Your adventure starts with a flight via Bogota to Bucaramanga, which accesses the beautiful central highlands, famous for its dramatic canyons, roaring rivers, and waterfalls. Here, you’ll be picked up and taken on a 3-hour (but very scenic) drive to Barichara, a charming UNESCO World Heritage town.
Barichara has a very cool laid-back vibe, often referred to as one of the most beautiful towns in Colombia. With its cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and terracotta roofs, it feels like stepping back in time. This is where our partners Brendan and Josie Topp are based, who deliver this unique Colombian adventure. Through their connections you are going to meet some extraordinary people and places.
When you get here, you’ll settle into your accommodation, stretch your legs around the town square and start poking about in all the artisan shops, showcasing local pottery, woodcrafts, textiles, and more trilby hats that you can shake a stick at. Finishing up with a sundowner and a delicious supper at one of the town’s restaurants, known for its delicious Santander cuisine.
To help recover from jet lag we've arranged for you to start your day with a relaxing cuenco style yoga session – aka - yoga with a gong bath. Locally this is practised a lot and promises to connect and reframe your energy, getting you into great shape for the adventure ahead.
After this you’ll set out on a scenic 6.5km hike along an ancient footpath that links Barichara to another historic and pretty town of Guane. The hike is easy going giving you plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views and the peaceful surroundings. This historic route, known as the "Camino Real", has been used for centuries, offering a glimpse into the area's rich history. You’ll stop for a leisurely lunch in Guane, enjoying the quaint charm of this small town.
After lunch, you’ll head back to Barichara, have time to relax before supper at Mija – another local favourite. FYI - the food in this town is amazing.
Today your day will start with an energising yoga session on the hotel’s roof top terrace, before you head off on the stunning Don Diego River, fed from the Sierra Nevada mountains, to help with a community led reforestation project. Their goal is to reforest the community lands ensuring that the stunning landscapes are preserved for future generations.
This is a project that every Leap team contributes to, with over 1,000 trees already planted in the region. So, gardening gloves on, you will head out to plant up young saplings. However, it won’t be done quietly as the local community use this opportunity to practice their English so it will be a fun exchange.
Lunch will be a picnic next to one of the many natural swimming pools up stream. Utter heaven.
In the evening, you’ll head to Elvia for supper. This is a renowned local restaurant famous for its creative menus which sometimes include insects and other random ingredients. Utterly delicious.
On your last day in Barichara, you’ll start the day with another yoga session, before the family in need project.
Barichara is all about community spirit and helping those in need - it’s part of the culture here. Every Leap team that arrives in Barichara is paired with a family, and your mission today is to lend a hand and make a real difference to their lives.
The tasks vary depending on the family’s needs, but they often involve hands-on work from painting and levelling floors to gardening, washing, shopping, and sorting various household needs. These simple but impactful projects leave a lasting effect on the families and give you the opportunity to be part of local life.
Sundowners and supper will be at Sierra in Barichara.
Transfer day to the Caribbean coast.
It's quite a mission with a drive back to Bucaramanga and a flight to Santa Marta, via Bogota but must be done and soon forgotten when you reach Santa Marta, the historical coastal town that is the second oldest city in South America and the entry point to the famous Tayrona National Park.
Home for the next 2 days will be a pretty eco-lodge in the park, think lush jungle canopy, monkeys and parrots.
The next couple of days are all about exploring Tayrona, a stunning natural reserve located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Famous for the incredible variety of landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush jungles, and pristine Caribbean beaches.
It’s also home to the ancestral territories of the Kankuamo, Kogui, Wiwa, and Arhuaco indigenous communities, and the Lost City, an ancient settlement built in 800 CE and rediscovered in 1975.
On your first day here you'll set off on a 5–6 hour guided hike through dense jungle trails, winding along rivers, past towering trees, and under a canopy alive with the sounds of tropical birds and rustling wildlife.
Eventually, the forest opens up to reveal the ocean, where a private speedboat awaits to whisk you along the coast to a remote, deserted beach. Here, you’ll enjoy a laid-back picnic lunch with your toes in the sand and the wild coastline as your backdrop.
After lunch, the adventure continues. You’ll boat back to the trailhead and choose how to finish the journey, on foot or on horseback, riding through the last stretch of lush terrain as the light begins to soften. Back at the eco-lodge, you’ll arrive just in time for a well-earned sundowner, surrounded by jungle sounds and the satisfying tiredness that only comes from a day truly well spent. (FYI: The horse ride is optional and an extra cost of £20 to be paid when you are there, direct to the horseman).
The following day, you’ll be picked up by car and driven to the river for a motorised canoe safari. Here you will glide through winding waterways, exploring the breath-taking natural beauty of this remarkable eco-system from a different perspective.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the indigenous culture, learning about the ancient traditions and customs of the Kankuamo, Kogui, Wiwa, and Arhuaco communities who have lived in this region for centuries.
In the afternoon, you'll head to Viajero Hostel on Buritaca Beach, marking the start of your recharge part of the itinerary, having nailed the contribution and challenging phases, the Caribbean beach will feel even more splendid.
With your recharge phase very much in mind - today you’ll head out to the stunning Rosario Islands, called the Las Islas del Rosario in Spanish.
They are a group of 27 islands located about an hour or so away from Cartagena by boat. These stunning Caribbean islands are home to clear water, white sand, and a very chilled vibe.
Here you’ll stay in a peaceful eco-lodge to do just that, chill, swim, and snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Utter heaven.
This day you can completely chill or alternatively, if you’re up for a bit of exploration, you can visit a nearby marine conservation project on another island.
This offers a unique opportunity to snorkel over vibrant coral reefs and witness the incredible underwater life. You’ll also have the chance to get involved in marine regeneration efforts, contributing to the preservation of the region’s delicate ecosystem.
Your last 2 nights will be spent back in Cartagena which is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a historic city of superbly preserved beauty lying within 13km of centuries-old stone walls. It is the epitome of boho chic with the arty café, cocktail bars, and amazing shopping.
We aim to get your there by lunch time, so you have the afternoon and the following day to fully explore Cartagena’s old town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture and colourful streets. As you wander along the cobblestone paths, you’ll discover charming plazas, grand colonial buildings, and fascinating landmarks, each telling a story of the city’s rich history and its strategic importance as a port in the Spanish Empire to its vibrant Afro-Colombian culture.
One thing not to miss is the market, which is a sensory feast, with the vibrant colours, fragrant smells, and lively sounds creating an authentic atmosphere that’s unique to Cartagena. You’ll see local artisans showcasing their beautiful handcrafts, such as woven baskets, intricate jewellery, and colourful textiles.
As the evening falls, Cartagena’s lively atmosphere will come to life. The streets will glow with soft lighting, and the air will be filled with music. Time for drinks and a fun supper out.
You’ll have a relaxed morning before heading back to the airport for your flight home, taking with you memories of a truly unforgettable journey through Colombia’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and meaningful connections.
High five your inner self, fuel your mojo and return home enriched with a guaranteed sense of achievement. And that’s a promise.