Essential Colombia

New

8 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

£ 2099

Culture

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AAF

From Medellín to Cartagena, experience authentic Colombia through the eyes of the local people

Capture the magic of Colombia on this compact adventure, designed to showcase its sheer beauty and extraordinary diversity. You’ll explore revitalised Medellín and historic Cartagena with your expert tour leader, meet mountain villagers, discover the beaches of Tayrona National Park, and dive into the booming street food scene. Come away with a true understanding of what makes Colombia so special.

Highlights

Discover the fascinating histories of Medellín and Cartagena
Sample exotic Colombian fruits and taste delicious street food
Hike the wild landscapes and beaches of Tayrona National Park
Meet the mountain villagers of Minca to taste their highland coffee and food
Explore the biodiverse lagoon of Ciénaga Grande del Magdalena

Key Information

Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels)
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Travel by private minibus and internal flight

Countries visited: Colombia

What's Included

All breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

AAF - Essential Colombia

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

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To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Medellín Cartagena

Begin your adventure in the mountain-wrapped metropolis of Medellín, nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring thanks to its pleasant climate.

Aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening (arrival in the early hours of the morning of Day 2 is also possible), although we recommend arriving one day early to acclimatise and help get over any jetlag.

There will be a message waiting with information about tomorrow’s meeting time.

Want to explore Medellín further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Terra Biohotel (or similar)

The transformation of Medellín is nothing short of incredible. In the early 1990s, under the control of Pablo Escobar’s brutal Medellín Cartel, it was considered the Murder Capital of the World. Just a few decades later, it’s a welcoming destination, known for art, culture, food and innovation.

Our tour leader unravels this complicated yet fascinating revolution for us. Using public transportation, including the Metro and cable car, we head to the Comuna 13 district, which was once among the most dangerous areas in the world. On the electric escalators there, we delve deeper into the rejuvenated area and get to know the daily life of the people.

After, head to Berrío Park and Botero Plaza in downtown Medellín to admire the bronze sculptures of Medellín-born artist Fernando Botero, while also exploring the Museum of Antioquia, where we get even more of an insight into the life and work of this iconic Colombian.

Accommodation: Terra Biohotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Colombia is a fruit lovers’ paradise with nearly 350 exotic fruit species, some of which don’t even have a name for North Americans and Europeans. Meet the sellers and see their produce on an exploration of La Minorista market in central Medellín, where the different climates of Colombia can be seen in the bright array of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Learn how to haggle the Colombian way with your tour leader’s advice, try some of the fruit and finish with a fresh juice.

That sets us up nicely for our flight from Medellín to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, we transfer (1hr 10min) to our hotel in Tayrona, which is ideally located to explore the national park tomorrow.

Accommodation: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Experience the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park today. We drive east along the Caribbean coast to El Zaino, the main park entrance; after a short walk, we reach Cañaveral beach, one of the most beautiful spots in Tayrona.

From the top of a small hill, enjoy the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. The tour continues with a one-hour hike through the tropical forest to Arrecife, another stunning Tayrona beach, where there is plenty of time to have lunch at a restaurant (swimming is prohibited due to strong currents).

After, we continue our trek for another hour, passing beaches such as Arenillas, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan – perhaps the most spectacular site in the park – where we have time for a well-deserved swim and to relax on the palm-fringed beach.

Accommodation: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

See a different side of Colombia today, visiting the mountain village of Minca. Our adventure takes us to Finca La Victoria, a historic family-run coffee farm, where we learn from the makers how they produce their excellent highland coffee.

We then visit Don Camaritos, a local food expert who produces tasty smoked fish and sausages, which we try! After, take a short 4×4 ride to Marinka waterfall, where we can take a cooling dip, before arriving back at Minca for a short tour.

Accommodation: Villa Maria Tayrona (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We’re off to Cartagena today. It’s about a six-hour drive; however, after about two hours on the road, we stop at Ciénaga Grande del Magdalena, a vital wetlands reserve with a large lagoon home to an impressive array of plant and animal life.

Our exploration first visits the fishing village of Tasajera; from there, we take a Johnson, a motorised canoe typical of the region, and head to the villages of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia, which are formed of about 300 pile dwellings standing on tree trunks above the water.

There, we learn more about the Cienageros, whose lifestyle has hardly changed in the last 100 years. The tour also allows for bird watching, as the biodiversity in this area is very high. At the end, we continue the transfer to Cartagena.

Accommodation: Hotel 3 Banderas (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Discover Cartagena’s historic district with your tour leader, immersing ourselves in the Caribbean culture and colonial architecture as we walk the cobblestone streets. Our tour leader also reveals the captivating tales and well-kept mysteries behind the street names and quaint squares.

Then dive into the local street food scene, showcasing the classic tastes of the city, including exotic fruits, fried foods, sweets, drinks and more. We learn about the origins of traditional dishes and discover the story behind each cook in a brief chat.

In the evening, we celebrate our adventures with a farewell meal, a chance to chat about our top moments from the trip and enjoy one last evening together.

Accommodation: Hotel 3 Banderas (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our adventure ends in Cartagena this morning. If you’d like a bit more time in this intoxicating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Suitability: A reasonable level of fitness is needed, but no special experience is required. There are some short walks, the hardest of which is in Tayrona National Natural Park, which is about three to four hours’ long and temperatures are high. The trail ascends and descends partly over stairs and wooden planks and takes you through tropical forest.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Terra Biohotel, Calle 35 No 64 A – 92, Medellin
Phone: (+57) 604 475-9670
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes from Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE), depending on traffic. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG), which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Medellín
Location end: Cartagena

Vaccinations and Health

Colombia

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: polio, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and yellow fever. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Colombia

Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries do not require a visa and will be granted a 90-day entry permit on arrival. Please ensure you have at least three blank pages in your passport.

