Wild Trails & Salsa Tales: An Epic Colombian Adventure with @ellamarietravels 19th – 29th June 2025

Price for one tour per person

£949.00

Tour Features

Length

11 days
Trip dates

19th – 29th June 2025
Flexible Deposit

Pay a 15% deposit to secure your space, and a final balance 90 days before your trip start date.

In stock

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Colombia’s rich tapestry of culture, landscapes, and adventures. From the vibrant streets of Medellín to the picturesque town of Guatapé, you’ll uncover the essence of Colombia in 11 unforgettable days. Explore the captivating Comuna 13 neighbourhood; savour the flavours of Colombian cuisine; immerse yourself in the world of coffee at a charming farm in Salento; hike through the stunning Cocora Valley and dance to the rhythms of Cali’s vibrant salsa culture. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and a vibrant community of fellow travellers, this adventure offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the best of Colombia. Get ready to be captivated by Colombia’s charm and energy on this unforgettable journey.

What’s Included?

  • All accommodation for 10 nights in hostels, ensuring you have a welcoming space to unwind after each day of exploration.
  • Travel with ease as all internal transport is arranged through private shuttles, providing a smooth and convenient way to navigate between your destinations.
  • Embark on a Río Guatapé boat tour, where you can glide across shimmering waters and enjoy a private lunch stop on a picturesque island, savouring delicious local cuisine amidst stunning natural scenery.
  • Marvel at the world’s tallest palm trees, standing majestically in their lush environment, creating an awe-inspiring backdrop for your adventure.
  • Join a guided tour of Comuna 13, where you’ll explore the vibrant community and witness its remarkable transformation through art, culture, and resilience.
  • Participate in a graffiti workshop and coffee-tasting, where you can learn about the local art scene while sampling some of the finest Colombian coffee, experiencing the best of both worlds.
  • Visit a local music studio for an exciting showcase of vibrant rap and dance performances, immersing yourself in the dynamic sounds and rhythms of the region.
  • Enjoy a day trip to Guatapé, a colourful town known for its picturesque architecture and the striking views of the surrounding lakes and hills.
  • Hike up the famous El Peñón, where the breathtaking panoramic views from the summit reward your efforts and offer a unique perspective of the stunning landscape below.
  • Experience a private guided hike through Cocora Valley, where you’ll wander among towering wax palms and lush greenery, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Andean mountains.
  • Take group salsa lessons in the salsa capital of the world, where you can learn from local instructors and immerse yourself in the lively rhythms of this infectious dance.
  • Enjoy a private Bogotá city walking tour, where a knowledgeable guide will lead you through the capital’s rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods, and cultural landmarks.
  • Ascend to Monserrate via cable car, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Bogotá and its surrounding mountains, a perfect way to appreciate the city from above.

What’s Excluded?

  • International flights. You will want to book a flight that arrives to Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, and departs from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota. Feel free to reach out to our lovely customer service team if you’d like any help finding flights!
  • Your personal travel insurance.
  • Some meals. Meals start as affordably as £2 per plate for some local dishes.
  • Optional activities. Our itinerary is pretty jam-packed with included activities, however should you choose to do more in your free time, this is at your own expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

The official currency is the Colombian peso (COP). ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in many places, but it’s advisable to carry cash for smaller vendors and markets.

Spanish is the official language. While you can find English speakers in tourist areas, learning basic Spanish phrases can enhance your experience and interactions.

Pack lightweight clothing for the warm climate, layers for cooler mountainous regions, a rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle.
Colombian cuisine is diverse and regional. Try bandeja paisa (a hearty platter), arepas (corn cakes), empanadas (fried pastries), and sancocho (a hearty stew). Street food is also popular and worth exploring.

Tap water is not safe to drink in most areas. Stick to bottled or filtered water and avoid ice unless you’re certain it’s made from purified water.

