Explore Colombia and the Lost City Trek | South America

Explore Colombia and The Lost City Trek

  • Overview
  • Map & Itinerary
  • Essential Info
  • Pics & Vids
  • Dates & Prices

Highlights

  • Explore Colombia and the Lost City on this unique and hand crafted itinerary
  • Trek deep into the jungle of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range and uncover the ancient Lost City, Ciudad Perdida
  • Witness indigenous communities living in the heart of the jungle and learn about their traditions and way of life
  • Acclimatise to the balmy Colombian weather with a warm-up trek in the cloud forests of Minca  
  • Wake up on the unspoiled Caribbean coast in a family run eco-retreat 
  • Explore the maze of cobbled streets inside the stone walls of Cartagena’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Finish in Colombia’s beating heart of Bogotá with a fascinating city tour
  • Check out our 11 Sustainable Travel endeavours
  • Receive a complimentary Water-To-Go bottle when on this trip to minimise our plastic footprint in Colombia!

Overview

Explore Colombia’s towering Andean mountains, unspoiled Caribbean coast, vast jungle landscapes and communities, hidden archaeological ruins and cobbled colonial cities on this carefully crafted itinerary.

Following an in-depth research trip to Colombia (click here for more info), Adventurous Ewe have pulled together this unique itinerary in order to showcase the highlights and history of this incredible country. As a quick snapshot you’ll journey through the following amazing landscapes and encounter some remarkable Colombian people, traditions and communities including the very special Kogi people of the Sierra Nevada….

Minca:

Acclimatise to the Colombian warmth with a trek surrounded by cloud forest and soaring mountain-scapes. This small town is renowned the ecological capital of Colombia.

The Lost City Trek:

Wade through rivers, cool off under waterfalls, learn the traditions of the indigenous communities that still live there before climbing the steep staircase to discover the pre-Hispanic Lost City and the myths and legends behind it. One of the most important archaeological sites in Colombia.

Caribbean Coast:

Time to relax on soak up the picture perfect views of the Caribbean Coast in your family run eco-retreat nestled on the coast near Tayrona Park.

Colourful Cartagena:

Explore this superbly preserved city lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena’s Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Located on the Colombian Caribbean coast, is without a doubt an unequaled destination that shelters years of fascinating history and colourful vibrancy.

Bogotá:

An engaging and vibrant capital nestled between Andean peaks and steeped with both ancient and modern history. Tour through markets, museums and the city’s cultural epicentre, La Candelaria. 

This itinerary packs in some of the best experiences that Colombia has to offer. From it’s vast unspoilt landscapes, epic jungle & coastal adventures, meaningful treks & indigenous encounters through to a greater understanding of their recent & ancient history and fascinating cultures. 

We truly love this country and can’t wait to share this incredible experience with you.

Day 1
Flight from UK to Bogotá and to Santa Marta, Colombia

Overnight flight from London UK to Bogotá Colombia (approx 14 – 15 hours) and regional flight to Santa Marta (1.5 hours).
On signing up for the trip, we will provide you with the recommended flights to book or alternately, we can book the flights for you through our ATOL protected Flight Agent at an additional cost. Flights are not included in your to give you the flexibility to travel from your nearest airport or extend your stay in Colombia or nearby countries if you wish. The recommended flights for this will include airport transfers in Colombia. There are direct flights from London and non-direct flights for all major airports across the UK. Flights are operated by British Airways, Avianca, Lufthansa, KLM, Iberia and Air France.

Day 2
Bogotá to Santa Marta (approx 1hr 30mins flight) and on to Minca  

Welcome to Colombia. On arrival at Santa Marta airport you will have a private transfer to your colonial style and recently renovated hotel in the remote mountain village of Minca. It’s time to relax in the company of hundreds of hummingbirds that visit the hotel balcony, marvel at the impressive view of the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta before your expedition briefing. Dinner is at your own expense so you can order either national or international cuisine from the hotel’s restaurant.

