hIKING AND NATURE WALKS
After living in Cartagena for a number of years, one of the questions I get asked is, "What do you miss most?". My answer is #1: Asian food, and #2 Green. Cartagena's nature is mostly focused on beach and water and sand. And it's wonderful and I love it, but I do often feel a longing to be in that cooling, relaxing, eye-soothing green of dense vegetation. You can travel to the Coffee region, the outskirts of Bogota or Cali, or even easier, the good news is you can find an incredible nature-trail much closer in the Montes de Maria.
I went with the incredible guide Olinto, who turned his passion for hiking and immersing in nature, into a full-time job this past year. Previously he worked as a survey-engineer, and as his work took him to remote and beautiful parts of Colombia's Caribbean coast, he felt compelled to share these unappreciated gems with visitors, and also help to support the local communities and economies. Olinto has developed 3 main tours that focus on connecting travelers to nature, history and culture. Olinto speaks fantastic English. We thoroughly recommend his tours and would be very happy to connect you with him so you can further explore more deeply, guided by the best. Here are the tours:
MONTES DE MARIA
Olinto calls this tour The Jaguar's Footprint as you will travel through jungle previously the stomping ground of the beautiful and mystical jaguar. You will walk through lush vegetation, make water-crossings, see pre-Colombian markings on caves and rocks showing animals and the famous jaguar footprints (honestly this is so cool, you feel like Indiana Jones). After the hike, you will then go to San Jacinto town, enjoying a delicious traditional lunch and meeting with artisans and weavers and grammy-award winning musicians.
The tour starts with a 6am pickup (it's a big drive to get to the mountains). Depending upon the size of the group, usually Olinto will drive everyone in his very nice 4WD, but if the group is larger he has special transport options available. You will continue past Turbaco where you will stop for a nourishing and traditional Colombian breakfast, before continuing to the private property where the hike commences. During the hike you will see various flora, including tropical fruits and plants, fauna, insects, butterflies and a huge array of bird life. Olinto engages a local guide who is also an experienced bird-spotter to help enthusiasts get the best sightings and photos. The hike is very pleasant and shaded almost the entire way. It is also mostly flat (amazing!) so you don't need to be the fittest person in the world to partake. The Montes of Maria was one of the areas hardest hit during Colombia's violent past. Supporting the locals through tourism is one of the best ways to help the community move on and sustain themselves into a non-violent future.
After the lunch, and the visit to the local famed musicians, you will return to Cartagena, arriving about 5/6pm
It is a big, full day, so I would recommend not planning anything too strenuous for the night-time because you'll probably just want to crash!
PRICE
$159 USD pp (2-8 people)
Bookings via [email protected] or preferably fill in the form below.
The tour starts with a 6am pickup (it's a big drive to get to the mountains). Depending upon the size of the group, usually Olinto will drive everyone in his very nice 4WD, but if the group is larger he has special transport options available. You will continue past Turbaco where you will stop for a nourishing and traditional Colombian breakfast, before continuing to the private property where the hike commences. During the hike you will see various flora, including tropical fruits and plants, fauna, insects, butterflies and a huge array of bird life. Olinto engages a local guide who is also an experienced bird-spotter to help enthusiasts get the best sightings and photos. The hike is very pleasant and shaded almost the entire way. It is also mostly flat (amazing!) so you don't need to be the fittest person in the world to partake. The Montes of Maria was one of the areas hardest hit during Colombia's violent past. Supporting the locals through tourism is one of the best ways to help the community move on and sustain themselves into a non-violent future.
After the lunch, and the visit to the local famed musicians, you will return to Cartagena, arriving about 5/6pm
It is a big, full day, so I would recommend not planning anything too strenuous for the night-time because you'll probably just want to crash!
PRICE
$159 USD pp (2-8 people)
Bookings via [email protected] or preferably fill in the form below.
THE HOWLING TRAIL - HIKING AND WILDLIFE WATCH
This hike takes you through a Tropical Dry Forest allowing you to explore this amazing ecosystem, brimming with incredible species of fauna and flora. The species you can encounter here have survived and thrived thanks to their ability to adapt to long periods with no rain.
The area's unique fauna, includes the charismatic Cotton Top Tamarin; a squirrel-sized primate that takes the first place as one of Colombia’s most appealing endemic monkeys.
This unique off-the-beaten-path trip will make you enjoy the flora and fauna of this forest while learning and ofcourse having fun as an added bonus you will discover for yourselves why this tour is named the Howling Tour!
Pick up time 6am
Duration: 7 hours
Small Group: 2-8 places (2 person minimum)
Available in Spanish/English
Price: $119 USD pp
Incudes:
Hotel pickup and dropoff
Breakfast en route
Typical lunch
Bilingual tripleader
Local guide
Doesn't include:
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Notes from Olinto:
These hiking trips involve hiking or walking for up to 3.5 hours, approx 5 miles and 669 ft elevation moving at a slow pace on undulating terrain, withh small rocks, sometimes mud and shallow stream crossings.
The tour taskes place in remote areas, involves various types of transport and sometimes rough roads.
To enjoy these adventures we suggest reasonable health and fitness, open attitude and to be prepared for variable weather conditions particularly in the rainy season from May to November.
