From tropical rainforests to cool highlands and snow-capped volcanoes, discover the diverse geography of Colombia’s Andes. Experience the traditions and lifestyles of colorful mountain towns and the modern and fast-paced city culture.
ITINERARY
- Fitness Level : 4 out of 5
- Explore Medellín, Colombia’s most innovative city
- Authentic multi-day trek in the jungle, waterfall swims, overnight stay in remote communities
- Transport to relaxing coffee estate
- Learn about the coffee process, from seed to cup, along with a gourmet culinary experience
- Travel to Manizales and Los Nevados de Santa Isabel National Park
- High altitude multi-day hike through the Paramo ecosystem and glaciers
- Yoga retreat & relaxation
After breakfast, meet your professional bi-lingual cultural guide. Today will be a day of urban discovery!
First, take a relaxing stroll at the botanical gardens, home to many plants and bird species only found in Colombia. Continue with the “Plaza Botero,” featuring 23 massive bronze statues.
Next, board Medellín’s innovative metro and cable car public transportation network to gain altitude for truly stunning views. Reach the Comuna 13 via escalators, where the community made the walls of the city bloom with a large mural project that depicts life in the Comuna. Interact with local artists, and let our guide unfold the chaotic history of the city and its incredible transformation process.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: walking shoes and rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Camera and notebook
- Refillable water bottle
What to Bring for Today:
- For the hike: sturdy hiking shoes, rain jacket, sunglasses, a backpack
- Appropriate clothing for sunny 80F climate: lightweight pants or shorts and breathable shirt
- Repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Refillable water bottle
Today you will trek through the most pristine part of the canyon and soak-in the incredible biodiversity. Hike mostly up-hill until reaching the lunch spot on the beautiful crest of “la esperanza.” (5 hours)
Enjoy locally made ” tamales” while staring over the maze of jungle-covered mountains that compose the landscape. The afternoon is more relaxed, with only 2 hours of mild downhill hiking. Reach “Río Verde de los Henaos” and cool off in the river.
Once again, the local communities will show exceptional hospitality, and receive you in their homes as if you were family.
Pack-mules are available if needed.
What to Bring for Today:
- For the hike: sturdy hiking shoes, rain jacket, sunglasses, a backpack
- Appropriate clothing for sunny 80F climate: lightweight pants or shorts and breathable shirt
- Repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Refillable water bottle
Rise early for an optional morning birdwatching tour, or simply relax and chat with the locals. After breakfast begin your hike following the bends of the upper Río Verde for about 3 hours before reaching populated areas. In the afternoon, discover the bucolic village of Argelia and enjoy a well deserved cold beverage and local lunch at the village’s park.
Meet your driver for a 4.5 hour journey to a coffee estate in the traditional town of Fredonia, where you will spend the night.
Relax in a stunning farm and let our chef serve you Colombian fusion cuisine.
What to Bring for Today:
- For the hike: sturdy hiking shoes, rain jacket, sunglasses, a backpack
- Appropriate clothing for sunny 80F climate: lightweight pants or shorts and breathable shirt
- Repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Refillable water bottle
After breakfast take a walking tour with a coffee grower to experience the coffee making process first-hand. Learn how coffee is linked to every Colombian family and it’s history is a source of pride for the “Paisa” people. Return to the estate for a delicious Colombian lunch and relax for the afternoon at the swimming pool.
If you have the energy, jump on a horse and discover the old railway and it’s impressive bridges.
Spend one last night in “campo amor” and rest well before the next trekking adventure.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: shorts or bathing suit, long lightweight pants and breathable shirt, sunglasses, hat, sandals or adjustable tennis shoes
- Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle
In the morning, drive 4 hours to Manizales, the most adventurous of the three cities that make up Colombia’s “coffee triangle.” Enjoy lunch by the city’s Cathedral, and a walk to the park of the “Monumento a los Colonizadores'” for an active discovery of the city’s fascinating history.
From Manizales, take an afternoon excursion to the Río Blanco Nature Reserve, located just two miles from the city. In terms of biodiversity, Colombia is 2nd in the world, with nearly 2000 bird species. Walk on the trails that weave throughout the 12,187 hectares of the reserve and look for endemic plant and bird species from the central Andes cloud forests.
