Cartagena & The Caribbean (trip)

Cartagena & The Caribbean

  • Bogota Airport, Colombia
  • Active & Adventure
Colombia, South America

from £1,195* per person7 DaysNovember
Simple accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Travel The Unknown 12 people max
Cartagena, a fairy-tale city of legends is the poster-boy of Colombian tourism. And it’s easy to see why. This UNESCO heritage site boasts stunning colonial architecture, leafy balconies, cobbled alleys, giant churches and open-air cafes in mellow plazas. This is a city to wander endlessly and randomly. There’s something around every corner. Take a dip in a mud volcano - and discover its magical healing powers before taking a canoe out through a mangrove forest! Finally head to Santa Marta to discover the stunning Tayrona National Park which combines beautiful beaches with the wildlife of a national park (watch out for monkeys!)

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Locations visited/nearby

Colombia, South America

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Travel The Unknown:

  • Reviewer: Karla located in Canada
    Just wanted to say thanks so much for making my holiday to the North East of India one of the most interesting and exciting travel experiences I have ever had. Our guide CK was extremely thoughtful and patient (especially with our frequent change of plans and food requests for momos and noddles) and our driver, Das, was the most amazing driver ever! He definitely saved our lives on those dark, monsoon destroyed, narrow, winding roads through the himalayan mountains on our journey to Tawang. I really felt taken care of and going on the tour made travelling in such a remote and unexplored area so much easier than if I had to do it on my own. Teaching the native tribal women in Along the chicken dance and the macarena was definately my high of the trip. I have never laughed so much, especially when awakening in the morning and hearing the chicken song being hummed in the background. God what they must think of western dancing now! Monks, tribes and Rhinos!!... what more can a person ask for!
  • Reviewer: Stephen located in Ireland
    Gotta say thanks to Travel The Unknown for organising my fascinating trip to a little-known area of the world. The scenery was fantastic, food was amazing, the guide was great and the living bridges were inspiring. An India not many get to see. Thanks again.
  • Reviewer: Myrka, located in Slovakia
    Thank you so much for organizing such a brilliant trip. I must admit it took me few days to get used to the country, as I have never visited a developing country. But after that i started having a great time with my friends. Really enjoyed the nature, the beautiful views. From all the places we visited I liked most Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang. I think the trip wouldn’t be the same without our guide CK, the best guide EVER! He helped us so much, and went out of his way, just to make the trip the best we had. So big thank you for him as well ;-) I still look at the amazing pictures I took and can’t believe that I have been there. So thank you again for the best holiday.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Flight from Bogota to Cartagena. You will be met at Cartagena airport by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and will start a 3 hour walking tour of the Old City - your guide will explain the history of the fortress walls and the many monuments, plazas, and buildings within them. Meal plan: N/A

Meander through Cartagena’s picture-perfect streets, and admire the city that is famous for both its beauty and its history. Founded in 1533, Cartagena became the main port on the Caribbean coast during Spanish rule. Treasure was stored in the city until it could be taken to Spain and for this reason, in the 16th century, Cartagena suffered five sieges including one led by Francis Drake in 1586. This is why the Spaniards then built the forts (Fuertes) and walls (Las Murallas) that still encompass the old town. The Puerta del Reloj (Clock Gate) signifies the entrance to the inner part of the walled city, also called Calamari. Just behind this is the Plaza de los Coches which used to serve as a slave market. The Plaza de la Aduana and Plaza de Bolivar also have fascinating historical context as well as the numerous churches, museums, convents and monuments.

Day 2

After breakfast take a boat out over the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean to the Rosario islands. Upon arrival to the island, you can choose to snorkel, take a nature walk (which makes a circuit returning by group canoe), or have a relaxing massage (these items are not included in tour price, see approx. Prices below). Several gourmet lunch options are available (included)! Take the boat back to Cartagena and the rest of the day is free. Overnight in Cartagena. Meal plan: B, L

Approx costs for optional activities (per person)

45 minute massage - £40, Nature walk returning by group canoe - £10, Snorkelling - £25, Kayaking (in a shared 2 person Kayak) - £15, Kayaking in a single person Kayak - £20

35km south west of Cartagena lie the Rosario Islands which are an archipelago of 27 islands (including those only large enough for one house) that sit amongst coral reefs and warm turquoise waters. The whole area is a national park – the Corales del Rosario. Caribe Indians once inhabited the islands but were driven away after the attacks of pirates going to Cartagena. There is a diverse aquatic life consisting of 113 plankton species, 215 fish species, 5 mangrove species, as well as plenty of migrating seabirds and wildlife. Isla Grande is the archipelago’s largest island (200ha) and has sandy beaches and trails. Other islands include Isla del Rosario, Isla de San Martin de Pajarales, Isla de Baru.

Day 3

After breakfast take a trip out for a dip in the mud volcano (you sort of float in the volcanic mud!), and discover its healing properties. After lunch, take a relaxing ride in a canoe as a buga (a canoe driver) paddles you through a mangal. Return to Cartagena. Rest of the day free. Overnight Cartagena. Meal plan: B, L

Volcán de Lodo el Totumo is 52km northeast of Cartagena and while it is a small 15 metre volcano, it is in fact the highest mud volcano in Colombia. There are many myths and legends attached why it spews mud rather than ash or lava. Locals believe that the mud was brought about by a priest to drown the devil that was responsible for the fire, ash and lava erupting from the volcano. A more likely cause however is the pressure of gases emitted underground by decaying organic matter.

Day 4

Morning free to relax, wander the old city, or get in some souvenir shopping (Cartagena is famous for its gold jewellery). Afternoon transfer to Santa Marta (4 hours). Evening free. Meal plan: B

Positioned between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Santa Marta’s history, colonial architecture and beaches make it one of the most popular tourist towns for Colombians. Santa Marta is the oldest remaining city in Colombia, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas in order to exploit the gold treasures of the Tayronas. By 1600, the Tayronas tribe had been wiped out and the gold had all been taken. La Casa de la Aduana is the museum dedicated to the Tayrona’s history. Simon Bolivar, who played a key role in Latin America’s fight for independence, died in Santa Marta in December 1830. His house Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is now a museum.

Day 5

Today consists of a beach & jungle walk in Arrecifes & Cabo San Juan. A day trip from Santa Marta, hike about an hour and a half through the jungle (look for monkeys!) until you arrive at a totally exotic, white sand beach. Walk along the beaches until you reach swim-able waters. In the evening return to Santa Marta. Meal plan: B

Parque Nacional Tayrona is one of Colombia’s most popular national parks. It is on the jungle-covered coast east of Santa Marta. Tayrona was once inhabited by the Tayrona indigenous people before they were forced out. The only remnants of their civilisation are the ruins of the town Chairama (Pueblito) which is pre-Hispanic and is thought to have been the central settlement for the Tayrona people. The coast in Arrecifes is spectacular and is dotted with massive boulders. A 40 minute walk on from here is the beautiful cape, Cabo San Juan de la Guia.

Day 6

Today is a relaxing day on the famous spacious, white sand beaches of Playa Crystal in Parque Tayrona. A day trip from Santa Marta, spend a day in the sun, relaxing on the beach with tranquil waters and working on your tan! Return to Santa Marta for overnight. Meal plan: B

Day 7

Breakfast followed by airport transfer to Santa Marta airport and return flight to Bogota. Meal plan: B

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