Flexible dates: this itinerary can be arranged around participant interest. Dates, group size and the final quote are provided on request.
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Route: Bogotá → Salento → Cocora Valley → Medellín → Guatapé → Cartagena
THE JOURNEY
Discover Colombia's diversity on a journey from the Andes to the Caribbean. Explore Bogotá and its colonial old town of La Candelaria, get up close to the Coffee Region's rolling green hills and charming villages, feel the energy of reinvented Medellín, and finish on the colourful Caribbean coast in the colonial jewel of Cartagena — a captivating contrast to the high-altitude capital where the journey began.
| DURATION | 10 days · 9 nights |
| REGIONS | Bogotá · Coffee Region (Salento) · Medellín · Cartagena |
| STYLE | Small-group & private touring |
| GUIDING | English-speaking guides throughout |
| START / END | Bogotá → Cartagena, Colombia |
Your itinerary, day by day
DAY 1 Arrival in Bogotá
BOGOTÁ · ANDES
Colombia welcomes you
Arrive in Colombia's vibrant capital. A member of our team greets you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel in the historic La Candelaria district — a beautifully preserved quarter of colonial architecture. The rest of the day is yours to wander the surrounding streets at leisure.
| MEALS — | STAY Boutique hotel · Bogotá |
DAY 2 A Metropolis Between Past & Present
BOGOTÁ · ANDES
City tour & Monserrate
After breakfast, a city tour begins at the lively Paloquemao market, where passionate vendors offer the country's fruits, vegetables and flowers — with plenty to taste along the way.
A cable car then carries you up Cerro Monserrate (3,152 m), one of the world's highest pilgrimage churches, for a sweeping panorama over the city. You'll stroll through La Candelaria and the Plaza de Bolívar, and finish at the world-renowned Gold Museum (closed Mondays), home to the largest collection of pre-Columbian goldwork of its kind.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Bogotá |
DAY 3 Journey into the Coffee Triangle
SALENTO · COFFEE REGION
Bogotá to Salento
Early this morning you fly from Bogotá to Pereira, the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, set among the volcanic central Andes that give the country some of the world's finest coffee.
You continue to the charming village of Salento, known for its colourful wooden façades and authentic character, where cafés and a lively central square invite you to slow down.
i Not included: domestic flight Bogotá–Pereira (we can arrange this for you).
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Salento |
DAY 4 The Cocora Valley & Its Giant Wax Palms
COCORA VALLEY · QUINDÍO
Palms & a coffee finca
A visit to the Valle de Cocora is a must. From Salento's main square you board a classic 'Willy' Jeep into the valley, then walk an ecological trail beneath Colombia's national tree — wax palms soaring up to 60 m against deep-green mountains.
In the afternoon you visit a traditional coffee finca in the hills around Salento to learn how the country's most famous export is grown and produced, before returning to Salento.
i Alternative day: the Bremen Nature Reserve & Filandia — an Andean-forest hike in search of howler monkeys, followed by the brightly painted coffee town of Filandia.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Salento |
DAY 5 Journey to Medellín
MEDELLÍN · ANDES
City of Eternal Spring
Today you travel north to Medellín, the City of Eternal Spring, with spectacular views over the Andes and its deep valleys along the way.
Once one of the country's most talked-about cities, Medellín today blends history with striking modern reinvention, and its people — the paisas — are famed for their warmth. Your hotel sits in the lively El Poblado district, with the afternoon free to explore.
i The journey is around 5 hours by road; a domestic flight can be arranged on request.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Medellín |
DAY 6 A City of Culture & History
MEDELLÍN · ANDES
Highlights & Comuna 13
A full day exploring Medellín's landmarks and its remarkable transformation. Highlights include the Pueblito Paisa viewpoint, Plaza Botero with its Fernando Botero sculptures, Parque de los Pies Descalzos, and a ride on the city's Metro and Metrocable.
You then visit Comuna 13 — once one of Medellín's most troubled districts, now a symbol of resilience and creativity — with a local guide, taking in its murals, outdoor escalators and street art, a live hip-hop performance and a traditional Mango Biche popsicle.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Medellín |
DAY 7 Excursion to Guatapé
GUATAPÉ · ANTIOQUIA
El Peñol rock & the reservoir
A full-day excursion to Guatapé, famed for its colourful streets and scenic reservoir. You drive through the Antioquia countryside to El Peñol, a 220-m granite monolith you can climb (740 steps, optional) for panoramic views over the lakes and islands.
