Colombia: Caribbean Adventure (8 days)

Trip Overview

Head to Colombia’s Caribbean coast for an action-packed land and sea adventure that brings you closer to ancient civilisations and stunning natural environments.

On this 8-day trip, you’ll sail and snorkel along deserted Caribbean coastlines, paddleboard into the mangroves, kayak along jungle-skirted rivers, and hike to one of the most awe-inspiring peaks in Colombia,

Details

  • Where: Santa Marta, Minca, Cienga, Cerro Kennedy
  • Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
  • Cost: From $1,899 USD p/p (price doesn’t include international flights)
  • Level of difficulty: 3/5 (moderate to challenging)
  • Dates: All year round – Get in touch to book
  • Carbon Footprint: 112 kg CO₂e per person (not including international flights)

Your trip takes place on Colombia’s stunning Caribbean coast.

In Santa Marta, you will stay overnight in a boutique hotel in the historic center.

In Minca and Minca, you will stay in a jungle-embedded, locally owned lodge.

In Cerro Kennedy, you will stay in a traditional farmhouse with large shared rooms.

In Cienaga, you will stay in a beautiful boutique hotel.

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals

Your trip takes place on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, usually arriving at Santa Marta’s international airport. We offer private transfers to the beautiful historical center where you will stay for the next two nights.

After check-in, we explore the historical centre of Santa Marta on an interactive walking tour that includes a sacred weaving workshop with our partners in the indigenous Arhuaco community.

In the evening, your expert local guide will give you an introduction to the program before you head out for your first dinner in Colombia.

Day 2: Sailing & snorkelling

Today, you will head out on a private sailing boat to the national park of Tayrona.

Here you’ll enjoy a snorkelling activity and some time to rest on the Caribbean beach. We’ll have a fish lunch on the boat before heading back to Santa Marta just in time to see the sunset from the new boardwalk.

You will head into Santa Marta for dinner before overnight in the historical center.

Day 3: Mountain biking in Minca

Today we head into the cloud forests of Minca for a mountain biking adventure that will take you to a high-altitude, jungle-embedded cacao plantation

You will enjoy lunch in the town before heading out on the bike or on foot to a stunning waterfall.

After dinner, you’ll head further up in the Caribbean jungle to an eco lodge for the evening.

Day 4: Hike to Cerro Kennedy

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 am before meeting our trekking guide in the center of Minca at 9:00 am. We then take a 4×4 along the mountain road to a local coffee farm (1 hour 30 minutes). Here we enjoy a coffee tour.

We then travel 1km more in a 4×4 and begin our 3-hour trek to Santa Elena farm. Here we have a late lunch followed by a walk around the area to a sunset point and then return to the farm for dinner and overnight.

Overnight stay in a traditional farmhouse.

 

Day 5: Hike from Cerro Kennedy

Today’s early start at 5:30 am will ensure you catch the remarkable sunrise over the coastal mountain range.

We start the 5 km, 3-hour trek to the base of Cerro Kennedy peak. We then return to Santa Elena farm for lunch before jumping in our private 4×4 to return to Minca.

Transfer to Cienaga in a private bus.

Once in Cienaga, you will check into the hotel and enjoy some free time in the historic center before heading to a recommended restaurant for dinner.

Day 6: Paddle boarding in Cienaga

Join our local partners in a paddleboard experience in the languid mangroves of Cienaga. Afterward, you’ll travel by boat to a floating town to discover a community living on the water and a plant nursery that is providing vital support to the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem.

Once on dry land, you’ll travel by private bus along the coast to Don Diego River, where you will stay overnight in an eco lodge.

Day 7: Kayak to a Caribbean beach

Our penultimate day takes place along Don Diego, where you will kayak along the river, passing native birds and families of monkeys and eventually reaching a deserted Caribbean beach.

Afterwards, head back to the eco lodge where we will enjoy our final meal.

Day 8: Departures

We organize transfers for you to Santa Marta’s airport. Please note that the hotel is 1hr 45minutes from the international airport.

More Information

  • All meals during the trekking days
  • Airport transfers in private transport
  • Private transport and domestic flight
  • All accommodation throughout
  • Local bilingual Kagumu guides
  • All scheduled excursions & activities
  • Water during the trip

  • Tips (optional)
  • International flights
  • Activities not mentioned
  • Travel and health insurance

Project Marea – This is a project that is dedicated to the collection of underwater garbage and beach cleaning along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Instagram.

Wirakoku – This is a foundation promoting Indigenous women’s literacy, business skills & entrepreneurship through the masterful art of traditional bag weaving. Facebook.

Cienga Magic – This is a leading foundation that promotes the cultural heritage of the floating villages as well as ensuring their living conditions improve. Link – Website.

Book this trip for your group or tailor a journey for you.

Carbon Footprint: 112 kg CO₂e per person = Equivalent to emissions from 16 square meters of wool**

Includes: Accommodation, meals, local transport, guides & activities
Not included: International flights

*Based on an 8-day trip for an average meat eater
 **Source: CO₂ Everything

Daily emissions:

  • Meat eater – 14 kg CO₂e
  • Vegetarian – 12 kg CO₂e (-14%)
  • Vegan – 11 kg CO₂e (-21%)

Flight comparison (return):

  • London – 962 kg CO₂e (×8.6 the trip)
  • Atlanta – 612 kg (×5.5)
  • Montevideo  – 678 kg (×6)

Learn more on our Impact Page and Sustainability Policy.

Flexible bookings

Book now, pay later. Due to changing circumstances we make it easy for you to reserve your educational trip without paying a deposit upfront!.

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