Bogotá to Cartagena via Coffee Region: Culture & Landscapes
Travel through Bogotá, the coffee region, Jardín, Medellín, Guatapé, Cartagena, and Isla Múcura in a carefully paced 14-day Colombian journey.
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Journey at a Glance
Follow the route and discover the defining experiences of the expedition.
Complete route
See the full expedition route before focusing on each chapter.
Bogotá
Begin in Colombia's highland capital, with time to settle in and receive the travel booklet.
Coffee Country
Trade the capital for the Eje Cafetero: family coffee production, a personal tree planting, and the green hills around Pereira.
Jardín and Antioquia
Continue into Antioquia's green mountain country, where village life, rural roads, and late-afternoon nature encounters shape the pace.
Medellín and Guatapé
Move through Antioquia's colonial and contemporary faces, from filigree and historic bridges to Medellín's public art and hillside neighbourhoods.
Cartagena and the Caribbean
Descend from the Andes to the Caribbean, pairing Guatapé's colourful zócalos with Cartagena's walled-city atmosphere.
Isla Múcura
Slow the journey down on Isla Múcura, with a collective boat crossing and two nights at Punta Faro by the sea.
Return to Cartagena
Return to Cartagena for a final free afternoon, with optional music, a sunset cruise, or an unhurried walk.
Detailed Itinerary
Bogotá Arrival
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Transfer from Bogotá Airport to Casa Deco
Travel from Bogotá airport to Casa Deco in the city. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and brings you close to the capital's historic centre.
Duration: 45min -
Hotel Check-In
Upon arrival, check in and get settled in your rooms. Take a short break to relax before we move on to the next activity. -
Dinner
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Casa Deco
Hotel Boutique | $$$Casa Deco is a charming hotel in Bogota, offering art deco-inspired rooms, personalized service, and a prime location near the city's vibrant cultural attractions.
Bogotá: Markets, Museums, and La Candelaria
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Breakfast
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Guided Bogotá Market and La Candelaria Walk
Spend a guided day in Bogotá's markets and La Candelaria. Taste local products, then follow colourful houses, colonial architecture, Plaza Bolívar, and the civic landmarks surrounding it, including the Capitol, City Hall, Palace of Justice, Catedral Primada, and Casa Nariño.
Easy -
Fundación Botero Cultural Visit
Visit Fundación Botero in Bogotá to see Fernando Botero's paintings and rounded sculptures alongside works from his private collection, including pieces by Picasso and Braque. It is a thoughtful introduction to Colombia through one of its best-known artists.
Easy -
Museo del Oro Visit
Explore the Museo del Oro, whose collection of pre-Columbian gold objects offers a direct encounter with the artistry and symbolism of Colombia's earlier cultures. The museum houses the world's largest collection of its kind.
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Lunch
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Optional Monserrate Ascent
Ascend Monserrate by funicular or cable car to 3,152 metres above Bogotá. The summit combines wide views over the capital and its surroundings with an important place of pilgrimage for residents and visitors.
Moderate -
Dinner
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Casa Deco
Hotel Boutique | $$$Casa Deco is a charming hotel in Bogota, offering art deco-inspired rooms, personalized service, and a prime location near the city's vibrant cultural attractions.
Pereira and a Family Coffee Finca
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Breakfast
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Transfer from Casa Deco to Bogotá Airport
Transfer from Casa Deco to Bogotá airport, allowing time for the domestic flight to Pereira. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
Duration: 45min -
Flight from Bogotá to Pereira
Take the domestic flight from Bogotá to Pereira, the gateway to Colombia's coffee region. The flight takes approximately one hour.
Duration: 1h -
Transfer Pereira –> Hacienda Combia
Continue from Pereira airport by road into the coffee region. The drive takes approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the final route.
Duration: 50minDistance: 16 km (9.9 mi) -
Family Coffee Finca Visit and Personal Tree Planting
Travel into the coffee region to a traditional family-run finca set in a scenic landscape. Hear about the family's history and the cultivation and production of coffee, plant your own coffee tree, and share lunch with your hosts.
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Hosted Lunch with the Coffee-Finca Family
Share lunch with the family who welcomes you to the coffee finca. This hosted meal extends the conversation beyond the coffee fields and production process. -
Transfer to Hacienda Combia
Travel by road into the coffee region and continue to Hacienda Combia after the family finca visit. This transfer brings the day from coffee production into its rural hotel setting.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Hacienda Combia
Hacienda Combia is a rural-style hotel complex in the coffee region, with a swimming pool and garden. It provides a comfortable base after the family finca visit and before exploring Valle de Cocora, Salento, and Filandia.
Valle de Cocora, Salento, and Filandia
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Breakfast
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Transfer to Valle de Cocora
Drive from Hacienda Combia toward Valle de Cocora. The day's transport to and around the valley and nearby villages takes approximately three hours in total.
