Overview
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Cartagena – one of South America’s most historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you arrive early, visit the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver or simply relax at the beach.
After your meeting, you’ll head out for an orientation walk with your local leader. Walk through the Old City packed with churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions and learn about the ancient walls that were built to protect the city from pirates.
Tonight, maybe head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.
This morning, travel to Barranquilla – a seaport city on the bank of the Magdalena River known for its annual Carnaval, which is recognised by UNESCO for its Intangible Cultural Heritage and is the biggest party in Colombia. When you arrive, set off on a cycling tour with your leader through Barranquilla along the Malecon (waterfront promenade).
After, head back to your accommodation and maybe find a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations. Or you might like to try some street food favourites like arepas (cornbread filled with cheese), butifarras (spiced beef and pork sausages) or chuzo (chargrilled meat with fried potato, cheese, corn, lettuce and other customisable toppings).
Set off on a guided tour through the Palafitos Villages – stilt villages built on the water in the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta. This large swamp is a Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The tour begins with a short drive to Pueblo Viejo, where you'll board a traditional fisherman's boat to visit the stilt villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia. In Nueva Venecia, head to the Visitors’ Center with a local community guide and learn about the moving history of this village, including its struggles with violence and social issues. Then, continue to the floating football field – a symbol of hope for the younger generations, donated by the famous footballer Radamel Falcao Garcia.
Later, continue to Minca, where you’ll stay tonight.
This morning, join a local guide through the charming streets of Minca before continuing to the Marinka Waterfalls. Lace up your hiking boots and take in the scenic river views as you walk, looking out for native birds along the way. Swim in the crystal-clear waters surrounded by nature before heading back to Minca.
This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe join a La Candelaria farm tour, where you'll visit a coffee farm built in the 1990s that also cultivates cacao. Here, you’ll have the choice between a coffee or chocolate tour, where you’ll learn about the cultivation and transformation process into the final product.
After breakfast, travel to Santa Marta. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk through this coastal city with your local leader.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe taste some local produce at the Santa Marta Public Market or walk along the seafront promenade of Macheteon de Bastidas.
Tonight, maybe get your new friends together and venture out into Santa Marta’s vibrant nightlife near Parque de los Novios.
Today is a free day for you to explore Santa Marta at your own pace. Maybe take a daytrip to Tayrona National Park, join a Santa Marta city tour or visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Museum – the historic home of the former President of Peru, Simon Bolivar.
Tonight, maybe watch the sunset from a nearby beach or try some local dishes like fish ancocho (fish and vegetable soup) or cayeye (boiled mashed banana with butter and cheese).
Take a bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena this morning. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive, maybe join a tour of the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, stroll through the Zenu Gold Museum or indulge in local cuisine on a street food tour or rum tasting.
Tonight, consider joining your new friends for dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the final night of your trip.
As there are no more activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay in Cartagena longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Trip Inclusions
- Lace up your boots and hike to the Marinka Waterfalls. Spend some time swimming in the clear waters at the base of the falls and join a local guide for a stroll through the charming streets of Minca.
- Explore Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta on a tour of the Palafitos Villages. Cruise through the lagoon on a traditional fisherman's boat and learn about the landscape and local wildlife that’s distinct to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Navigate Barranquilla on two wheels. Guided by your leader, cycle along the city’s waterfront promenade and see the statue of Shakira.
- Walk through the Old City in Cartagena with your local leader. Visit churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions and learn about the ancient walls built to protect the city from pirates.
- Make the most of your time in Colombia with curated included activities and plenty of free time – maybe go island hopping, join a coffee farm tour or take a daytrip to Tayrona National Park.
- Hotel (5 nights)
- Hostel (2 nights)
- Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Taxi
- 7 Breakfasts included
- 1 Lunches included
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Operator
Our Basix trips are designed for travellers of any age on a budget. Using simple, clean and centrally located accommodation (typically with a 2-to-2.5-star average rating), local transport where we can, along with plenty of free time.
This means you can do the things that suit your budget and interests, rather than paying for inclusions you don’t want. Meals are generally not included, but your experienced local leader will have some great suggestions!
Dates & Pricing
AUD
Flexible Deposit
GJ Loyalty Discount
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 Intrepid. 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.