In the town of Guatapé, stroll streets lined with houses decorated in traditional zócalos, enjoy free time in the main square, and take a boat cruise across the reservoir.
i Entrance to climb El Peñol rock is not included.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Medellín |
DAY 8 Journey to Cartagena
CARTAGENA · CARIBBEAN
To the Caribbean coast
A short flight brings you to the Caribbean coast and Cartagena — Colombia's crown jewel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a key Spanish port from which galleons set sail laden with gold and silver, its walled old town feels like a step back to the 16th century.
Andalusian colonial architecture, honey-coloured sea walls and colourful, music-filled streets set the tone for the final stretch of your journey.
i Not included: domestic flight Medellín–Cartagena (we can arrange this for you).
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Cartagena |
DAY 9 Between History & the Caribbean Sea
CARTAGENA · CARIBBEAN
La Popa & San Felipe
Your city tour climbs to La Popa hill and its 17th-century monastery for panoramic views across the whole city and out to the sea. You then visit the Castillo de San Felipe, the largest fortress the Spanish built on the continent.
A walk through the historic walled centre completes the morning, leaving the afternoon free to enjoy Cartagena's celebrated Caribbean cuisine.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY Boutique hotel · Cartagena |
DAY 10 Hasta luego!
CARTAGENA · CARIBBEAN
Departure
Your Colombia adventure comes to a close. Depending on your onward plans, a private transfer takes you to Cartagena airport for your flight home. If you'd like to keep exploring, we're happy to arrange an extended program so you can see even more of Colombia.
| MEALS Breakfast | STAY — |
What's included — and what we can arrange
Our aim is a door-to-door experience where everything is taken care of in advance. The tour price covers the full land arrangements; flights can be added on request for a complete package.
INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
- Accommodation as specified, including daily breakfast
- All private transfers and transportation as described in the program
- Excursions listed in the program, with English-speaking guides and entrance fees
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- A Colombian SIM card with data
WE CAN ARRANGE FOR YOU
- International flights from anywhere in Europe or the USA — a fully flight-inclusive package on request
- Domestic flights within Colombia (Bogotá–Pereira and Medellín–Cartagena)
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Extra nights, upgrades or an extended program
YOU ONLY BUDGET FOR
- Optional activities and suggestions
- Tips and personal expenses
- Private taxi rides
- Anything not mentioned in the program
Good to know: the itinerary may adjust slightly for weather or operational reasons, and the Gold Museum in Bogotá is closed on Mondays.
Let's plan your Colombia adventure
Dates, group size and a tailored quote are all arranged around you. Get in touch and we'll answer any questions and put your trip together.
Compare all South America itineraries
Image credits
- Valle de Cocora, Colombia 04 — Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cartagena-Colombia — pratiproy — CC BY 2.0
HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?
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Join our WhatsApp community to connect with fellow travelers and ask your questions:
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Or reach out to Vincent Scheidecker via WhatsApp private message or SMS:
+33 6 60 25 62 66
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TRANSACTION FEES?
Transaction fees apply only when you use the ticketing system available on this page.
If you prefer to avoid these fees, we offer the option of paying via bank transfer. To arrange a bank transfer or if you have any questions, please contact Vincent Scheidecker directly via WhatsApp private message:
+33 6 60 25 62 66
WHAT ARE YOUR REVIEW'S LIKE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS?
To go through our amazing reviews by participants, please click on the link below:
WHAT IS NEXT?
- WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.
- Trip Briefing: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to a detailed trip briefing document providing details on what to expect, how to prepare etc.
- Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
- Free cancellation up to 7 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancel up to 5 days before the trip to get a 50% refund.
- If the event is cancelled by Urbanature Travel (UNT), you will get a full refund (excluding any airfares), unless you have purchased a flight inclusive package directly with Urbanature Travel (UNT) in which case you will get a refund including the flights.
- Please note that the program, as well as the venue is subject to change due to extreme weather conditions, as well as to the characteristics and size of the group.
- Urbanature Travel (UNT) needs a minimum of 5 participants for this trip to take place, else we may cancel this trip.
- UNT reserves the right to cancel the trip, modify the route, change the accommodation or re-schedule hikes and without prior notice.
- UNT is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or personal injury that occurs during the trip.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
Organized by :
Urbanature Travel
Welcome my fellow travellers! We are looking to provide you with options to travel to amazing places with our like-minded community guides. Our trips would involve a mash-up of urban exploring and comfortable nature trails & hikes planned & designed by us to ensure that you have a great time & have a more holistic experience.
Looking forward to seeing you on our trips!!!
