Day 1
Meeting at the airport of Bogota, transfer to the hotel, which is located in the tourist area - Parque 93, famous for its excellent restaurants and wonderful atmosphere.
Day 2
Breakfast. City tour in the historical part of Bogota at an altitude (2660 m). The first visit is a cable car ride to Montserrat Sanctuary, an iconic church located at an altitude of 3152 m overlooking the city. The tour will then continue on foot to see the charming colonial area known as La Candelaria and its main attractions: La Plaza Bolivar (Bogota's mains square), the Museum of the famous Colombian artist Botero and the world famous Gold Museum.
Duration 6-7 hours.
Day 3
Meeting at the hotel, transfer to the airport, flight (1 hour) to the city of Armenia / Pereira. Upon arrival, a transport will be waiting for us to take the group to the beautiful town of Salento (1919 m). Typical coffee town with colonial paisa architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. In the afternoon, the group will go on a coffee excursion to one of the traditional coffee farms in the area. The Coffee Tour will show you the entire coffee production from seed to final product. It also includes a very pedagogical coffee tasting, to learn about the different types and properties of local coffee.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Day 4 (Beginning of climbing Tolima volcano)
Early departure by jeep to the picturesque Cocora Valley (30 minutes) located at an altitude of 2425 meters, decorated with the national tree of Colombia: the Wax Palm. Having enjoyed this place, the staff will prepare the luggage for the pack animals. The ascent begins along the beaten path through the primary mountainous rainforest. The trail goes up the "Quebrada Cardenas" along the river of the same name, which is slowly gaining height. A few meters above the tree line is a mountain farm called "La Argentina" (3483 m), a beautiful place between a disappearing forest and an alpine meadow known as "Paramo". This small farm will be a haven for the night. The place is very rustic and humble, but with a lot of charm and local atmosphere. This track is ideal for acclimatization for the coming days.
Overnight in tents.
Ascent: 1058 m / Highest altitude: 3483 m / Distance 10.7 km / Activity duration: 6-7 h.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 5
After a good local breakfast and rest, we will continue our ascent along the northern edge of the "Quebrada Cardenas", bypassing an abandoned farm called Buenos Aires and from there descending to the river crossing, we follow the ascending path to the mountain pass known as "La Linea" (4019 m), which separates the states of Quindio and Tolima. There is a wonderful viewpoint on the "Paramillo del Quindio" (4745 m), the highest peak in the state of Quindio, and on the Nevado del Tolima in the neighboring valley. From the pass, you can easily walk down to "La Primavera / La Playa Farm" (3769 m), another modest place where you can enjoy the hot local drink "Agua de Panela" (hot drink with raw sugar) or coffee.
Overnight in tents.
Ascent: 536 m / Descent: 250 m / Highest altitude: 4019 m / Distance: 5.8 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 6
Today we need to climb to the high camp of Nevado del Tolima (4345 m). The team will have a calm morning, they will prepare everything necessary for the ascent. The group will start trekking in the Tolima Valley before noon, which is a gentle climb and a very pleasant hike, with beautiful landscapes and views of the volcanoes and valleys below. The last part of the hike goes up a steep mountain slope to the ridge known as "El Calvito" and from there a short walk to a camping site called "Arenales" which lies over the yellow sand moraine. This camp can be quite windy and exposed, but with very beautiful views. After setting up the camp, the guide will instruct you about the ascent the next day and help prepare everything. Before the camp there will be horses carrying equipment, food, water, etc.
