Colombian Adventure: Lost City & the Amazon

Bogota

Day 1: Welcome to Bogota!

After your arrival at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, you will be transferred to your hotel. On the ride that will take around 30 to 45 minutes, your English-speaking guide will give you all the recommendations you need to get the most out of your stay in Colombia.

Overnight at your hotel in the capital city. 

Bogota

Day 2: Bogota Tour & Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Begin your day with an early morning Bogota tour. Enjoy a visit to the typical Paloquemao market which is an explosion of colors, tastes, and fragrances. Try a range of tropical fruits that are hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Discover the historic center with the Colon Theater, San Carlos Palace, San Ignacio Church, Nariño Presidential Palace, Bolivar Square, the Capitol, the City Hall, and the Cathedral. Visit the superb Gold Museum. Finally, ride the cable car to Monserrate hill.

There’s more! Proceed to Zipaquira town with panoramic views of the Sabana countryside and El Puente del Comun en route.

You will get preferential entry to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira considered the first wonder of Colombia. Inside, visit the stations of the Cross, the Dome, the Narthex labyrinth and the three naves. Later, explore the colonial town of Zipaquira before returning to Bogota. 

Leticia

Day 3: Discover the Treasures of the Amazon

Your destination for today is the amazing Amazon! Head to the Bogota airport for a flight to Leticia. From Leticia’s airport, you will be transferred to the pier for a boat trip to the Calanoa Natural Reserve.

After a little over an hour and a half, you´ll arrive at the lodge of the reserve. In the afternoon, you´ll visit the gardens of the reserve and a local guide will explain the conservation project in Calanoa.

Later, at night, set out for a hike in the company of expert guides who know the jungle well. In the woods, you´ll have a unique sensorial experience. Listen to the songs of the frogs, and the sounds of insects, owls, and monkeys. There is also a possibility of seeing fungi and fluorescent plants.

Return to your lodge for dinner and rest for the night. 

Leticia

Day 4: Visit Indigenous Communities

Would you like an insight into the life of the indigenous communities that live in the Amazon? In the morning, you’ll visit the Tikuna community accompanied by an expert guide. Get glimpses of community routines and understand how their life is centered around the water and in permanent interaction with the jungle. Depending on the season, you will also have the chance to visit the communities of “El Vergel”, “San Martin” or “Palmeras”.

In the afternoon, you´ll go through the jungle of the reserve to learn about some plants and their uses. Explore further till you come to Matamata’s waterfall at the border of Amacayacu National Park. There, a person in a canoe will pick you up to return to Calanoa Lodge. Although a guide will accompany you, it is a good time to try paddling the canoe on your own (this experience is available only if the water levels permit it).

Leticia

Day 5: Explore Amacayacu Park & See Pink Dolphins

Early in the morning, we will proceed to the Mocagua Island that is considered a part of the Amacayacu National Park. Go hiking in this wonderful area to discover the unique species of flora and fauna found here. In addition, you’ll also come across lakes with the biggest lotus/water lily species of the world, the “Victoria Amazonica”. After lunch, a boat will pick you up to take you to the Peruvian border to look for the famous pink dolphins of the Amazon River. Keep your eyes glued to the waters to see these wonderful creatures. And take in the views of the setting sun that paints the sky in lovely hues.

Return to your Calanoa lodge. 

Santa Marta

Day 6: Breathtaking Tour of Santa Marta

Get on a boat for your return trip from the reserve to the pier and then by car to the Leticia airport. Take a flight to your next destination–Santa Marta via Bogota.

From the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Santa Marta, one of the oldest cities in South America. Go on an interesting tour of this city situated along the Caribbean coast. Visit the cathedral; the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino–the place where Simon Bolivar passed away; the Gold Museum; and the Pibe Valderrama–the statue of one of the greatest soccer players Carlos Valderrama.

We will also go on a tour of the picturesque fishing village of Taganga, and take a look at the main streets and avenues of the city of Santa Marta.

Overnight in the city.

Santa Marta

Day 7: On the Trail of the Lost City

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Lost City Office in the morning. Built by the Tayrona people, the Lost City is an archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Start your Lost City adventure in a 4WD car that will take you on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to El Mamey. Here, you will stop for lunch and begin the trek to the sacred place of the Tayronas over the coming days. 

At the end of the afternoon, we will arrive at the first camp. In the surroundings here, we’ll find rivers, natural pools, and waterfalls. Experience these elements of nature as you relax for some time amidst the fabulous landscape. Later, we will have dinner and spend the night in hammocks.

Santa Marta

Day 8: Trek Through The Stunning Jungle

Rise and shine! Have an early morning breakfast before continuing your trek to the Lost City. Walk along the sides of the Buritaca River where we’ll find several houses that are a part of a Kogui indigenous village called Mutanshi.

Today, we will trek through the day for about seven hours in an exploration that will take us through the jungle of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Immerse yourself in the glorious natural landscape, enjoy the biodiversity all around and learn about the indigenous communities that live here. Finally, we will reach the third camp (equipped with hammocks, beds, and tents). Satiate your hunger with a delicious dinner and get some well-deserved rest after an adventurous day.

Santa Marta

Day 9: Spend Time At The Lost City

Early in the morning, have a breakfast that will give you the energy to climb up about 1200 steps to our main destination. Follow this trail constructed by the Tayrona people to reach the beautiful Lost City.

At the end of your climb, you will finally arrive at the Lost City known as Ciudad Perdida as well as Teyuna. Once we get there, the guide will show you everything related to this magical place full of relics and ancient stories. Spend the morning enjoying the landscapes. You can also rest for a while and take pictures of the Lost City. Afterward, have lunch at the third camp. Then, we will make our way to Camp 2, where we will have dinner and spend the night. 

Santa Marta

Day 10: Return Journey to Santa Marta City

After these few days of our adventure to the Lost City, it’s time to return. We will have breakfast at the camp, then continue the way back to the point where it all started. During the walk, we’ll find rivers and waterfalls where we can take refreshing breaks to put the spring back in our step. Finally, we will reach El Mamey, and stop awhile for lunch. Afterward, our 4WD car will pick us up for our drive back to Santa Marta. We will arrive in this coastal city by the evening with memories of the magical experience in the Sierra Nevada and the Lost City. 

Santa Marta

Day 11: Goodbye, Colombia!

It's time to say goodbye to Colombia! Enjoy your last morning in Santa Marta with a leisurely breakfast and a wonderful walk along the sea. Later, a representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your onward journey.