Colombia has diverse climates due to its varying altitudes. Coastal areas are typically warm and humid, while highland areas can be cooler. The country experiences two rainy seasons, generally from April to June and September to November.
Support local businesses, engage in eco-friendly tourism, and respect local cultures and customs. Avoid contributing to practices that harm the environment or exploit local communities.
Safety varies by region. Major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena are generally safe for tourists. By exercising caution, staying informed, and being respectful of local customs, you can have a safe and enjoyable experience. Trust your instincts. If you would like any further information on this, you can always ask your Plotpackers guide!
While many in tourist areas speak some English, learning basic Spanish phrases can help. Use translation apps if needed, and gestures can also bridge communication gaps.
Yes, ATMs are widely available in cities and towns. They usually accept international debit and credit cards. However, be cautious about which ATM you use—opt for those located in well-lit areas, such as bank branches or shopping centres.
Yes, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) are accepted in urban areas and tourist destinations. However, smaller vendors and some rural areas may only accept cash.

Travel With Purpose

We know you’re here to travel the world, have once in a lifetime experiences, and meet lifelong friends, but we also think it’s important to know about the kind of company you’ll be supporting and travelling with.

We’re investing heavily into brand new, patented technologies that make the world a safer place for women through their smartphones and watches. This technology accurately detects, quietly alerts emergency services, and records a complete evidence pack in order to increase offender conviction rates in the event a user is attacked. You can read more about this (as well as how to get involved, if you’d like to!) here.

We believe that carbon neutral is the bare minimum. Beyond accurately calculating and offsetting our travel operations, we’re heavily involved in climate action. As a certified partner of the United Nations in Sustainable Tourism, we’re working to have the lowest emission tours on the market, we’re making our way into UK climate politics, and you can read more about our climate action programme and goals here.

We’re a small, female founded business with a powerhouse team. We care about fostering friendships for life, making the trips of a lifetime more affordable, working with the most incredible local communities all over the world to make this possible, having the best guides to ensure a safe, exciting experience, and putting purpose over profit. That’s why we spent pretty much all of our first year profits on making tangible progress on our purpose, as you’ve read above. We’re just getting started, and we’re hope you’re as excited as we are to join us on this journey! You can read more about us here.

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Your Plotpackers experiences, in your words.

Anne Slattery – September 2023

Just finished the Ecuador /Amazon trip with Louise… what can I say🥳… it was way above our expectations … her knowledge and attention to this detailed trip made it a trip we shall not forget .. all accommodation was fabulous.. recommended trips on free days was valuable .. her choice of restaurants in local areas were lovely. Her choice of lodge in the Amazon was not only beautiful but really well run from guides to a full activity packed day.. From start To finish it was a dream trip that ran so smoothly run by Louise.. would recommend it to anyone.

Sophie S – September 2023

Before this group trip, being able to travel with a busy itinerary of activities and exploration on a budget seemed unrealistic – Plotpackers made this possible. The itinerary was just packed enough to keep busy but well thought out and allowed for rest and acclimatisation. Being able to share this experience and make friends with a group of people who would be otherwise strangers was an added bonus. For anyone who is doubtful about solo/group travel, just book the trip!

Thank you Louise for making solo/group travel accessible, affordable and friendly!

Ursula Duffin – September 2024

Highly recommend. I booked the trip as I’ve always wanted to travel South America but didn’t feel comfortable going alone as a female. This trip allowed me to explore while feeling safe. The price point was much lower than other companies I had seen too. The itinerary was well planned with a good mix of rest and activities. Our guide Ru knew the area, language and itinerary very well and gave great recommendations for the free days we had. I made some amazing friends from all over that I’ll be seeing again – Thanks for a great trip!

Alex – July 2024

I found the 12 day trip to Peru very well organized and extremely enjoyable. It was great to meet other travelers and make new friends on the trip. Our guide Georgia was extremely welcoming. She made everyone feel included and encouraged people to get involved in all the activities! Thank you also to Louise for organizing such a great itinerary and for being accommodating. Sandra, our local guide was very kind and knowledgeable !

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