Included:

Accommodation: hotel twin share basis
Transfer: from Santa Marta to Minca
Meals: not included

Day 3
Half day trek in Minca and transfer to Santa Marta

Enjoy an early morning coffee and breakfast in the peaceful surrounds of the cloud forest. With being 660 metres above sea level, Minca will ease you into the heat of Colombia with it’s cooler mountain temperatures. This is the ideal setting for your first hike in this breath-taking country. Escorted by your Local Guide, you will walk amongst nature and the rolling hills of the Sierra Nevada. At the top you’ll be rewarded with some wonderful views of the mountains, Minca, Santa Marta and the coastline in the distance whilst listening to the chatter of a wide array of bird life in the trees. During the afternoon you will have a short transfer to Santa Marta, South America’s oldest European-founded town and the second-most-important colonial city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There’s time to wander the streets and visit the myriad of market stalls or walk along the coastline, before preparing your kit for the Lost City Trek and enjoying an evening meal. The group will eat out at a local restaurant and you have the freedom to order what you wish.

Included:

Accommodation: hotel on a twin/triple share basis
Meals: breakfast 

Day 4
The Lost City Trek – day one 
Duration: Santa Marta – El Mamey (3 hour transfer); El Mamey to Camp 1 (4 hour trek)

Following breakfast you climb onboard a 4WD for a bumpy yet picturesque journey through the jungle to reach the start of your trek to the Lost City of Teyuna. After a freshly home-cooked lunch your 7.6km trekking journey starts through the small village of El Mamey and into the jungle alongside the Buritaca River. You will pass through farmland used for growing coffee or raising cattle and get a glimpse into daily life in the small communities en route. Climbing on this part of the trek can be challenging as the route progresses uphill from the riverbed and through the humid jungle. Halfway along the trek you will make a welcomed stop at the 3 Cruces viewpoint, where you can enjoy delicious fresh fruits and take in the incredible view. Continuing on through deep gorges in the path carved out by the rainy season, you will arrive in camp where you can cool off with a swim in the river before dinner. You will sleep in bunk beds under mosquito nets and enjoy a well deserved rest after your first day in the jungle.

Included:

Accommodation: fixed campsite with cold showers and toilet facilities
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transfer: from Santa Marta to El Mamey

Day 5
The Lost City Trek – day two 
Duration: approx 8 – 9 hours trekking

Today will see you venture further into the jungle en route to Ciudad Perdida. Be prepared – today is a tough portion of the trek with a lot of steep views. Your route takes you to Cabaña Wiwa, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the Buritaca River while you wait for lunch. Your adventure continues into the Sierra Nevada, bordering Mutanyi, an indigenous Kogui village. Walking alongside this amazing village of circular thatched huts, you will learn about local life in the jungle and the native inhabitants who live here. Women and children may emerge from their huts and go about their daily life as piglets snuffle around in the mud.  Continuing through the dense jungle you will have a chance to snack on fresh fruits before reaching the third camp. Get settled in, have dinner and sleep here overnight in bunk beds covered with mosquito nets.

Included:

Accommodation: fixed campsite with toilet and cold shower facilities
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6
Lost City Trek – day three
Duration: approx 8 – 9 hours trekking

Very early in the morning you will have breakfast and begin the 2km journey towards Teyuna Ciudad Perdida. Climbing 1200 moss covered steps that will lead you to this majestic stone settlement in which you’ll walk among the 170 stone terraces where the dwellings of the ancient Tayronas rested. To give you a better understanding on how large and spectacular this site really is, this was once the largest Tayrona city and major economic and political center. Surrounded by a magical forest with its unique flora and fauna, this is a truly amazing place to explore. Walking around the city you’ll witness different views and landscapes that go from fantastic sunny gaps in the middle of the jungle to cloud forest covered by stunning vegetation. Your Local Guide will explain the history of the Lost City and what is known of its origins. It’s estimated that only 10% of the site has been discovered. You may even meet the Mamo, leader and protector of Mother Nature, and witness the Kogui community going about their daily lives who are now living in the City.  Following the Lost City visit, it’s then time to return to Camp 3 for some food before making the long trek back through the jungle to Camp 2, thankfully most of it is downhill.

