Colombia is filled with diverse regions, and packed with opportunities for adventure and experiencing incredible natural and cultural wonders. When work brought two friends to Medellin, they decided to extend their trip and have their husbands join them to uncover more of the country’s gems and create their very own adventure in Colombia.
Work trips, for many, are stressful affairs where you jump from meeting to meeting, office building to conference room, before returning to the airport exhausted and looking forward to a hot bath and your own bed. Alison and Maureen, however, saw their work trip differently; it was an opportunity for discovery. “With the opportunity to travel to Colombia, we figured we would capitalize and extend our trip with our husbands in tow!” So, they brought their husbands Samuel and Trevor, and together, the foursome (who travel somewhere together every year) began their adventure in Colombia.
Like many, these travelers went into Colombia with few expectations, unsure of what would be greeting them. After a long week of working in Medellin, Alison and Maureen just hoped for a relaxing and seamless trip where they could sit back, know the details were taken care of, and not stress about the next day. “The organization and attention to detail by the Knowmad team is topnotch and makes international trips stress-free. When we travel somewhere, we like to dive into the culture and explore as much as possible, and this trip truly allowed for that, even on a condensed timeline.” The four were able to do just that, exploring the big cities of Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota (“food lovers paradises”, according to Alison), while also spending time in the beautiful Colombian countryside, taking time to “wander down the streets and take in the local vibes.”
It was really in Barichara where Colombia became “absolutely magical. Our accommodations at Casa Yahri were relaxing and gorgeous, and did I mention the homemade breakfast every morning? There are so many highlights from Barichara, from the paper workshop to the farm-to-table lunch, the friendliest people and the most stunning views. It was almost like stepping into a perfectly curated town: cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, budding flowers, birds chirping and the most adorable storefronts. We all left home with a piece of Barichara through homemade artwork from the paper shop.”
Is an adventure in Colombia on your bucket list? Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: we help you navigate the different regions, itineraries, and surrounding travel plans for a holistic, seamless, and safe experience. Reach out to our Trip Specialists at 612-315-2894 or [email protected] to begin planning your trip today!
Culture & Adventure in Colombia:
DAY 1 Medellin — Bucaramanga —Barichara
Today you will fly to Bucaramanga. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local, private guide and make your way through this mountainous region. En route, enjoy lunch at a coffee farm and an exciting cable car ride across the Chicamocha Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Continue on to the pueblo nicknamed the prettiest little town in Colombia, Barichara.
- B, L — Casa Yahri
DAY 2 Barichara
Today you’ll enjoy a half-day guided exploration of this picturesque, small, colonial town, frozen in time. This magical town is a place that many have claimed to fall deeply in love with; for years it has been a refuge for artists and anyone looking for a quiet and warm place to be inspired. Walking through its streets you will have the possibility to meet some locals, learn about its history and enjoy the handicraft shops. Visit a paper workshop where community mothers will teach you to make paper from scratch! An experience that you will remember forever. You will also visit the fique handcraft shop, a natural fiber that ranks second in use after cotton, and is used to create beautiful and colorful handcrafts. In the afternoon, you’ll head out on a beautiful, light hike on part of the old commercial route through the lush green countryside to Guane Village. After enjoying the landscapes, flora, and fauna on this hike, visit Guane by rickshaw.
- B — Casa Yahri
DAY 3 Chicamocha Canyon
Today you will begin your 6.5 km hike, departing from the municipality of Villanueva and making your way to Jordán, a small town located next to the imposing Chicamocha river. Please note: this is a challenging hike with stone paths that involves descending from the crags of the Chicamocha canyon. You will have a fair bit of exposure on various slopes that are close to the ravine as well. The temperature is likely to be high during most of the route. After lunch and a well-deserved rest at the riverside, you’ll begin the aquatic portion of the day. Raft between the canyon walls, crossing level 3 and 4 water currents. Here, you will encounter turbulent waters with resistance that will require high physical effort. Without a doubt, you will have a day full of fun and adrenaline!
- B, L — Casa Yahri
DAY 4 Bucaramanga — Cartagena
Today you will be transferred to the airport in accordance with your onward flight to Cartagena (Spanish-speaking driver). Upon arrival, you will be met by your Knowmad Adventures guide and transferred to your hotel to spend the evening at your leisure.
- B — Ananda
DAY 5 Cartagena
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will be guided through the beautiful historic center of Cartagena, the walled city, while seeing many of the sights that this historic port city has to offer. These walls protected Cartagena from pirates and invasions for hundreds of years, and now, are a UNESCO site filled with charming colonial architecture and lively plazas, all with the backdrop of the sparkling Caribbean sea. This exploration may include sights such as the Torre del Reloj at the main city gate, the beautiful Parque de Bolivar, the Plaza de San Pedro Claver, and more. At the end of your excursion you can choose to continue exploring the city independently or be dropped off at your accommodations to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
- B — Ananda
DAY 6 Isla Barú
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel, and transferred to the dock where you will board a small shared boat that will transfer you about 45 minutes to your hotel on Isla Barú. Set apart from the bustling city, on Isla Barú you will be nestled in a private cove where you can enjoy the beach, take a dip in one of the hotel’s pools, and dine at one of the on-site restaurants.
DAY 7 Isla Barú — Cartagena — Bogotá
Spend the morning at leisure, enjoying the beach or pool, or simply relaxing. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to the Cartagena airport by private vehicle (Spanish-speaking driver) for your onward flight to Bogotá. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by a Spanish-speaking driver to your nearby airport hotel.
- B — Movich Buró 26
DAY 8 Bogotá — USA
Today you will be responsible for taking the hotel shuttle to the airport in accordance with your flight back to the United States.
- B
Ready to plan your own adventure in Colombia? Reach out to our Trip Specialists at 612-315-2894 or [email protected] to begin planning your trip today!
Krista is a Trip Specialist at Knowmad Adventures, a company dedicated to creating unique, private and custom trips in South America. She has lived in six countries on four continents and visited more than fifty countries, but is now settled back in her home state of Minnesota where she loves sharing her passion and knowledge with fellow travelers.
