Adventure travel & tours - g adventures

Last Updated: December 20, 2012
Colombia Cultural Journey - SMCJD
What's Included
Arrival transfer - Welcome gift - Explore Villa de Leyva and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá - Bogotá city tour including the Gold and Botero museums - Visit a local coffee farm with demonstrations and tasting - Explore Tayrona National Park with a naturalist guide - Visit Totumo volcano for a mud bath with a lake paddle and typical lunch - Cartagena city tour - Spanish and Salsa dancing lessons.
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary.
Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case
there have been changes that affect your plans.
VALIDITY: Valid for all trips departing January 1st, 2013 - December 31st, 2013
Trip Style
Discovery Adventures: Say hello to your world.
Engage the extraordinary cultures, wildlife and landscapes through exhilarating, educational and immersive activities while achieving a greater appreciation for our planet. These trips are as much about doing as seeing — all with a comfortable feel.
Service Level
Comfort:
• All the adventure you want, with a softer landing • Handpicked, character-rich accommodations with upgraded amenities services • Upgraded and private transport, including flights to maximize time • More included meals, activities and transfers Physical Grading
2: There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Itinerary
Day 1 Bogotá
Arrive in Bogotá at any time and transfer to your hoel. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Officially named Bogotá, D.C. (Capital District), and once known as Santa Fe de Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia is home to more than seven million inhabitants. The city is located at an elevation of about 2,650m (8,660 ft) on a plateau in the Andes Modern Bogotá offers residents and visitors a wide variety of activities and amenities, combined with the picturesque beauty of its cultural and architectural past. Enjoy colonial churches and pre-colombian art in contrast with the futuristic high-rise buildings of a Perhaps you might enjoy a visit to the National Museum of Colombia (one of the oldest museums on the continent and holding more than 20,000 pieces), La Plaza de Bolivar (government buildings at the heart of the city dating back through several eras), or one of its many historical churches (Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Ignacio, the Cathedral situated in La Plaza de Bolívar, La Tercera San Diego and the sanctuary of Monserrate).
You may also wish to take a walk around (and maybe a little shopping) at some of its more interesting and trendy neighbourhoods.
Days 2 Villa de Leiva (1B,1L,1D)
Explore Villa de Leyva, considered one of the finest colonial villages of Colombia. Also visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine.
Villa de Leyva is a lovely colonial town and municipality which was declared a National Monument in 1954 to preserve its architecture. It is located in a high altitude valley at 2,144 m altitude and it is known for the many fossils from the Mesozoic and the Cretaceous period found in this area.
Day 3 Bogotá (1B)
Return to explore Bogotá including Monserrate Hill, a visit to the rose zone, and the Gold and Botero museums.
Days 4-5 Santa Marta/Taganga/Tayrona National Park (2B,1L,1D)
Flight to Santa Marta, Colombia's oldest city, and visit a local organic coffee farm for a tour, demonstrations and tasting. This area is famous for producing some of Colombia’s finest beans. On day 5 travel toTaganga, our base for exploring Tayrona National Park with a naturalist guide. Tayrona National Park is renowned for its unique combination of coral formations and jungle vegetation and we can enjoy hiking through forests, waterfalls, and lookouts with great views of the Sierra Nevada.
Day 6 Cartagena (1B,1L)
Visit the famed Totumo mud volcano where phosphates, sulphur, and magnesium bubble up through the mud which we bath in for their restorative (and fun) properties. Wash off in the lake and enjoy a paddle canoe and typical lunch with red snapper. Continue on Days 7-9 Cartagena (3B)
Spend 3 days exploring the tropical city of Cartagena including a tour of the historic sites, Spanish and Salsa dancing lessons. Optional activities include; a 'chiva' bus tour by night or a visit to the beaches of Islas del Rosario National Park. A Unesco World Heritage Site on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is Colombia's most famous and most visited city. Visitors are most attracted to the remarkably intact historic walled colonial city ("ciudad amurallada") and the beachfront area of An included city tour will show us the highlights of Cartagena: The fortress known as Castillo de San Felipe, La Popa hill viewpoint which overlooks the city and harbour, and sightseeing the city's churches (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, La Catedral, Iglesia de Santo Domingo , to end up taking a glimpse of the modern Bocagrande area). Continue with the exploration of the town on your own with option to visit museums including: Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Inquisition, Museum of Gold and the Naval Museum.
Day 10 Bogotá (B)
After breakfast we catch a flight back to Colombia's capital city - tour ends at the Bogota International airport.
StartFinish
What's Included
Arrival transfer - Welcome gift - Explore Villa de Leyva and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá - Bogotá city tour including the Gold and Botero museums - Visit a local coffee farm with demonstrations and tasting - Explore Tayrona National Park with a naturalist guide - Visit Totumo volcano for a mud bath with a lake paddle and typical lunch - Cartagena city tour - Spanish and Salsa dancing lessons.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing.
It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary.
Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Important Notes
Discovery Adventures is operated in conjunction with G Adventures, the world leader in sustainable adventure travel. An award winning company with over 800 employees and 17 operational offices worldwide, G Adventures has 20 years experience in creating culturally interactive travel experiences. G Adventures advocates a triple bottom line business philosophy where equal attention is given to the environmental, social and economic impact of tourism to achieve long-term environmentally responsible growth whilst protecting destinations & cultural heritage for future generations.
Group Leader Description
All Discovery Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.
Meals Included
Travelling with Discovery Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful foods and flavors that are available in the world.
Some meals are included in the trip price in more remote regions or as a highlight where we can share a local specialty or cultural experience. In many places where there is a choice of eating options, we like to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each others company, but there is no obligation to do this. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Meal Budget
Allow USD300-400 for meals not included.
Transport
Local Flights
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Accommodation
My Own Room
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.
About Accommodation
The accommodation level for most Discovery Adventure tours are comfortable, in mid-range hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses, etc. You'll often enjoy air-conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms and some amenities. Accommodation and amenities can vary by Country and region and please remember that standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Some trips may include camping, permanent tented camps or more rustic lodges, depending on the remoteness of where you are visiting. Please see your trip details for more information, specific to your tour.
Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.
Arrival Complications
We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this Emergency Contact
Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that: Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start During office hours (Weekdays 9am-6pm Local Time) From outside Ecuador: + (593 2) 2548 276 or (+593 2) 2506 610 From outside Ecuador: + (593 9) 99 506 000 If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 What to Take
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. Remember that although near the Equator, the higher altitude on some parts of the trip make for cool evenings and you will need a warm sweater or pullover. It’s best to layer clothes rather than bring a heavy parka We recommend the use of a medium sized duffel bag, soft rolling bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size Checklist
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) •Discovery Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and trip details •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required •Extra batteries (rechargeable recommended) •Flashlight or Headlamp (with extra batteries and bulbs) •Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes, and 3 pairs of socks •First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Optional Items: reading/writing material, Maps, guidebooks, iPod Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL Destination Guide
For practical information on weather, typical costs, visa information, special events and much more, our Destination Travel Guide is the place to visit! This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about everywhere we go! Head to for detailed information on the countries and cities we visit.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Money Exchange
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash, travellers cheques and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence! Departure Tax
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use.
Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.
Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO) did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.
Optional Activities
National Museum of Colombia - Museo Nacional de Colombia - $3.000 pesos per person, open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays, from 10 am to 5 pm, http://www.museonacional.gov.co/english.html Gold Museum - El Museo de Oro - closed on Mondays, entrance free on Sundays.
Bogota: Carrera 7 , between streets 28th and 29th Donación Botero Art Museum - paintings by Botero, Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Dali etc - entrance free Castillo de San Felipe - Opening hours 8am-6pm, entrance fee COP$ 14.000 Guided boat tour to El Rosario Islands - PS 55.000(low season) - 65000 (high season) per person,lunch included (optional aquarium Totumo mud volcano bus tour - PS40000(low season) - 50000 (high season) per person with lunch or PS 35000 without lunch Chiva rumba ride - nightly 6:30pm to approx. 10:00pm - PS 45000(low season) 50000 (high season) per person Palace of the Inquisition - Palacio de la Inquisicion PS 11000 - COP$20.000 for english guide Sport Baru (Isla Baru)- boat tour from Cartagena - C$90.000 Museo del Oro, Calle 14 No.2-67 (on plaza Bolívar) - Free entrance (currently close for restoration).
Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino in Mamatoco.
All prices are per person(unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Safety and Security
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
When travelling on a group trip, please note that your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your CEO will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.
Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).
Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.
We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please visit: Trip Specific Safety
Please take care when wandering about the main cities on your own, as pick pockets and purse-snatchers are common. Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, traveller’s cheques and cash you don’t need in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Most Colombianos are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city! Medical Form
Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our CEOs work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information. Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire. The medical questionnaire can be found online at: A Couple of Rules
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Responsible Travel
Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G Adventures is all about. From the start, G Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and We would like to give you a couple of tips to start you thinking about traveling sustainably.
-Please bring rechargeable batteries, a battery charger (and plug adapter if necessary). Batteries are incredibly toxic and many places that we travel do not have proper disposal facilities. Rechargeables are best but if this is not possible we recommend that you bring any used batteries back home with you for proper disposal.
-Please ask before taking pictures. Just as you would not like to have a stranger come up to you and take a picture of you while sitting on your front porch either do the locals of the places that we visit. As you can imagine pictures of their children are also not For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G Adventures Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Planeterra Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration costs, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.
To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your G Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be Feedback
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gadventures.com/evaluations Newsletter
Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on Stay current on all things green by signing up to "The Village" e-newsletter. Check out Planeterra's exciting line up of voluntours, stories from the field, fun contests and upcoming events. Subscribe at - www.planeterra.org Travel Forum - The Watering Hole
travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at Keeping in Touch
If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our CEOs and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Highlights
Discovering colonial history and Caribbean beaches, Wandering the cobblestone streets of Cartagena, Soaking in a mud volcano, Tasting coffee at its source at a local organic farm, Exploring Tayrona National Park with a naturalist guide.

Source: http://www.latitudejourney.co.uk/pdfs/tours/trip-details-SMCJD-2013.pdf