Included:

Accommodation: fixed campsite with cold showers and toilet facilities
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7
Lost City Trek – day four and on to the Caribbean Coast
Duration: approx 6 hours trekking and 4WD transfer to Palomino (1 hour)

Your adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is coming to an end. After breakfast you will head back along the same path through dense green jungle, pass by banana trees, Kogui communities and grasslands. Stop at Adán Camp for a dip in the cool river and some fresh fruit and snacks before another 4 hours winding your way back to El Mamey. Here you will enjoy a freshly cooked meal, rest those weary legs and recall the incredible journey you’ve just completed. A token cold drink (or beer) is always a great accompaniment with your lunch. Then it’s back in the 4WD for your transfer to the Caribbean Coast for some well deserved R&R after your adventure in the depths of the jungle. You will be staying at a family run eco-retreat nestled near Tayrona Park and directly on the picture perfect Caribbean coast. The family are a mix for urban and Kogui culture of the La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Tonight you can order off the menu to reward yourself with the meal of your choice and go to sleep with the tranquil sounds of the ocean. This is a very welcomed treat after your Lost City Trek and a real hidden gem on the beautiful Colombian coast.

Included:

Accommodation: family run eco-retreat
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Transfer: El Mamey to Caribbean Coast eco-retreat

Day 8
Caribbean Coast to Cartagena (approx 6 hours)

After a leisurely breakfast and some free time lapping up all the goodness this tranquil eco-retreat offers together with wanders along the beach or in the forest, we say goodbye and make our way to the colourful city of Cartegena. Enroute you will pass other coastal villages along the Caribbean, drive across the newly opened Pumarejo bridge (Dec 2019) at 2,250 meters (7,380 ft) which is the longest road bridge in Colombia, pass through the bustling Barranquilla and on through barrios before reaching ‘the Jewel of the Indies’, Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias as it’s known, brings together perfectly preserved colonial architecture, picturesque cobbled streets, a maze of boutique cafes, bars and restaurants, epic history and a photographic dream location. The city’s beaches beckon, inviting you to unwind and enjoy yourself in the refreshing breeze and warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Included:

Accommodation: colonial style hotel, twin share basis within walking distance to the Old Town, the coast and other great city areas
Meals: breakfast included

Day 9
Free day in Cartagena 

Simply relax and enjoy a Colombian coffee or explore Cartagena’s architectural & cultural heritage and learn more about the historic influences of this vibrant city. Framed by its stunning bay, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful, well-preserved cities in the Americas. We highly recommend taking your time to wander around Cartagena’s Old Town, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and discover the maze of cobbled alleys filled with boutique bars, restaurants and specialty shops. There are also a number of ancient churches and popular monuments that you can visit, such as the monument dedicated to India Catalina, los Zapatos Viejos, and los Pegasos. Highlights include the San Pedro Claver Church, the Palace of the Inquisition and an evening cocktail at Café del Mar to watch the Caribbean sunset.  

In addition to the hundreds of years of history behind the impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls, you can explore the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a magnificent castle dating back to the 17th century and located in a strategic position on the Hill of San Lázaro, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. There is much more to this diverse and beautiful place than simply the iconic walled city. Check out the hipster-approved locales filled with bars and street-art to glamorous beachfront zones, Cartagena has a neighbourhood to suit all tastes. It’s raw beauty, superb food, vibrant nightlife and historical significance make this city a must see highlight of Colombia.

Included:

Accommodation: colonial style hotel, twin share basis
Meals: breakfast

Day 10
Cartagena to Bogotá and return flight home

Following an early breakfast you will leave the Caribbean coast and fly inland to the vibrant capital city of Colombia, Bogotá. The bustling cradle of Colombia and third-highest capital city in the world. We’ll take the opportunity to explore the highlights of Bogotá with a City Tour including Paloquemao Market, La Candelaria Historic District, the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum. Then it’s time to leave this extraordinary country filled with some incredible memories and adventure stories to share for many years to come.

