Your personalised See Colombia tour takes you to some of Colombia’s highlights – the enchanting Cartagena (named a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the unique Tayrona National Park. Your highlight will be the Lost City, where you’ll discover the pre-Hispanic pathways of the original Tayronas, trekking through a series of breathtaking landscape from sea level and up to 1100 meters above sea level, getting to know more about this culture and their distinctive way of living. Leaving the mountain you’ll visit the Tayrona National Park area, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia, where you can relax and rejuvenate yourself. All this and much more only with See Colombia Travel.
Day 1. Cartagena - Free day. City Tour (optional-not included)
Our Cartagena City Tour will take approximately four hours. We begin the tour with a visit to Cerro de la Popa, a cloister built on top of a hill that dominates the entire urban complex. Following this we will see the oldest church in the city, San Pedro Claver. Finding ourselves in the famous Old City, we will visit Plaza Bolivar, Bobedas and the Bocagrande Panoramic. The Old City retains all the charm of the colonial days, its narrow, cobbled streets flanked by charming balconies and traditional wooden doors. We will finish in the commercial centre of Cartagena, Pierino Gallo, for some shopping. Your afternoon will be free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Includes entrances to La Popa Monastery, San Pedro Claver Church and San Felipe Fort.
Day 2. Cartagena. Day on the Rosario Islands
Located on the Baru´s peninsula about 1 hour from Cartagena, Cocoliso is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It derives its name from the whiteness of its sand, washed by the turquoise-colored water with coral reefs. This is the perfect place to enjoy the beach and tropical Caribbean climate, and a great opportunity to taste the local cuisine, mostly consisting of fish and rice flavored with coconut. The tour takes you to discover this paradise, far from the bustling city. The journey is by boat from Cartagena, crossing the bay and docking at the coast of Cocoliso.
Day 3. Cartagena - Santa Marta
Transfer to Santa Marta where you’ll spend the night and prepare for the Lost City trek.
Day 4 to 9. Lost City Trek
Day 1. Santa Marta – El Mamey. First camp site (4 hour walk).
We leave at 9 am from our meeting point in Santa Marta. Three hours later we will reach the local village of El Mamey, from where we’ll begin our ascend to the first camp site. Upon arrival you’ll have the chance to go for a swim at a natural spring. Tonight we’ll sleep in hammocks.
Day 2. Second Camp Site (4 hour walk).
After an early breakfast, we start today’s walk through the forest descending to into a small valley formed by the Buritaca riverwhere you’ll have your first encounter with the local indigenous communities in the Mutanyi village. We have 3 more hours walk before we reach the cabin where we will spend the night. Upon arrival we can cool off in the natural pools formed by the Buritaca river.
DAY 3. Third Camp Site (5 hour walk).
Today, we start our walk at 7am going through the Kogui- Arsario indigenous reserve and the Sierra Nevada Natural Reserve passing by several indigenous houses and some ancient roads built hundreds of years ago by the inhabitants of the area. During our journey we will take a break to refresh ourselves in one of the many natural swimming pools formed by the Buritaca river. Tonight we’ll spend the night at the Mamo’s (chief) house.
Day 4 & 5. Lost City (1.5 hour walk) and trek back to campsite.
Today, we cross the Buritaca river to finally arrive to the long awaited Lost City (sacred site for the current local communities of theSierra Nevada). At 9am we begin our adventure into the park, learning about the different ways the pre-Hispanic Tayronas adapted to their environment, we will also have an opportunity to see the ceremonial houses of the present day Tayronas and the vegetation that form a unique backdrop to the prehistoric legacy. Along the route it is also possible to take a bath in the pool of youth, which according to the legend works wonderfully well. At the end of the tour, some notes about the archaeological sites of the mountain range are available to read, and a short informative chat about the site can be arranged with the guide. Next day, you’ll have an early Breakfast at 6.30 a.m as we’ll depart at 7 a.m. in order to take advantage of the morning hours so the journey is less arduous and also because the constantly changing atmospheric conditions of the region. At Mutanyi cabin we will have lunch. We walk for approximately 3 more hours towards our last campsite (7 hrs in total).
Day 6. Return to Santa Marta.
After breakfast, we reach the Machete town and enjoy a refreshing swim in the river continuing afterwards to Santa Marta where we will arrive at approximately 4pm. Transfer to chosen hotel.
Day 10 to 12. Tayrona Area
Free day to enjoy rest and relax by the sea, sunning yourself and reflecting upon your wonderful journey on one of Colombia´s most beautiful beaches or, as an optional activity, visit the beaches in Neguaje and Playa Cristal, where you’ll enjoy pristine waters, white sand, coral reefs, and beautiful views of bays.
Day 13. Tayrona - Santa Marta - Bogota - Home.
At the chosen time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Bogota. All good things must come to an end, after all. Of course, if 13 days just isn´t enough time in Colombia, our tours are 100% customizable and we´d be happy to extend your stay with us. Just ask for more details.
