CARTAGENA to QUITO (22 days) Colombian Adventure
CARTAGENA to QUITO (22 days) Colombian Adventure
21 Days Starting in Cartagena, Colombia and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Visiting: Colombia, Ecuador
Tour operator:
Tour code:
544
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 10
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 22-day Colombian adventure from Cartagena to Quito, exploring the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of Colombia and Ecuador. Begin your journey in the historic city of Cartagena, with its UNESCO World Heritage sites and beautiful Playa Blanca. Experience the unique Totumo Mud Volcano and the serene Tayrona National Park, where you’ll sleep in hammocks under the stars. Dance the night away in Medellin, learn about coffee production in Salento, and wander the charming streets of Bogota. Camp in the striking Tatacoa Desert, hike in Parque Purace, and admire the colonial architecture of Popayan. Travel comfortably in an Oasis Expedition Truck, with a mix of camping and simple hostel accommodations. This tour offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
A highlight of any trip to Colombia is undoubtedly Cartagena. With its colonial past and Unesco World Heritage status, the old city is an ideal place to just wander the maze of cobbled alleys amongst churches, monasteries, plazas and bougainvillea draped balconies. Las Murallas, the thick walls built around the old city to protect it from pirates, are wonderfully preserved and make for an interesting walk, before stopping off in one of the hidden patio cafes. We spend 2 nights here to get a flavour of both the old city and also the trendy area of Bocagrande. We will also include a boat trip Playa Blanca, with it's turquoise waters and golden sand it is one of Cartagenas most famous beaches.
We set off in the Truck eastbound with a quick dip in Volcan de Lodo el Totumo before we continue to Taganga where we spend a night in this chilled out Caribbean town with a strong alternative feel. Some of South America's loveliest coastline lies east of Taganga in Tayrona National Park. We spend 2 days exploring trails to beaches set in deep bays, shaded by coconut palms. We have the option to snorkel and possibly scuba dive in some of the bays. Lack of roads means that we will probably have to hike with our gear to our overnight spots where we sleep in hammocks!
DAY 6 - 14 TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK TO BOGOTA
We then head south into the heart of Colombia, with a roadside bush camp on the way before arriving in the lively city of Medellin. Here is a good spot to get a few Salsa or Tango lessons in before trying out your moves in the many discos and clubs. For those wanting a little culture there are several art galleries and museums worth visiting or also an option to travel via local bus to the sleepy colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Continuing south, our Colombian overland adventure takes us in to the mountains to the pleasantly cool climate of Salento. Here, deep in the heart of the coffee growing area, we have the option to visit one of the numerous coffee farms. Parque Los Nevados, with peaks topping 5000mtrs, and weirdly tall Palm trees making it a great place to spend a day trekking, before checking out some of the town's funky bars in the evening.Bogota is our next stop and we have 2 or 3 nights to see the different sides of this once notorious capital city. Having had the accreditation in the 80's and 90's of being one of the world's most dangerous cities, things have really turned around for Bogota. The city is cradled by Andean Peaks and great views can be seen from a trek up the Cerro de Monserrate. Pop in to the cobbled historic centre, La Candelaria, and as well as taking in a few cafes and picturesque buildings, enjoy the age old tradition of adding cheese to your hot chocolate!
DAY 15 - 17 BOGOTA TO PARQUE PURACE
We now travel through the Tatacoa Desert, an arid area of striking eroded cliffs surrounded by distant peaks of over 5000mtrs. The result is a quite unique ecosystem, and due to the dry, clear conditions, the area is an excellent star gazing spot and we will try to camp here to appreciate the view. Turning west through stunning mountain scenery towards the Pan American Highway, and after a gruelling drive, we eventually take an unpaved road into Parque Purace. The park is the only place to see Condors in Colombia, and it is also home to some good walking trails. The adventurous can scale Volcan Purace (4750mtrs), but there are a few other less strenuous hikes to the Sulphur Mine and Termales de San Juan - a spectacular hot spring complete with water slides!
DAY 18 - 22 PARQUE PURACE TO QUITO
Further west is the beautiful colonial city of Popayan. Nicknamed the white city, some would say only Cartagena surpasses Popayan's colonial structures. We shall make a small stop to admire the chalk white facades and stock up on supplies, before following the Andes south towards Pasto. Santuario De Las Lajas - a neo-Gothic church built on a stone bridge spanning a gorge - is the main point of interest in our last stop in Colombia, Ipiales. We may choose to camp the night in either Pasto or Ipiales, or possibly continue on to the border with Ecuador.
We cross the equator as we make our way to Quito, a capital city rich in history, surrounded by mountains - a play ground for hikers and mountain bike fans.
Note - our 2025 departure will be 21 days long
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is approximately 25% camping and 75% simple hostels/hotels.
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Playa Blanca Boat Trip
A boat trip to Playa Blanca in Cartagena is included.
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City Tour - Cartagena
A city tour in Cartagena is included.
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Tayrona National Park
Entrance and hammock accommodation in Tayrona National Park are included.
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El Totumo Mud Volcano
A visit to El Totumo Mud Volcano is included.
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Coffee Plantation Tour - Salento
A guided tour of a coffee plantation in Salento is included.
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Meals
Approximately 40% of meals are included.
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Transport
All transport on the Oasis Expedition Truck is included.
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Camping and Cooking Equipment
Camping and cooking equipment are included.
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Services of Oasis Crew
Services of the Oasis Crew are included.
What's Not Included
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Local Payment
A local payment of USD 900 is payable at the start of the trip.
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Visas
Visas are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information are not included.
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Flights
Flights are not included.
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Airport Taxes & Transfers
Airport taxes and transfers are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Meals
Approximately 60% of meals are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Tips
Tips are not included.
Mode of Transport
All transport is provided on an Oasis Expedition Truck, ensuring a comfortable and adventurous journey throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Accommodation includes approximately 25% camping and 75% simple hostels/hotels, with hammock accommodation in Tayrona National Park.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transport is provided during the tour?
All transport is provided on an Oasis Expedition Truck, ensuring a comfortable and adventurous journey throughout the tour.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
Accommodation includes approximately 25% camping and 75% simple hostels/hotels, with hammock accommodation in Tayrona National Park.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Approximately 40% of meals are included in the tour package.
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What activities are included in Tayrona National Park?
In Tayrona National Park, you can explore trails to beaches set in deep bays shaded by coconut palms, with options to snorkel and possibly scuba dive. Hammock accommodation is also included.
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Is there a guided tour included in Salento?
Yes, a guided tour of a coffee plantation in Salento is included.
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What is the local payment required for this tour?
A local payment of USD 900 is payable at the start of the trip.
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Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?
Yes, optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information are available but not included in the tour package.
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What kind of equipment is provided for camping?
Camping and cooking equipment are included in the tour package.
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What kind of nightlife can I expect in Medellin?
In Medellin, you can enjoy great nightlife with options to try salsa or tango lessons in the many discos and clubs.
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What unique experience does the Tatacoa Desert offer?
The Tatacoa Desert offers a unique ecosystem with striking eroded cliffs and is an excellent spot for star gazing due to its dry, clear conditions. Camping under the stars is a highlight.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Thursday - Wednesday
Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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