Embrace the magic of Colombia as you explore along the magical Magdalena River during this special 7-night journey. Move to the beat of a variety of Latin American musical styles including cumbia and vallenato, and revel in exciting performances at a colorful Carnaval experience in Barranquilla. Drink a steaming cup of the country's famous coffee, listen for the calls of distinctive birds and wildlife not found anywhere else on the planet, and discover timeless traditions while getting to know the friendly guides and residents from diverse backgrounds who live beyond the riverbanks. Enjoy the soul and spirit of Colombia as you sail this river aboard a premium river vessel.
Arrive: Barranquilla, Colombia
Depart: Cartagena, Colombia
Highlights
Sample the marvels of Colombia—its vast history, culture, and towns as you cruise the Magdalena River
Explore the "walled city" of Cartagena, a major port during the Spanish conquest
Experience a birdwatcher's paradise—there are more than 1,930 bird species in Colombia!
Try local delicacies, including incredible desserts
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Arrive in Barranquilla and settle into your stateroom as you prepare for your journey along the Magdalena River. In the evening, enjoy a special Carnaval celebration. Widely considered one of Colombia's most important folkloric celebrations, the Carnaval of Barranquilla has also been declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and you will get to revel in this truly authentic experience as you learn the Carnaval's motto: Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza (Those who live it are those who enjoy it).
Visit the Floating Village of Nueva Venecia. A charming town filled with inviting locals, Nueva Venecia, or “New Venice,” can only be navigated by boat. With its beautiful colonial houses, vivid architecture, and local sanctuary protecting the native flora and fauna, this town highlights the beauty and warmth of Colombia. While here, explore this village and learn more about the lives of its people during a guided tour. Enjoy the traditional crafts and art that is on display, learn about the techniques the fishermen of Nueva Venecia use, and taste the local delicacies as you embrace this village and its unique culture.
Spend your morning in Santa Barbara de Pinto, located on the banks of the Mompox arm of the Magdalena River. Enjoy a walking tour through this traditional town, where you may see local landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Church and enjoy intricate hand-made crafts created in the town. In the afternoon, arrive in the island town of Mompox, where you will be welcomed with open arms and lively music as local musicians treat you to an exclusive jazz performance.
A town frozen in time, Mompox embodies the appearance of what many villages looked like during colonial times. Founded in 1540, this remote village became an important Spanish trading post. Some Spaniards found Mompox to be a haven for keeping gold and other treasure protected from the pirates that pillaged coastal cities like Cartagena, and with this precious metal and the work of skilled artisans from Spain came beautifully crafted artifacts. Since then, the town has become famous for its incredible filigree jewelry, which you can learn more about during your afternoon tour. While visiting this unique island, journey through the incredible ecological Cienega Pijiño region, exploring the massive lake that is home to a variety of flora and fauna native to the region. In the afternoon, take a stroll through this storied town on a guided walking tour. With stunning colonial churches, breathtaking nature surrounding the town, and delicious local delights such as capa cheese and butifarra, a savory sausage essential to many Colombian cuisines, Mompox is sure to be a highlight of your journey along the magnificent Magdalena River.
Bid farewell to in Mompox before embarking on a scenic cruise down one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Magdalena River—the La Mojana Region—and reaching the town of El Banco, nestled at the intersection of the Magdalena and César rivers. Founded in a location strategic for both the native people and the Spaniards, the town was repeatedly destroyed in their struggles and then rebuilt atop its ashes. In 1749, a freed black slave named José Domingo Ortiz led a group of settlers to this special location, carrying with him a statue of the Virgin Mary, staking this place as their new home. Because of this connection, the Virgin of Candelaria, a special invocation of the Virgin Mary, is specially venerated in this region. Embark on a guided walking of this incredible destination and learn more about its history as the birthplace of cumbia, an iconic genre of music and dance that has now been popularized around the world. What began as a courtship dance practiced by African slaves later incorporated American steps and European and African instruments has become a world-wide sensation, which is especially popular in the Andean region of Colombia. In the evening, enjoy an exclusive dinner in town and witness an incredible cumbia performance by locals.
Witness the sights, hear the bird calls, and watch the wildlife around you as your spend the day in Magangue. Immerse yourself in the presence of Colombian nature surrounding this city on a birdwatching tour, giving you a unique opportunity to see birds only found in this specific part of the country. You can also take a hiking tour through picturesque Cienega, a town teeming with Colombian heritage. Later in the day, visit Calamar. Located at the entrance of the Canal del Dique, this town was first settled in 1840. Witness historic sites such as the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Conception as you tour this beautiful destination by paolo (a bicycle taxi for two).
Take the day to delight in the beautiful coastal city of Cartagena. Many Spaniards flocked to this location when they heard tales of gold found in the tombs of indigenous leaders, expanding this small port into a thriving city. As you tour the city, you may witness iconic landmarks such as the Catedral de Cartagena or the stone walls built to protect the city from the plundering of pirates, although they did not stop Sir Francis Drake from holding the city for ransom in 1586. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour through the breathtaking Getsemaní neighborhood. With the vibrant colors of the homes and street art as well as the mouthwatering local delicacies that can be found throughout the area, this historic neighborhood will delight all your senses. In the evening, watch the sun set on the incredible San Felipe Castle.
Bid farewell to your ship and crew as you disembark and prepare for your flight home.
Pre-Cruise Medellin Extension Day 1 Arrive in Medellin, check into your hotel and enjoy your first night on your own. Day 2 Full-day Coffee Region Tour & Tasting. Day 3 Medellin City Tour. Day 4 Flight to Barranquilla and Embarkation.
Post-Cruise Panama Extension Day 1 Disembarkation and flight to Panama with tour of Old Town Panama. Day 2 Full-day Panama Canal tour. Day 3 Rainforest and Embera Village Excursion. Day 4 Bid Panama Farewell and prepare for your flight home or onward travels.
Dates & Pricing
Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: $400 100 days prior to departure: Balance
Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: $200 per person 90-120 days prior to departure: $400 per person 60-89 days prior to departure: 35% of trip cost 30-59 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 7-29 days prior to departure: 80% of trip cost 6 days or less: 100% of trip cost
Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed twin balcony stateroom
All fine dining on board, with dinner on shore in El Banco
Wine, beer and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner
Immersive excursions in every destination
Exclusive year-round Carnaval Celebration in Barranquilla
Cumbia performance in El Banco
Entertainment-on-demand in all staterooms
Free high-speed internet access, movies, and music library
Complimentary Wellness Program with dedicated Wellness Host leading classes
Nightly entertainment including cultural performances
Sun-deck pool and fitness room
24/7 Colombian coffee and tea station
Not Included
Airfare to/from points of embarkation and debarkation of the boat
Any pre/post-trip hotel nights
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and internet
Meals or beverages not specified in itinerary
Optional excursions
Optional gratuities to shipboard staff or crew
Optional travel insurance
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
AmaMagdalena
Days 1-7 (7 nights)
The newly designed AmaMagdalena, an intimate 60-passenger river cruise ship, features a heated pool on the sun deck, spacious fitness room, and a restaurant serving regionally inspired Latin American cuisine and Western favorites. Accommodations are in amenity-filled twin-balcony staterooms, comprised of both a French balcony and an outside balcony, from...
This 64-passenger ship is newly designed and maximizes your views as you cruise along the Magdalena River. Staterooms feature twin balconies (French balcony and outside balcony) with sizes ranging from 237 sq. ft. to 318 sq. ft. The main restaurant offers locally inspired Latin American cuisine and Western favorites, and...
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