Duration: 3h -
Río Quindío and Valle de Cocora Cloud-Forest Walk
Walk beside the Río Quindío through the tropical, cloud-forest landscape of Valle de Cocora. Look up to the wax palms, which can reach 70 metres and are Colombia's national tree, while keeping the pace open for the landscape.
Moderate -
Optional Willys Jeep Approach to Valle de Cocora
Take the optional approach to Valle de Cocora in a Willys Jeep, a vehicle introduced to Colombia to help farmers move through the mountainous countryside. The ride adds a local transport story to the day's cloud-forest and palm landscape.
Easy -
Salento Village Visit
Explore Salento's colonial architecture and colourful balconies, taking time to absorb the character of this mountain town before continuing through the coffee region.
Easy -
Lunch
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Filandia Village Visit
Visit Filandia, a small mountain village known for brightly painted houses and a square lined with café terraces. It is a gentle cultural stop within the coffee-region landscape, with time to walk, look, and pause.
Easy -
Transfer Valle de Cocora –> Hacienda Combia
Return by road from Valle de Cocora to Hacienda Combia after the walks through the valley, Salento, and Filandia.
Duration: 2h20minDistance: 66 km (41 mi)Vehicle: Car -
Dinner
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Hacienda Combia
Hacienda Combia is a rural-style hotel complex in the coffee region, with a swimming pool and garden. It provides a comfortable base after the family finca visit and before exploring Valle de Cocora, Salento, and Filandia.
Jardín and Jardín Rocas
Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Andean Motmot, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, White-capped Dipper, Bronze-winged Parrot, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green Jay, Blackburnian Warbler, White-collared Swift, Black Vulture
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Breakfast
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Transfer Hacienda Combia –> Jardin
Leave the coffee region by road for Jardín, with approximately five hours of travel through the changing landscapes of Antioquia.
Duration: 5h40minDistance: 244 km (151.6 mi)Vehicle: Car -
Jardín Town Exploration
Walk through Jardín, one of Colombia's most picturesque villages, where colourful houses and balconies sit among roses, guaiac trees, birds, sunsets, and the welcoming presence of its residents.
Easy -
Optional Jardín Rocas Nature Reserve Cock-of-the-Rock Viewing
If the timing is right, visit Jardín Rocas Nature Reserve between 15:00 and 18:00, when it opens to the public. A short walk from the main square, it offers the chance to observe Andean cock-of-the-rock; entry is stated as 15,000 COP per person, and sightings are never guaranteed.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Casa Passiflora
Casa Passiflora is the Jardín base for two nights, placing the journey close to the town's colourful streets and the rural landscapes around Cueva del Esplendor and Jardín Rocas.
Cueva del Esplendor
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Breakfast
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Collective Willys Jeep from Jardín to the Cueva del Esplendor Area
Take a collective Willys Jeep from Jardín toward the Cueva del Esplendor area. The outward route includes about 45 minutes of track through Antioquia's green countryside before the finca welcome and rural hike.
Duration: 45min -
Arepa and Aguapanela Welcome at a Traditional Finca
Pause at a traditional finca for an arepa and aguapanela welcome before the rural hike to Cueva del Esplendor. It is a simple local moment in the countryside and part of the collective outing. -
Rural Hike to Cueva del Esplendor
Follow a rural trail to Cueva del Esplendor through dirt paths, meadows, and wetter sections, with a moderate elevation gain of approximately 250–300 metres. A waterfall passes through the rock into a natural pool, creating a changing play of water and light in the green Antioquian landscape.
Moderate -
Optional Swim in the Cueva del Esplendor Natural Pool
At the end of the Cueva del Esplendor outing, take an optional swim in the cool water of the natural pool beneath the waterfall. It is a simple way to linger in the landscape before returning to the finca and Jardín.
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Lunch
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Return Transfer to Jardín
Return by collective transport from the Cueva del Esplendor area to Jardín after the rural hike and optional swim.
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Dinner
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Casa Passiflora
Casa Passiflora is the Jardín base for two nights, placing the journey close to the town's colourful streets and the rural landscapes around Cueva del Esplendor and Jardín Rocas.
Santa Fe de Antioquia and Medellín
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Breakfast
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Transfer from Jardín to Santa Fe de Antioquia
Travel by road from Jardín to Santa Fe de Antioquia, approximately three hours through Antioquia's mountain landscapes.
Duration: 3h -
Santa Fe de Antioquia Historic Centre and Filigree Workshop
Explore Santa Fe de Antioquia's historic centre, founded in 1541 and recognised as a national monument in 1959. Walk paved streets, admire coloured wooden shutters, and visit a workshop to see the filigree tradition used in local goldsmithing.
