Cartagena to Bogota: Colonial Cities & Trekking — Self-Launched
21 days · Colombia
G Adventures charges £2,350
No-markup version: ~£1,980 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 21-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Cartagena to Bogota: Colonial Cities & Trekking" (trip code SMCB). You'll start with colonial Cartagena, strike out to Santa Marta and the Sierra Nevada for the four-day Ciudad Perdida (Lost City of Teyuna) trek, relax in Tayrona National Park or Minca, then move through Medellín, the coffee region, Cali and finally Bogotá — all using public buses, collectivos, cheap domestic flights and direct-booked local guides instead of a group tour. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and assume dorm or private budget rooms, local buses and set-menu meals.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cartagena
Cartagena
Land at Rafael Núñez International Airport and get a taxi or Uber to your base in Getsemaní or the old town walls (£2-4). Check into a hostel dorm or budget private room. In the evening wander to Plaza Trinidad in Getsemaní, grab a cold Aguila or Club Colombia and some street arepas, and settle into Caribbean coast pace.
🚌Airport taxi/Uber to centre ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Getsemaní or old town (£8-14)
- →Settle in and explore Getsemaní
- →Evening drinks at Plaza Trinidad
Cartagena old town on foot
Cartagena
Do the classic city highlights yourself instead of a group coach tour: walk the clock tower and Plaza Bolívar, Puerta del Reloj, the Cathedral, and the colourful streets of San Diego. Pay the small entry to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (£5). Optionally book a GetYourGuide walking tour if you want the history commentary (from ~£15). Sunset on the walls by Café del Mar.
🚌Walking + occasional local taxi ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm in Getsemaní (£8-14)
- →Self-guided old town walk
- →Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
- →Las Murallas sunset
Islas del Rosario day trip
Rosario Islands
Book a shared boat or fast-launch day trip to Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park direct with a local operator at the Muelle de la Bodeguita (~£25-35 incl. lunch and snorkel stop). Otherwise kick back in Cartagena or take a low-cost salsa lesson in the evening.
🚌Shared boat from Muelle de la Bodeguita (included in trip price)
🛏Hostel dorm in Getsemaní (£8-14)
- →Islas del Rosario boat trip
- →Snorkelling
- →Optional evening salsa class (~£8)
Cartagena to Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Take a local long-distance bus or minivan north to Santa Marta (3-4 hrs, ~£8-12; Marsol/Unitransco buses run regularly from the Cartagena terminal). Check into a hostel near Parque de los Novios, then hit the Gold Museum (Tairona collection) and the beach at Bahía de Santa Marta.
🚌Local bus/minivan Cartagena–Santa Marta ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm, Santa Marta centre (£7-12)
- →Gold Museum
- →Santa Marta waterfront
Ciudad Perdida trek — day 1 to Ricardito
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Lost City trek must be done with a licensed operator; skip the group-tour markup by booking direct with a Santa Marta agency (e.g. Expotur, Turcol or Magic Tour) — the 4-day trek is ~£300-360 all-in, including transport to Machete Pelao, all meals, camps, Wiwa/Kogi guides and hammocks. Day 1 is a gentle jungle walk following the Buritaca River through farmland and Kogi communities to Ricardito Camp.
🚌4x4 to Machete Pelao, then trekking (included)
🛏Hammock/rustic bunk at Ricardito Camp (included in trek)
- →Day 1 Lost City trek
- →Kogi community farmland
- →Buritaca River swimming
Ciudad Perdida trek — day 2 to Wiwa Camp
Ciudad Perdida trail
The toughest day: steep climbs and river crossings through dense steamy jungle, plenty of wooden steps, ending at Wiwa Camp for a swim and afternoon rest. Your guide (included in the direct-booked trek) points out jungle wildlife and history along the way.
🚌Trekking
🛏Hammock/rustic bunk at Wiwa Camp (included)
- →Steep jungle climbing
- →River swim at Wiwa Camp
Ciudad Perdida trek — day 3 to Paso Lorenzo
Ciudad Perdida trail
A morning climb over the ridge, then a long descent along an old mule track into the valley to Paso Lorenzo, arriving by lunchtime. Spend the afternoon swimming in the Buritaca River and learning about Wiwa customs from your local guide.