Included:

Accommodation: NA
Meals: breakfast
Transfers: airport transfers in Cartagena and Bogotá

Day 11
Arrive back in the UK

Arrive back home filled with a huge sense of achievement, incredible memories, a greater understanding of this amazing country and with new found friends. You’ll share stories and experiences of a lifetime for many years to come.

Why go

Exclusively curated itinerary by Adventurous Ewe

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on local communities and livelihoods across the planet, we’re keen to promote adventures in countries that are actively working towards sustainable tourism and conservation projects. Given the numerous environmental, cultural and conservation projects in place in Colombia, we’re  particularly keen and passionate to help support the local tourism industry here whilst also giving you the chance to get out and explore the diverse landscapes of this country in a safe and fun manner.

This exclusive adventure has been designed to deliver an amazing experience and showcase the some of the most stunning landscapes across Colombia whilst also giving you the chance to step out of your comfort zone and gain a greater understanding of the mountains, jungles, environment, wildlife, ancient culture and local communities. 

Book and travel with confidence

As well as carefully crafting amazing and meaningful adventures across the planet, we’ve made booking them as flexible, safe and as simple as possible. With the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we’ve made a number of updates to our safety guidelines, flexible booking conditions and trip departures. For more info, please our Book and Travel with Confidence page. 

Pre-trip info

On joining us on the Explore Colombia trip, you’ll receive all the exciting trip info via our free mobile travel app.

You’ll have access to your itinerary, trip countdown, live updates, contact info, weather forecasts, know before you go trip info, kit lists and much more at the touch of a button 24 hours a day via your mobile phone. No more unnecessary use of reams of paper to benefit the environment and the need of carrying around documents with you. A’ppy days.

Pre-trip support

With having carefully created this exclusive itinerary, Jim and Sue are best placed to answer any questions you may have no matter how big or small relating to this Colombian adventure. We’re extremely passionate about this itinerary and journey to help support local and remote communities within Colombia.

Also, with being a small family business we pride ourselves with providing personal, professional and friendly service. We appreciate that everyone has different levels of experience and reasons for wishing to embark on this Colombian adventure and therefore require varying levels of support and guidance. We’re here to help you every step of the way from the moment you join the flock all the way through to completing the challenge and beyond.

Flights

On signing up for this trip, we’ll provide you with the recommended flights to book or alternately, you can book your flights through our ATOL & ABTA protected Flight Agent. Flights are not included in your to give you the flexibility to travel from your nearest airport, use any frequent flyer points or extend your stay in Colombia or nearby countries if you wish.

The recommended flights for this will include airport transfers in Colombia. There are direct flights from London and non-direct flights for all major airports across the UK. Flights are operated by British Airways, Avianca, Lufthansa, KLM, Iberia and Air France and cost upwards £450pp economy return depending on which flights and when you book.

Passport

All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. For the most up to date info, please visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website

Visa

British nationals can enter Colombia for up to 90 days as a visitor without a visa. Please keep track of any entry updates via the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.

Travel Insurance & Global Rescue Membership
Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is an important part of any booking. It is compulsory that everyone who travels with us has taken out adequate travel insurance which includes, among other things, cover for the full value of your trip, medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, activities undertaken, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects and COVID-19 travel cover.

For UK residents we have partnered with Campbell & Irvine Direct to provide you with a travel insurance. If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine Direct for a quote.

Global Rescue Membership

For peace of mind whilst trekking in the mountains, Global Rescue provides short term membership giving access to travel, security, medical advisory and evacuation services up to $US500,000.  They’re a specialised field rescue company, and assist from the point of illness or injury by getting you to the closest and most appropriate medical facilities to get stabilised. Once fit to fly if you require additional inpatient treatment Global Rescue will further evacuate and repatriate to your home hospital on record. These services are all covered through their upfront membership fee with no claims process.  For more info, please click here

Vaccinations & Allergies
Vaccinations

Whilst there are no compulsory vaccinations for Colombia, we would recommend that your Hepatitis A; Tetanus boosters are up to date. For the most up to date info on vaccinations, please consult with your GP or travel healthcare practitioner 8 weeks in advance of travel. For more info, please click here.

