Explore Colombia from the high-altitude streets of Bogotá to the Caribbean coast on this active 12-day multisport trip. Pedal Bogotá’s urban bike paths, ride mountain bike trails between small Andean mountain towns, and hike jungle routes to the sacred Lost City. Visit colonial towns like Villa de Leyva and Barichara, recognized for their charm and cultural depth. Navigate paths once used by the Tayrona civilization, surrounded by wildlife and misty peaks. Hike along forest trails leading to secluded beaches and hidden coves, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing beneath swaying palms in Tayrona National Park. Explore Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vibrant culture, colorful facades, and centuries-old fortifications. This multisport tour connects Colombia’s varied landscapes with deep cultural encounters, offering an active way to explore the country’s diverse terrain and heritage.
Highlights
Hike along the Cane river trail from Villa de Leyva to secluded villages
Bike through the most historic districts and iconic sites of Bogota
Zipline and rappel the cliffs near Juan Curi Waterfall
Explore Tayrona National Park’s beaches, jungle trails, and wildlife
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive at the airport and meet your private driver for approximately 45-minute transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, either check in and rest or head out for a guided introduction to Colombia’s vibrant capital. Stroll through La Candelaria’s colonial streets, admire bold street art, or ride the funicular up Monserrate for panoramic city views.
Dive into Bogotá’s dynamic cultural scene with optional visits to the Gold Museum or Botero Museum, or sample local flavors at nearby cafés and markets. Spend your free time relaxing or exploring at your own pace.
Day 2: Bogota City Bike Tour | Explore Villa de Leyva
Start the day with a guided city bike tour through Bogotá’s expansive cycling network. Ride from your accommodation along safe, scenic bike paths as your guide shares stories behind the city's neighborhoods and landmarks. Bogotá is a global leader in urban cycling, with over 500 kilometers / 310 miles of dedicated routes.
Pedal through Simon Bolivar Park, Bogotá’s version of Central Park, then navigate the colonial streets of La Candelaria and follow Carrera 7 to see how the city has evolved. Stop to admire vivid murals in the Graffiti District and sample local favorites like pan de bono and soursop sorbet at traditional cafés. Wrap up the ride with an exciting descent through wooded trails into the bohemian neighborhoods of Chapinero and La Soledad.
In the afternoon, depart Bogotá for a 3.5-hour private transfer to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva. Travel through scenic Andean landscapes, arriving in one of Colombia’s most picturesque and historically preserved villages. On arrival, join your guide for a one-hour private walking tour through Villa de Leyva’s cobblestone streets. Explore the expansive Plaza Mayor, visit colonial-era landmarks, and gain insight into the town’s rich architectural and cultural legacy.
Follow the Cane River trail outside of Villa de Leyva on a guided hike, passing pristine waterfalls and clear ponds as you venture into the hidden village of Antiguo Camino a Chiquizá. Meet local farmers tending their family orchards and experience a quieter side of rural life. Continue through the mountains to Las Cárcavas, a dramatic eroded desert landscape, and take in sweeping views over Villa de Leyva.
After time for an independent lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Ráquira, Colombia’s colorful artisan capital. Explore shops filled with handmade pottery and crafts, and visit working studios. You may choose to join a hands-on ceramics workshop in a traditional setting, or, for something more active, discuss with your Trip Planner to arrange an alternative experience in advance, such as a horseback riding adventure in the surrounding countryside.
Today, begin the day with a transfer from Villa de Leyva to Barichara with a private driver, approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, set off on a thrilling 9.3 miles / 15 kilometers mountain bike ride from Antenas to Barichara, designed for intermediate riders seeking adventure. The ride takes up to 2 hours, navigating wide off-road trails with panoramic views of the Barichara countryside. Ride confidently with high-quality gear, helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and a full suspension Giant bike, ensuring safety and comfort. Finish at a scenic viewpoint to recharge with snacks, fresh fruit, and refreshing drinks.
After your ride, take some free time to explore Barichara’s charming colonial streets lined with whitewashed buildings and vibrant Bougainvillea flowers. Visit landmarks like the Parroquia de Santa Bárbara and the Museo de Arte Religioso. Hike scenic trails around Chicamocha Canyon or unwind in the peaceful countryside. Sample local dishes such as pepitoria soup and roasted ants (hormigas culonas) at traditional cafes, paired with guava juice or aguapanela.
Day 5: Hike the Royal Road to Guane and Barichara Walking Tour
Begin the day with a guided 5.6 miles / 9 9 kilometers hike along the historic Royal Road of colonization, descending to the quiet village of Guane, where colonial architecture and slow village life reflect a bygone era. Visit the archaeological and paleontological museum to see fossils and artifacts from the region’s deep past. Enjoy time to purchase lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Barichara for a relaxed afternoon walking tour.
