way to discover the region… Thrills guaranteed Return to your hotel in the early afternoon. Dinner included at hacienda Abraspungo. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the city of Medellin Take a stroll through the pedestrian streets of the Carabobo district, where you’ll discover different styles of architecture, from the Palacio Nacional to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, before reaching the Plaza Botero, where bronze statues of the famous artist are on display.

Visit to the Museo Antioquia, housed in an Art Deco building, one of Colombia’s most important museums, with a large number of Fernando Botero’s works, as well as a range of pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary art collections. Overnight at Hotel 574 in a Standard room.

Transfer from Medellin international airport to Olaya Herrera national airport. Domestic flight to Armenia *Note: Easyfly is a low-cost airline. Baggage allowance is 15 kg per person. Any extra kilos must be paid for at the airline’s airport counter.* Arrival in the « coffee triangle » (made up of three departments: Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas). It is here, in the Andean highlands of western Colombia, that almost 10% of the world’s coffee is grown, at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,800 m. Welcome and transfer to Glamping entre Rios. Horseback ride to Glamping Entre Rios (approx. 2 hours). Overnight at Glamping Entre Rios in a standard tent.

Transport between Glamping entre Rios and Armenia. A day dedicated to discovering the coffee region by bike. Early in the morning, you’ll reach Armenia by private vehicle, the starting point of your mountain bike ride. With a surface area of 150 hectares, the Patasola is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the coffee region. You’ll wind your way through fields of coffee and banana trees, as well as observing the many species of tropical birds found in the region. You will be accompanied by a guide throughout the tour, and a support vehicle will follow you all the way. Distance: 25 km; Difficulty level *Note: a 3-minute video of the day’s highlights will be given to you after the tour * Transport between Armenia and Glamping Entre Rios. Overnight at Glamping Entre Rios in a standard tent.

Transfer between Glamping Entre Rios and Salento *Note: Glamping Entre Rios is located in a remote area, which is what makes it so beautiful. Allow 2 hours’ drive during the day to reach the various locations.* A day dedicated to discovering the villages and landscapes typical of the coffee region. The program includes a Willys tour through the verdant Cocora Valley before a hike among the wax palms (Colombia’s national tree) and hummingbird watching. *Note: the hike lasts around 2 hours. If you wish, you can take the shorter version (15min walk).* Then lunch at a typical hacienda (restaurant). Visit a Colombian coffee plantation, whose production can be as complex and sophisticated as wine. On site, you’ll have the opportunity to walk among the coffee trees, be introduced to the harvesting and roasting processes, before tasting the beverage produced on site. The day ends with a visit to the village of Salento: panoramic tour, discovery of local architecture and typical bamboo constructions (guadua). Overnight at Glamping Entre Rios in a standard tent.

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight *Note: 1h30 to 2h drive* Domestic flight to Santa Marta. Arrival at Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast. Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel at the gateway to the beautiful Tayrona National Park. Check-in and end of day at leisure. Free afternoon to enjoy the Tayrona region, between Sierra Nevada and the Caribbean Sea: walking in the rainforest, lazing on the immense palm-fringed beaches… *Note: due to strong currents, swimming on the region’s beaches is strongly discouraged at certain times.* Overnight at the Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a cabin room.

Depart for the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, where you can kayak down the Rio Don Diego to see howler monkeys and magnificent birds. Return to the reserve by boat or kayak (your choice) for lunch *Note 1: 3-hour trip down the river to the sea, 20-minute boat trip* *Note 2: bring swimsuit, hat and sun cream for the float trip* Overnight at the Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a cabin room.