With regards to the recent COVID-19 pandemic we are monitoring and activating the guidelines and recommendations put in place by the respective governments and World Health Organisation accordingly. You will receive our new operational guidelines for this expedition when you join the trip and rest assured hand sanitiser and face masks will be provided for travel. Your safety and well-being is our top priority at all times.

Severe allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform us at the time of booking. We will do all we can to help, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on this trip. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as ‘adrenaline auto-injectors’ are not carried as standard by AE leaders and crew. Whilst your leader is aware of our trekkers medical history, please also inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

 

Safety and Well-being

Adventurous Ewe puts the safety and well-being of you, our leaders & crew and the communities we visit at the centre of all our operations, always. Your safety and well-being is our top priority.

The Colombia Explorer and Lost City Trek is intentionally challenging and requires individual preparation as the trip is designed to take you out of your every-day comfort zone and achieve something amazing. Rest assured we have a thorough Safety Management System, indepth risk assessments and risk management systems in place.

For more info, please visit our Safety and Well-being page. 

Leaders & Crew

You will be accompanied by certified Adventurous Ewe Leader and Local Guide for the trip together with a support crew who will accompany you throughout your Lost City trek. They’re a friendly bunch with a huge level of care and a great sense of humour. Rest assured they are fully experienced and remote first aid qualified. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group.

Your Local Guide is a key part to this trip. They are expertly trained and experienced in every field of this expedition, bilingual and qualified in first aid and/or a Wilderness First responder. They also have a huge passion for what they do and have plenty of knowledge ready to share with you. They are responsible for ensuring the complete safety, wellb-eing and enjoyment of the team whilst also retaining a flexible and fun attitude. The Leaders have radio and satellite phone contact with base, the local office and Adventurous Ewe’s HQ.

Leaders will carry safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times. Please note, these kits are for emergencies only so please come prepared with your own personal first aid items.

Group size

We pride ourselves in small group travel to minimise the impact on the environment, to maximise your safety and well-being and to make your experience more authentic.

The minimum group size for the Explore Colombia and The Lost City Trek to run is 6 people and the maximum group size is 16 people.

You are most welcome to join this Snowshoe Expedition as a group of friends, family, colleagues, a private bubble or as a solo traveller. You are also welcome to use this trip as a fundraiser for the charity of your choice.

If you have a group of over 6 people, we would be more than happy to run a private trip for your team, your charity or your company.

For any further info or to chat about running a bespoke trip, we’d love to hear from you at info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Trip grading

The Lost City Trek is graded as ‘Tough’. This is due there being four consecutive long days of trekking in humid jungle conditions with some steep sections of terrain and river crossings. Come prepared to sweat a bit. The Sierra Nevada is renowned for changing weather conditions with heavy downpours and hot & humid temps. This adds another layer to your challenge which you need to be primed for.

Preparation is key to help you get the most enjoyment and reward from this adventure. A good level of fitness, endurance and some gritty determination will help you conquer each day. A training programme will be provided to help you reach the start line knowing that you’re set to enjoy the journey ahead.

Training

A bepsoke training programme will be provided when you join this trip to help you with your preparations. We also have exclusive offers with our Training Partners and Communities – Her Spirit and Strength & Movement Coach, Peter Lant. For more info, please visit our Training & Preparation page.

The more you are prepared, the more you will enjoy the challenge.

Our motto is: Train hard, smile harder and enjoy the journey!

Training Weekends

We have a variety of tailored training weekends available to ensure you’re fully prepared for your Colombian trekking adventure. These training weekends are the perfect way to help you gauge your fitness and training progress under the careful guidance of our experienced leaders. Plus the leaders will chat through your specific trip and also provide guidance and tips relating to clothing and equipment, health and well-being, packing, camping, trekking skills (walking on different terrain/river crossings/in the heat/using trekking poles), teamwork and much more to ensure you are fully prepared and ready for your adventure ahead.