Easy -
Puente de Occidente Crossing
Cross Puente de Occidente above the Río Cauca, a 291-metre engineering landmark designed by José María Villa. The bridge's story, including the engineer's involvement in New York's Brooklyn Bridge, adds a human dimension to the crossing.
Easy -
Lunch
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Transfer from Santa Fe de Antioquia to Medellín
Continue by car from Santa Fe de Antioquia to Medellín, with approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the El Poblado district.
Duration: 1h30min -
Dinner
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Lettera
Lettera is the Medellín base in the lively El Poblado district, reached after the colonial streets of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Its location sets up guided time in Medellín and the hillside neighbourhood of Comuna 3 / Manrique.
Medellín: History, Art, and Manrique
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Breakfast
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Guided Historic and Contemporary Medellín Visit
Take a guided introduction to modern Medellín, considering the city's distinct identity alongside its difficult past. The route includes Plaza Botero, Parque de las Luces, Palacio Nacional, and Junín, linking public art with the historic centre.
Easy -
Comuna 3 / Manrique Cultural Neighbourhood Visit
Visit Comuna 3, also known as Manrique, a lively hillside neighbourhood with city views, colourful murals, active streets, and busy markets. The neighbourhood's cultural heritage and everyday creativity give another perspective on Medellín.
Easy -
Lunch
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Dinner
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Lettera
Lettera is the Medellín base in the lively El Poblado district, reached after the colonial streets of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Its location sets up guided time in Medellín and the hillside neighbourhood of Comuna 3 / Manrique.
El Peñol, Guatapé, and Cartagena
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Breakfast
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Road Transfer from Medellín to El Peñol and Guatapé
Travel by road from Medellín to El Peñol and Guatapé. The full hotel–El Peñol–Guatapé route takes approximately four hours before the transfer onward to the airport.
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Optional El Peñol 649-Step Climb
Climb the 649 steps of El Peñol rock for views across the reservoir and surrounding landscape. This is optional, with the time and effort left to each traveller.
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Guided Guatapé Village and Zócalos Visit
Explore Guatapé with a guide, reading the village through its colourful façades and zócalos, the raised reliefs that depict local history, traditions, and daily life. Afterwards, take free time for craft shops, a regional speciality, or the atmosphere of the streets.
Easy -
Lunch
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Optional Embalse de Guatapé Boat Cruise
Cruise for about 45 minutes on Embalse de Guatapé, reading the reservoir landscape with El Peñol rock as a backdrop. The optional outing offers a quieter counterpoint to the village walk.
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Dinner
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Transfer to Medellín Airport
Transfer from the Guatapé area to Medellín airport, estimated at approximately 50 minutes from the hotel.
Duration: 50min -
Flight from Medellín to Cartagena
Fly from Medellín to Cartagena, with a flight time of approximately one hour.
Duration: 1h -
Transfer from Cartagena Airport to Casa Cytia
Transfer from Cartagena airport to Casa Cytia, estimated at around 20 minutes.
Duration: 20min -
Casa Cytia
Casa Cytia is the Cartagena base before and after Isla Múcura, giving the route a practical pause between historic-centre visits, the Caribbean boat crossing, and the final airport transfer.
Cartagena's Historic Centre and Optional Coastal Encounters
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Breakfast
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Guided Cartagena Historic-Centre Walk
Walk Cartagena's historic centre with a guide, following the city's layered history through its churches, the monastery of San Pedro Claver, the cathedral, and colonial houses. The afternoon remains free to continue exploring at your own pace.
Easy -
Optional La Boquilla Community and Mangrove Boat
Travel to La Boquilla, an Afro-Colombian fishing community on the coast, and take a local boat through the mangroves. The outing creates space to observe resident and migratory birds while learning about local traditions.
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Optional Convento de La Popa and Fort of San Felipe Visit
With a French-speaking guide, visit the Convento de La Popa for its panoramic view over Cartagena, then continue to the Fort of San Felipe, built in 1536 to defend the city from pirates and corsairs. The visit is optional.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Casa Cytia
Casa Cytia is the Cartagena base before and after Isla Múcura, giving the route a practical pause between historic-centre visits, the Caribbean boat crossing, and the final airport transfer.
Boat to Isla Múcura
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Breakfast
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Transfer from Casa Cytia to Cartagena Port
Transfer from Casa Cytia to Cartagena port, estimated at around 20 minutes, for the boat to Isla Múcura.
Duration: 20min -
Collective Boat from Cartagena to Isla Múcura
Take the collective boat from Cartagena port to Isla Múcura, with the crossing estimated at approximately two hours.
Duration: 2h -
Punta Faro Beach and Island Orientation
Settle into Punta Faro on Isla Múcura and take time to orient yourself on the beach and around the island. The days here are deliberately slower, with clear water, pale sand, and the possibility of simply staying close to the sea.
