Essential Colombia

Begin your adventure in the mountain-wrapped metropolis of Medellín, nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring thanks to its pleasant climate. Aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening (arrival in the early hours of the morning of Day 2 is also possible), although we recommend arriving one day early to acclimatise and help get over any jetlag. There will be a message waiting with information about tomorrow's meeting time. Want to explore Medellín further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Terra Biohotel (or similar).

The transformation of Medellín is nothing short of incredible. In the early 1990s, under the control of Pablo Escobar's brutal Medellín Cartel, it was considered the Murder Capital of the World. Just a few decades later, it's a welcoming destination, known for art, culture, food and innovation. Our tour leader unravels this complicated yet fascinating revolution for us. Using public transportation, including the Metro and cable car, we head to the Comuna 13 district, which was once among the most dangerous areas in the world.

On the electric escalators there, we delve deeper into the rejuvenated area and get to know the daily life of the people. After, head to Berrío Park and Botero Plaza in downtown Medellín to admire the bronze sculptures of Medellín-born artist Fernando Botero, while also exploring the Museum of Antioquia, where we get even more of an insight into the life and work of this iconic Colombian. Stay: Terra Biohotel (or similar) (B/L).

Colombia is a fruit lovers' paradise with nearly 350 exotic fruit species, some of which don't even have a name for North Americans and Europeans. Meet the sellers and see their produce on an exploration of La Minorista market in central Medellín, where the different climates of Colombia can be seen in the bright array of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Learn how to haggle the Colombian way with your tour leader's advice, try some of the fruit and finish with a fresh juice. That sets us up nicely for our flight from Medellín to Santa Marta.

Upon arrival, we transfer (1hr 10min) to our hotel in Tayrona, which is ideally located to explore the national park tomorrow. Stay: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar) (B).

Experience the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park today. We drive east along the Caribbean coast to El Zaino, the main park entrance; after a short walk, we reach Cañaveral beach, one of the most beautiful spots in Tayrona. From the top of a small hill, enjoy the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. The tour continues with a one-hour hike through the tropical forest to Arrecife, another stunning Tayrona beach, where there is plenty of time to have lunch at a restaurant (swimming is prohibited due to strong currents). After, we continue our trek for another hour, passing beaches such as Arenillas, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan – perhaps the most spectacular site in the park – where we have time for a well-deserved swim and to relax on the palm-fringed beach. Stay: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar) (B).

See a different side of Colombia today, visiting the mountain village of Minca. Our adventure takes us to Finca La Victoria, a historic family-run coffee farm, where we learn from the makers how they produce their excellent highland coffee. We then visit Don Camaritos, a local food expert who produces tasty smoked fish and sausages, which we try! After, take a short 4x4 ride to Marinka waterfall, where we can take a cooling dip, before arriving back at Minca for a short tour. Stay: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar) (B).

We're off to Cartagena today. It's about a six-hour drive; however, after about two hours on the road, we stop at Ciénaga Grande del Magdalena, a vital wetlands reserve with a large lagoon home to an impressive array of plant and animal life. Our exploration first visits the fishing village of Tasajera; from there, we take a Johnson, a motorised canoe typical of the region, and head to the villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia, which are formed of about 300 pile dwellings standing on tree trunks above the water. There, we learn more about the Cienageros, whose lifestyle has hardly changed in the last 100 years. The tour also allows for bird watching, as the biodiversity in this area is very high. At the end, we continue the transfer to Cartagena. Stay: Hotel 3 Banderas (or similar) (B).

Discover Cartagena's historic district with your tour leader, immersing ourselves in the Caribbean culture and colonial architecture as we walk the cobblestone streets. Our tour leader also reveals the captivating tales and well-kept mysteries behind the street names and quaint squares. Then dive into the local street food scene, showcasing the classic tastes of the city, including exotic fruits, fried foods, sweets, drinks and more. We learn about the origins of traditional dishes and discover the story behind each cook in a brief chat.

In the evening, we celebrate our adventures with a farewell meal, a chance to chat about our top moments from the trip and enjoy one last evening together. Stay: Hotel 3 Banderas (or similar) (B/D).

Our adventure ends in Cartagena this morning. If you'd like a bit more time in this intoxicating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).