An online “Check-Mig” form needs to be completed between 72 and 1 hr before your flight: Check-mig – Migración Colombia (migracioncolombia.gov.co)

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/colombia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/colombia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Food & Drink

Breakfast is often eggs (fried, boiled or scrambled), bread or arepas (thick corn pancakes), local cheese, tea or coffee and a fruit juice.

Please note, rural Colombia is not very vegetarian friendly, where meat forms a major part of the diet. However, in Medellín and Cartagena there is a wide choice.

Weather

In Medellín, the climate is warm during the days but can be cool in the evenings. On the Caribbean coast, the weather is generally very hot and humid year-round. Rain is always possible.

TRIP

AAF - Essential Colombia

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

TRIP

AAF - Essential Colombia

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

17 Jan 2026 17 Jan 2026

Saturday Sunday

24 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2099 £ 2099 Book with £ 524 deposit Book with £ 524 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

07 Feb 2026 07 Feb 2026

Saturday Sunday

14 Feb 2026 15 Feb 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2129 £ 2129 Book with £ 532 deposit Book with £ 532 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375
Available upon Request

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

28 Feb 2026 28 Feb 2026

Saturday Sunday

07 Mar 2026 08 Mar 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2129 £ 2129 Book with £ 532 deposit Book with £ 532 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

21 Mar 2026 21 Mar 2026

Saturday Sunday

28 Mar 2026 29 Mar 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2149 £ 2149 Book with £ 537 deposit Book with £ 537 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

18 Apr 2026 18 Apr 2026

Saturday Sunday

25 Apr 2026 26 Apr 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2179 £ 2179 Book with £ 544 deposit Book with £ 544 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

09 May 2026 09 May 2026

Saturday Sunday

16 May 2026 17 May 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2199 £ 2199 Book with £ 549 deposit Book with £ 549 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

06 Jun 2026 06 Jun 2026

Saturday Sunday

13 Jun 2026 14 Jun 2026

Availability Guaranteed (Available)

Land Only Trip Price £ 2199 £ 2199 Book with £ 549 deposit Book with £ 549 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

14 Nov 2026 14 Nov 2026

Saturday Sunday

21 Nov 2026 22 Nov 2026

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2229 £ 2229 Book with £ 557 deposit Book with £ 557 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Tuesday Tuesday

01 Dec 2026 01 Dec 2026

Tuesday Wednesday

08 Dec 2026 09 Dec 2026

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2249 £ 2249 Book with £ 562 deposit Book with £ 562 deposit

Optional Single Supplement +£ 375

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

16 Jan 2027 16 Jan 2027

Saturday Sunday

23 Jan 2027 24 Jan 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2299 £ 2299 Book with £ 574 deposit Book with £ 574 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

06 Feb 2027 06 Feb 2027

Saturday Sunday

13 Feb 2027 14 Feb 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2299 £ 2299 Book with £ 574 deposit Book with £ 574 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

27 Feb 2027 27 Feb 2027

Saturday Sunday

06 Mar 2027 07 Mar 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2329 £ 2329 Book with £ 582 deposit Book with £ 582 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

13 Mar 2027 13 Mar 2027

Saturday Sunday

20 Mar 2027 21 Mar 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2349 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 587 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

17 Apr 2027 17 Apr 2027

Saturday Sunday

24 Apr 2027 25 Apr 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2349 £ 2349 Book with £ 587 deposit Book with £ 587 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

08 May 2027 08 May 2027

Saturday Sunday

15 May 2027 16 May 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2379 £ 2379 Book with £ 594 deposit Book with £ 594 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

05 Jun 2027 05 Jun 2027

Saturday Sunday

12 Jun 2027 13 Jun 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2379 £ 2379 Book with £ 594 deposit Book with £ 594 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

13 Nov 2027 13 Nov 2027

Saturday Sunday

20 Nov 2027 21 Nov 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2399 £ 2399 Book with £ 599 deposit Book with £ 599 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

Saturday Saturday

04 Dec 2027 04 Dec 2027

Saturday Sunday

11 Dec 2027 12 Dec 2027

Availability Available

Land Only Trip Price £ 2379 £ 2379 Book with £ 594 deposit Book with £ 594 deposit

Optional Single Supplement Free

Availability

View Trip Notes

The Adventure Begins Here

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Essential Colombia

8 Days Excluding Flights From

10 Days from

£ 2099

Essential Colombia

From Medellín to Cartagena, experience authentic Colombia through the eyes of the local people

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Medellín Cartagena

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Colombia

Visa

Colombia

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Your Group, Your Adventure

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Colombia: Culture, Coffee & Caribbean

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Essential Colombia

Essential Colombia

From Medellín to Cartagena, experience authentic Colombia through the eyes of the local people

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Medellín Cartagena

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Colombia

Visa

Colombia

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

Your Group, Your Adventure

You may also like

Colombia: Culture, Coffee & Caribbean

A Taste of Cuba

Mexico: Maya, Aztecs & Conquistadors

The Adventure Begins Here

Essential Colombia