Trip Overview
From the Pacific Ocean to Andean mountaintops, sparkling sand beaches to mystical cloud forests, and from rural villages to bustling ports, head out on this active exploration of the best Colombia has to offer with your fellow AdventureWomen travelers in 2021.
Start your ten-day adventure in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, where you’ll meet your group and begin to explore the culture, art, history, and food of the region. Your expert Colombian guide will teach you about the mix of colonial and contemporary history, the spectacular cuisine of the area, and show you multiple unique ecosystems throughout your adventure. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!
Wend your way through the historic old neighborhood of La Candelaria on foot, taking in the Plaza Bolivar, the San Francisco Church, and the bustling pedestrian street Calle 11. Sample the best of santafereña dishes (cuisine local to Bogotá) at a special lunch before you head out on a drive to Villa de Leyva. Over your welcome dinner, enjoy the view of the Plaza de Armas and its beautifully lit cathedral.
Outside of Villa de Leyva, hike through the Andean cloud forest in Iguaque National Park, a unique ecosystem that you can only find in 28% of the world. Try to spot some of the exotic bird species found in Colombia and learn about the numerous bromeliads and orchids endemic to this area.
Arrive in the Santander region renowned as the adventure capital of Colombia. Have lunch on your way to Barichara, but before arriving into the well-preserved colonial city center, hop on a bike and ride on a mellow trail to the Coffee Hacienda La Alfania, and learn why Colombian-grown coffee is ranked among the best in the world. The next morning you’ll set out with your group to hike on the Royal Road to Guane, a quaint rural town. This mellow path is an old road, which will allow you to descend while watching for the resident birdlife, including parakeets, tanagers, finches, and more. After lunch, it’s time to get muddy! Meet with a local engineer whose job it is to preserve and promote traditional architectural techniques. He will lead you in a hands-on workshop – try your best to recreate the traditionally-made mud adobe bricks and make a wall! Celebrate your architectural triumphs with a tiplistas show where you’ll have a chance to take in the local traditional music.
Pack up your bags and put on your bathing suits; it’s time to whitewater raft on the Fonce River! Learn the ropes and safety procedures from your professional rafting guides, and then hop on your rafts to start paddling! The Class II and III rapids on this river are exciting, and the scenery as you float through the canyon is unparalleled. After seven miles of soaking in the views of verdant riverbanks, you’ll take a cable car over Chicamocha Canyon. The views from the cable car are unforgettable, and it saves you the time and twists of driving down one side of the canyon and up the other!
Leave the highlands and fly to Santa Marta, home to Tayrona National Park, famous not only for its natural beauty but also as the home of the famous Tayrona tribe in the 6th and 7th centuries. Drive from the airport to your hotel for some well-deserved downtime; soak in the pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, or stroll down to the beach to dip your toes in the ocean before savoring dinner as a group while the sun sets. Spend a full day hiking along the beach and around coves, through cloud forest searching for monkeys and colorful birds, and then to the indigenous community of Seydukwa. You’ll have a chance to sit down with a local woman and learn about community life along the sea.
You can’t visit Colombia without a stop in Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your way there, stop for a Caribbean lunch at La Cueva, known as the restaurant where Gabriela Garcia Marquez started to write the famous novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. When you enter the walled city of Cartagena, set out on a street food tour, tasting dishes famous with locals. Before leaving Cartagena, grab your sunglasses and head out to explore the famous landmarks in the city. Enjoy one last lively dinner as a group where you can reminisce over the active and interesting experiences you’ve had on this adventure.
Experience the joys of being active in unique ecosystems, tasting interesting and varied food, and learning about the history and culture of Colombia on this multifaceted adventure!
Main Attractions
- Explore well-preserved colonial era Colombian town centers and learn about the preservation of traditional architecture
- Hike through cloud forests, along beaches, and visit an indigenous community
- Bike and white-water river raft (beginners welcome!)
- Tour a family-owned coffee plantation and taste local Colombian coffee
- Enjoy feasting on sumptuous Latin American specialties and local cuisine
What You'll See and Do
- Cooking Class
- Cultural Exploration
- Hiking
- Local Delicacies
- National Parks
- Natural History
- Sightseeing
- Spa Element
- UNESCO Site
- Walking
- Whitewater Rafting
- Women-To-Women Exchanges
