For all the
adventurous clients, who prefer travelling in groups, we have just the right
thing to offer: our 22 days SIB Tour “Action and Adventure”. The tour takes
them through impressive mountain
landscapes and terminates in the beautiful colonial town of Cartagena.
Tourstops:
Bogota – Villa de Leyva – Nationalpark Los Nevados – Manizales – Santa Marta – Lost City Ciudad Perdida – Cartagena
Bogota – Villa de Leyva – Nationalpark Los Nevados – Manizales – Santa Marta – Lost City Ciudad Perdida – Cartagena
Dates:
07.07.
17.11.
07.07.
17.11.
If we
caught your interest, please contact us and we will provide you with all the
details (stephan.stober@neptuno.org).
ITINERARY
Day 1: Bogotá – Arrival
Arrival in
Bogotá, where we are welcome by the tour guide. Transfer to the hotel in the
colonial city center of Bogotá. 2 nights, breakfast included. During dinner
(not included) we review the itinerary with the guide.
Day 2: Bogotá
In the morning
we explore the city by bike, taking advantage of the empty streets - due to
“ciclo via”, an event that takes place every Sunday. In the afternoon we
continue our city tour and visit the points of interest such as Plaza Bolivar,
beautiful churches and the Gold Museum. To finish the day, we take the cable
car up to Monserrate and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.Day 3: Bogotá – Villa de Leyva
After
breakfast we leave Bogotá northbound, heading to Villa de Leyva, one of the
most beautiful colonial villages of Colombia. On the way we stop in Zipaquirá,
Chiquinquirá and Raquirá. We arrive in Villa de Leyva in the early afternoon
and check in to a colonial hotel located in the city center. 3 nights,
breakfast included. In the afternoon we stroll through the village.
Day 4: Villa de Leyva
Whole day bike tour to explore the impressive landscape around Villa de Leyva. We pass the archeological site “Observatorio Muisca”, the monastery “Ecce Homo” and afterwards a 150 year old fossil, which is displayed right where it was found.Day 5: Villa de Leyva
After
breakfast we drive up to the visitors´center of Iguaque National Park, the
starting point for our trekking that takes us up to a lagoon situated at 3.600
m known as cradle of mankind to the Muisca Indians. Expect great paramo
landscapes with Frailijones and wide views. In the late afternoon we ride back
to Villa de Leyva by bike.
Trekking: Ascent: 800 m / Descent: 800 m / 5 hours
Bike tour: ca. 20 km / Ascent: 100 m / Descent: 600 m
Bike tour: ca. 20 km / Ascent: 100 m / Descent: 600 m
Day 6: Villa de Leyva – Salento
Drive back to
Bogotá and in the afternoon flight to the coffee region (Armenia or Pereira).
Transfer to the village Salento, where we go for a walk in the evening. Salento
has kept its traditional architecture and is situated in the lush green hills
of the coffee region.
Day 7- 12: Los Nevados
Start of the 6
days/5 nights crossing of the volcanic chain Los Nevados, the highest elevation
in the central mountain chain. The region includes four departments: Tolima,
Quindio, Riseralda and Caldas. The two highest spots are Nevado del Tolima (5.125
m) and Nevado del Ruiz (5.311 m). Inbetween there are various volcanoes of
about 5.000 m, great paramo landscapes with lots of typical Frailejones and
beautiful lagoons. This tour includes the optional climb of Nevado Santa Isabel
(5.000 m). We spend the nights in shelters or very good tents, that can easily
keep up with international standards.
Included:
Full board, local guides with lots of climbing experience and mules to carry our luggage. The tour is programmed as follows, might be changed however due to climate and local conditions:
Included:
Full board, local guides with lots of climbing experience and mules to carry our luggage. The tour is programmed as follows, might be changed however due to climate and local conditions:
Day 7: Salento – Estrella de Agua
In the morning
we have some time to explore the village a little closer. At around 11:00, in
typical Willy Jeeps, we head for the valley of Cocora. Be impressed by the huge
wax palmtrees, that can reach up to 70 m. We start our trekking, that takes us
past the nature reserve Acaime until we reach our first shelter “Estrella de
Agua” (3.170 m).
Ascent: 770 m / Descent: 0 m / 6 hours
Day 8: Estrella de Agua – Finca La Playa
On day 2 of our
trekking we hike through Andean forest and typical paramo landscapes that are
characterized by Frailejones. After a steep ascent to the “Paramo de
Romerales”, we reach our destination for the day, the shelter “Finca La Playa”
(3.680 m).
Ascent: 570 m / Descent: 50 m / 6-7 hours
Day 9: Finca la Playa (Paramo de Romerales – Laguna del Encanto – Termales Cañón)
We continue
with another ascent through the paramo landscapes with a wide view of the
„Laguna del Encanto” and subsequent descent through the “Valle del Placer”
until we reach the hot springs “Termales Cañon”. Enjoy a nice hot bath here.
This night we spend in tents.
