Real Colombia

12 days
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Small Group Tour
There’s no doubt about it – Colombia is one of the world’s friendliest countries in South America. Mix the smiling locals with gorgeous beaches, mountains, coffee plantations, grand Spanish buildings, salsa clubs, exotic fruits, flower bouquets, hummingbirds and jungle treks and you’ve got a pretty cool adventure. On this 12-day journey through real Columbia,...
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$2,366
From$1,690
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Go behind the scenes of the beans during a unique stay on a traditional coffee estancia located deep in Colombia's coffee country – caffeine addicts rejoice!
    • Take part in a game of Tejo – Colombia's national sport and a popular pastime in Salento (think bocce with gunpowder) – with the locals in the Tejo hall.
    • Hike through the lush Cocora Valley – home to cute little hummingbirds and the world's tallest palm trees!
    • Explore Colombia’s Caribbean coast with two free days in Palomino. Chill out on the beach, hike through the jungle in nearby Tayrona National Natural Park or dine on delicious seafood – the choice is yours!
    • Lose yourself in the colours of Cartagena as you wander through the cobbled streets packed with beautiful churches, monasteries, and mansions. Then, enjoy two full days of free time to choose your own adventure.
    • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, PAC. Donations help them bring life-changing healthcare to rural communities in Colombia.

What's this trip about?

    There’s no doubt about it – Colombia is one of the world’s friendliest countries in South America. Mix the smiling locals with gorgeous beaches, mountains, coffee plantations, grand Spanish buildings, salsa clubs, exotic fruits, flower bouquets, hummingbirds and jungle treks and you’ve got a pretty cool adventure. On this 12-day journey through real Columbia, you’ll start in Bogota, explore Salento’s market, and stay on a coffee estancia to learn why this is one of the best places in the world for the mighty coffee bean. Discover the transformation of Medellin and soak up loads of free time in Palomino and Cartagena with heaps of opportunities for active hikes, beach days lazing in the sun and all the fresh seafood you could eat!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBogota
End CityCartagena

Travel Themes

  • 18 - 30's

Destinations

  • South America
  • Colombia

Attractions

  • Bogota
  • Caribbean
  • Cartagena
  • Medellin
  • Salento

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Bogota - La Candelaria Walking Tour
    • Salento - Traditional Tejo Game
    • Bogota - Visit to Paloquemao market
    • Coffee Region - Cocora Valley visit & Hike
    • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
    • Manizales - Coffee plantation tour, coffee tasting and coffee making
    • Medellin - Barrio Transformation Tour

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Bogota

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure begins in the capital city Bogota with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you can join your leader and fellow travellers early for an orientation walk around this gorgeous town at 1 pm this afternoon. Check...

Day 2 Salento

Today, arise nice and early and explore the colourful Paloquemao Market with your trip leader. Get to know the locals and try new flavours at this bustling whirlwind of colours and scents. From the market, hop on a short flight to Colombia's famous coffee region and t...

Day 3 Cocora Valley/Coffee Estancia

Today, hop in a jeep and head out to the Cocora Valley – home of the tall wax palm (Colombia's national tree). You could spend the morning checking out the region's awesome scenery on foot with a hike to Finca la Montana. At 2860 m, there are some pretty incredible vi...

Day 4 Coffee Estancia

Thanks to the tropical altitude and fertile volcanic soil, Colombia is one of the world’s biggest coffee producers. You’ll get to know this addictive little bean much better on a guided tour of the coffee plantation and processing centre today. Dig into the history of...

Day 5 Medellin

Jump aboard a comfortable public bus this morning and head to Medellin. This is a bit of a long drive, so grab a good book or your favourite playlist or play some road trip games and get to know your group a little better. When you arrive, your leader will take you on...

Day 6 Medellin

Today, you’ll take part in a Barrio transformation tour. Take a metro cable Acevedo to meet your local guide and discover more about how Medellin has transformed its most populated neighbourhoods. You’ll explore its history, the struggle of its people, the outstanding...

Day 7 Medellin

Get out and about in Medellin with a free day today. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works or get more modern at the beautiful Museo de Arte Moderno. Or you can go further afield on an optional day trip to Santa Fe de Anti...

Day 8 Palomino

This morning, you’ll fly to Santa Marta and then take a private transfer north to Palomino – a small town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the Guajira region. Watch the scenery go by and maybe get stuck into your book before arriving this afternoon. When you arri...

Day 9 Palomino

Today is a free day in Palomino. Get active and maybe take a hike in the nearby Tayrona National Natural Park – a large, protected area of the foothills of the Siera Nevada de Santa Marta known for its palm-shaded coves, coastal lagoons and biodiverse rainforest. Here...

Day 10-11 Cartagena

Travel to Cartagena this morning – a port city on the Caribbean coast known for its walled Old Town founded in the 16th century. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a short orientation walk around the hotel. Then, you’ll have the chance to soak up all this c...

Day 12 Cartagena

After breakfast today, it's time to say adios to your newfound friends as your adventure comes to an end in Cartagena this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,690
Price per day$141
Last Updated: 4/9/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
18 Jul 2024
29 Jul 2024
$1,690
12 spots left
15 Aug 2024
26 Aug 2024
$1,755
10 spots left
21 Nov 2024
02 Dec 2024
$1,825
12 spots left
26 Dec 2024
06 Jan 2025
$1,825
14 spots left
20 Feb 2025
03 Mar 2025
$1,770
13 spots left
10 Apr 2025
21 Apr 2025
$1,770
16 spots left
10 Jul 2025
21 Jul 2025
$1,770
16 spots left
21 Aug 2025
01 Sep 2025
$1,770
16 spots left
20 Nov 2025
01 Dec 2025
$1,770
16 spots left
25 Dec 2025
05 Jan 2026
$1,770
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights),Hostel (2 nights),Coffee Estancia (2 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Plane,Local bus,Private vehicle,MetroCable Acevedo,

Transportation & flights

Plane,Local bus,Private vehicle,MetroCable Acevedo
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MONEY WITHDRAWAL: In order to avoid fraud and theft, it is advisable that you withdraw money from ATMs located inside banks or guarded shops during business hours only. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
Finish point Hotel Villa Colonial Calle Las Maravillas # 30– 60 Barrio Getsemaní En Cartagena de Indias Cartagena COLOMBIA Phone: 575 6645421
Trip ID
intrepid-GGYS

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