Colombia's Coffee Triangle, Caribbean Coast & Cartenga Luxury Walk 8D7N, Fully Guided

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 8:30 a.m. at Sazagua Boutique Hotel, Pereira, Colombia. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your walking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike.

¡Bienvenidos a Colombia! Following our meeting at our hotel in Pereira, we shuttle to the start of our hike and adventures in the heart of Colombia's renowned Coffee Triangle. Descend slowly along a dirt road with vistas of the flourishing valley peppered with coffee farms, bamboo, and flowers. The houses in this World Heritage site, constructed with a local type of bamboo known as guadua, accurately depict the region's architecture. We'll trek through the endless rows of coffee plants holding brightly coloured coffee cherries. For lunch, we make a stop at a Hacienda Venecia, a sustainable working farm, for a traditional Colombian meal. Following that, we enjoy a farm tour that allows us to retrace the fascinating journey of coffee from the plants into our cups. Or skip the coffee tour and tackle a few more kilometres on the highland trails as you continue on foot uphill back out of the valley.

Later, we shuttle back to Sazagua Boutique Hotel, our home in the temperate Andean foothills. Settle in and relax in your room or lounge by the pool. This evening, we convene for a welcome reception to toast an exciting week ahead. Then we sit for dinner at the hotel, where the chef specialises in Colombian dishes with some international touches.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 457 m (1,500 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 610 m (2,000 ft)

Eat a quick breakfast before shuttling to the beginning of our hike in the Cocora Valley, an excellent example of Colombia's rich biodiversity. Start by climbing into the mountains, crisscrossing the San Jose stream on low-hanging suspension bridges. Soak in the gorgeous array of flora, including a wide variety of bromeliads and heliconias.

We proceed to conquer the steepest part of today's hike, ascending toward a breathtaking view of craggy peaks surfacing from the clouds—the perfect place to catch your breath and enjoy lunch on the trail. The final stretch of our hike descends into the scenic valley decorated with wax palms, the national tree of Colombia. The broad root system of these stunning trees causes them to grow widely but evenly spaced apart as if they were planted that way.

Depending on the number of kilometres you choose to conquer today, you may have time to explore the town of Salento on your own. Serene and vibrant Salento is the quintessential Coffee Triangle village, where many men still sport the traditional poncho and hat that Americans might associate with coffee icon Juan Valdez. Navigate pal-lined Plaza Bolivar, explore the shops on Calle Real selling locally made wares, and admire the well-preserved colonial architecture. To rest your legs, you can pop into one of the town's many cafes to savour the tranquil setting with a cup of coffee. (Please note that our hiking routes may change depending on today's weather).

Afterward, board the shuttle for a lift back to the hotel, where you can relax before another delectable dinner.

Savour breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a morning walk to a farm specialising in breeding and raising Paso Fino (fine step) horses. This gorgeous breed, famed for its elegant ambling gait, is unique to Colombia. We visit the stables and relish a demonstration of four different trots the horses have developed due to the country's steep and varied topography. Or choose to sleep a little longer and shuttle to the farm.

Catch a flight to Santa Marta, where we access Colombia's spectacular northern Caribbean coast. (Please note that we'll have a layover in the Bogotá airport as there are no direct flights from Pereira to Santa Marta. Lunch is on your own en route at the Bogotá airport.)

Arriving in Santa Marta, we shuttle to Cayena Beach Villa, a stunning beachfront hotel with the Sierra Nevada mountain range as a backdrop. Get comfortable, disconnect from the outside world, and savour the verdant beauty of the mountains. We enjoy tonight's dinner at the hotel's restaurant, which uses various locally sourced ingredients in dishes inspired by regions throughout the country. After dessert, you have a chance to learn salsa, cumbia, and more local dances.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 19 km (12 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1,300 ft)

Today's hike leads us into Tayrona National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1979. Tayrona's riches are evident in its diversity of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, biological variety, and archaeological patrimony.

Grab a quick breakfast and go on a brief shuttle to the trailhead. We navigate various ecosystems such as temperature and rain forests, mangrove forests, and various bays and beaches. Along the way, we learn about the history and customs of the ancient Tyrolean people and their descendants, who still consider many parts sacred. Soak in the deep blue ocean through breaks in the trees as you head deeper into the prank.

During our walk, the tropical forest gives way to sandy beaches extending toward the brilliant Caribbean Sea. The stunning beaches of Playa Arenilla, La Piscina, and Cabo San Juan entice visitors to take a break and go for a rejuvenating dip in the sea. On your way back, watch for movement in the foliage. You might spot lively monkeys before we shuttle back to the hotel.

Please note that, in the past, Tayrona National Park has experienced closures due to washed-out trail conditions and indigenous rituals that can affect operations for up to a month. Its peculiar setting as sacred grounds for the communities that inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta required these closures to allow the local people to perform their traditional ceremonies to make spiritual payments.

The month the park closes changes from year to year and can require last-minute changes in the trip itinerary. Where there is a last-minute change due to an unforeseen park closure, your tour leaders will be ready with excellent alternative hikes and activities. Dinner tonight is at your leisure at the hotel's restaurant.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

Today, a community leader guides us as we hike, teaching us about Santa Marta's local customs, the locals' everyday life, and some of the region's history. Take off on a route through farmlands and rural settlements along a tranquil river. Before lunch, we get an amazing opportunity to learn about the Wiwa culture from a respected indigenous community leader. The Wiwa is one of the four indigenous communities that inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—they have a deep relationship with this mountain range, calling it "the heart of the world." After our cultural exchange, our local friends welcome us into their home for lunch.

Our afternoon hike takes us along the bank of the Don Diego River, one of the 36 rivers originating from the snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. On arrival at the river's intersection with the Don Diego stream, we savour the quintessential tropical delight: a cold drink while floating downstream in a river tube! We take a short shuttle back to the hotel and freshen up. Dinner is a casual family-style affair in our beachfront home.

Relish breakfast under tropical foliage, and consider joining a yoga class where you'll be surrounded by the sea breeze. Resulting from the absence of direct flights to Cartagena, we settle in for the long drive and seize the opportunity to soak in the diverse landscape and scenery along Colombia's northern coast. As we journey from Santa Marta to Cartagena, we traverse the outskirts of Barranquilla, Colombia's second-largest city (and home of the famous Colombian singer Shakira!), and navigate roads through marshlands with views of the Caribbean Sea. Feel free to take a nap or enjoy some reading as we road trip.

Arrive at Hotel Casa Don Luis, a magnificent colonial-style building, settle into your room, and freshen up before meeting up with our local guide for a tour of the historic city centre. Following the tour, wander on your own for dinner in the city—the perfect opportunity to get to know its romantic nooks and alleyways. Your tour leaders are happy to help you with a list of some of their favourite restaurants.

We get the perfect start to our day—a guided tour of Cartagena's (and Colombia's!) most vibrant neighbourhood, Getsemani, where we spend the morning strolling beneath adorned wooden verandas groaning with bougainvillaea and draped with flags of papel picado. This afternoon, you have some time to tour more of Cartagena on your own—there are several sights to see and many shopping opportunities just steps from our hotel in the heart of town. Or you can head back to the hotel and relish a relaxing time by the pool.

We gather this evening to celebrate our spectacular journey at a favourite restaurant.

You can begin your morning with a sunrise walk or join a stretching and yoga class at the hotel—perfect after a week of hiking. Or, enjoy a relaxed morning and perhaps stroll in Cartagena's stunning centre. Our spectacular Colombian journey officially ends around 11 a.m. at the hotel.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.