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Walking Holiday, Colombia & Hiking: Rainbow River (Crystal Canyon) + El Penol + Tayrona

Colombia Highlights + Rainbow River + Tayrone

16 NIGHTS FROM:

$4,858

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

GRF16B

• Walking Holiday: Colombia

• Bogota

• Rainbow River

• Crystal Canyon

• Cocora Valley

• Medellin

• El Penol Rock

• Tayrona National Park

• Cartagena

• Colombia Hiking

This active walking holiday in Colombia includes hiking to the Rainbow River in the spectacular Crystal Canyon; walking in the high altitude Cocora Valley, with its iconic wax palms & along the pristine beaches of Tayrona National Park. Also visit Medellin where you can climb the El Penol Rock, visit the Salt Cathedral near Bogota & historic Cartagena. All transfers, English speaking guides & specified sightseeing included.

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Day 1

You will be met at Bogotá Airport and transferred to your hotel in this high altitude city, located in a valley between the eastern and central Andes mountain ranges at 8,660 ft (2,640 m).

Check in and relax in this sprawling city that is the capital of Colombia.

Day 2

Today enjoy a full day private tour of Bogotá, with an included lunch at a local restaurant.

We start with a walk through the cobbled alleys of La Candelaria, the historic Old Town. Here you will see many beautifully preserved Spanish colonial houses and churches that date back centuries, such as the church of Santa Clara that today contains the Museum of Colonial Art and the 17th century Church of San Francisco, the oldest surviving church in the city.

We also visit the small Botero Museum. Housed in a beautiful colonial mansion, it showcases a collection of artwork donated to the city by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous contemporary artist renowned for his proportionally exaggerated chubby figures. Around 120 pieces of his work are displayed here, including paintings, drawings and miniature sculptures. He also donated his personal collection of original artwork by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti which are on display here.

View the library of Luis Angel Arango as we head for the main square - Plaza Bolívar - where you can see a statue honouring Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military leader who played a key role in the revolution against Spain. Here you can see the Metropolitan Cathedral, City Hall, Colón Theatre, Casa de Nariño (the presidential residence, which has an observatory in its gardens), Congress Palace, Palace of Justice, Cardinal's Palace, Independence House and the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin.

We then visit the Gold Museum - the most important gold museum in the world with a splendid collection of over 36,000 pre-Colombian gold and emerald pieces. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2,500 years. Two large carved stones from the San Agustin archaeological site can also be seen here. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, including the famous miniature golden raft.

At the end of our tour we ascend Monserrate Hill by cable car or funicular, for panoramic views over the city. The chapel atop this hill can be seen from almost anywhere in Bogota.

Note: When visiting churches and monasteries, women must not wear shorts or miniskirts and men must not wear shorts. The Gold Museum is closed Mondays and Botero Museum is closed Tuesdays.

Day 3

This morning enjoy a shared tour to the amazing Salt Cathedral and the small town of Zipaquirá.

We drive1.5-hours from Bogota to the amazing underground Salt Cathedral, built in a cavernous series of tunnels in the worked-out section of a productive salt mine. In this darkened underground environment, you will walk past 14 small chapels, each representing one of the 'Stations of the Cross' that tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Once you reach the main Roman Catholic cathedral, you can marvel at the workmanship that went into creating this remarkable church.

Afterwards we walk through the charming main square of Zipaquirá, which was founded in 1600 and still conserves its colonial heritage. It is also the home of Tour de France winner, Egan Bernal. Here you can enjoy lunch (own account) and spend time exploring the town, before we return to Bogotá.

Note: Please be aware that the Salt Cathedral will be extremely busy with local visitors over weekends.

Day 4

Arrive at Bogotá Airport and connect with your light aircraft flight to La Macarena.

You will be met at La Macarana Airport and walked to your hotel in this town that is the gateway to the magnificent Crystal Channel (Cano Cristales) - also known as the Rainbow River of Five Colours.

After checking into your hotel and an included lunch, we drive 30-minutes along a bumpy road to visit a typical local farm. Here you can see their turkeys, chickens and geese as well as a couple of peacocks, tame parrots and scarlet macaws. Enjoy a short walk to learn about local medicinal plants, followed by the opportunity to swim in a lovely shallow clear river (so bring swimwear and a towel - water shoes are useful when swimming in these rocky pools, but not essential). Afterwards you can admire Peidra stream, which has a small number of the macarena plants that vary in colour from green to pink and red, depending on the amount of sunlight they receive.