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 576 m / Highest altitude: 4345 m / Distance: 8.4 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 7
Very early departure, ascent along a series of moraines of different steepness and several climbing passages to the glacier at an altitude of 4750 m. Here the group prepares for the glacier trek by starting on a very light slope, passing a couple of ice cliffs before the final plateau where the main crater is located, and then reaching the summit. Nevado del Tolima (5221 m) is an active volcano and the third highest peak in the central cordillera. The ascent is not technical, but it requires physical effort, not only because of the ascent, but because of the distance that must be overcome. Descent along the same path to the camp. After a good break and packing the camp, the team will head to"La Primavera / La Playa Farm" (3769 m)
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 876 m / Descent: 1452 m / Highest Altitude: 5221 m / Distance to summit: 2.8 km and from summit to farm: 11.2 km / Activity duration: 8-10 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 8
Today is the last day in the mountains. We descend through beautiful landscapes and tropical forests, a semicircular ascent that completes the trail in the famous Cocora valley, a spectacular valley located at an altitude of 2425 meters, decorated with the national tree of Colombia: the Wax Palm. Once in the Cocora Valley, the group will be picked up and taken to the beautiful city of Salento (1919 m) in traditional Willys jeeps (25 min.), which are a symbol of the coffee area´s coffee culture. Upon arrival in Salento, the group will be taken to a hotel located in the colonial part of the city. You will have a good time to enjoy the city and drink the best coffee in Colombia!
Overnight at the hotel.
Descent: 1058 m / Maximum altitude: 3483 m / Distance 10.7 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 9
Transfer to Armenia / Pereira airport (1 hour) and domestic flight (3 hours) to Santa Marta via Bogota. Upon arrival in Santa Marta, transfer (45 min.) to a centrally located hotel and depending on arrival time, you will have a 2-3 hour walking tour of this historic city. It is actually the first city founded in Colombia by the Spanish. On the evening, briefing and preparation for the upcoming trip to the Lost City.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Day 10 (Lost City Trek begins)
Pick up at your hotel in the morning and transfer by 4WD vehicles to the northeast along the Caribbean coast. In 1-1.5 hours we will turn off the asphalt road and here Adventure begins! After about 1 hour driving on a dirt road, through a beautiful landscape, the village of "El Mamey" (150 m) appears, also called "Machete Pelado". Lunch will be served immediately upon arrival and then the trek to "Ciudad Perdida" starts. The hike will be exposed to sun or rain on this day, so it is important to have plenty of water and suncream! Tropical fruits are offered during the hike. The group will follow the river path, which is more pleasant than the main road. This trail follows the valley of the "Quebrada del Alto Mamey" river for about 1 hour, and then ascends steeply (1.5 hours) to the "El Mirador" Pass (640 m), from where there is a beautiful view of the city of Mamey and the Buritaca River. From here there is a constant descent (1.5 hours) to the "Quebrada Honduras" river, where the "Donde Adan" lodge (480 m) is located. At the lodge you can swim in the beautiful natural river basin. Dinner will be served at this rustic hut.
Night in hammocks.
Ascent: 490 m / Descent: 160 m / Maximum altitude: 640 m / Distance: 8.9 km / Activity duration: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 11
This is the longest day on the program. After an early breakfast, the ascent immediately begins along a well-marked trail, which gradually gains altitude to the "Mumake" pass (680 m). In front of the pass there is an invisible border between the lands of "Colonos" (Peasants, not from this area) and the territory of the Indigenous peoples of "Kogi". From now on, the trek will pass through the territory protected and managed by this tribe. There are also “Wiwa’s” Indians from another sector of the Sierra who settled in these valleys and now own some of the lodges. It is also a notable transition from vast agricultural land to better preserved and much less exploded areas. From the mountain pass, a relatively quick descent to the "Buritaka" river valley (430 m), where the only village of Kogi is located on the route. This village is called "Montangi" and is the ideal place to experience the local lifestyle and traditions. After about 1 hour, the trail leads over a suspension bridge over the river and leads to the second ascent (2 hours) to the "Koskunguena" pass (824 m), and then back to the "Buritaka" river (743 m) for the last crossing. The last part of the day is an almost level area to the village house "El Paraiso" (870 m), a place to sleep. This lodge is located right on the banks of the "Buritaka" river, a fantastic place to relax and swim.
Night in hammocks.