🚌Trekking
🛏Hammock/rustic bunk at Paso Lorenzo Camp (included)
- →Ridge crossing
- →Wiwa cultural talk
- →River swim
Ciudad Perdida trek — day 4, Teyuna and return
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Early start for the 1,200-step climb up to the terraces of Teyuna itself — spend a couple of hours with your guide before descending all the way back out to Machete Pelao and returning by 4x4/jeep to Santa Marta. Back in town for a hot shower and a big dinner.
🚌Trekking + 4x4 transfer back to Santa Marta (included in trek)
🛏Hostel dorm, Santa Marta (£7-12)
- →Teyuna Lost City visit
- →Full descent
- →Return to Santa Marta
Tayrona National Park (or Minca in February)
Tayrona National Park
Take a local bus or collectivo from Santa Marta to the Tayrona park entrance (~£2-3). Pay the park entry (~£16) and hike the trail to Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan. Book a hammock or eco-camp if you want to stay the night. Tayrona is normally closed for maintenance in February — in that case spend the day in Minca: coffee finca tour, waterfall hike and the 'Paso del Mango' viewpoint, with a local guide from ~£15.
🚌Local bus to Tayrona entrance (El Zaino) ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm, Santa Marta, or Tayrona hammock (£10-20)
- →Tayrona hike and beaches
- →Optional hammock or Minca coffee tour alternative in Feb
Santa Marta to Medellín
Medellín
Fly Santa Marta–Medellín with Avianca or Viva/Viva Air or LATAM (one-way from ~£35-60 booked ahead); buses take 14+ hrs so the flight is well worth it. Land in Medellín and check into an El Poblado or Laureles hostel. Evening in Laureles with local bandeja paisa and craft beer.
🚌Domestic flight Santa Marta–Medellín ~£45
🛏Hostel dorm, El Poblado or Laureles (£8-15)
- →Arrive Medellín
- →Laureles food and nightlife
Medellín — Comuna 13 and metro-cable
Medellín
Ride the metrocable up to Santo Domingo for views over the valley, then take the free comms-cable. Join a Comuna 13 graffiti and community tour — book direct with a local guide or via GetYourGuide from ~£15, and ride the metrocable like a local. Afternoon at the Museo de Antioquia and Plaza Botero.
🚌Metro + metrocable day pass ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Medellín (£8-15)
- →Comuna 13 tour
- →Metrocable ride
- →Museo de Antioquia and Plaza Botero
Guatapé day trip
Guatapé
Local bus from Medellín's Terminal del Norte to Guatapé (~2 hrs, ~£6 each way). Climb the 740 steps of La Piedra del Peñol for the classic lake view (entry ~£5), then explore the colourful zócalo-lined town and take a boat trip on the reservoir. Free evening back in Medellín.
🚌Return local bus Medellín–Guatapé ~£12
🛏Hostel dorm, Medellín (£8-15)
- →La Piedra del Peñol climb
- →Guatapé town walk
- →Optional reservoir boat trip
Medellín to Salento (coffee region)
Salento
Bus from Medellín Terminal del Norte to Pereira or Armenia (~6-7 hrs, ~£15-20), then a short local bus up to Salento (~£1.50). Check into a hostel or finca guesthouse in this colourful coffee village. Evening playing tejo with locals is the obligatory rite of passage.
🚌Long-distance bus Medellín–Pereira/Armenia ~£18 + local bus ~£2
🛏Hostel or finca guesthouse, Salento (£8-15)
- →Arrive Salento
- →Tejo game with locals
Cocora Valley and coffee finca
Salento
Take a Willys jeep from Salento to Cocora Valley (~£2) and hike among the world's tallest wax palms — the loop past Acaime hummingbird reserve is ~4-5 hrs and park entry/refuge is ~£3-4. In the afternoon visit a coffee finca for a picking and roasting tour (direct with Finca El Ocaso or Don Eduardo, ~£6-10).
