Medellin, Tayrona and Cartagena 8 days

Departure Date

Every Sunday

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Views

2556

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

From the palette of blues of Colombia's Caribbean coast to the breezy Andes mountains, be swept off your feet by the magic of this small South American nation. Get whisked away by the lush landscapes on a ride through central Colombia in Medellin; and the sounds of the locals friendly chatting from the balconies mixed with the sounds of music in the cobbled streets of colonial Cartagena.

Accommodation is provided at Charming Hotels or Private Villas.
  • Explore Mountainous Medellin by E-bike

  • Immerse yourself in the culture of the Indigenous People of Tayrona

  • Step back into history in lively Cartagena in the Caribe

  • Hike through tropical forests of Tayrona filled with wildlife

  • Dine on exquisite Caribbean fare

  • Stay at unique places in every location

  • Be led by top experienced guides at every step you take

  • Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and nature

  • E-Biking Exploration

  • Trekking in Tayrona Forest

  • Boat tour with Snorkel in Rosario Islands

Easy To Moderated
Skill Level 3 – Moderate
Fitness Level 6
  • Year around

  • 12 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

Your guide will wait for you at the Airport and take you to the Hotel, after the check in you have some free time, later we will go for dinner and some drinks in Zona Rosa.

Overnight: Dix Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2

Coffee Tour

Today we will have one of the most important experiences while traveling in Colombia, we will go to San Sebastian de Palmitas, Medellin's forgotten municipality just 35 minutes from the city, where we will hop into the only metro-cable designed to carry agricultural goods from the near-by fincas, walk along coffee, sugar cane, and spring onion fields; we will help locals to harvest the coffee and learn about the different kinds we have in this region, we will have a traditional lunch and then travel back to Medellin.

Overnight: Dix Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3

E-bike Tour Venecia

This tour starts around 9:30 a.m. from the center of Venecia. You’ll follow your guide for 2h30 to 3h00 along rivers, coffee plantations and traditional finca roads, where you may be lucky enough to spot sloths, tarantulas, parrots… Lunch will be in a traditional finca, and then we’ll pedal for a few more minutes to enjoy a refreshing swim at the “Cerro Tusa Springs” eco-hotel, where the natural pool in the heart of the forest offers a breathtaking view of Cerro Tusa. After this little refreshment, we pedal for 10 minutes back to Venecia. This route comprises 3 different paths (easy, medium and difficult).

Overnight: Dix Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4

Travel to Santa Martha and Minca

Today we will take a short flight to Santa Martha, a beautiful colonial city located in a privileged location next to the Caribbean sea and the majestic Tayrona Forest. The rest of the day is free to explore around Mica Forest.

Overnight: Sweet Harmony Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5

Trek into Tayrona

Today we have an early start, we will drive for 45 minutes to Clabazo to Tayku the Kogui settlement, they are true descendants of the ancient Tayrona civilization that inhabited the Sierra Nevada of Santa Martha 1300 years, we will have a cultural experience while sharing some time with the locals. Learn about the history, cosmovision, philosophy and lifestyle.

Later we continue our hike to San Juan, the iconic beach of Tayrona Park and have some time for swimming, we will have lunch and then hike to the other entrance of the park to meet our driver and go back to Santa Martha.

Overnight: Sweet Harmony Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 6

Travel to Cartagena

After breakfast we will travel by car to Cartagena, this colonial port city is the most visited in the country and for good reason! Founded in the 16th century, the rich history of this Spanish New World trade center is reflected in the canon-lined fortress walls, winding alleyways and colorful stucco buildings that stand out distinctly again the high-rising skyscrapers of Boca Grande-- the modern downtown filled with lively nightlife. Be captivated by the Caribbean breeze as you walk down the cobbled streets lined with balconied homes, flowers dripping from the sides and the sounds of live music at every corner. This tour is truly a treat for the senses and the spirit. At night we will go to a traditional restaurant for a delicious dinner.

Overnight: Don Pedro de Heredia or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7

Islas del Rosario Boat tour

In the morning we will take a private boat to the amazing complex of El Rosario Islands, we will navigate for about one hour to our first stop, there we will snorkel to view coral reefs and colorful fish, later we continue to view one of Pablo Escobar airplanes that is underwater, we will continue to chill in some of the islands for enjoying delicious gastronomy, cocktails and just relax on the beach. In the late afternoon we will return to Cartagena.

