Colombian Odyssey: Urban Splendor to Island Wonders 10D/9N

As you land in Medellín, a bustling city known for its year-round springtime climate, a private transfer will be ready to take you to your accommodation. Ease into the Colombian rhythm and anticipate an unforgettable adventure ahead.

Embrace the day with a sense of wonder as you partake in a mysterious treasure hunt. Unearth the transformation of the 'City of Eternal Spring', witnessing its vibrant essence as only a true paisa (a Medellín local) can.

An unhurried day beckons in Medellín, presenting an opportunity to delve into the local lifestyle freely. Roam the cultural hotspots, sip coffee in leafy plazas, or consider a guided journey to Guatape, an enchanting lakeside town known for its kaleidoscope of colours and the grandeur of El Peñol. Here, an optional climb rewards with bird’s-eye views of a watery maze scattered with green isles.

Your journey shifts to Santa Marta as a private transfer guides you to your flight. Upon landing in this venerable city, settle into your new abode before embarking on a culinary quest in the bustling city centre. Savour the local street food, indulge in the flavours, and opt to continue exploring or return for seaside relaxation.

Today you will have an early start. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Tayrona National park. Tayrona National Park covers 15,000 hectares and is full of unspoiled beaches, coral reefs, verdant flora, mangroves and mountains. From the place where the trasnfer will drop yuo off, you will do a 45-minute eco-tourist walk through a tropical jungle to Arrecifes beach. Along the way you'll be able to see all types of flora and fauna including monkeys which are just some of the 108 other species that live within the Tayrona National Park. Then you'll set off on a 20-minute hike that leads you to La Piscina, a natural pool where you can bathe in the warm, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. Here you can relax a bit and gain streight for the final walk of around 20-minutes to San Juan del Cabo where you will spend the night in Tents. You can take a small backpack and the rest of the luggage will be taken to the office of our provider in Santa Marta. On the way to Cartagena the luggage will be picked up. What to bring: Small back pack to carry your personal belongings Comfortable clothes and shoes for the hike, bathing suit on and flip-flops Hat or cap Sun glasses Towel Sun block Insect repellent Cash for drinks and food (only Colombia Pesos and cash are accepted) Photocopy of your passport Tissues or toilet paper Water (however you can buy water at the entrance and inside the park). Plastic bottles are not allowed

Today you will walk back to the same spot where you were dropped off the day before, there your private transfer will be waiting for you to take you to Cartagena. Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and demonstrates the perfect marriage between rich colonial history and the vibrancy of the Caribbean. Depending on the time of your arrival in Cartagena, the rest of the day is free to explore the area near to where you’re staying, the city’s maze of cobblestone streets and its charming buildings. The historic center of Cartagena is surrounded by an impressive 8-mile-long colonial stonewall and is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing cocktail in the Café del Mar while watching the sunset over the Caribbean. In the evening you will make your own way to the Salsa school where you will enjoy 1 hour lesson of this famous music in Colombia.

Today you will have a day to spend at leisure exploring Cartagena on your own. At night we recommend you to visit some of the salsa bars in the city center and Getsemaní. You will have great fun!

Leaving from Cartagena you will take a group tour to the beautiful Playa Blanca. First you will do a panoramic view of the island of Manga, to contemplate infrastructures that preserve the republican style, then you will cross through the industrial zone of the city, where you can see some of the largest companies in the area until reaching the Island of Barú where these majestic emerald green beaches are located. Upon arriving at the beach you will take a small boat to travel to Playa Tranquila, located 7 minutes from Playa Blanca, where you will enjoy the day away from the siege of the sellers. Upon arrival in Cartagena you can make your own way to the hostel.

Let yourself be captivated by this “clandestine” part of Cartagena: it’s ideal for an adventure. The Bazurto Market is a traditional market offering fish, meat, fruit, clothing, and art, and is as significant in Cartagena as the convent of La Popa and the Castle of San Felipe. This very traditional market is seldom visited by tourists. We can purchase traditionally prepared Colombian food for breakfast or lunch, or simply enjoy the local market of Cartagena in the early hours of the day. We will navigate through a maze of alleys, where the guide will show us all kinds of fruits, herbs, vegetables, fish, seafood, and meats. There are also several stands of spices and medicinal herbs. At the end of the tour, we reach the dining area where you can try the typical lunch: fried fish with cassava (not included). Later on, a great workshop that lasts approximately one hour and is a unique opportunity to connect with the typical African rhythms from drums which are the basis of the region’s folk music, such as cumbia, bullerengue, Mapalé and champeta. The Cultural Cooperation team offers you to live an extraordinary experience that could not be more authentic in a beach kiosk. First a little theory, then the presentation and finally the interaction: the playing of the drums.

On this last day, you will be taken to the airport in Cartagena on time to catch your flight back home.