Due to the nature of the activities, this tour is not suitable for pregnant people or children under 12.
The area's unique fauna, includes the charismatic Cotton Top Tamarin; a squirrel-sized primate that takes the first place as one of Colombia’s most appealing endemic monkeys.
This unique off-the-beaten-path trip will make you enjoy the flora and fauna of this forest while learning and ofcourse having fun as an added bonus you will discover for yourselves why this tour is named the Howling Tour!
Pick up time 6am
Duration: 7 hours
Small Group: 2-8 places (2 person minimum)
Available in Spanish/English
Price: $119 USD pp
Incudes:
Hotel pickup and dropoff
Breakfast en route
Typical lunch
Bilingual tripleader
Local guide
Doesn't include:
Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Notes from Olinto:
These hiking trips involve hiking or walking for up to 3.5 hours, approx 5 miles and 669 ft elevation moving at a slow pace on undulating terrain, withh small rocks, sometimes mud and shallow stream crossings.
The tour taskes place in remote areas, involves various types of transport and sometimes rough roads.
To enjoy these adventures we suggest reasonable health and fitness, open attitude and to be prepared for variable weather conditions particularly in the rainy season from May to November.
Due to the nature of the activities, this tour is not suitable for pregnant people or children under 12.
SOUTH BARU
Baru is famous mostly for its very popular beach, Playa Blanca. But the island holds many more treasures than just that overpopulated touristic stretch of sand. Orlinto aims to connect you to the community and nature that is less visited and known on this active tour to South Baru.
Starting with an 8am pickup, you will drive from Cartagena to the Playetas of South Baru. Here you will enter the pueblo of Baru, meeting locals and interacting with artists from the community. Be sure to bring some spending money, the work produced makes excellent souvenirs. After the cultural connection, it's time to get into nature. Orlinto will take you to secluded white sand beaches that tourists don't normally get to visit. You will swim, and relax in beautiful waters, eventually lunching on super fresh seafood (other dietary requests can be accommodated) before returning to Cartagena about 3.30pm
PRICE $149 USD pp (2-8 people)
Starting with an 8am pickup, you will drive from Cartagena to the Playetas of South Baru. Here you will enter the pueblo of Baru, meeting locals and interacting with artists from the community. Be sure to bring some spending money, the work produced makes excellent souvenirs. After the cultural connection, it's time to get into nature. Orlinto will take you to secluded white sand beaches that tourists don't normally get to visit. You will swim, and relax in beautiful waters, eventually lunching on super fresh seafood (other dietary requests can be accommodated) before returning to Cartagena about 3.30pm
PRICE $149 USD pp (2-8 people)
Sierra Nevada
Taking you from mountain to sea, this 2 day tour makes an incredible add-on for your Cartagena stay, allowing you to explore the stunning region of the Sierra Nevada accompanied by an experienced and sensitive guide. If you want to skip the crowds for a local, personalized experience that allows more genuine connection to nature and community, this could be the option for you.
The tour starts with a 6am pick up in Cartagena as you make the big drive to Tayrona National Park to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia. Here you will swim and enjoy fantastic snorkeling, with a varied and colorful reef accessible straight from the beach. After enjoying a traditional fish lunch, you will leave the beach to enjoy sunset at the gorgeous fishing village, Taganga, before making your way up the mountain to Minca.
In Minca you will enjoy fantastic views of Santa Marta and the bay while taking in the chill, hippie vibes of the Minca township. The accommodation are beautiful, sustainably constructed Eco-huts, that enable true appreciation of the nature you are submerged in.
In the evening you will have free time to be able to explore Minca, finding a cute restaurant to dine and maybe even catching an impromptu live music performance.
The next day, following breakfast, you will set off at 8am to visit a coffee farm and learn about the coffee making process from tree to cup. Following the tour, you will enjoy a hike through bamboo forest, reaching a stream with crystalline waters straight from the Sierra Nevada. You will enjoy a traditional lunch and at 2.30pm leave Minca to make your way back to Cartagena.
PRICE:
$485 USD
To book, send us an email to [email protected] or preferably, use the booking form below.
The tour starts with a 6am pick up in Cartagena as you make the big drive to Tayrona National Park to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia. Here you will swim and enjoy fantastic snorkeling, with a varied and colorful reef accessible straight from the beach. After enjoying a traditional fish lunch, you will leave the beach to enjoy sunset at the gorgeous fishing village, Taganga, before making your way up the mountain to Minca.
In Minca you will enjoy fantastic views of Santa Marta and the bay while taking in the chill, hippie vibes of the Minca township. The accommodation are beautiful, sustainably constructed Eco-huts, that enable true appreciation of the nature you are submerged in.
In the evening you will have free time to be able to explore Minca, finding a cute restaurant to dine and maybe even catching an impromptu live music performance.
The next day, following breakfast, you will set off at 8am to visit a coffee farm and learn about the coffee making process from tree to cup. Following the tour, you will enjoy a hike through bamboo forest, reaching a stream with crystalline waters straight from the Sierra Nevada. You will enjoy a traditional lunch and at 2.30pm leave Minca to make your way back to Cartagena.
PRICE:
$485 USD
To book, send us an email to [email protected] or preferably, use the booking form below.