Intrepid Colombia Tour

Day 1: Bogota (-/-/-)

You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your comfortable hotel where you’ll have time to settle in and relax. In the afternoon, you’ll be picked up for a guided city tour of Bogota, taking in the main sights of the historic centre and learning about the history of the city. Visit the main attractions, including the main square, the Botero museum, the world famous Museo del Oro (Museum of Gold) and Monserrate mountain, from where you’ll have amazing views over the city.

Day 2: Bogota to Leticia & the Amazon - Marashá Natural Reserve (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Leticia. Upon arrival to Leticia, transfer by boat (approx. 45 min) and then hike for (approx. 1 hour) until reaching the Marashá Natural Reserve located in Peru for your check-in. During the transfer it will be possible to admire the beautiful centenary trees: Ceiba, Capinuri, Chuchuaza. Upon arrival, lunch will be served; afterwards you will have free time to relax at the reserve. After dinner, we’ll go on a walking tour accompanied by a local guide, who will show us the different characteristics of the place and we will have the chance to observe the distinct fauna and flora of the area. Back to the reserve for a tranquil rest.

Day 3: Marashá Natural Reserve - Amazon Rainforest (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a 250-meter canopy (zip-line) route. First, climb a tree to reach a 38 meters high platform, where you can enjoy a unique view of the lake and the jungle before travelling to the next platform. After lunch, natural activities are waiting for you like kayaking and visiting to the Victoria amazonica, the giant Amazon lilies. Along the way it will be possible to admire monkeys, different kinds of birds while bird watching and piranha fishing. After the tour we go back to the lodge of a delicious dinner. Later, go on a night alligator safari and enjoy the wildlife living in the dark around the reserve.

Day 4: Marashá to Calanoa Natural Reserve (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will go to the Calanoa Jungle Lodge in shared boat (approx. 60 minutes). Arrival and check in at the lodge. After settling in you will receive a delicious lunch. Visit the Mocagua community and the Miqueando project run by the Maikuchiga Foundation, where it is possible to observe and learn about the woolly monkey and others, which works with the indigenous community of Mocagua. Enjoy a jungle walk and return to Calanoa in native boats down the Matamata creek, natural limit with the Amacayacu Park (approx. 30 minutes). After dinner get ready for a nocturnal walk along the trails. Upon return to the lodge get ready for a well-deserved rest.

Day 5: Calanoa - Puerto Nariño - Tarapoto lakes (B/L/D)

After breakfast, go on a native boat for a wildlife-watching excursion on Tarapoto Lake. You’ll spot pink dolphins and exotic birds, and will have the opportunity to try your hand at traditional fishing. On the way back, visit San Francisco where a local indigenous family works to protect the caimans. You’ll then visit Puerto Narino, a town on the shore of the Amazon River, where you’ll have lunch and time for a walk. On the way back to Calanoa, you’ll stop for a cultural activity with the Mocagua community. Dinner and rest at the lodge.

Day 6: Calanoa Natural Reserve to Medellin (B/L/-)

After breakfast, transfer by boat down the Amazon River towards Leticia (approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes). From here we will go to a city tour in Tabatinga where we will admire the magnificent Amazon River. After lunch, if time permits depending on the time of your flight, we will go back to Leticia for a city tour and discover the Orellana Park, the traditional market where it is possible to find typical medicinal plants, and Santander Park where thousands of parrots live. Also have some free time to do some craft shopping before the time for your 4.5-hour afternoon flight to Medellin (stopover in Bogota). On arrival, transfer to a charming and well located hotel in El Poblado neighbourhood. Free evening.

Day 7: Medellin (B/-/-)

After breakfast take a private guided city tour of Medellin taking in its modern architecture and bustling streets. We'll visit the most representative places of the city, considered an example of urban transformation in Latin America. The tour includes the Museo Botero, the cable car and some beautiful churches. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore at your leisure.

Day 8: Peñol de Guatape (B/-/-)

After breakfast, pick-up for a full-day tour to La Piedra del Peñol, a 297 meters high rock in the middle of a dam. Walk the 600 stairs of the rock to go on top of it and appreciate the beautiful landscapes surrounding the place. Later visit Guatape, a colonial town known for the colourful bases of its houses. In the late afternoon, return to Medellin. Free evening.

Day 9: Medellin to Choco – Pacific Ocean (B/L/D)

After early breakfast, transfer to Medellin airport (EOH) for a 1-hour flight to Nuqui. Upon arrival, 45-minute transfer by boat and check-in at El Cantil Ecolodge. After lunch, go on a whale-watching tour (whale season is between July and early-September). Humpback whales come to the Colombian pacific to give birth to their calves and remain here until October, when they are grown enough and ready to migrate along with the mothers. Enjoy the exciting sound whales make when they breathe and the playful calves jumping out of the water. Back to the lodge for dinner and a free evening.

Day 10: Nuqui – Pacific Ocean (B/L/D)

After breakfast, go hiking to Rio Terco. Along the way you our local guide will explain how the local communities use some plants and trees for medicinal purposes. Admire the variety of fauna found such as toucans, crabs, spiders, howling monkeys, butterflies among others. Have a short bath in the waterfall before going back to the hotel. After lunch, you have free time to relax on the beach or do an optional activity such as another hike, kayaking, surfing or snorkelling. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Day 11: Free in Nuqui (B/L/D)

Optional activity: spend half of the day or full day exploring the Utria National Park; with a perfect combination of jungle, mangroves, beach and fauna. Or, spend the day relaxing on the beach or doing an optional activity such as another hike, kayaking, surfing or snorkelling.

Day 12: Nuqui to Bogota (B/-/-)

After early breakfast, pick up at the lodge and 45-minute transfer by boat to Nuqui airport for your 4-hour flight to Bogota (stopover in Medellin). On arrival, transfer to a well located hotel and have free day to relax or explore the city.

Day 13: Bogota (B/-/-)

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. End of tour.

You will be greeted at the airport on arrival by a local guide who will take you to your hotel and will be able to answer any questions, make any additional arrangements and generally ensure everything goes smoothly.

No minimum number of passengers required and you will not be travelling with a group of people you do not know. Prices quoted are per person and based on at least 2 people travelling. You should expect a cheaper price for bigger groups.

Passport details are required at time of booking. For information on visa requirements and health formalities we recommend you visit the FCO travel advice website (for UK citizens) and US Travel Advice website (for US citizens). You will need a Yellow Fever vaccination for travel to the Amazon.

What to bring: Travel insurance, passport, binoculars, alarm clock, walking shoes, water bottle, daypack, sun protection, insect repellent, sun glasses and hat, swimwear, flip-flops, torch with extra batteries, comfortable light cotton shirts with long and short sleeves, comfortable trousers made of cotton or a light synthetic material (bring at least two sets of light clothes which can be washed and dried easily), shorts, rain coat, plastic ziplock bags, plastic bags for your luggage in case of rain.