Colombia: Natural History and Cultural Treasures

Join our journey to beautiful Colombia, an ecologically diverse land of Caribbean beaches, Andean cloud forest, gorgeous colonial towns, pre-Hispanic sites, and a rich culture alive with dance, music, and gastronomic delights. We hike in the cloud forests of Iguaque National Park, explore colonial-era villages, walk stone-paved country paths called caminos reales, spend the night at a remote family-run coffee hacienda, and hike the trails of Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean. Our grand finale is Cartagena, the gem of Colombia, with its walled Old Town and bougainvillea-lined streets. Throughout this special journey, we’ll enjoy personal introductions to artisans and craftsmen, learn about the diverse cultures and arts of Colombia, and savor the bounty of the cuisine. Come and enjoy a magnificent country revealing itself anew!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Bogotá, Colombia / Villa de Leyva / Iguaque Cloud Forest

After a walking tour of old Bogotá and a visit to the incredible Museo de Oro, we head to Villa de Leyva, declared a National Monument in 1954 and one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia. We hike in the unique ecosystem of the Andean cloud forest with a local naturalist and visit the adobe-and-stone Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, built by Dominican friars in 1620.

Days 4-6
Barichara / Camino Real to Guane / El Roble Hacienda

Barichara is an extraordinary colonial village on a plateau high above the Rio Suarez. We explore this atmospheric setting and hike on the stone-paved camino real to the quaint rural town of Guane. Later, we meet with a local engineer who works to preserve the architectural patrimony of this ancient region. On Day 6, we hike in the Cañón de Chicamocha, a vast gorge where spectacular cliffs rise above the Rio Chicamocha, and overnight at the peaceful El Roble coffee hacienda, family run since 1876.

Days 7-8
Plantation Tour / Tayrona National Park

After our special walking tour and coffee tasting at the plantation, we fly to Santa Marta, our gateway to Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean. The next day, we hike across palm-fringed beaches and up into jungle-covered hills that are home to wildlife from collared peccaries to exotic tropical birds, including Caribbean toucans. Our accommodation is a nature lodge with tranquil bungalows and its own private beach.

Days 9-11
Cartagena

Cartagena, founded in 1533, is a World Heritage Site and a fascinating walled city on the Caribbean. We explore the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, built by the Spanish, visit hilltop El Cerro de la Popa for excellent views of this port city, and roam the market, where women sell goods from baskets balanced on their heads. Depart on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

The trip is Level 3, Moderate. It features hikes and hotel accommodations. We have five hiking days, varying from 2-3 hours of hiking to one all-day hike of 8-9 hours on Day 8 (on this day, a shorter version of this hike will be available, as well as the option of enjoying the coast from our lodging). Although you carry only a daypack, there are a few steep ascents and descents and there are some sections that cross rocky trails. Some of the hikes are on stone stairs and trails that can be muddy, so we recommend bringing hiking poles. The trip’s most strenuous hike is our final one on Day 8, a full-day hike that includes a 600-foot descent down steep steps in Tayrona National Park. We will have a few long drives on curving mountain roads (the longest drive is 5.5 hours). Snacks and water will be available in our vehicle and we stop to stretch our legs at points of interest en route. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Daily walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.

Explanation of Trip Levels