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 hike to epic viewpoints, taste world-class coffee and cacao, swim under waterfalls, kayak while the sun sets, and get a taste of the enthralling Afro-Caribbean culture with a dance and drumming workshop.

Details

  • Where: Santa Marta, Minca, Cienga, Cerro Kennedy, Cartagena
  • Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
  • Cost: From $3,099 USD p/p (price doesn’t include international flights)
  • Level of difficulty: 2/5 (easy)
  • 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 Ciénaga and Cartagena, 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.

Overnight: Santa Marta

Food included: Welcome dinner

Day 2: Hiking, waterfalls & cacao in Minca

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

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

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

Overnight: Minca

Food included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: 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: traditional farmhouse.

Food included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: 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.

Overnight: Cienaga

Food included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Visit floating villages in Cienaga

We leave the hotel in local transport (tuk tuks) to the starting point for the private boat trip to visit the floating villages in Cienaga. Our local guides will take the group around the community, and the visit includes a special cultural surprise.

We return to Cienaga at around 4pm, where we will relax in the hotel before heading out for dinner and an evening spent in the beautiful colonial center of Cienaga.

Overnight: Cienaga

Food included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Explore Cartagena’s Old Town

After breakfast, our private bus will take you along the coast to Cartagena. We stop off on the way for a short walk along Barranquilla’s walkway.

In the afternoon, we head out to explore Cartagena’s Old Town under the guidance of a local expert. Get a taste of the music and rhythm of the Caribbean on this interactive tour.

Overnight: Cartagena

Food included: Breakfast, snack

Day 7: Local fishing experience & Afro-Caribbean Drumming

In the morning, head out with local fishermen on a canoe ride in the mangroves. Travellers then experience the true art of fishing with their expert local guides. 

This afternoon, you will dance to the Caribbean rhythms of cumbia and explore the origins of champeta by joining our partners in the Batambora school in the fishing village of La Boquilla.

We end the trip with a kayaking experience while watching the sun set over the Caribbean coastline. We finish with an optional rum tasting activity

Overnight: Cartagena

Food included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Departures

We organize transfers for you to Cartagena’s airport. Please note that the hotel is 30 minutes from the international airport.

Food included: Breakfast

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
  • All food mentioned in the itinerary

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

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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