Morning departure to discover the Sierra Nevada. Breakfast at a cocoa-producing finca with the owners. This is also the starting point for a beautiful day’s hike, punctuated by numerous panoramic views of the Sierra. This hike is an opportunity to observe the immensity of this indigenous mountain between the forest and the Caribbean Sea. During the hike, you will be served a lunch basket. At the end of the afternoon, arrival in the small village of Minca and return to your hotel *Note 1: 5-hour hike – difficult level *Note 2: bring a small rucksack, good shoes, mosquito repellent, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses and sun cream.*

*Note 3: in the middle of the hike, a stop at a natural waterfall for a swim (with a 30-minute detour, extending the hike to 6 hours in a day) *Note 4: possibility of doing this hike in the opposite direction (downhill only), from Minca to Bonda (consult us) * Overnight at the Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a hut room.

Your equestrian tour begins with a crossing of the Burritaca river, then through the countryside of the Sierra Nevada before continuing along the Caribbean beaches.

*Note: 3-hour ride* Free afternoon to enjoy the Tayrona region, between Sierra Nevada and the Caribbean Sea: walking in the rainforest, lazing on the immense palm-fringed beaches… *Note: due to strong currents, swimming on the region’s beaches is strongly discouraged at certain times.* Overnight at the Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a cabin room.

Departure for Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast. From the road, you can admire the Cienaga Grande, the country’s largest body of water, home to numerous bird species. Transfer to the hotel and end of the day free to discover the unrivalled charm of this superb colonial city, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

*Note: 4 to 5 hours drive* Just a stone’s throw from the walls and chic of the colonial center, you’re off on an adventure through the streets of the bohemian Getsemani district to discover the local style food that true Cartageneros love. Whether you’re looking for a snack or something more substantial, a healthy starter or a sweet dessert, the streets of Cartagena offer it all! One of the best ways to get a glimpse into the daily life and culture of the local people, the tour will give you a more personal contact with the « authentic Cartagena », with street vendors filling your bellies with their delicacies and warming your hearts with their hospitality! On the program: tasting of tropical fruits, arepas, buñelos, chicharrones, limonada and other cocadas! *Note: approx. 2 hours* Overnight at Hotel Casa Canabal in Deluxe double room.

Head for Las Cometas beach, near Cartagena, for a private kitesurfing lesson, where you’ll spend an hour enjoying this sport so popular along the Caribbean coast. Whether you’re an experienced kite-surfer or a beginner, your guide will adapt to your level. Afternoon free to enjoy Cartagena’s many attractions. You can visit the historic city at your own pace and enjoy its unique atmosphere, discover the modern district of Bocagrande, store for handicrafts in Las Bovedas, take a day trip to relax in the Isles du Rosaire, admire the sunset from the city walls. Overnight at Hotel Casa Canabal in a Deluxe double room.

Transfer from your hotel to Cartagena airport. Take a boat to the Rosario archipelago. Check into your hotel on one of the twenty islands and islets in the national park. Relax, swim… *Note: on arrival at Cartagena port, you will have to pay the port tax* *(19,500 COP to date).* Overnight at Hotel San Pedro de Majagua in Superior room.

A stay in the heart of the Rosaire archipelago, where the coral reefs and white sands invite you to swim in the crystal-clear waters, discover the mangrove swamps, relax and explore the seabed… 4-day diving package in the Rosaire archipelago. You’ll make 4 day trips to explore the splendid seabed surrounding the archipelago. Included: diving equipment; four day dives; diving instructor. Overnight at Hotel San Pedro de Majagua in a Superior room.

In the early afternoon, return to Cartagena de Indias by boat, leaving the rest of the day free to enjoy Cartagena’s many attractions (historical sites, strolls through typical streets, crafts, restaurants, swimming…). Transfer from the port of Cartagena de Indias to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Cartagena’s many attractions. You can visit the historic city at your own pace and enjoy its unique atmosphere, discover the modern district of Bocagrande, store for handicrafts in Las Bovedas, take a day trip to relax in the Isles del Rosario, admire the sunset from the city walls. Overnight at Hotel Casa Canabal in a Deluxe double room.

Transfer to Carthagena de Indias airport for an international flight.