Ascent: 200 m / Descent: 200 m / 6-7 hours
Day 10: Termales Cañón – Finca Africa
From the
region of the hot springs we continue to „Finca Africa”.
Ascent: 0 m / Descent: 150 m / 6-7 hours
Day 11: Finca Africa – Laguna de Otun
Today we climb
up to the montain pass „Cerro España“ until we reach the “Laguna de Otun”.
We spend the night in tents.
We spend the night in tents.
Ascent: 800 m / Descent: 550 m / 6-7 hours
Day 12: Ascending the summit of Nevado Santa Isabel – Manizales
Early in the
morning we head for the glaciers of Nevado Santa Isabel. After passing the snow
line at around 4.800 m, we hike up the last meters with a rope, clampons and
ice picks until we reach the summit at around 5.000 m. Here you will get an
impressive view of the national park and the surrounding peaks. Afterwards we
climb back down to the shelter where we will be picked up and driven back to
Manizales (2.150 m). After 6 exhausting and exciting days, lean back and relax
at the hotel.
Ascent: 1.100 m / Descent: 1.100 m / 8 hours
Day 13: Manizales
The mountain
bikes are already awaiting us and we start our tour through the amazing, lush
green coffee region. We ride until Hacienda Venecia, an authentic coffee finca,
where we learn everything about cultivation of coffee and the durther
processing of this important good. In the afternoon we ride back to the hotel.
Bike tour: ca. 50 km / Ascent: 450 m / Descent: 450 m
Day 14: Manizales – Bogotá – Santa Marta
Transfer to
the airport and flight to Santa Marta (connection in Bogotá). After arrival
transfer to Taganga, a little fisher village, where we spend one night at a
hotel on the beach.
OR: Flight to
Bogotá and end f the journey.
Day 15-18: Santa Marta – Trekking Ciudad Perdida
Start of the 4 days/3 nights trekking to the Lost City. La Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta (Santa Marta Snow-Capped Mountain Range) is the highest coastal
mountain range in the world. It rises up to 5775 meters at Bolívar peak and is
only 50 kilometers, as the crow flies, away from the sea. At this reserve
covering 383.000 hectares one can find a humid jungle of slopes and foothills,
tropical rain forest and rainy tundra as well as peaks that are covered by snow
all year round. In addition to its immense wealth in bio-diversity, in flora
and animal life, this reserve is also the home of diverse indigenous groups
such as the Arhuacos and the Koguis. It also represents one of the most
outstanding and impressive archaeological sites of the continent: The Lost City
or “Ciudad Perdida” is situated at an altitude of between 900 and 1300 meters
above sea-level in the middle of the jungle. The Tayrona Indians, who
flourished between the 13th and 14th century, probably constructed this
archaeological wonder. The Lost City, with its terraced complexes, bridges,
paths and aqueducts, is extraordinary, as is the track that leads us there,
taking us through diverse and spectacular landscapes and climatic zones.
Accommodation in simple camps with hammocks or beds and simple, shared bathrooms. Due to the given conditions up in the mountains, these are the only accommodations available.
The tour is programmed as follows, as there are various camps though, the exact location of our accommodation might change.
Accommodation in simple camps with hammocks or beds and simple, shared bathrooms. Due to the given conditions up in the mountains, these are the only accommodations available.
The tour is programmed as follows, as there are various camps though, the exact location of our accommodation might change.
Day 15: Santa Marta – Mamey – Adán
Pick up at our hotel in the morning. After lunch in El Mamey we start hiking in the afternoon.
Duration/Distance: 3h/5 km. Accommodation: Hammocks
Pick up at our hotel in the morning. After lunch in El Mamey we start hiking in the afternoon.
Duration/Distance: 3h/5 km. Accommodation: Hammocks
Day 16: Adán - Garbiel - Ciudad Perdida
Duration/Distance:
8h/15km. Accommodation: Hammocks
Day 17: Ciudad Perdida - Adán
Duration/Distance:
8h/11km. Accommodation: Hammocks
Day 18: Adán - Mamey - Santa Marta
Return from
trekking and transfer to a lodge situated at the beach. 2 nights, breakfast included.
Duration/Distance: 3h/5km.
Duration/Distance: 3h/5km.
Day 19: Tayrona Park
After
breakfast we start a full day hike through the tropical dry forest of Tayrona
national park, that leads us to the left overs of the former indigenous village
“Pueblito”. Afterwards we continue to the beautiful beaches of San Juan del
Cabo, La Piscina, Arrecife and Cañaveral. We have plenty of time to relax and
go for a swim.
Day 20: Tayrona Park – Cartagena
After
breakfast we take the public bus via Santa Marta and Barranquilla to Cartagena,
straight to our hotel in the old town. 2 nights, breakfast included.
Day 21: Cartagena
In the morning
we explore the city by foot and visit the colonial treasures of Cartagena. In
the afternoon we discover the corners of Cartagena, to many the most beautiful
city in South America, on our own.Day 22: Cartagena – Return flight
Around
midday/afternoon transfer to the airport and flight back home (connection in
Bogotá).