To the Mumake pass: Ascent: 200 m / Descent: 250 m / Maximum altitude: 680 m.
To the Koskunguena Pass: Ascent: 394 m / Descent to the Buritaka River: 77 m / Ascent to the El Paraiso lodge: 127 m / Highest altitude: 824 m / Distance: 13.6 km / Activity duration: 7-8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 12
Very early departure taking the trail on the right margin of the Buritaca river for about 25 min. up to a crossing, once on the other margin, the archaeological stairway begins ascending rather steeply all the way to the first terraces of the Lost City (1175 m). From here begins a journey through time, to one of the most interesting archaeological sites of Colombia’s pre-Hispanic period. The Lost City of the Tayrona is worldwide known. Its original Indigenous name is “Teyuna” and is one of the three large citadels of vanished Tayrona civilization. Teyuna is the only city that has been discovered until now and thus partially restored. Tayrona’s cities were connected by a complex network of trails, from the Caribbean coastal area to the high mountain in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Tayrona had a well-developed social organization and an effective system of products and goods exchange between the different settlements. Although there is no precise information of the role of Teyuna in the Tayrona culture, it is believed that it was a place for religious worship and center of political power. During the course of 4 hours visit to the archaeological complex, the group will learn about the different types of terraces and how the city was divided into areas according to hierarchy and types of work. During the visit, it is possible to see the home of a Kogi Mamo (shaman-wise person) who lives in the same traditional way, as it is thought the inhabitants did. It is also believed that the Kogis are descendants from the Tayronas, pushed to the higher lands during the Spanish conquest. After the visit, hike down to “El Paraiso” lodge to have some lunch and then continue (4,5 h), back on the same trail as the day before, but this time a bit further out, crossing the hanging bridge and down the Buritaca river valley, passing once again the “Montangi” Kogi settlement to “Mumake” lodge (389 m), just at the foot of the “Mumake” pass.
Night in hammocks.
To Lost City: Ascent: 305 m / Descend: 305 m / Highest altitude: 1175 m / Distance one-way: 1,9 Km / Activity duration: 5 including a 3 hours visit.
Ascent to Koskunguena pass: 77 m / Descend to “Mumake” lodge: 481 m / Highest altitude: 870 m / Distance one-way: 7,5 Km / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 13
Last trekking day! From “Mumake” lodge (389 m), the ascent being right from the front step, leading up to “Mumake” pass (680 M) and after descending to “Quebrada Honduras” river to ascent (1,5 h) to the last pass: “EL Mirador” (640 m) and then to the final destination “El Mamey” town (150 m). Upon arrival there will be lunch and then a transfer to hotel/Beach lodge (2-2,5 h).
Night in hotel/Beach lodge.
Ascent to Mumake pass: 291 m / Descend to “Donde Adan” lodge: 200 m / Ascent to El Mirador pass: 160 m / Descend: 490 m / Highest altitude: 680 m / Distance: 14,2 Km / Activity duration: 4-5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic
Day 14 (Caribbean lodge beach. Tayrona National Park)
Full-day tour to the Tayrona National Park. This is one of the most famous natural parks in Colombia with some of the most beautiful beaches of the Colombian Caribbean coast, right at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world´s highest coastal mountain range. The park has a protected area of 150 km2 of land and 30 Km2 of sea, being the second most visited park in the country.
Due to its privilege location, there is a huge biodiversity and also archeological ruins like “Pueblito”. From the park’s main parking lot there is a light hike by the beach line to the Arrecife’s area (1 h), an iconic place within the park. From there, another 25 min. to La Piscina beach and 20 min. more to El Cabo San Juan. There will be good time to enjoy these idilic Caribbean beaches and the nature of the place. Lunch will be held at a local place, where they prepare traditional fish. On the afternoon, return back to lodge.
Night at beach lodge.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Pick up at the hotel and transfer out to Santa Martas Airport (1 h). Flight to Bogota for international connection in the evening. See you soon!
Included meals: Breakfast
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