Coasts and Cultures of Colombia

Colombia is a nation of magical realism, with the famous monuments of Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla’s Carnival, and the most spectacular river in the world – Caño Cristales. From bustling city streets to vast salt mines, arid deserts to coastal lagoons, this unparalleled destination was the backdrop for an amazing 5-day, 4-night active journey for five couples seeking unique adventure.

The trip started in the remote city of Santa Marta where the guests arrived from their international flight and immediately boarded helicopters, flying over Tayrona National Park before landing at a private beach. There they savored a local chef-prepared, authentic-Colombian lunch to the soundtrack of crashing waves beneath the warm Colombian sun. The winter weather they’d escaped back in the States merely hours earlier was a distant memory. Following lunch, the guests visited the ancient ruins of Tayronaka where paddle boards and kayaks beckoned them to begin the paddle down river. Floating through the jungle, they spotted howler monkeys and exotic birds before capping off the first day in Colombia at a private villa on the beach.

A sunrise yoga session on the villa’s veranda overlooking the ocean, the smell of coffee wafting through the air as the chef prepared breakfast, made for an idyllic first morning in Colombia.
A short walk from the villa, three helicopters were staged on the beach, ready to take the guests through crystal-clear skies to an adventure in the highlands. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, an isolated range known for the highest coastal mountains on Earth, offered a spectacular backdrop as they searched for the Ciudad Perdida (“Lost City”). The group landed on an old coffee farm in the highlands, where a delicious lunch at an old hacienda awaited after a scenic hike through the cloud forest. The owners of the hacienda welcomed them to their home, telling stories of building the farm many years earlier, and taking the guests on an immersive coffee experience to learn the art of producing the perfect cup of joe.

Exploring deeper into the highlands, the guests had the privilege of visiting a remote Kogui village. There they learned the indigenous group’s traditions and even participated in a ceremony with Kogui elders in recognition of one of the couples’ anniversaries. Before the journey, EXP assisted in identifying the needs of the village, and the guests generously donated several items; the presentation of these items to the people of the village was a heartfelt moment nobody will soon forget. The day concluded back at the villa with massages and Old Fashioneds while watching the sunset over the ocean.

After another morning of yoga and a chef-prepared breakfast, it was time to bid Tayrona farewell and travel to Cartagena for the journey’s final two nights filled with dancing, culinary experiences, and unique art and culture. Stunning views of the coast and bays of Tayrona gave way to the delta of the mighty Magdalena River, just outside the town of Barranquilla, where the guests landed on a remote beach. They boarded jet skis and embarked on a voyage through mangrove tunnels, alongside large flocks of white pelicans and snowy egrets, to chart a path through the untouched natural environment of the delta. Despite the remote location, an incredible custom lunch setup suddenly appeared on the beach, complete with towels, changing rooms, and even a restroom.

Continuing to Cartagena, the guests checked into their private villa located in the heart of Old Town and prepared for an authentic Colombian evening, starting with dinner at the acclaimed Celele Restaurant. After a delectable Caribbean dinner, the guests were escorted to Café Havana to dance with local salsa dancers. A team of local performers lead the way, singing and dancing the whole time, getting the entire street into the rhythm, and creating a moment of connection and community you may have thought only existed in Hollywood musicals.

The final day of this action-packed journey concluded with a daytrip to Islas del Rosario aboard a yacht equipped with a private chef, DJ, and rendezvous snorkeling and freediving experiences to explore the pristine coral reefs below the azure waters. Upon return to the villa, the guests enjoyed a rum and chocolate tasting (plus a cigar rolling lesson for those interested), while live music played on the rooftop. A private chef-prepared dinner at the villa was exactly the informal meal the guests craved after a full day on the water. As the evening began to wind down, the guests were presented with masks from a local artisan, commemorating their Colombian journey, as a fireworks show illuminated the night sky.