Overnight: Don Pedro de Heredia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 8

Departure

You will be transferred to the Airport for your flight home.
End of Services

Meals Included: Breakfast

Let's design your adventure

    • Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Private Transport

    • Airport transfers

    • Domestic flights

    • Accommodation for seven nights

    • Meals according to the Itinerary

    • Water and snacks at all time

    • Biking gear: Quality Electric bikes, certified helmets and gloves

    • Snorkel gear

    • All fees to reserves and museums

    • International flights

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Tips for guides and drivers

    • Travel insurance (mandatory)

    • Optional activities

    • Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.

    • Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.

    • Accommodation: We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service.

    • Single Supplement Costs: Generally this fee is not incurred as we match you with another person of the same gender in a twin room, but if you prefer not to share and have your own room, then there will be an associated fee

    • Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Colombia, as it is a country with roads meandering through the Andes mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group.

    • Gear: We always make sure our guests have top of the line gear from well-known and reputable international brands as we understand that the best gear gives extra confidence to our riders.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3 out of 5. No prior experience is required, and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. Trekking will take place on varying terrain of dirt and rock; biking on a gravel and paved roads with light traffic; there will be a transport support for the majority of the activities in the case that someone wants to take a break or just wants to relax.

    • Weather and Elevation: The Climate of Colombia is characterized for being tropical and isothermal as a result of its geographical location near the Equator presenting variations within five natural regions and depending on the altitude, temperature, humidity, winds and rainfall. Each region maintains an average temperature throughout the year only presenting variables determined by precipitation during a rainy season caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The climates in Colombia are characterized for having tropical rainforests, savannas, steppes, deserts and mountain climate, mountain climate further divided into tierra caliente (hot land) tierra templada (temperate land) tierra fría (cold land), tierra helada (frozen land) and Páramo. Sometimes the weather of Colombia is altered by the seasons in northern hemisphere, for example, from March to June, the weather is mild Spring, from June to August the weather is hot Summer, From September to December the weather is cool Autumn, and from December to March the weather is cold Winter. This happens very rarely, and it is usually a slight difference.

    • Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough, so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero-waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Colombia, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples, we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.

    • Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.

    • Heath advices: no vaccinations needed for this trip

    We do recommend travelling light for this expedition. A duffel bag of 50 litters for your luggage and a backpack of 20 litters for daily activities should be sufficient. In Colombia, the weather can change drastically especially when you are moving from the Sierra mountains to the Caribbean.

    • Passport

    • Credit card

    • Two pairs of lightweight hiking pants

    • Two pairs of shorts

    • One bathing suit

    • Four non-cotton T-shirts

    • One cotton T-shirts

    • One water T-shirt

    • One winter warm jacket

    • One fleece

    • One rain jacket

    • One pair of rain pants

    • Two buffs

    • One pair of hiking shoes

    • One pair of tennis shoes

    • One pair of water sandals

    • One- or two-night outfits

    • One cap or hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Camera

    • Head lamp

    • Optional binoculars

    NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and it is cheap, this helps traveling light too.

    REGULAR SEASON PRICE BASED ON NUMBER OF GUESTS FOR SHARED DEPARTURES:

    DEALS - EARLY BIRD 2024

    $2466/per person

    • All premium features

    • Solo travelers are welcome on sharing room basis otherwise single supplement applies

    • Departures: September to December

    2 - 3 guests

    $2740/per person

    • All premium features

    • Every sunday

    4 or more guests

    $2000/per person

    • All premium features

    • Every sunday

    Go private

    Contact us

    • We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

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    • 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday.
    • 7 am to 1 pm Fridays (US central) toll free or by skype.
    Otherwise, email us anytime. On average we provide quotes within 6 hours during business hours and the next day during off business hours. Privately guided trips allow you to be in control of all the details of your trip - departure times, accommodations, extra nights, extra activities, extra experiences - what you want and how you want it. If you want to go private or customize this expedition, contact us.
    Phone

    US & CANADA: +1 (919) 400-5824 EC: +593 (09) 5955-5556

    Email

    christian@activexpedition.com