STEM Trip: Colombia

Overview

Discover the world’s second most biodiverse country, Colombia, on a STEM trip that combines barely-believable landscapes, award-winning innovation, and memorable cultural activities.

Students will come face to face with unique ecosystems and endemic wildlife and experience how burgeoning tech scenes and ground-breaking engineering have helped transform parts of Colombia’s major cities. Check our example itinerary below that we tailor to your academic focus.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Impacted

Example Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals & introduction to the program (Medellin)

Private airport bus transfer to hotel for check-in. Students enjoy a welcome dinner and introduction to our expert team.

Day 2: Explore the city's turbulent past (Medellin)

Visit the iconic Memory Museum and ride along the innovative and award-winning cable car system. Discover one of Medellin’s most fascinating neighborhoods, Comuna 13 and take part in street art workshop and salsa dance class. Evening fruit tasting with an array of exotic fruits.

Day 3: Organic farming & sustainable cooking challenge (Medellin)

The group will travel to a traditional Antioquia town to meet a pioneering farmer who has a unique story behind his transformation to organic agriculture. During this hands-on visit, you will begin a journey into sustainability and especially circular economy. Understand, and taste, the entire process of organic farming before we spilt the students into teams as they take part in our cooking challenge.

Day 4: Urban gardening & intercultural activity (Medellin)

Today students will join a local pioneer and discover how creating green spaces in urban settings can help foster a more inclusive and sustainable community. They will plant fruit and vegetables and learn the science behind making the perfect compost for different settings. The most memorable aspect of today is that your students will be joined by local students, allowing for a unique cross-cultural learning environment.

Day 5: Explore unique ecosystems first hand (Rio Claro)

Transfer to a remarkable natural reserve, sitting in the tropical forest of Rio Claro. Eco walk along rivers, to waterfalls and among unique flora and fauna. Students enjoy an introductory workshop to the reserve and a night walk under marble caves to discover a native bird species.

Day 6: Rafting and zip lining (Rio Claro)

After waking up to the howl of monkeys, students zip through the jungle on a canopy experience before wading through the river to reach some stunning waterfalls. Then, jump into a raft and enjoy an 8-mile journey down the transparent river, underneath marble caves on a memorable activity in the jungle.

Day 7: Transfer back to Medellin & Coffee Workshop (Medellin)

Wonder how the world’s finest coffee beans are made? Students will learn the entire process of the Colombian coffee-making process and become expert tasters themselves. This workshop is in partnership with our friends at Urbania, an impactful B Corporation who have a strong environmental and social mission.

Day 8: Departures (Medellin)

We take students to a local market to buy gifts for family and friends before a private transfer to Medellin’s international airport.

Essential information

  • Locations: Medellin, Rio Claro
  • Duration: 4 days +
  • Number of participants: 6+
  • Cost: From $599 per person (price depends on group size)
  • Teachers: Teachers travel for free
  • Accommodation: Hostel or hotel and eco-lodge in tropical rainforest
  • Carbon emissions: 225kg of CO2e p/p – we offset 100% of these emissions plus your journey here! See below for more details.
  • Other locations: Peru and Ecuador

  • All meals (we chose varied dishes to give a real taste of the Colombia)
  • Accommodation (rooms are shared but privates are available on request and at an extra cost)
  • Transport – private buses and domestic flights.
  • All scheduled excursions, activities, visits
  • Local guides and translators
  • Safety documents – risk assessment, safety protocols
  • Health Insurance
  • One Kagumu guide for every 8 students
  • Sustainability impact report

Medellin: during your STEM trip you will stay in Medellin and Rio Claro. While in Medellin you will be staying in a 3* hotel in the vibrant and safe area of Manila or Laureles, depending on the size of the group. Students will be divided into single-gender rooms with a private bathroom. Professors will enjoy individual en-suite rooms. Our partner hotels all have ample space to enjoy social activities and our unique cooking class!

Rio Claro: This stunning natural reserve sits in the middle of the jungle and demonstrates a strong commitment to social and environmental sustainability. With two floors of independent rooms that open to forest views, this single, grand, rustic structure was conceived for universities, schools, institutional, and large groups.

The weather in Medellin varies mildly between rainy and dry seasons. The temperature is a very agreeable 25 Celsius degrees year round. Students will be active every day and should pack good, comfortable sports shoes for walking and appropriate clothing for sunshine, rain, warm and cold.

The climate in Rio Claro will be hot and humid and cool at night with potential showers. Due to the variable weather conditions we will encounter, it is important to be prepared with appropriate clothing for your STEM trip. We highly recommend packing the following:

– Large rucksack or suitcase
– Day backpack (for Rio Claro)
– Raincoat
– Waterproof bottoms
– Walking boots
– Trainers
– Water shoes (to walk through the river)
– Trainer socks
– Towel
– Sun hat
– Warm hat
– Warm jumper and/or a hoodie
– Thermals for the cold
– Bug repellent
– Sun cream
– T-shirts
– Torch (head lamp)
– Water bottle
– Camera
– Sunglasses

  • Carbon emissions: 225kg of CO2e p/p – we offset 100% of these emissions plus your journey here!

Fully Customizable

Remember we customize every itinerary to your curriculum. If you have a specifc academic focus in mind, allow us to tailor a trip for you.