Note: From June to December there are direct flights between Bogotá and La Macarena three times a week (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday). Baggage is restricted to 10 kg in a small cabin-sized suitcase or backpack. Your main luggage can be stored with our representative in Bogota, as large suitcases will not fit in the light aircraft and will be left behind.

Be aware that your guide will only speak Spanish & ensure you take sufficient cash, as there are no cash machines in this remote region. Also none of the hotels in this tropical region have hot water (showers are cold water only). Access to the Crystal Canyon is closed during the dry season (January to May).

Day 5

This morning walk to the nearby Guayabero River for a 15-minute boat ride to Cajuche Spring.

From here we take a 30-minute drive in a 4x4 vehicle, travelling along a very rough road to the starting point of our 4.5-mile (7-km) hike through the Crystal Channel - home to one of the most beautiful fast-flowing rivers in the world.

From June until November each year (i.e. during the rainy season), this Rainbow River of Five Colours has striking shades of red, yellow, green, blue and black due to its unique geology and an aquatic plant called Macarena Clavijera, that changes colour from green to pink and red, according to the amount of sunlight it receives and the depth of the water. This beautiful river has numerous colourful pools, several small waterfalls and many large ’kettles' - small circular pits formed by erosion, as pebbles rotate in the swirling waters. Depending upon the permit allocated, we will hike to either the central, left or right arm of the river, with picnic lunch included. There is also the opportunity to swim in a natural pool, so don’t forget your swimsuit, towel and water shoes.

In the evening enjoy the local music, dance and food of the region.

Note: This hike has a moderate level of difficulty with some uneven terrain, but you will be walking in temperatures of over 30 degrees celsius with a 50% chance of a tropical thundershower. So be sure to wear good walking shoes that can get wet, a sunhat that will protect your neck and sunglasses. As you are not allowed to take sunscreen or insect repellent into the park, we recommend applying bio-degradable sunscreen before leaving your hotel and wearing a light long-sleeved shirt that will protect you from the sun and light safari trousers that will dry quickly (not jeans). Pack rain gear and plenty of water in your backpack.

The best time to visit the Rainbow River is in July and August, when the rains have started but the water is not yet very deep. The trails are closed from December to May. A yellow fever certificate is mandatory for travel to this region, but malaria tablets are not usually advised. An even more strenous 14-km hike is available if booked in advance. Be aware your walking guide will only speak Spanish.

Day 6

This morning enjoy a 40-minute boat ride up the Guayabero River.

Here you can see turtles sunbathing on tree trunks in the river and a variety of bird species. These include the Hoatzin (also known as the ’stink bird’), Cocoi heron, White-winged swallow, Buff-necked ibis and maybe even a gorgeous Blue-and-yellow macaw. You can also hope to see howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys and possibly even pink dolphins.

After returning to town for an included lunch, we walk to La Macarena Airport for your flight to Bogotá and onward connecting flight.

Note: From June to December there are direct flights between Bogotá and La Macarena three times a week (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday). From January to June there are daily flights via Villavicencio.

You will be met by your guide at Pereira Airport and transferred to your hotel in the extremely fertile Coffee Region, with its year-round greenery, over-sized palm trees and magnificent bamboo forests.

Situated in a high valley between the central and western Andes mountain ranges, this verdant region receives a high rainfall and is an abundant producer of coffee, bananas, plantains, papaya, avocados and many other agricultural products. Farmers from this region are known as Paisas and have a reputation for hard work and getting things done.

Day 7

Today enjoy a full day private tour to the cloud forests of the Cocora Valley and the colourful colonial towns of Filandia and Salento, high in the Andes.

Our first stop is at the charming village of Filandia, where you can climb an observation tower for 360 degree views over the whole valley. Enjoy wandering through the cobbled streets to the town square, which is surrounded by brightly painted houses and has a beautiful church. The film ’One Hundred Years of Solitude’ based on the book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez was filmed here, as well as a popular soap opera called ’Coffee, with the Scent of a Woman’.

We then continue 1-hour to the striking landscapes of the Cocora Valley, where Colombia's national symbol - the gigantic wax palm - can be seen. These are the largest palm trees in the world, measuring up to 200 ft (60 m) and living for more than 120 years, making for spectacular scenery. Enjoy a 2-hour hike through this magnificent reserve to a view site where, if you are fortunate, you may see Bolivia’s national bird - the enormous Andean condor - soaring on the thermals. The critically endangered yellow-eared parrot is also found here.

