Cerro Kennedy

Day 1: Minca, Acclimatization, and Santa Elena Farm

7:00 AM: If you’re starting your journey in Santa Marta, our transport will pick you up at your hotel for the one-hour drive to Minca, located 14 kilometers away at an altitude of 650 meters. If you prefer to begin in Minca, you will depart from your hotel at 8:00 AM. After a 19-kilometer drive from Minca, we will reach La Tagua village, where we will spend a little over an hour at a local coffee producer’s establishment to learn about the coffee-making process from the owner.

Following this, we will start a picturesque 3-kilometer hike that will take us about 1.5 hours to reach the Santa Elena farm. At the farm, we will enjoy a traditional Colombian sugar cane drink and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore the nearby areas, sharing stories with our hosts and taking in the exceptional views of the mountains and the marshlands of Santa Marta.

Day 2: Trek to the Summit of Kennedy Mountain

6:30 AM: After enjoying a fulfilling breakfast with organic coffee, we will set off early from our mountain accommodation to begin our trek through rich floral landscapes and small streams. This stunning environment offers the chance to admire endemic bird species and enjoy breathtaking views of the morning-lit mountains.

The ascent to Kennedy Mountain’s peak at 3,100 meters will take approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on our pace. If the weather is favorable, we will be rewarded with views of Colombia’s two tallest mountains, El Colón and Bolívar, reaching heights of 5,700 meters, and sacred to the four indigenous communities living in the surrounding lush valleys. We will also see the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, which may be shrouded in a mystical mist.

After soaking in the incredible views, we will head back to the Santa Elena Farm, a journey that will take about 2 hours. We will have lunch there before continuing our descent along the dirt road to Santa Marta, arriving in the late afternoon around 5-6 PM (or you can choose to be dropped off in Minca along the way).

7:00 AM: Pickup from your hotel in Santa Marta for a one-hour drive to Minca (14 km, 650 m elevation). If starting in Minca, depart at 8:00 AM.

9:30 AM: Drive 19 km from Minca to La Tagua village for a 1-hour visit to a local coffee producer.

11:00 AM: Begin a scenic 3-kilometer, 1.5-hour hike to the Santa Elena farm.

12:30 PM: Arrive at Santa Elena farm, enjoy a traditional Colombian sugar cane drink, and have lunch.

2:00 PM: Explore the farm’s surroundings, share stories with the hosts, and take in views of the mountains and Santa Marta’s marshlands.

6:30 AM: After breakfast with organic coffee, start the trek through lush vegetation and streams.

8:00 AM: Begin the 3 to 4-hour ascent to Kennedy Mountain’s peak (3,100 m elevation).

12:00 PM: Enjoy panoramic views of Colombia ‘s tallest peaks, El Colón and Bolívar, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

1:00 PM: Return to Santa Elena Farm (2-hour hike).

3:00 PM: Have lunch at the farm.

4:00 PM: Descend along the dirt road to Santa Marta, arriving around 5-6 PM (option to be dropped off in Minca).