With diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, vibrant cities, fantastic cuisine, and some of the friendliest people on earth, Colombia is the place to be. Read on to learn all about our epic adventure-packed trip, with unique experiences from the Amazon, through the coffee region to the Caribbean blue waters, it’s a truly memorable destination!

Day 1 to 4 – Bogota & Amazon

Day 1 – Bogota

After arriving in Bogota, you’ll have the chance to relax after your long flight before the adventure begins. But If you’re anything like me, who needs to explore everywhere when they land in a new city, a guided walking tour is perfect to take in all the sights in this pretty high-altitude city! A stay in the foodie district of Usaquen will be your home in Bogota, close to the fusion restaurants, chic eateries, and the world’s best cuisines. Delicious!

Day 2-3 – Exploring the Amazon

After a good night’s sleep, you should be ready to start your Colombian adventure. You’ll take a transfer back to the airport to catch your flight over to Leticia, a small town in the heart of the Amazon bordering Brazil. This is where the real fun begins! From there you will travel down the Amazon river to your incredible riverside accommodation where you can fully disconnect from the world. Here you’ll be able to enjoy early morning nature excursions looking for monkeys, birds, and unusual insects before returning for breakfast. Relax for the rest of the afternoon until your river excursion looking for wildlife along the banks of the river and of course the indigenous pink dolphin. After dinner, you can join the night walk which is ideal for those who like the small insects and frogs as much of the jungle comes alive at night time. There’s no better place for nature lovers!

Day 4 – Monkey around!

On your final morning in the Amazon, you’ll have the opportunity to hike to the nearby monkey sanctuary deep within the jungle, where you are likely to enjoy a warm welcome from the resident monkeys. The open-air sanctuary allows the monkeys total freedom of the jungle, but with most having been previously domesticated illegally, they rely on the food provided by the sanctuary making them inquisitive and friendly. If you want to come face-to-face with wild monkeys, and snap some photos as they pose on your head and hands eating bananas, safe in the knowledge that these animals aren’t living in captivity or being exploited, then the sanctuary is the perfect place to visit. From there you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your connecting flight to Armenia in the coffee region and ultimately stopping at the picturesque Andean town of Salento.

Day 5 – 7 Salento & Medellin

Day 5 – Mesmerising Cocora Valley

Today you’ll have the opportunity to either relax and explore the town at your leisure or sign up for one of the many excursions in the area from hiking in the nearby national park to coffee tasting or a walking tour of the town. For nature lovers, a hike into the Cocora Valley is a must. Located roughly 3000 meters above sea level, Cocora Valley is one of the few places in Colombia – and the world, actually – where the long, unusual wax tree can flourish. The lush green hills and obscure wax trees are certainly one of the prettiest places you will visit on your Colombian trip and an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.

Day 6 – Explore the coffee region

No trip to Colombia is complete without sampling some of the world’s best coffee. Travel through the vast foothills of the Andes mountain range, where you will not only get to enjoy the scenery but will sample, taste, and learn all about coffee production from one of the bigger producers in the area. Famed for being home to some of the finest coffee in the world, the coffee region is also blessed with beautiful landscapes with quaint towns offering an insight into authentic Colombian rural life. By late afternoon you will arrive in the picturesque village of Salamina, here you can ease those coffee jitters by strolling through the small cobbled streets while admiring the perfectly preserved colonial architecture.

Day 7-8 – Wander through magical Medellin

The following morning, enjoy a leisurely hike to a small, family-run coffee farm where you will observe the more rural, basic production of coffee before sampling the coffee. Once back at your accommodation in Salamina, you’ll check out, before starting your journey to Medellin, the home of Pablo Escobar. The transformation of Medellin over the last few years is impressive! Once riddled with crime, it’s now known for its music, gastronomy, and its friendly locals – and due to its perfect climate, Medellin is often referred to as the ‘city of eternal spring’ so take full advantage of its balmy weather by joining a morning tour of the city. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Caribbean coast and the gorgeous colonial town of Cartagena.

Day 9 – 15 Cartagena & Caribbean coast

Day 9 – Explore Colourful Cartagena

The jewel in Colombia’s crown, located on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena was founded in the 16th century and is steeped in a rich and vibrant history. Here you can explore the cobbled streets, marvel at the architecture, and bask in the sun pouring over the sea. Spend this day at your leisure, relax and explore further or join one of our optional excursions such as the tour of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, or for those wanting some sun and beach time a visit to the Rosario Islands. A walking tour of the city is a must to truly immerse yourself in the unique culture this place has to offer, and don’t forget to bring your camera – The city is home to some of the world’s best street art and stunning colonial buildings!

Day 10 – Travel above the clouds

After a delicious typical breakfast, you’ll travel further along the coast towards Santa Marta before heading inland and ascending to a nearby town of Minca, situated within a beautiful cloud forest. Minca is a mysterious, yet beautiful little village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and is home to the most important natural ecosystems on the planet for biodiversity, there you’ll have a chance to spot one of the many endemic bird species that live here, hike Los Pinos, swim at Marinka Waterfall and visit the famous Casa Elemento hammock which offers incredible panoramic views. Choose the optional afternoon nature hike to a viewpoint to watch the sunset and the clouds consume the forest. It’s a truly magical experience.

Day 11-13 – Aaand relax!

After an epic few days of exploring, enjoy the relaxing pace of the Caribbean lifestyle on the coast’s sandy beaches and lush forests of the Tayrona National Park. Here you’ll be able to spend the next couple of days enjoying some of the best pristine beaches the Caribbean has to offer. Alternatively, you can join one of our excursions to the nearby Tayrona National Park or even visit a local tribe, and learn about how their traditions and how they live.

Day 14-15 – Back to Bogota

After a wonderful beach break, you will be transferred back to Bogota. Once you have arrived in the capital, take advantage of any free time left to visit the sights and museums before being transferred to Bogota airport for your departure flight.

From the silvery-sanded beaches of the Caribbean coast to the stunning landscapes of the Andes and the richness of the Amazonian Rainforest, Colombia is a treat for all tastes. If you are curious to learn more about this colourful country, check out our amazing 14-night Colombia Experience here.

Written by Lucy Kaufmann, Untravelled Paths