After an included restaurant lunch we drive back to Salento, one of the first settlements in Quindío state. Here you can explore the Plaza de Bolivar with its church and colourful balconies and the main street, Calle Real, with its many handicraft shops. This town is famous for its annual Yipao festival, when farmers parade and perform acrobatic tricks in their iconic (and hugely overloaded) Willys Jeeps.

Note: Wear good walking shoes today, as the descent from the view site is down a steep hill. If you do not wish to do the hike, you can still view the palm trees along the first part of the trail. Alternatively you can ride most of the way to the viewpoint, if requested in advance. A full day 7-hour hike is also available, including three viewpoints and seven hanging bridges, but this needs to be booked in advance and you will not have time to visit Filandia. Try and avoid weekends, when the park is very busy with local visitors.

Day 8

Today we depart early to visit the Otún Quimbaya Reserve in the Risaralda district in the heart of the Andes. With its river, waterfalls, orchids and bromeliads, this lush sanctuary is a wonderful place to enjoy nature and, with over 300 recorded species, it is a bird watchers delight..

We drive into the Otún Basin, where we will meet our naturalist guide. Here there is a choice of two relatively easy 3-mile (5-km) level trails through this amazing flora and fauna sanctuary, each taking about 2-hours. Here we can view more of Colombia's iconic wax palms and see a great variety of butterflies and birds including the Torrent duck, Cauca guan, Black-billed mountain toucan, Booted racket-tail hummingbird and many more. If you are fortunate you may see a family of Red howler monkeys, a sloth or other small mammals.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we visit a Coffee Farm to give you more insight into how coffee is grown and the lifestyle of the workers. Colombia prides itself on producing the finest Arabica coffee in the world, all of which is hand-picked. Learn how the plants are cultivated and how the beans are harvested, processed, sorted, dried and ultimately roasted before enjoying an excellent cup of Colombian coffee.

Day 9

Transfer to Pereira Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Medellin Airport and transferred to your hotel in this cosmopolitan city that is the second largest in Colombia and has a pleasant climate all year round.

Once known for the notorious drug cartels that controlled the city, today Medellin is transformed and is a major centre for art, fashion and culture. It is also a significant international flower-producing region.

Day 10

Today enjoy a full day private tour of Medellín - the 'City of Eternal Spring' situated in a valley between the central and western Andes mountain ranges, at an altitude of 4,900 ft (1,495 m).

Your tour starts starts in downtown Medellin, with a walking tour around Berrío Park where local musicians play traditional 'guasca' music. This was the historic heart of the city during Spanish colonial times but sadly none of these buildings have survived and today it is an urban plaza that is a meeting point for local residents. We stroll through street markets and past the lovely Gomez murals that portray the history of Medellin to the Botero Plaza. Here you can admire an amazing display of 23 famous sculptures of ’fat’ men, women and animals donated by Fernando Botero to his home town. About 100 examples of his work can be seen in the Antioquia Art Museum opposite this plaza.

We can also view the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, the oldest church in Medellin, Park of Lights, City Hall and old Railway Station.

We then take the cable car up to Comuna 13, which was once a notorious area of gang violence. Here you will see the results of one of the most successful city regeneration projects in the world, with the introduction of motor cycle paths, elevators and cable cars, combined with various community projects. You can admire the marvellous street graffiti and watch young people performing break dancing. While enjoying spectacular views of the city, you will learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world, known for its political violence, drug lords and narco trade, into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with wonderfully warm and friendly people.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, you can either return to the Antioquia Art Museum, or visit the Botanical Gardens (pay entrance fee locally).

Note: Let your guide know if you would like to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world, as it closes at 10.30 am (so you will need to visit this first).

Day 11

Today we drive 2-hours from Medellin through the lush agricultural farmlands of the eastern highlands of Antioquia, to the photogenic village of Guatapé.

Along the way we stop to view the enormous 656 ft (200 m) El Peñol Rock, a gigantic granite boulder with 654 steps that wind up to the top, offering sweeping views over the green islands of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. About half way up there is a shrine to the Virgin Mary and once you reach the top you can watch black vultures soaring on the thermals. If you do not wish to undertake this strenuous climb, which takes about 1-hour for the round trip if taken slowly, you can view the rock from the car park.