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Optional Isla Múcura Water and Ecological Activities
Choose from the activities available on Isla Múcura, including snorkelling, sea kayaking, diving, nearby-island visits, and ecological walks. The day can follow the weather, energy, and interests of the group.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Punta Faro
Hotel Boutique | Altitude: 3m (10 ft)Punta Faro (Mucura) is a tranquil island escape in Colombia, offering pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and a serene setting perfect for a rejuvenating getaway.
Isla Múcura at Leisure
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Breakfast
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Isla Múcura Beach, Sand Walks, and Short Swims
Spend a second day on Isla Múcura with time for the beach, gentle sand walks, and short swims in the surrounding sea. The pace is intentionally unhurried, with optional activities available locally if you want more movement.
Easy -
Optional Locally Available Isla Múcura Activity
Use free time on Isla Múcura to choose an activity available locally, or let the day remain unstructured around the beach and sea. The exact choice follows local availability and the mood of the day.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Punta Faro
Hotel Boutique | Altitude: 3m (10 ft)Punta Faro (Mucura) is a tranquil island escape in Colombia, offering pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and a serene setting perfect for a rejuvenating getaway.
Return to Cartagena
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Breakfast
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Collective Boat from Isla Múcura to Cartagena
Return by collective boat from Isla Múcura to Cartagena port, with a crossing estimated at approximately two hours.
Duration: 2h -
Transfer from Cartagena Port to Casa Cytia
Transfer from Cartagena port back to Casa Cytia, estimated at around 20 minutes.
Duration: 20min -
Optional One-Hour Cartagena Salsa Lesson
Take an optional one-hour salsa lesson in Cartagena, privately or in a small group. It offers a playful way to spend part of the free afternoon while getting closer to one of the city's living cultural traditions.
1h -
Lunch
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Optional Cartagena Bay Sunset Yacht Cruise
Return to Cartagena and, if you wish, watch the sun set across the bay from a semi-public yacht with an open bar. The optional cruise can be a relaxed shared ending to the day.
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Dinner
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Casa Cytia
Casa Cytia is the Cartagena base before and after Isla Múcura, giving the route a practical pause between historic-centre visits, the Caribbean boat crossing, and the final airport transfer.
Departure
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Breakfast
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Optional Guided Breakfast in Getsemaní
For the optional morning experience in Getsemaní, meet your guide for breakfast at a local restaurant before exploring the neighbourhood and Bazurto Market. -
Optional Bazurto Market Visit
Visit Bazurto Market before departure, walking its colourful and lively aisles with time to discover Cartagena's food traditions. The city's cuisine reflects Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences; the market is open Monday to Saturday.
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Transfer from Casa Cytia to Cartagena Airport
Transfer from Casa Cytia to Cartagena airport, estimated at around 20 minutes.
Duration: 20min
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Casa Deco
Bogotá Downtown
2 nights · Hotel Boutique
Hacienda Combia
Pereira
2 nights
Casa Passiflora
Jardin
2 nights
Lettera
Medellín
2 nights
Casa Cytia
Cartagena
3 nights
Punta Faro
2 nights · Hotel Boutique
Casa Deco
Hotel Boutique | $$$
Hotel Casa Deco is a beautiful, charming building, with a very art-deco style in La Candelaria, in Bogotá's historic center. You will easily access the tourist attractions, like the Gold Museum, the Modern Art Museum, and the Botero Museum. The Hotel includes a splendid terrace on the rooftop with the perfect view of the Cerros.The rooms are the perfect combination of European elegance with the local Colombian charms. The decoration is very colorful, with many works of art imitations. Some of the rooms have a balcony or a small terrace, where you will be able to admire the many beauties of La Candelaria.
Hacienda Combia
Casa Passiflora
Lettera
Casa Cytia
Punta Faro
Hotel Boutique | Altitude: 3m (10 ft)
Located in the San Bernardo archipelago, on Mucura Island, Punta Faro Hotel is a pearl in the Caribbean sea. This ecologic building offers outstanding stays on a dream island, where you can go snorkeling. You access the island from Cartagena (1h40 in speedboat). This place is an invitation to emerge in a charming and authentic atmosphere. Let yourself be dazzled by the magical beauty of Mucura Island.
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 9.295 USD (664 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 8.095 USD (578 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 6.495 USD (464 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 5.595 USD (400 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
i
Hotels mentioned in the program- Casa Deco — 2 nights · Hotel Boutique
- Hacienda Combia — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Casa Passiflora — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Lettera — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Casa Cytia — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Punta Faro — 2 nights · Hotel Boutique
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van, 4x4), as well as Boat / Ferry
- Domestic flights
- Meals indicated in the program: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunchs, 13 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (1.949 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Extend your journey
Optional extensions and add-ons you may consider for your trip. Each can be added to your itinerary on request — just let me know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.