After your visit, begin a 1 hour drive on switchback roads that lead to a traditional Colombian ranch located in foothills of los Nevados national park to acclimate to the high-altitude.
Enjoy home-cooked meals and a night of peaceful sleep in the mountains.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: long lightweight pants and breathable shirt, sturdy walking shoes
- Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Notebook and camera
- Refillable water bottle
In the morning, drive 3 hours in a comfortable 4×4 truck to the entrance of “Parque de los Nevados.” Begin your guided 3 hour hike through sub-tropical tundra to the panoramic view of the alpine Lake Otun. On the way, learn about the “Páramo” ecosystem and it’s fascinating spectrum of endemic species, such as the iconic “Frailejones” and “Cojines”.This endemic ecosystem produces 85 percent of Colombia’s drinking water while only accounting for 1.7 percent of the country’s land.
Establish a base camp at a breathtaking alpine lake, enjoy quality food, and meet the local park rangers. Get some rest tonight before the final push to the summit the next day; tents and sleeping bags are included.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: lightweight long pants and long shirt for the hike. Hiking boots, sun-hat, wool-hat, sunglasses, and windbreaker rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Headlamp
- Refillable water bottle
Get up to an early alpine start and hike for six hours with your guide to the snowy summit of El Nevado del Santa Isabel (4960 m). Look out for high-altitude flyers such as endemic bearded helmet-crest hummingbird and Colombia’s iconic national bird: the Andean Condor.
Near the top, the trail switches to a rockier, steeper path. Due to high altitude, the progression can be slow and strenuous, but once at the summit, a stupendous 360° panorama reveals the entire Magdalena valley and its coffee farms on a clear day. Here, witness one of the last remaining glaciers in Colombia.
Return to the base camp and stay overnight in tents by the peaceful lake Otun.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: lightweight long pants and long shirt for hiking. Hiking boots, sun-hat, wool-hat, sunglasses, and windbreaker rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes (end of the activity)
- Headlamp
- Refillable water bottle
This is the final day of the trek. Complete the circumnavigation around Lake Otun to return to the park entrance in Potosis. Share lunch and tea with the “guardian” family of the park, a knowledgeable and welcoming Colombian family who live full-time above 4000 meters of elevation. Drive back to Manizales and settle in your hotel before an evening yoga session.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: lightweight long pants and long shirt for hiking in. Hiking boots, sun-hat, wool-hat, sunglasses, and a windbreaker rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Headlamp
- Refillable water bottle
Wake up at to a gorgeous view of Andean mountains. Enjoy the morning yoga classes before savoring a healthy local lunch. Return to Manizales where you will say goodbye to your guide and receive an airport drop off. This is the end of your trip.
What to Bring for Today:
- Appropriate clothing: shorts or bathing suit, long lightweight pants and breathable shirt, sunglasses, hat, sandals or adjustable tennis shoes
- Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes (End of the activity)
- Refillable water bottle
FITNESS LEVEL
- 4 out of 5
Get ready for serious, heart-raising physical activity! The more physically fit you are, the more you’ll enjoy these challenging, committing activities.
PRICE
Please contact us for customized trips & special offers.
All payments by credit cards are subject to a 4.5 % extra charge. Read our Booking Policy before you book! Thanks for choosing Expedition Colombia!
*Pricing based on double occupancy accommodation
- All accommodation and hotels
- Camping gear when needed
- Professional bi-lingual driver for in-country travel
- Water & all breakfasts and lunches
- Dinners are only included on wilderness trips. Our guides are happy to offer dinner recommendations based on your preference and budget
- Expert bilingual adventure and cultural guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
- 24/7 assistance line + insurance
- Excellent vegetarian, vegan, gluten- free, and other dietary options
- Enjoy dinners independently and at your own expense. We always offer great recommendations based on your preferences and budget
- During your city visits in Medellín, you will stay in comfortable and contemporary hotels located in cultural center
- Home-stay in the jungle with local communities
- During your stays in Fredonia, experience a traditional Spanish-style coffee estate
- During the Santa Isabel trek, camp at designed campsites
- Manizales Yoga retreat