We then continue to Guatapé where you can wander around this small lakeside town viewing its lovely church on the main square and its many colourful houses, each with individually decorated ’zocalos’ - hand-crafted friezes representing something of importance to the owner. Some are simple such as sunflowers, lambs or doves; some represent businesses such as bread on a bakery, and others tell complicated stories. Afterwards relax on the lake shore and enjoy an included traditional ’bandeja paisa’ lunch - an interesting version of a fried breakfast that includes avocado and plantain. You can also try one of the refreshing local fruit juices.

In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat ride on this enormous man-made lake that was created as part of a major hydro-electric scheme, which now provides 30% of Colombia’s electricity. The dam flooded the original village of El Penol, which was relocated and you can see a recreation of this village. You can also see the remains of Pablo Escobar’s luxury lakeside mansion. We then return to Medellin.

Day 12

Transfer to Medellin Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Cartagena Airport and transferred 3.5-hours to Santa Marta, the oldest city in Colombia founded by the Spanish in 1525 when the country was known as New Granada.

Check into your hotel in this busy Caribbean port that is today the gateway to Tayrona National Park.

Day 13

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven 1.5-hours to Cañaveral Beach, the starting point of your 4-hour privately guided hike through the rainforests of Tayrona National Park.

The rainforests of Tayrona are home to nearly 400 different bird species including the Little tinamou, King vulture, Sparrow hawk and Purple macaw. They are also home to 40 bat species and 59 different mammals including the howler monkey, titi monkey, noctural monkey, maic monkey, sloth, peccary, armadillo, anteater and red deer. You may also see up to four species of sea turtles, the endemic Needle cayman and Boa constrictor snake. Jaguars, ocelot, tigrillo and puma also live here but are rarely seen. The dry and humid forests between them contain over 770 different plant species, including the Cattleya Trianae orchid, which is Colombia's national flower.

Enjoy hiking through this park with its tropical landscape, coral formations, white beaches, rocky coastline, mangroves and lagoons. After an hour's walk along miles and miles of magnificent black, yellow and white sandy beaches we reach famous Arrecifes (Reef) beach. You may not swim here due to the strong currents, but you can swim at Piscina Natural (Natural Pool), which we reach after another 20-minutes. Finally we continue another 25-minutes to Cape San Juan, where we enjoy an included picnic lunch.

Note: When hiking, wear good walking shoes & carry a small backpack with water, sandals, swimming costume, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Day 14

At leisure to relax and enjoy the beaches of Santa Marta.

Day 15

This morning transfer 3.5-hours from Santa Marta, travelling along the Caribbean coast to the tropical port of Cartagena.

Check into your hotel in this colourful city, whose magnificent 16th century walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note: If requested in advance, you can travel along the slower coastal route to see El Totumo Mud Volcano, whose small crater contains a pool of therapeutic mud - but be aware it it is always extremely busy with local visitors.

Day 16

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the city of Cartagena de Indias, starting with a walk up to the 17th century La Popa Monastery situated outside the Old Town on a hill that marks the highest point in the city, with spectacular views over Cartagena Bay and the modern high-rise city, as well as the Old Town. Dedicated to Our Lady of La Candelaria, this charming Augustinian monastery has a beautiful chapel with an ornate gold altar.

We then visit San Felipe Castle located on San Lazaro Hill, the largest Spanish military building in the New World dating back to 1536. It was built to guard the city’s landward side from invasion and has a complex system of tunnels connected to the Old City, used to distribute provisions and for a possible evacuation. The tunnels were built so that any noise would echo along them, making internal communications easier and allowing the citizens to hear even the slightest sound of an enemy advance.

Afterwards we enter the old walled city and walk through Las Bóvedas, a series of 23 vaults built in the 18th century and considered the last major military colonial construction within the city walls. The vaults were used as storerooms for munitions and provisions by the Spaniards and later they became jail cells. Nowadays they are used as crafts markets where you can find handicrafts, antiques, galleries, jewellery, clothing and souvenirs.

Our last stop is the church and convent of San Pedro Claver, built in the early 17th century by the Jesuits in honour of Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who spent his whole life ministering to slaves brought from Africa. This lovely baroque church has an imposing stone facade and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where Pedro Claver lived and died.

The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the charming Old Town independently.

Note: Short skirts should not be worn when visiting churches, monasteries and religious shrines. Colombia is the world’s largest producer of emeralds, so let your guide know if you would like to buy one and he will take you to a reputable store.

Day 17

Transfer to Cartagena Airport for your flight home.

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