We predominantly host our training weekends in Snowdonia given the wide variety of terrain available to practice and where Chief Ewe’s, Jim or Sue, can meet you too. It’s a great way for you to meet fellow members of the flock and ask any questions, no matter how big or small. We’re here to make sure you’re ready. For further info, please email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Kit & equipment

A full kit list will be provided when you register for this trip or you can download the Trip Notes for this trek. Good kit can make the difference between a fantastic adventure and an uncomfortable one. Well worn in waterproof hiking boots are essential.

An exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code will be provided for specialist outdoor retailers on joining this trip.

Exclusive Kit & Equipment Discount Codes

To help you get the very best from your Colombian trip we will provide you with an exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code to use at a specialist outdoor retailer both online and in store. They offer a large choice of kit that the staff themselves use while climbing, hiking, mountaineering, running, travelling or enjoying expeditions across the globe and they pride themselves on sharing their experience and knowledge of equipment so you can choose the right gear to suit you and this trek.

Weather

Its proximity to the equator gives the Colombian climate uniformity in its temperatures: Globally speaking, the dry season lasts from December to March and the wet season, with strong rainfall, from April to November. However this general pattern is affected by regional geographic zones with a humid tropical climate. The average temperatures you should experience in November and December will be between 18°C and 26°C, with exceptional possible peaks as low as 4°C and high as 35°C.

Bogota is warm during the day but temperatures can drop quite significantly at night and rains occur at any time of the year. In the coffee region the climate is warmer during the days but again can be cooler in the evenings – be prepared for changeable weather especially on your Lost City Trek. On the Caribbean coast the weather is generally hot and humid all year round.

In the weeks leading up to your trip, please monitor the weather forecast here. You’ll also receive weather updates through the mobile app.

The Leader/s reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time should the conditions require it. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Accommodation

4 nights in locally run hotels, 3 nights fixed camps for the Lost City Trek and 1 night in a family run eco-lodge.

We can arrange single rooms at the hotels for a single room supplement (subject to availability). Due to the nature of the Lost City Trek, we are unable to provide single tents at the fixed camps.

For any further info or to request a single room, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk.

Food & drinks

Meals are provided as outlined in your itinerary:
Breakfast x 8
Lunch x 4
Dinner x 3

During your Lost City Trek, all meals are provided and will be prepared by the local crew following strict health and hygiene guidelines. You’ll get a true taste of Colombian cuisine through these home-cooked meals, traditional mountain lunches and hearty breakfasts.

During the rest of your trip, breakfast will be provided at your hotel and if you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, then you’re in the perfect place. Lunch and dinner will be enjoyed at local restaurants giving you the flexibility to order the meals of your choice and also ensuring our support of local businesses.

Dietary requirements and food allergies – if you have any specific requirements, please let us know prior to departure so we can make the necessary arrangements for you.

Snacks – we recommend you bring your own high calorie snacks, both sweet and savoury for the Lost City Trek. Remove as much packaging as you can to minimise your litter generation and please remember to take all rubbish with you. 

Drinking water – is provided. Please bring your own water bottles / camelbaks to refill. Your Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle is ideal for this trip, especially during the Lost City Trek.

Water-to-Go Bottle

Adventurous Ewe has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source – for more info please click here. Adventurous Ewe trekkers will receive a free Water-to-Go bottle when departing for our Explore Colombia and The Lost City Trek, and better still, 15% of the purchase value for replacement filters will be donated to our environmental charity partner, Cool Earth.

Please help us reduce the volume of single use plastic in this pristine environment.

Payment info

Deposit: £295 per person required on booking.

Remaining balance: £1700 per person is due no later than 5 weeks prior to the trip departure date.

Monthly payment plan
A monthly payment plan can be arranged for this trip with no additional costs. Please contact us for more information or to set up your plan. Simply email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Book & Travel with Confidence
As well as carefully crafting amazing and meaningful adventures across the planet, we’ve made booking them as flexible, safe and as simple as possible. 

