Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Start: Cartagena Finish: Medellín
Duration: 11 Nights
Physical rating: 4 - Demanding
Special diets catered: Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Group size: 10 - 16
Age range: Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.
Tour operated in: English
Prices From: $1879
Tour Overview
You've seen it on TV and in the movies, and now's your chance to explore the real Colombia beyond the big screen. This 12-day tour is made for energetic travellers that know the best way to experience a destination is by getting closer to nature. And you'll get opportunities to do just that with a challenging hike through farmlands, jungles, and along steep inclines to the Lost City of Teyuna, where you're rewarded with an incredible view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You'll get time before and after to explore Cartagena and Medellin for a multi-faceted tour that checks off all the boxes.
Highlights
Places You'll See
Countries:
Cities & Attractions:
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Caribbean Adventure: the Lost City trek & Medellín
Itinerary

Day 1
:
Cartagena
Location: Cartagena
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Villa Colonial (or similar)
Meals: No Meals
Arrive at any time. Tonight, check out the local flavor of bustling Plaza Trinidad and head to a local bar to get to know your fellow travellers. Get to know the group over a few drinks and get excited for the adventure of a lifetime.
ACTIVITY: Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.
ACTIVITY: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Day 2
:
Cartagena
Location: Cartagena
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Villa Colonial (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
The day is yours to explore this coastal colonial city. Wander through the streets of historic old town, check out the San Felipe fortress, or get dirty with a mud bath and massage at Totuma Volcano.
Additional Information: Opt to pre-book the "Totumo Mud Volcano" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
FREE TIME: Choose your own adventure today!
Day 3
:
Cartagena/Santa Marta
Location: Cartagena, Santa Marta
Accommodation: Hotel,
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tayromar (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Travel like a local by hopping on a public bus to the port town of Santa Marta. Take advantage of your free time with a visit to the Gold Museum, go shopping for any last minute necessities (You probably forgot something, right?) or chill out on the beach.
Additional Information: Please note hot water is uncommon in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Showers are likely to only have cold water while visiting this area.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
FREE TIME: Get out and explore.
Day 4
:
Santa Marta/Ricardito Camp
Location: Santa Marta, MACHETE PELAO
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Ricardito Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up and hit the road to Machete Pelao where your trek to the Lost City of Teyuna begins. Trek through farmland, steamy jungle, and rural Kogi communities. Enjoy and let it all soak in – this is your opportunity to get a glimpse into the local way of life in the remote river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
TRANSPORT: Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
ACTIVITY: Leave Machete Pelao and start trekking through the jungle along the Buritaca River. Pass by farmland and get a glimpse into daily life in the small communities en route to the campsite. This first day of trekking is relatively straightforward and a good way to ease yourself into it. There is a combination of uphill and flat sections that lead the way to the first campsite. Continue uphill to reach Ricardito Camp, known locally as vista hermosa or beautiful view, sit back and soak them in. If the weather is right, sunsets and sunrises here are not to be missed.
Day 5
:
Ricardito Camp/ Wiwa Camp
Location: Ricardito Camp, Wiwa Beach Resort
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wiwa Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Venture further into the lush jungle en route to Ciudad Perdida. Be prepared – today is a tough portion of the trek with a lot of steep views. Arrive at the campsite in the afternoon for some much needed relaxation by the river.
ACTIVITY: Begin trekking alongside the Buritaca River early in the morning. Pass through more farmland used for growing coffee or raising cattle. Climbing on this part of the trek can be challenging as the route progresses uphill from the riverbed and through the humid jungle. Take a look at the unique, circular huts that make up some of the Kogi villages in the area. Once you make it to the camp, cool off with a swim in the river before dinner.
Day 6
:
Wiwa Camp /Paso Lorenzo Camp
Location: Wiwa Camp , Buritaca
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Paso Lorenzo Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up early feeling refreshed, recharged (hopefully!) and start your trek to Paso Lorenzo Camp. Settle in at the campsite around noon and eat some lunch. If the weather is nice, take a dip in the Buritaca River. Learn about Wiwa customs in the afternoon and then kick back and relax in a hammock.
Day 7
:
Paso Lorenzo Camp/ Wiwa Camp
Location: Paso Lorenzo Camp, Wiwa Beach Resort
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Wiwa Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the day to discover the wonders of La Ciudad Perdida. Climb the 1200 ancient steps and explore the different sacred sites of Lost City. Later, continue trekking through the deep jungle today on winding paths through banana trees and cacao plants as you make your way to Wiwa Camp.
Day 8
:
Ricardito Camp/Taganga
Location: Ricardito Camp, Taganga
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ocean Taganga (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take in your last views of the jungle this morning as you trek back to Machete Pelao. Transfer to Tangaga where the rest for the day is yours to relax. (You've earned a few drinks after that trek!)
ACTIVITY: Continue the hike back down to Machete Pelao following the same route that you took in. The farmland will look familiar, but the scenery remains spectacular. Take in your last views of the jungle and local village life before heading back on the grid.
Day 9
:
Taganga/Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Location: Taganga, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ocean Taganga (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Head into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local guide. Experience the incredible nature that surrounds you while learning more about the rich, natural diversity of northern Colombia.
Additional Information: Please note that Tayrona National Park is usually closed during the month of February. 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 in February, you will visit the laid-back town of Minca. Enjoy a visit to a coffee plantation, a hike to a waterfall and learn about local cacao production.
ACTIVITY: 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.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 10
:
Taganga/Medellín
Location: Taganga, Medellín
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Selina Medellin (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Wheels up! Fly inland today to Medellín. A once infamous city, vibrant Medellín has transformed into one of Latin America's safest destinations. Get to know your surroundings with an orientation walk and an optional night out with the group.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Day 11
:
Medellín
Location: Medellín
Accommodation: Hostel
Accommodation Name: Selina Medellin (or similar)
Meals: Lunch
Explore Medellín today and visit the Comuna 13 neighbourhood—a community transformed. Embark on a walking tour and enjoy a delicious lunch provided by the community organization Berracas de la 13, a G Adventures–supported project. After, free time to visit museums or take a historical tour.
ACTIVITY: Explore dynamic communities and support women–owned social enterprises on a tour led by residents of the Comuna 13 of Medellin. A G Adventures,–supported project, Berracas de la 13 is a nonprofit organization who have developed a new Comuna tour and meal service, benefitting women and youth from the community. Travellers have the opportunity to learn from local guides, visit small shops, try local food and purchase unique handicrafts.
FREE TIME: Get out and explore this vibrant city.
Day 12
:
Medellín
Location: Medellín
Meals: No Meals
Depart at any time.
ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
What's Included
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
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Guided tour of the Lost City
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Internal flight
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Fully Guided
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, Indigenous local guides.
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Accommodation
Simple hotels (7 nts, some multi-share) , camping (4 nts in hammocks or rustic bunks).
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Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends.
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Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Trek to the Lost City with an Indigenous guide (5 days)
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Your G for Good Moment: Berracas de la 13 Visit with Lunch, Medellín
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Accommodation
Transport
Meals Included
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
G Adventures requires a deposit of 200 GBP to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 60 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.
Got a question? Check out our Q&As
View Q&As Ask A QuestionTravel, Your Way
Good reasons for travelling privately
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Personalise your trip
Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
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Increased safety during COVID
Spend the majority of time amongst your group to reduce exposure to others
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Travel more exclusively
Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group
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Travel for a special occasion
Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family
Dates & Availability
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