Medellin, Tayrona and Cartagena (8 days)

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.

Highlights

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

Activities

E-Biking Exploration
Trekking in Tayrona Forest
Boat tour with Snorkel in Rosario Islands

Activity level

Easy To Moderated

Skill Ratings

Skill Level 3 – Moderate

Skill Ratings Information

SKILL LEVEL 1 – NEWBIE

You’ve never ridden a mountain bike before.

SKILL LEVEL 2 – BEGINNER

You have limited experience with off-road trail riding.

SKILL LEVEL 3 – NOVICE

You’re hooked on riding off-road and wide dirt trails (atv trails or doubletrack), but still lack the skills and confidence to consistently ride terrain with roots, rocks, tight corners, tight trees and steeps. Singletrack – what is singletrack?

SKILL LEVEL 4 – STRONG NOVICE

Your dedication to mountain biking has led you to your first handful of rides on real singletrack. You enjoy smooth mellow singletrack, although often the trees feel too tight, the climbs come too quick to shift and have you walking, and the obstacles have you a bit surprised as you did not even know people ride right over logs!

SKILL LEVEL 5 – INTERMEDIATE

At a controlled speed and on mellow singletrack terrain, you are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand. You are comfortable and confident rolling over small obstacles (a couple inches high) like roots, rocks and small rollable drops (a couple inches high). On rare occasions you take your wheels off the ground intentionally. You are now becoming comfortable in anticipating terrain and shift gears accordingly and you are comfortable using both front and rear brakes when required.

SKILL LEVEL 6 – STRONG INTERMEDIATE

You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on more challenging terrain. You are comfortable and confident with a front wheel lift and rear wheel lift to get up and over larger obstacles (up to 6 inches) such as roots and rocks that are not rollable. When climbing you shift your bodyweight forward in efforts to keep traction on your front wheel. Climbing is typically successful, unless technical roots, rocks or corners have you walking a short section. You are comfortable with speed and letting go of your brakes as long as you can see the

exit or end of the descent. You are also now grasping effective cornering techniques although still need to work on your timing and coordination.

SKILL LEVEL 7 – ADVANCED

You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You can hop over obstacles such as small roots and rocks that less advanced riders may wheel lift over. You use the brakes sparingly, and are open to taking some air off little rocks and roots. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through the corner and exit with acceleration.

SKILL LEVEL 8 – EXPERT

You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You rarely, if ever, walk. Small drops are no issue for you and you are comfortable with having both wheels leave the ground. Climbing technical roots, rocks and switchbacks are no issue for you. You use the brakes sparingly and air off of every rock, root and drop you can find. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms, switchbacks and corners is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through fast corners and exit with acceleration.

SKILL LEVEL 9 – PRO

You are a mountain bike god/goddess. You can handle the most technical terrain imaginable, eat up steeps for breakfast and can hit all the gaps, drops and jumps any trail throws at you.

Fitness Rating

Fitness Level 6

Fitness Ratings Information

FITNESS LEVEL 1

You are a couch potato.

You cannot ride for more than half an hour on flat terrain at a time, and the thought of climbing on a bike is daunting.

You exercise less than 1 hour per week.

FITNESS LEVEL 2

You live a fairly inactive life with little physical activity other than walking.

You can handle a 1-hour bike ride on flat terrain at a relaxed pace.

Small, short hills are challenging to climb, but are sometimes manageable.

You exercise on average 1 hour per week (including riding a mountain bike).

FITNESS LEVEL 3

You are capable of 2 hours of pedal time in a day at a relaxed pace, as long as there are several breaks.

You can handle one or two easy climbs of up to 330 vertical feet (150 m) total.

You exercise on average 2 hours per week (including riding a mountain bike).

FITNESS LEVEL 4

You are capable of climbing up to 650 vertical feet (200 m) in a day.

You exercise on average 3 hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

FITNESS LEVEL 5

You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 2-3 hours of pedal time each day.

You are confident climbing up to a total of 1,000 vertical feet (300 m) in a day.

You exercise on average 4 hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

FITNESS LEVEL 6

You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.

You can handle moderately steep climbs of up to a total of 1,650 vertical feet (500 m) in a day.

You exercise on average 5 hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

FITNESS LEVEL 7

You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.

You can handle moderate climbs up to 2,450 vertical feet (750 m) total in a day.

You exercise on average 6 hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

FITNESS LEVEL 8

You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.

You have little trouble climbing 3,280 vertical feet (1,000 m) in a day on moderate to steep terrain..

You exercise on average 6-10 hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

FITNESS LEVEL 9

You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.

You can handle steep, sustained climbs of up to 4,920 vertical feet (1,500 m) in a day.

You exercise over 10-hours per week.

Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.

Season

Year around

Minimum age

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

Included

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

Not Included

International flights
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Optional activities

Important Information

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

Packing list

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.

Terms & Conditions

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

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