For the latest info regarding booking and travelling with Adventurous Ewe, please visit our website.

Fundraising
You’re welcome to fundraise for a charity of your choice if you wish to do so. All sponsorship monies are to be sent directly to your chosen charity.

Stay connected

All your trip info will be sent to you through a travel mobile app which is free to download. You will receive an email from Adventurous Ewe with your personalised log in code for this app. For the latest and greatest from the land of adventures, simply follow us at:

Youtube: Adventurous Ewe
Facebook: @adventurousewe
Instagram: @adventurousewe
Twitter: @adventurousewe
LinkedIn: Adventurous-Ewe-Ltd

You’re most welcome to use the hashtags
#ewecandoit #thisflockrock #adventurousewe

Emergencies

Your Adventurous Ewe Leader/s and Crew will have a mobile phones and radios communications in case of emergencies. The team are trained to deal with these situations. Please ensure you listen to your Leader during these times and refrain from putting any posts on social media. Should you find yourself unable to continue with the trek, your Leader and crew will make the necessary arrangements. Depending on the situation, you will be met by the support vehicle (depending on access) and you will be transferred back to your accommodation or nearby medical facility as required. Your Emergency Contact at Adventurous Ewe HQ is Jim Young on +44(0)7747 346 588.

Supporting our environmental charity partner, Cool Earth
Cool Earth

We are very excited to have teamed up with leading climate change charity Cool Earth, who share our mission to protect the planet’s precious environment in a sustainable manner. The future of rainforest protection is where everyone makes a difference to climate change! We invest a % of our revenue into supporting critical conservation projects around the world through Cool Earth. You are most welcome to help make a difference too by sparing a few pennies. Please give what you can and help save the world’s rainforests today by clicking here. Just £2.50 will save 10 trees and lock up 10 tonnes of CO2.

Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet.

Thank-ewe

Departure & Return Duration Availability Deposit Total Cost* (*Total cost includes the deposit)
Nov 30, 2024
Dec 10, 2024
11 Days Available £295.00 £1995.00 Book Now

What's Included?

Pre-trip:

  • Personalised trip support in the lead up to your trek from Adventurous Ewe
  • Trek training guide
  • Discount on personal kit at specialist outdoor retailers both in shop and online
  • Trip info supplied via our free mobile travel app
  • Public liability insurance
  • Financial protection for your booking
  • Monthly payment plan available
  • Risk assessment and emergency management planning
  • Free Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go Bottle

During your trip:

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation on a twin/triple share basis
  • 1 nights accommodation in a family run eco-retreat, twin share basis
  • 3 nights accommodation in a fixed jungle camp  
  • Adventurous Ewe Expedition Leader
  • Expert English-speaking local Colombian guide
  • Local crew including Lost City camp crew and chef; drivers and city guide
  • All transfers as per itinerary 
  • All meals as outlined in your itinerary
  • Drinking water for the duration of your Lost City Trek
  • Bogotá city tour
  • All challenge management and hygienic cleaning procedures of equipment before, during and post trek.

What's Not Included?

  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Return flights to Bogotá. These can be arranged for you at an additional cost. You are welcome to book your own flights or use our Flight Agent who is ATOL protected 
  • Internal flights: Bogotá – Santa Marta and Cartagena – Bogotá. 
  • Meals in Minca plus 2 lunches and 3 dinners allowing you the flexibility to order what you wish
  • Additional excursions outside the itinerary
  • Personal spending money and drinks
  • Kit and equipment as listed on your kit list 
  • Tips for local crew – recommend minimum of $US50.00pp+
  • Single room supplement is not available given the nature of the trip
  • Any associated costs with leaving the expedition early.

Sustainable and Green Tourism

As part of our commitment to the Future of Tourism, we proudly support developing new trips in countries who are making a difference to sustainable and green tourism. We actively seek out these destinations with creating new and exciting itineraries and we’re really excited with setting this new adventure up in Colombia given the great work they are doing.

