Your Colombian adventure begins as you arrive in Cartagena. A representative meets you at the airport and provides a transfer to your accommodation. Once checked in, you have the rest of the day free to relax or start exploring Cartagena at your own pace.

Cartagena’s historic walled city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its Spanish colonial architecture and vibrant street life.

After enjoying breakfast, you set out to visit Cartagena’s renowned walled city. As you stroll the cobblestone streets, you discover a unique blend of culture and history that fuses reality with fantasy. You admire vibrant colonial buildings and visit the city’s plazas, galleries, churches, and vaulted walkways where crafts and antiquities are displayed for sale. 

The tour includes a stop at Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed during the colonial era to defend Spanish interests from foreign invasions. You also explore Cerro de la Popa, where you find a church and colonial convent built in the 17th century. The duration of this city tour is four hours.

Cartagena’s Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is considered one of the greatest fortresses built by the Spanish in the Americas.

After breakfast, you depart at 9 am for the Volcano of Totumo, a unique cone-shaped formation located on the coast near the El Totumo freshwater lagoon. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Here, you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bathe in the warm, 500-meter-deep mud pool. The mud is so dense that it is impossible to sink, and local women will help rinse you off in the lagoon nearby for a small tip. 

They also offer massages in the mud pool, which are not included. Once you are refreshed, you continue to the beach where you enjoy lunch of fish with plantain, coconut rice, salad, and a beverage. You then have time to walk along the beach, relax, or go swimming. At around 2:30 pm, you are transferred back to Cartagena. The entire experience lasts approximately five hours.

Totumo Volcano’s therapeutic mud bath is a popular natural attraction in northern Colombia, famous for its mineral-rich properties.

After breakfast and checking out of your accommodation, you take a bus from Cartagena to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, you make your own way to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure and explore Santa Marta as you wish.

Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city in Colombia, founded by the Spanish in 1525.

After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to Machete Pelao, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. Your small group Lost City adventure begins here. You have lunch in Machete Pelao before starting the day's trek. The first part of your route is quite steep and takes about four hours to complete until you reach native cabin 1. In the evening, you enjoy dinner at a local settler’s farm and spend the night sleeping in hammocks, with mosquito nets provided.

The Lost City, known as Teyuna by indigenous people, is believed to have been founded around 800 CE, making it older than Machu Picchu.

Breakfast is served at 7:00 am before you embark on a seven-hour trek toward native cabin 3. As you follow the scenic trail, you are surrounded by lush vegetation and memorable vistas. After enjoying lunch along the route, you continue until reaching the valley of the Buritaca River, where you have the opportunity to swim. 

During the trek, you pass indigenous dwellings including the small settlement of Mutant, home to the Kogui people. You also have the chance to meet Mamo Romualdo, the main religious authority for the local community. Mamo’s dwelling is located about an hour from the Lost City, and to get there you must cross several creeks, so you should bring a pair of sandals. After dinner, you spend the night in hammocks with mosquito nets.

The Kogui are direct descendants of the Tairona civilization and maintain traditional spiritual and cultural practices.

After another early breakfast, you begin an hour-long walk to the archaeological area of the Lost City. Here, you climb 1,200 stone steps to reach Teyuna, the sacred Lost City of the Taironas, which holds deep significance for indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada mountains. You have time to explore the ancient city’s remains, observe archaeological excavations, and experience the impressive stone architecture. There is spare time to soak in the landscape and take photos before enjoying a meal. 

Following your visit, you trek back to native cabin 2, where you will stay overnight.

The Lost City was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and remained hidden by dense jungle for centuries until its rediscovery in 1972.

You have a free morning to relax and enjoy your surroundings at the camp in the Sierra Nevada. After lunch at the camp, you set out for a four-hour walk through lush vegetation and wildlife until you arrive at native cabin 1, also called Adan, where you will spend the night sleeping in hammocks protected by mosquito nets. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure as you take in the sights and sounds of the area.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is one of the world’s most biodiverse mountain ranges and home to many endemic species.

After breakfast, you trek for approximately four hours from native cabin 1 back to Machete Pelao. Once you arrive in Machete Pelao, you have lunch. After your meal, you are transferred back to your hotel in Santa Marta.

Santa Marta is a gateway to several key natural and cultural attractions along Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

After breakfast and checking out of your accommodation, you take a bus from Santa Marta to Riohacha. Upon arrival in Riohacha, you make your own way to your accommodation and have the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore the city or relax.

Riohacha is known as the capital of Colombia’s La Guajira Department and serves as a starting point for adventures into the Guajira Peninsula.

Around 5:00 am, you are picked up from your accommodation in Riohacha to begin your trip to Cabo de la Vela. After an hour’s drive, you arrive in Uribia, the indigenous capital of La Guajira, where you embark on a city tour to learn about the Wayúu cultural center. Following breakfast, you take a 20-minute car journey to Salinas de Manaure, a famous site for artisanal salt extraction. Here, you tour the salt ponds in the company of a community leader. You also visit a market featuring Wayúu handicrafts and clothing, and take part in a visit to a backpack and chinchorros weaving enterprise, discovering the Wayúu community’s rituals, customs, traditional dance, and tasting typical food.

Afterwards, you continue your journey with a two-hour drive to Cabo de la Vela. On arrival, you have lunch at the Utta ethno tourism lodge. Later, you visit Pilón de Azúcar, a sacred site for the Wayúu community. You also rest on the beaches of Dorada and Ojo de Agua while admiring the stunning sunset before returning to the rancheria for the evening.

The Wayúu are the largest indigenous group in Colombia and are renowned for their vibrant woven crafts and strong cultural traditions.

After an early breakfast, you embark on a two-hour trip to the Taroa Dunes, where you witness striking orange sand dunes and desert vegetation set against turquoise Caribbean waters. Next, you visit the Punta Gallinas lighthouse at the northernmost point of South America, where you hear local stories and enjoy impressive landscapes. Your adventure continues to La Boquita Bay, known for its pristine beaches. 

You are accommodated in a native inn, which is basic but comfortable given the remote conditions. After lunch at the inn, you explore the islets of La Boquita and Bahía Hondita, culminating in a visit to Punta Aguja Silver to experience the breathtaking Guajiro sunset. In the evening back at the inn, you take part in a Wayúu weaving activity before enjoying dinner and a restful night.

Punta Gallinas is celebrated for its remote beauty and unique landscapes, making it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring northern Colombia.

Around 7:00 am, you are transferred from Punta Gallinas back to Riohacha. Upon arrival, the day is yours to spend at your leisure, whether relaxing or exploring Riohacha’s attractions, and you will spend the night there.

Riohacha’s Malecón, or seafront promenade, is a popular spot to experience Caribbean sunsets and local culture.

After checking out of your accommodation in Riohacha, you take a public bus to Santa Marta. Upon arrival in Santa Marta, you are picked up by a representative who drives you to the airport for your onward journey.

Santa Marta’s airport is officially known as Simón Bolívar International Airport, providing access to Colombia’s Caribbean coast.