Colombia Multisport: Self-Launched Bogotá to Cartagena

Fly into El Dorado airport and take an authorised white taxi from the official counter inside arrivals to La Candelaria (approx. 65,000 COP / £13, 30–45 mins). Check into a hostel in the colonial old town. Spend the afternoon acclimatising at 2,600m: wander the Botero Museum (free), the Gold Museum (4,000 COP) and grab ajiaco or a bandeja at a local comedor. Book your Chingaza day trip tonight — either through your hostel or a Bogotá operator (GetYourGuide has guided transfers from around £35–45).

🚌Airport taxi ~£13

🛏Hostel dorm or private twin in La Candelaria (£12–18)

• →Gold Museum (4,000 COP)
• →Botero Museum (free)
• →La Candelaria orientation wander
• →Book Chingaza day trip

Early pickup (5:30–6am is normal) for the drive up to Chingaza at 3,000–3,500m. The classic hike runs through frailejones and palms to the Lagunas de Siecha or Laguna de Chingaza — bring layers, rain jacket and plenty of water. Entry to the park requires a reservation through the operator; independent entry is possible via Parques Nacionales but transport is the hard part, so a shared day tour is the practical equivalent. Back in Bogotá by early evening — eat light and rest.

🚌Shared tour minibus included in day-trip price

🛏Hostel dorm or private twin in La Candelaria (£12–18)

• →Guided Chingaza lagoon hike
• →Frailejones páramo landscape

Take an early bus from Bogotá's Terminal Salitre to Villa de Leyva (approx. 3.5–4 hrs, 35,000–45,000 COP / £7–9). Drop your bag at a café or left luggage, then explore the cobbled whitewashed plaza, the Cojines del Zaque and grab lunch. Mid-afternoon, continue by bus or shared taxi to San Gil via Tunja or Arcabuco (approx. 4–5 hrs, ~£8–10). Check into a hostel in San Gil — the adventure capital of Santander — and book your rafting for tomorrow night.

🚌Bus Bogotá–Villa de Leyva ~£8 + bus Villa de Leyva–San Gil ~£9

🛏Hostel in San Gil (£10–15)

• →Villa de Leyva colonial plaza
• →Cojines del Zaque
• →Book Suárez Canyon rafting

Book a half-day Río Suárez rafting trip direct with one of San Gil's established operators (Colombia Rafting, Yuma Adventures or similar — around 120,000–160,000 COP / £25–33 for a guided run with equipment and safety kayak). The Suárez is one of South America's best big-water runs — expect Class III–IV depending on flow. Afternoon free: chill by the Chicamocha canyon viewpoint or take a short caving trip (Cueva del Indio) if you've still got energy. Dinner at a local grill — cabro (goat) is the regional speciality.

🚌Local mototaxi or short walk to rafting base

🛏Hostel in San Gil (£10–15)

• →Río Suárez whitewater rafting
• →Optional Cueva del Indio caving

Free morning for optional adventure: paragliding over the Chicamocha canyon (~£45–60), bungee jumping at Puente de la Libertad, or a gentle Chicamocha cable car trip. In the late afternoon take a local bus or shared taxi to Barichara (approx. 45 mins, ~£2–3). This red-tiled, cobbled colonial town is a national monument — check into a guesthouse and walk to the Mirador for sunset over the canyon before dinner.

🚌Bus/shared taxi San Gil–Barichara ~£3

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Barichara (£12–20)

• →Optional paragliding or bungee
• →Barichara sunset mirador
• →Colonial old town walk

Walk the Camino Real — a 9km stone-paved colonial path through cactus and canyon scenery from Barichara down to the tiny whitewashed village of Guane (allow 3–4 hrs, free to walk, no guide needed though trails are well marked). Stop at roadside stalls for fresh juice and fruit. In Guane, visit the small archaeology museum and the church, then take a local bus or shared taxi back up to Barichara (or walk back if you're feeling strong). Afternoon: sit in the plaza, try hormigas culonas and a cold beer.

🚌Local bus Guane–Barichara ~£2

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Barichara (£12–20)

• →El Camino Real 9km hike
• →Guane village and museum
• →Barichara plaza

Take an early bus or shared taxi to Bucaramanga's Palonegro airport (approx. 1.5–2 hrs). Fly to Medellín (Avianca or LATAM, approx. 300,000–450,000 COP / £60–90 one way booked a few weeks ahead; Viva Air-style low-cost seats are cheaper). Arrive by early afternoon and check into a hostel in El Poblado or Laureles. Spend the afternoon exploring: Laureles' leafy streets are great for a first wander and the local food scene — try a bandeja paisa or an arepa de chócolo.

🚌Shared taxi to Bucaramanga ~£12 + one-way flight to Medellín ~£70

🛏Hostel in El Poblado or Laureles (£12–18)

• →Laureles neighbourhood walk
• →Local food crawl
• →Parque Lleras evening

Join a small-group city bike tour (GetYourGuide or the hostel can book — around £25–30 for 3–4 hrs) covering the city's transformation story: Parque de los Deseos, the Área Metropolitana, and the riverside district. Alternatively, ride the Metrocable (a normal 3,000 COP public ticket) up to Santo Domingo and walk the library park. In the afternoon, head to Comuna 13 for the graffiti, escalators and street performers — go with a local guide from a community tourism cooperative (~£12–18) rather than alone.

🚌Metro and Metrocable day ticket ~£2

🛏Hostel in El Poblado or Laureles (£12–18)

• →City bike tour
• →Metrocable ride
• →Comuna 13 community walk

Take a direct bus from Medellín's Terminal Norte to Guatapé (approx. 2 hrs, 15,000–20,000 COP / £3–4). Climb the 740 steps of La Piedra del Peñol for the famous lake-and-islands view (20,000 COP / £4), then walk downhill into the colourful zócalo town — every house has painted bas-reliefs. Take a boat out on the reservoir or just eat trucha fresca by the water. Last bus back to Medellín around 5–6pm. Evening: free time in Medellín.

🚌Return bus Medellín–Guatapé ~£7

🛏Hostel in El Poblado or Laureles (£12–18)

• →La Piedra del Peñol climb
• →Guatapé zócalo walk
• →Optional reservoir boat trip

Morning flight Medellín–Cartagena (approx. 1 hr 15, 300,000–450,000 COP / £60–90 booked ahead). Check into a hostel or guesthouse inside or beside the Getsemaní neighbourhood — better value than the walled city itself and a 10-minute walk in. Spend the afternoon walking the walls at golden hour, the Plaza de los Coches, the clock tower and the café-lined streets of Getsemaní. Optional: Museo del Oro Zenú (free-ish, small entry) or a chiva night bus tour if you want the group-tour party element.

🚌Airport taxi ~£6 + one-way flight ~£72

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Getsemaní (£15–22)

• →Cartagena city walls at sunset
• →Getsemaní street art and plazas
• →Optional chiva night bus

If your flight is late, do a day trip to the Islas del Rosario or Playa Blanca by public launch from Muelle Turístico (around 250,000–350,000 COP / £50–70 including lunch and snorkel gear — book at the dock or via Klook). Otherwise spend a slow morning in the old town: coffee, Castillo San Felipe (optional), and last souvenir shopping before heading to Rafael Núñez airport (taxi ~£5).

🚌Airport taxi ~£5

🛏None (departure day) or final night (£15–22 if staying)

• →Optional Islas del Rosario boat trip
• →Castillo San Felipe
• →Old town café morning