Wetland Conservation:

In 2018 Colombia’s Lake Tota (the largest freshwater lake in the Colombian Andes) was a finalist in the Sustainable Destinations Top 100. The Top 100 list celebrates efforts of tourism destinations for responsible and sustainable tourism. Nominators had to provide extensive information on their destination sustainability efforts.

In a nutshell, this was their award winning project:

Sustainability movements were initiated in Colombia after Lake Tota received the international World Wetland Network ‘Grey Globe’ Award for being a wetland of international importance under threat in 2012. Results from non-governmental actions include raising awareness, improvement of governance for integrated participation, implementation of a Green Filter for domestic waste water treatment, and establishment of a virtual wetland centre for communication and education on wetlands for this lake.

Thoughtful and Responsible Travel

Colombia has been making positive tracks with moving away from its historic reputation of drug wars and kidnappings. The Colombian Government is making rural development and tourism high priorities to ensure the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC guerrillas is sustainable and to diversify the economy from oil dependence.

Tourism:

New opportunities in tourism are emerging which is welcomed by the local and indigenous people as a source of income, personal development and cultural awareness. After years of conflict and being forced to work in drug production, the local people are very welcoming of tourists to their home regions and are so passionate to share their country and knowledge with you. Colombia’s tourism potential is huge, especially in the more remote areas with opportunities of eco-tourism, agriculture tourism (coffee plantations), mountain hiking, river rafting, bird watching, camping, rainforest exploration, etc. As crime rates decrease, the country’s image abroad improves, infrastructure improvements are made to the highway system and the government continues to push development of sustainable tourism. These are just some of the reasons why we want to do our part and help support this incredible country. For the local communities, the remote communities and the people.

The Lost City Trek:

Plus the Lost City Trek is one of the remarkable tourism stories coming out of Colombia. Not only is it a biologically unique environment, the trek has been carefully set up alongside indigenous peoples still using their historic paths to reach an archaeological marvel over 1200 years old. It’s well regulated with only a set number of permits issued per day and that all treks must use local guides and crew which in turn is giving local people employment and a career path. It’s also educating us as tourists into the ways of life of the Kogi people who still live there today. The Lost City is more than 600 years older than Machu Picchu and unlike its Peruvian counterpart, there are no trains or buses allowing for easy travels to reach its ruins. The only way to witness its uncovered layers first-hand is on foot. This means there are over a million visitors to Machu Picchu every year compared to only 8000 hikers per year. It’s a true adventure of discovery in an ethical and sustainable manner.

Free Water-to-Go Bottle

To help make our small contribution and eliminate our plastic footprint in such a vast country, when you book on this adventure you well receive a complimentary Adventurous Ewe Water-To-Go Bottle to help with our mission below:

  • Protect our planet by offering an environmentally friendly reusable alternative to single-use plastic water bottles
  • Protect your health and well-being by offering safe, healthy water anywhere in the world
  • Protect your finances by delivering clean water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water.

Together we can dramatically reduce our consumption of single use plastics and support our responsible travel ethos of ‘Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but boot-prints, keep nothing but memories.’

Cool Earth

Our mission: to harness the power of travel to conserve and protect the world’s precious natural spaces, one epic adventure at a time.

Our goal: to ensure rainforest communities benefit from adventure tourism, and to educate and inspire our flock to help actively support these communities across the planet.

Now more than ever our commitment to maintain our support of one of the leading global climate change charity, Cool Earth is of utmost importance. To do this we’ll continue to contribute a % from every booking to Cool Earth. It’s time that we all live in a more responsible world.

This means that not only will you have a fabewelous experience when you travel with Adventurous Ewe, you can do so whilst taking pride in knowing that you are helping support the work of this fantastic environmental charity.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip. Your compliementary Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle is ideal. 
  • Your packaging waste: If bringing some snacks or new items/clothing from home, please remove as much packaging as possible and recycle or responsibly disregard this rubbish in your home country. 

Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet.

 

Location
Americas
Duration
11 days & 10 nights
Difficulty
Cost From
£1995.00
Trip Notes