🚌Willys jeep to Cocora and back ~£4
🛏Hostel or finca guesthouse, Salento (£8-15)
- →Cocora Valley hike
- →Coffee finca tour
Salento to Cali
Cali
Bus from Armenia or Pereira down to Cali (~3.5-5 hrs, ~£10-14). Check into a hostel in San Antonio or Granada, then stroll the colonial San Antonio barrio and the riverside boulevard. Cali is Colombia's salsa capital — take a beginner salsa class tonight (from ~£6-10).
🚌Bus Pereira/Armenia–Cali ~£12
🛏Hostel dorm, Cali (£7-13)
- →San Antonio barrio walk
- →Evening salsa class
Cali — salsa and city
Cali
Visit the Cali Zoo or the Museo del Oro, then head to the Salsódromo area and Juanchito if you want the real salsa scene. Optional day trip to the temperate village of Dapa or Pance Valley for a waterfall swim and lunch. Group salsa night at a local club (£5-10 cover).
🚌Local buses/taxis ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm, Cali (£7-13)
- →Museum or zoo visit
- →Pance Valley day trip option
- →Salsa night out
Cali to Bogotá
Bogotá
Take a flight Cali–Bogotá (Avianca/Viva from ~£30-45) or the long bus (~11-12 hrs) if you want to save money. Check into a hostel in La Candelaria. Spend the evening around Plaza Chorro de Quevedo sampling Bogotá's café and street-food scene.
🚌Domestic flight Cali–Bogotá ~£38
🛏Hostel dorm, La Candelaria (£8-15)
- →Arrive Bogotá
- →La Candelaria evening
Bogotá — Monserrate and Gold Museum
Bogotá
Ride the Monserrate funicular or cable car up the mountain for views over the city (~£5). Visit the Museo del Oro (the world's great pre-Columbian gold collection, ~£2), then wander the Plaza de Bolívar, the Cathedral, and the Botero Museum. Book a direct free-walking-tour or GetYourGuide La Candelaria tour if you prefer narration (~£12).
🚌TransMilenio + funicular ~£6
🛏Hostel dorm, La Candelaria (£8-15)
- →Monserrate funicular
- →Museo del Oro
- →Plaza de Bolívar and Botero Museum
Bogotá — Zipaquirá salt cathedral
Zipaquirá
Take the Transmilenio to Portal Norte then a bus to Zipaquirá (~1.5-2 hrs, ~£3-4) for the underground Salt Cathedral (entry ~£11) — one of Colombia's most unusual sights. Back in Bogotá, explore Usaquén's Sunday-style market or the graffiti of La Candelaria, and eat ajiaco at a local menu-del-día spot.
🚌Bus Transmilenio + Zipaquirá return ~£7
🛏Hostel dorm, La Candelaria (£8-15)
- →Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral
- →Usaquén market
- →Street-art walk
Bogotá — free day and farewell
Bogotá
Use your last full day for whatever you skipped: the Botero/Colonial art collections, a day trip to the Guatavita lake (El Dorado legend), or a food-and-fruit market tour. Wrap up with dinner in Zona Rosa or a rooftop overlooking the city.
🚌Local transport ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm, La Candelaria (£8-15)
- →Optional Guatavita day trip
- →Market or museum free time
- →Farewell dinner
Depart Bogotá
Bogotá
Last morning in the city — grab breakfast, do any final souvenir shopping, then take a taxi or TransMilenio to El Dorado airport for your flight home. If you time it, a Sunday Ciclovía or a coffee-farm day trip can fill a few hours.
🚌Airport taxi ~£6-8
🛏—
- →Departure day
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,980 | £2,350 |
| Duration | 21 days | 21 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £370 per person (16%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,980
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Cartagena to Bogota: Colonial Cities & Trekking — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,980 per person for 21 days in Colombia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,980 — a saving of roughly £370 (16%) per person.
How long is the Colombia trip?+
This itinerary runs 21 days, covering 21 day-by-day stops through Colombia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Colombia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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