Itinerary
- Day 1
Cartagena
You'll arrive in Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Colombia's Caribbean coast. If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk through the Old City and check out the churches, monasteries, and colonial-era mansions scattered around the plazas. At 6 pm you'll have a welcome meeting with your group. After that, your leader takes you on an orientation walk to get your bearings around town, and then everyone heads to dinner together to kick things off.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of hotel neighbourhood
Optional Activities
- Walk around the Old City within the walled town
- Explore local churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions
- San Felipe de Barajas Castle visit (COP33000)
- Walking tour Cartagena Walled City (COP50000)
- Walled city + Getsemani District Tour (COP50000)
- Mangroves Tour (COP180000)
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez Walking Tour (COP50000)
- San Basilio de Palenque Full Day Tour (COP320000)
Landmarks/POIs Cartagena Old City San Felipe de Barajas Castle - Day 2
Cartagena to Santa Marta
A private transfer takes you from Cartagena to Santa Marta, about 5 hours up the coast and your starting point for Tayrona National Natural Park. Once there, your leader walks you through downtown Santa Marta, pointing out the Cathedral, Parque de los Novios, and Plaza de Bolivar while sharing the city's history and local culture. You'll have the rest of the evening free to wander around or relax, and your leader can recommend some good spots for dinner.
Included Activities
- Santa Marta - Orientation walk
Landmarks/POIs Santa Marta Cathedral Parque de los Novios Plaza de Bolivar - Day 3
Machete Pelao (Mamey)
A 4WD vehicle takes you offroad to Machete Pelao, a small mountain town about 120 meters up. After a couple hours of walking, you'll participate in tree planting with locals as a way to give back to the community, and you get to name your own tree. Lunch happens before you hike through tropical forest with views of the mountains. By evening you'll reach the camp at around 450 meters elevation, where dinner waits under the stars.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with the group under the stars)
Included Activities
- 4WD travel to Machete Pelao (or Mamey)
- Walking through mountain terrain
- Tree planting with local community
- Hiking through tropical forest
Landmarks/POIs Machete Pelao Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Day 4
Lost City of Tayrona (Teyuna)
Today's the big one. You hike rainforest trails, crossing rivers as you make your way to Teyuna, an ancient archaeological site that actually predates Machu Picchu. The Buritaca River crossing is significant, and you'll climb over 900 stone steps to reach the first stone rings. Arriving in the afternoon works in your favor since fewer tourists are around. Local guides lead you through the site and explain the history of this remarkable place.
Included Activities
- Lost City - 3 Night/4 Day Lost City trail guided trek
- Lost City - guided tour of the Lost City of Teyuna
- Rainforest hiking on jungle trails
- River crossings
Landmarks/POIs Lost City of Tayrona (Teyuna) Buritaca River - Day 5
WIWA Community Camp
You hike back to the WIWA Community Camp this morning, navigating river crossings along the way. After that, the day is mostly yours to rest and recover from the trek. If the weather cooperates, there are natural pools where you can swim. Later, you'll meet El Mamo, a spiritual leader from the community, who talks about Indigenous ways of life, how men and women have different roles within their society, and what Sierra Nevada means spiritually to the people living there.
Included Activities
- Lost City - Wiwa Indigenous community camp visit
- Hike back to WIWA Community Camp with river crossings
- Meeting with El Mamo (Indigenous spiritual guide)
Optional Activities
- Swimming in natural pools
Landmarks/POIs WIWA Community Camp Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Day 6
Santa Marta
You wake early and walk back down to Machete, taking breaks to catch your breath and enjoy the views of Sierra Nevada. From there, you continue descending until lunch, after which your private transfer picks you up and brings you back to Santa Marta. The evening is free to rest up, and if your group wants, you can arrange a farewell dinner together to celebrate finishing the trek.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike back to Machete
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks/POIs Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Day 7
Santa Marta - Departure
After breakfast, your trip officially ends. You can leave anytime after checking out. If Santa Marta appeals to you and you'd like to stick around for the beaches and the laid-back port city atmosphere, talk to your booking agent beforehand about extending your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Santa Marta to relax and enjoy beaches
