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Essential Colombia

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Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

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US$1,005

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Trip Length

7 Days

Trip Starts

Bogota

Trip Finishes

Medellin

7 Day Essential Colombia Itinerary (Intrepid)

Countries Explored: Colombia

Trip Operator

Intrepid Travel

165 Reviews

Trip Style

Basix

Departures

Mar 2026 to Dec 2027

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Leisurely

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

GGYW

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 7 Day Essential Colombia. This seven-day adventure from Bogota to Medellin is perfect for those seeking the natural beauty of Colombia, with planned activities and plenty of time to wander at your own pace. Walk along an ecological trail, swim in the rivers at El Marmol and climb the zigzag staircase of El Penol for 360-degree views over Guatape. Visit the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia Province, Medellin and play tejo with the locals over a pint of local beer or two. Then, in your free time, maybe race down rapids in Rio Claro read more

Itinerary

Hola! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure starts in Bogota with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, join your leader for an orientation walk at 3 pm. Maybe browse the stalls at the Usaquen Flea Market, visit the Botero Museum or take a cable car to Monserrate for panoramic views of the city. After your meeting, enjoy a local beer or two as you play tejo – a traditional Colombian game where you throw a metal disc at a target embedded in clay. Then maybe find a local restaurant for a group dinner of Colombian cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers.

After breakfast, travel to Rio Claro. Today is a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Along the way, stop in Honda – a town nicknamed the ‘City of Bridges’ due to its 40 bridges spanning its small area. Get a quick glimpse of the culture and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant before continuing to Rio Claro – a nature reserve known for its clear rivers, tropical rainforest terrain and waterfalls. When you arrive, maybe settle into your accommodation and enjoy the sounds of nature. You'll have a full day to explore tomorrow. (B/L)

Set off this morning on a walk along the Ecological Trail. Walk along rainforest terrain to riverside El Marmol (Marble Beach) – perfect for a swim to cool off after your walk. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Rio Claro at your own pace. Maybe go rafting and race down tropical rainforest rapids, zigzag downstream along the canyon walls on a zipline or go caving and explore the cavern sculpted by El Bornego. Tonight, perhaps try a Colombian dish for dinner like sancocho (a hearty local stew) or churrasco (steak). (B)

Travel to Guatape – a small Andean town known for its houses decorated with colourful bas-reliefs (sculptures). When you arrive, climb the zigzag staircase of El Penol – a 65-million-year-old granitic rock remnant that used to be worshipped by the indigenous Tahami peoples. Take in the 360-degree bird’s eye view of the lake and nearby towns at the top before heading back into town for a free afternoon. Maybe walk along the cobbled stone streets of Calle del Recuerdo, visit San Rafael or head out for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations. (B)

Drive to Medellin – the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province, nicknamed the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ for its temperate weather and annual Flower Festival. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get your bearings. Then, maybe wander through the Medellin Botanical Garden or take a cable car to Parque Arvi and set off on a hiking trail through the beautiful landscape. Tonight, you’re free to relax or ask your leader for the best local hangouts to try some arepas (crispy white corn cakes usually stuffed with meat and vegetables). (B)

Get out and about in Medellin with a free day today. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works, join a historic downtown tour of Medellin or explore Comuna 13 (San Javier) – one of the 16 communes of Medellin, known for its street art, graffiti and bright colours. Maybe take a guided tour of the area and learn about the transformation of this former no-go zone. Tonight, perhaps join your new friends in search of one of the city’s pumping salsa bars and toast to a trip well-travelled! (B)

As there are no activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. If you’d like to spend more time in Medellin just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Explore Rio Claro – a nature reserve known for its clear rivers, tropical rainforest terrain and waterfalls. Swim in the river, hike along the Ecological Trail and maybe zigzag downstream along the canyon walls on a zipline.
Play a game of Tejo with the locals in a Tejo Hall – Colombia's national sport and a popular pastime in Bogota (think bocce with gunpowder).
Climb over 700 stairs for panoramic views to the top of El Penol – a 200 m tall granitic rock, that used to be worshipped by the indigenous Tahami peoples.
Visit Honda – once a river port, the town is now known as the ‘City of Bridges’ due to its location on the Magdalena River. With over 40 bridges connecting different parts of town, learn why the structures are such a key part of the town’s history.
Spend plenty of free time in Medellin – maybe wander through the Botanical Garden, visit the Museo de Antioquia or explore the street art in Comuna 13.

Hotel (1 night)
Lodge (2 nights)
Hostel (3 nights)

6 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.

Trip Style: Basix

Our Basix trips are designed for travelers 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!

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Intrepid Central & South America (2024-25)

Dive into Intrepid's Central & South America brochure, a curated collection of vibrant adventures. From the rhythms of salsa in Cuban bars to the peaks of Andean mountains, each journey promises authentic experiences and transformative moments. Let Intrepid lead you to the heart of these captivating regions, where discovery beckons.

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Sunday 29 Mar 2026 29 Mar 26 Bogota

Saturday 04 Apr 2026 04 Apr 26 Medellin

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Sunday 31 May 2026 31 May 26 Bogota

Saturday 06 Jun 2026 06 Jun 26 Medellin

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Sunday 28 Jun 2026 28 Jun 26 Bogota

Saturday 04 Jul 2026 04 Jul 26 Medellin

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Sunday 26 Jul 2026 26 Jul 26 Bogota

Saturday 01 Aug 2026 01 Aug 26 Medellin

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Sunday 27 Sep 2026 27 Sep 26 Bogota

Saturday 03 Oct 2026 03 Oct 26 Medellin

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Sunday 25 Oct 2026 25 Oct 26 Bogota

Saturday 31 Oct 2026 31 Oct 26 Medellin

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Sunday 22 Nov 2026 22 Nov 26 Bogota

Saturday 28 Nov 2026 28 Nov 26 Medellin

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Sunday 06 Dec 2026 06 Dec 26 Bogota

Saturday 12 Dec 2026 12 Dec 26 Medellin

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Sunday 28 Mar 2027 28 Mar 27 Bogota

Saturday 03 Apr 2027 03 Apr 27 Medellin

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Sunday 30 May 2027 30 May 27 Bogota

Saturday 05 Jun 2027 05 Jun 27 Medellin

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Sunday 27 Jun 2027 27 Jun 27 Bogota

Saturday 03 Jul 2027 03 Jul 27 Medellin

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Sunday 25 Jul 2027 25 Jul 27 Bogota

Saturday 31 Jul 2027 31 Jul 27 Medellin

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Sunday 26 Sep 2027 26 Sep 27 Bogota

Saturday 02 Oct 2027 02 Oct 27 Medellin

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Sunday 24 Oct 2027 24 Oct 27 Bogota

Saturday 30 Oct 2027 30 Oct 27 Medellin

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Sunday 21 Nov 2027 21 Nov 27 Bogota

Saturday 27 Nov 2027 27 Nov 27 Medellin

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Sunday 05 Dec 2027 05 Dec 27 Bogota

Saturday 11 Dec 2027 11 Dec 27 Medellin

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Note
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 Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.

Note
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.