Walking the town of Barichara, explore artisan workshops renowned for traditional crafts, including stonemasonry, vegetable fiber weaving, and hand-rolled cigar production. Visit key landmarks carved from local stone, such as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Santa Barbara Chapel, and the historic cemetery. End the day at the Suarez Canyon viewpoint to take in sweeping views and a stunning sunset before returning to your hotel. Use the evening for personal exploration or to relax— additional evening activities can be arranged through your trip planner.
Day 6: Rapelling and Ziplining at Juan Curi Waterfall
Depart early from your accommodation in Barichara for a private guided adventure at Juan Curi Waterfall. Spend the morning hiking through lush forest trails before rappelling down the face of the waterfall and soaring across the canopy on a zipline, an adrenaline-filled experience in a stunning natural setting. After the adventure, continue with a private transfer to Girón, a drive of approximately 3.5 hours through the Santander countryside.
After breakfast, begin with a short private transfer from Girón to Bucaramanga Airport, approximately 15 minutes, then fly to Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, likely connecting through Bogotá, with a total travel time of approximately 2 to 5 hours, depending on flight schedules. Upon arrival, meet your driver for a scenic 1.5-hour private transfer to your hotel near Tayrona National Park.
Settle into the rhythm of the coast as you arrive in Tayrona, a protected paradise of lush rainforest, golden beaches, and crystalline waters. Trek forest trails, discover quiet coves, or swim and snorkel in turquoise bays. Keep an eye out for monkeys in the trees and tropical birds overhead as you explore this vibrant ecosystem. The day is yours to unwind on the beach, explore the surrounding area, or book an optional activity. Let your Trip Planner know if you'd like to arrange an excursion in advance.
Meet your private guide after breakfast and transfer to the entrance of Tayrona National Park for a full-day exploration of one of Colombia’s most iconic natural areas. Hike through the tropical dry forest along the Arrecifes–Cabo San Juan trail, with stops at Arrecife, Arenilla, La Poza, and the stunning Cabo San Juan beach. Expect 4 to 5 hours of hiking with opportunities to spot monkeys, colorful birds, and a diverse range of plant life as you traverse this ecologically and culturally rich region.
Tayrona is more than just beautiful beaches, it’s part of the sacred ancestral territory of the Sierra Nevada’s four indigenous groups, who see the land as a living web of spiritual and physical connections. During your hike, learn about the area's cultural significance and admire its high biodiversity, archaeological sites, and unspoiled landscapes. Swim in crystal-clear waters, rest on palm-fringed shores, and absorb the magic of this coastal sanctuary.
Drive approximately 30 minutes, including a rugged 4x4 route, to reach the trailhead of La Tigra Reserve. Hike uphill with your guide for about 30 minutes to access the remote reserve, home to the Indigenous Kogui community.
Spend the day engaging in hands-on activities such as visiting a natural waterhole, planting a native tree, or learning traditional cooking methods with the Kogui people. This private full-day experience includes lunch and offers a meaningful cultural exchange in a pristine natural setting.
For those seeking a deeper connection, opt to stay overnight in a hammock under the forest canopy. Enjoy an evening around the campfire and fall asleep to the sounds of nature. To arrange this unique overnight experience, discuss with your Trip Planner in advance for more details.
After breakfast, depart Tayrona on a private transfer to Cartagena, a drive of approximately 6 hours. Arrive in this vibrant coastal city and settle into the rhythm of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Join a private walking tour of Cartagena’s historic Old Town with a local guide. Spend around two hours exploring cobblestone streets lined with colonial-era architecture, visiting major landmarks, and discovering the stories behind the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Gain insight into Cartagena’s rich cultural mix, from its preserved churches and bustling plazas to its evolving art, music, and culinary scenes.
Walk through colorful neighborhoods like Getsemaní, take in views from the city walls, and get a feel for the heartbeat of Cartagena. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and you may want to bring cash for local snacks or souvenirs along the way.
Depart your hotel in the morning for a full-day private tour to Usiacurí, beginning with a scenic one-hour drive and a stop at the Luruaco wetlands. Capture panoramic photos and sample a traditional arepa de huevo before continuing to the artisan town of Usiacurí. Visit the La Musa Tejedora Monument and take part in a hands-on weaving workshop, where you’ll receive a handmade souvenir crafted from palma de iraca.
Explore the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church and enjoy a traditional lunch at La Magia de las Flores. Continue to the Julio Flórez House Museum, a National Monument honoring the life and works of the famed Colombian poet. Wrap up the experience with a visit to the town’s famed mineral and medicinal wells, known for their therapeutic properties.
If traveling outside of Friday to Sunday, you may request a panoramic version of the tour with a gourmet coffee or fresh juice tasting. Contact your trip planner to arrange this option. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon with time to unwind before dinner. This private experience includes all snacks, lunch, and entrance fees.
Day 12: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, a private driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Cartagena airport for your return flight.
Before you go, you should know. Our local partner has teamed up with Saving the Amazon, a Colombian NGO working with Amazonian communities, to reforest native trees in the Colombian Amazon. Because you chose to explore Colombia with us, you can head home knowing that 6 trees will be planted for each person traveling in your group. Thank you for helping to restore native trees in Colombia.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.