Caribbean Colombia Express
Overview
Itinerary
Arrive at any time.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Enjoy a city tour, visiting the colonial walled city and fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time to take in the Caribbean vibe of the city and beach.
Please note hot water is uncommon in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Showers are likely to only have cold water while visiting this area.
- Cartagena City Tour: Learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide on a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church.
- Free Time: Get out and explore this vibrant colonial town. Refuel with some local fare—"patacones" or fried plantains are a must!
- Gold Museum Visit: Head to Plaza Bolivar and pay a visit to this well-curated and informative museum. Admire the intricate, pre-Columbian gold works and pottery of the indigenous Zenú people while learning about their history and traditions—all on display in a charming colonial home.
- Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno) Visit: Housed in two historic buildings, one a former weapons storehouse, is the collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena. Stroll through the unique space and admire Latin American paintings from the 1950s along with contemporary Colombian art.
- Naval Museum of the Caribbean Visit: Located in the historic walled city, visit this spacious museum housed in two heritage buildings. Explore the various exhibits relating to the naval history of the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the charming patios.
- Night Exploration on Chiva: Get ready to party and explore the city by chiva bus. These colourful vehicles are a national symbol and feature open sides making it easy to truly experience vibrant Cartagena as you go. Drink, dance and enjoy Colombian music on this fun-filled ride.
- Palace of Inquisition (Museum) Visit: Visit the museum and learn about the Spanish Inquisition in Colombia. Explore this fine example of colonial and Baroque architecture and see artifacts and torture equipment on display.
Travel to the small town of Minca, breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy free time to explore.
Please note that if the group is full, we may be required to use multi-share rooms in Minca due to the small size of this unique hotel.
- Free Time: Enjoy free time to explore the lovely town of Minca. Go looking for unique birds, explore the area on foot or hang out at a local café by the river.
Leave Minca behind as the group heads into the Tayrona National Park area to spend the day visiting a nearby indigenous community. Gain insights into the rich traditional cultures of this region, and the Arhuacos. Enjoy a textile weaving demonstration by members of local families in the Katanzama community. Afterwards, transfer to your accommodations just outside Tayrona National Park, where you will have free time to enjoy the property and its amenities. Relax in a nearby hammock, find a local restaurant for dinner, and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.
- Katanzama Community Visit: Visit the Katanzama community, located 30 minutes from Tayrona National Park, near Buritaca. Made up of approximately 80 Arhuaco indigenous families, this unique experience invites you to connect with one of Colombia’s most resilient indigenous groups, who have preserved their customs and spiritual beliefs for decades. Upon arrival you will be welcomed into the ceremonial center to learn about the community’s spiritual connection to nature, their history of resistance, and their ongoing efforts to restore their ancestral land, and the area where coca and cacao are cultivated. Then, gather around for a traditional textile weaving demonstration which showcases an ancestral craft that carries deep cultural significance here. Your experience will be led by a local Arhuaco guide and after the community visit the group will sit down together for an included lunch. Your time here fosters cross-cultural understanding but also directly supports the economic and social development of the Katanzama community, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.
- Free Time: Lounge in a hammock on the hotel property or wander through the grounds admiring the thick green foliage and fragrant plants. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you please.
Head into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local guide. This is a perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn a little more about the rich, natural diversity of northern Colombia. Lunch is included during your hike. Afterwards, the group will travel the short distance to our nearby accommodations and spend free time unwinding after a full day of exploring this stunning national park.
Please note that Tayrona National Park will be closed on certain dates in February, June, October, and November. See the Important Notes section of your tour for more details. The indigenous groups in the area believe that mother nature needs a month of rest, and maintenance to the park is done during this time. If your trip falls during these dates, you will visit Taironaka Park, where you will tube down the Don Diego River, connect with the local Kogi people and learn about their cultural practices.
- Tayrona National Park Excursion: Get outside with a hike into this beautiful park! Learn more about the rich diversity of Tayrona's natural heritage and explore Tayrona's gorgeous scenery with a local guide. Spend the night surrounded by nature in a lodge close to the park.
- Hiking: Lace up your hiking boots and get to the next stop under your own power.
- Free Time: This evening, enjoy the tranquil setting by walking toward the ocean, or relaxing on the property of the hotel.
In the afternoon, travel from Tayrona to Santa Marta. Orientation walk with CEO upon arrival.
- Santa Marta Orientation Walk: Take a CEO-led orientation walk of this coastal city and get acquainted with the main sites.
- Free Time: Soak up the Caribbean feel of this coastal town with some free time. Be sure to indulge in the area's fantastic fresh seafood or hang out in one of the many cafés along the beach
With a free day at leisure in Santa Marta, explore the city on foot or enjoy time by the water. This evening, join your group for an optional night out.
- Free Time: Take advantage of free time in this coastal city by relaxing on the beach or travel to nearby Taganga to explore the waters with a snorkel.
- Playa Grande: Head to the nearby beach of Playa Grande for a multitude of water sports, to relax on the sand, or hang out in one of the many restaurants.
- Snorkelling: Strap on some fins and a mask and explore the active reefs in Taganga’s clear water. Keep an eye out for fascinating brain coral!
Depart at any time.
- Gold Museum Santa Marta: Explore the colonial mansion that houses indigenous artifacts from the Tayrona area including an impressive gold collection.
- Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino: Visit Simon Bolivar's final resting place, la Quinta is the estate where the famous libertador spent his final days. The former rum plantation now includes a restored house, museum, library, and extensive gardens perfect for exploring.
Trip Inclusions
- Relax to the Caribbean rhythms on the coast.
- Hike through lush jungle with an Indigenous guide.
- Meet the locals and learn about coffee in Minca.
- Indulge in fresh seafood and Colombian specialties.
- Visit an Indigenous community to learn about their cultural traditions.
- Your G for Good Moment: Katanzama Community Visit, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- City tour in Cartagena
- Tayrona National Park hike with local guide (5hrs)
- Taganga orientation walk
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, public bus, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- Hotels/guesthouses (7 Nights)
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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