Colombia: Terre Prometida

Meeting with Tristan at the Airport and transfer to your hotel. Group orientation and slideshow presentation will be given by Tristan. Meet in the hotel lobby at 5 pm. He will cover some key points on the itinerary that showcase the uniqueness of Colombia and tips on how to best take advantage of its remarkable and varied photo opportunities.

This morning, we’ll explore Comuna 13, once a dangerous district in Medellín, now a showcase of the city’s transformation into a global innovation hub. We’ll ride the Metro Cable from San Javier station, a project designed to connect marginalized communities. The ride offers insight into Medellín’s metamorphosis from a notorious city into a vibrant cultural hub. We’ll then delve into Comuna 13’s history and the crucial role of street art in its social transformation and identity expression.
Lunch at Berraca, a social project. Private transfer to Medellin’s Historical Center
Visit of it’s top attractions: Enjoy local “Guasca” music at Parque Berrío, then navigate downtown’s vibrant streets to Botero Plaza, showcasing landmark sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Stop at Malaga bar to have a coffee in a typical atmosphere.
Return to your hotel by private transport.

Departure to Guatape and visit of El Peñol located at 2h from Medellin. In the morning, explore the colorful streets of Guatapé, known for its vibrant facades and intricate zocalos. In the afternoon, hike up El Peñol, a massive granite rock, to capture breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and landscapes.

40 min drive to Medellin JMC Airport Enjoy a hassle-free transfer from Medellin’s José María Córdova (JMC) Airport to Pereira Airport, connecting you smoothly to the next stage of our adventure. 1h private transfer from Pereira to Salento, followed by a seamless check-in at your hotel Explore the charming streets of Salento on a guided walking tour, immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and picturesque architecture of this iconic Colombian town.

Following your guide during this walk, you will discover a gorgeous valley where the wax palms give a surrealistic touch to the area. Step by step, you will enter the tropical forest of the Andes and discover an exuberant nature. For lunch, try the local specialty, trout, in a restaurant with a beautiful view of the region. Free time so that you have time to stroll around the colonial streets and handicraft shops.

1h private transfer from Salento to Pereira Head to a new tropical destination on a Domestic Flight: Santa Marta
Departure to Minca, the ecological capital of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Then, transfer by 4×4 to our charming lodge. Be prepared, the road is an adventure in itself.

Known worldwide for coffee, we cannot go to Colombia without discovering the secrets of this popular beverage. We will visit this morning the charming farm next door to take beautiful authentic pictures. This afternoon we have a first approach of the indigenous culture of the Sierra Nevada with a cultural activity with a Wiwa family. We will take the time to establish a private contact with them in this small village of 4 huts, and discover their ancestral culture through friendly exchanges and discovery of their typical activities. To end the day in beauty, we will return to the hotel’s viewpoint, to enjoy the sunset because in Mundo Nuevo it is an activity in itself, offering one of the most beautiful views of the entire region.

Appointment at 6am for a birdwatching session with a local specialized guide. We will be able to enjoy the biodiversity of Minca, with a little luck, see the Caribbean toucan, or tangaras. Transfer by 4×4 to the waterfalls of Marinka which offer the most beautiful natural pools of Minca. Visit of the 2 waterfalls where we will take the time to make a small dive or some photos. After the mountains, we join the coast for new tropical sceneries. Short break on the road to have lunch in a restaurant with a beautiful view on the Rio Piedras.
We discover another beautiful & exclusive place: the Barlovento. The hotel is located at the mouth of the river Piedras, with the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background. It is an ideal place for one to relax and stroll along the beach, but nature will surely have some other surprises in store for us.

Unique experience today with one of the most important indigenous communities in the world, the Kogi. This morning we will drive along the coast before climbing into the mountains on an epic road, with some majestic photo stops. The chief and villagers will welcome us in the Kogi tradition, and we will spend the morning discovering, learning, gaining trust, and then photographing them. Daily activities include collecting Coca leaves, preparing Fiqué fiber, drying Coca leaves, cooking, gathering fruit in the forest and weaving Mochilas.
Departure for new adventures: Taganga, near Santa Marta. Taganga is a typical fishing village that was once inhabited by the Carib Indians. We will let our curiosity guide us to meet the local fishermen and taste a delicious fish from the bay.
Dinner with a beautiful view of the Taganga bay.

This morning we take you to a place that few photographers have had the chance to visit. Nueva Venecia has the particularity to be the only village of the country entirely fluvial. Here, no car and no road, we move from house to house by canoe. We will take a private boat in the direction of the mangroves populated by thousands of marine birds, then we will visit the floating village to see the fishermen at work. If the school is open, we will make a short visit, followed by a demonstration of local music and dances.
Dinner at one of our secret addresses in Cartagena.

This morning we leave accompanied by a local guide to explore the magnificence of Cartagena, its colonial buildings and its period architecture. Each house, street, square, has something special to tell us, the beauty of its people and its Caribbean atmosphere have earned it the title of historical and cultural heritage of humanity.
Lunch with Caribbean flavors.
This afternoon, free time, or visit the district of getsemani and famous for its streets with umbrellas, its architecture and its magnificent grafitis. Perfect scenery to make colorful photos.
We have one last iconic place to visit, Café Del Mar, the best sight in Cartagena to watch the sunset while sipping a good cocktail.
And to finish in beauty, dinner in one of the best restaurants of the city. It will be a good time to debrief the trip, and review our best pictures.

Depending on your preferences, you can enjoy a quiet morning and breakfast at the hotel or free time for souvenirs.
Departure by cab to Cartagena airport