One Week in Colombia

Journey through Colombia on a eight-day adventure through floating villages and beautiful waterfalls – all with a local leader by your side. Cycle along the waterfront promenade in Barranquilla with World Bicycle Relief, hike to the Marinka Waterfalls and swim in the clear waters at the base of the falls. Discover the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta Palafitos Villages on a traditional fisherman’s boat, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City in Cartagena and enjoy plenty of free time with your new friends (you could even join some local tours and learn more about the region).

Day 1: Cartagena
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Cartagena – one of South America’s most historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you arrive early, visit the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver or simply relax at the beach. After your meeting, you’ll head out for an orientation walk with your local leader. Walk through the Old City packed with churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions and learn about the ancient walls that were built to protect the city from pirates. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.
Day 2: Barranquilla
This morning, travel to Barranquilla – a seaport city on the bank of the Magdalena River. When you arrive, visit the World Bicycle Relief factory – an Intrepid Foundation partner who empowers people in rural communities with life-changing, purpose-built bicycles. Learn about how the organisation helps to address the lack of transportation infrastructure for impacted locals before setting off on a cycling tour through Barranquilla along the Malecon (waterfront promenade). After, head back to your accommodation and maybe find a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.
Day 3: Minca
Set off on a guided tour through the Palafitos Villages – stilt villages built on the water in the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta. This large swamp is a Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The tour begins with a short drive to Pueblo Viejo, where you'll board a traditional fisherman's boat to visit the stilt villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia. In Nueva Venecia, visit the Visitors’ Center with a local community guide and learn about the moving history of this village, including its struggles with violence and social issues. Then, continue to the floating football field – a symbol of hope for the younger generations, donated by the famous footballer Radamel Falcao Garcia. Later, continue to Minca, where you’ll stay tonight.
Day 4: Minca
This morning, join a local guide through the charming streets of Minca before continuing to the Marinka Waterfalls. Lace up your hiking boots and take in the scenic river views as you walk, looking out for native birds along the way. Swim in the crystal-clear waters surrounded by nature before heading back to Minca. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe join a La Candelaria farm tour, where you'll visit a coffee farm built in the 1990s that also cultivates cacao. Here, you’ll have the choice between a coffee or chocolate tour, where you’ll learn about the cultivation and transformation process into the final product.
Day 5: Santa Marta
After breakfast, travel to Santa Marta. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk through the coastal city with your local leader. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe taste some local produce at the Santa Marta Public Market or walk along the seafront promenade of Macheteon de Bastidas. Tonight, perhaps get your new friends together and venture out into Santa Marta’s vibrant nightlight near Parque de los Novios.
Day 6: Santa Marta
Today is a free day for you to explore Santa Marta at your own pace. Maybe take a daytrip to the Tayrona National Park, join a Santa Marta city tour or visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Museum – the historic home of the former President of Peru, Simon Bolivar. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset from a nearby beach or try some local dishes like fish ancocho (fish and vegetable soup) or cayeye (boiled mashed banana with butter and cheese).
Day 7: Cartagena
Take a bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena this morning. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive, maybe join a tour of the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, stroll through the Zenu Gold Museum or indulge in local cuisine on a street food tour or rum tasting. Tonight, perhaps join your new friends for dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the final night of your trip.
Day 8: Cartagena
As there are no more activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay in Cartagena longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.