The Lost City & Beyond

Transcription

1 TRIP DOSSIER COLOMBIA Trek jungles, rainforests and beaches Marvel at indigenous ruins in the Lost City Wander colourful streets of colonial cities Guided Group Departures Walking Grade: C Demanding Trip Code: TCLZ For dates and prices visit

2 2 Introduction Colombia is one of those countries that has it all. Spectacular snow-capped mountains, emerald glacial lakes, nature-filled jungles, pretty colonial towns and beautiful secluded beaches lapped by the translucent Caribbean Sea. Not to mention its interesting archaeology and friendly people with their infectious vibrant Latino spirit. Your trip begins in the contrasting city of Bogota before travelling on to the Coffee County. Coffee is a valuable commodity to the farmers and is renowned worldwide; taste it for yourself. Having settled into the local culture, we travel on to begin the first of two ecologically diverse treks. Los Nevados is one of the highest mountain refuges in Colombia with tall majestic summits snowcapped active volcanoes. While the Lost City is located at in the tropical rain forest on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Finish up with some well-deserved relaxation on the wild beaches of Tayrona National Park. This is an active, all-encompassing walking holiday in Colombia which is suitable to all who are up for an adventure (such as sleeping in hammocks) and are relatively fit due to the amount of walking involved, altitude and high temperatures. Your holiday Life on trek During the trek the group stays overnight in a mix of hotels, lodges, refuges and hammocks whilst luggage and provisions are mostly transported by vehicle though you will need to carry your personal gear for four days on the Lost City trek. Excess luggage can be left behind. Generally you will walk for a few hours in the morning, then stop for a scenic picnic, then continue your trek in the afternoon and reach your next stop in the late afternoon. Dinner will usually be taken at your overnight camp or lodging. Walking conditions Underfoot the trekking conditions on the trip are usually straightforward. On most of the trails you are walking on good linking paths, with some tree roots, rocks and occasional board walks. The Lost City trek can be muddy and there are crossings of streams. You will trek for approximately 7-8 hours on some days, at a steady pace, with regular stops. The treks involve several ascents and descents (some long and steep). Conditions can vary and you may be affected by rains. To get the most out of this tour you should be in good physical condition and comfortable with walking for 6-9 hours per day consecutively for several days. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at You should ensure you are capable of walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. Detailed itinerary Day 1 Depart UK Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Bogota. Day 2 Arrive Bogota On arrival at Bogota International Airport, transfer to the group hotel. Please note early check in is not included. The rest of the day is at leisure. (See How to join and depart this trip section later in this Trip Dossier). Hotel Day 3 Exploratory city tour Today you can enjoy a walking tour of Bogotá: Visiting the Old City (La Candelaria), Gold museum (closed on Mondays) and Monserrate. Bogota, the capital of Colombia and its largest city sits in the centre of the country at an altitude of 2,635 metres. It s a city of contrasts - from the old colonial centre of La Candelaria to the modern, affluent northern suburbs. La Candelaria is the most interesting area for tourists with attractive streets and some excellent museums including the renowned gold museum. A number of interesting day trips can be done from Bogota to surrounding towns and national parks.

3 3 Day 3 Salento Coffee Region Transfer to the airport in Bogotá and take a short flight to Armenia. Arrive and transfer to Salento, a small and picturesque village in the heart of the Coffee Region. In the afternoon visit the village and see how the locals live. You will get to know the village with its typical architecture, the main plaza and stroll down the Calle Real taking note of the colourful painted doorways and windows for which Salento is famous. At the end of the tour enjoy the viewpoint of Salento with a great view to the hilly green region. Day 4 Drive to Los Nevados We put our luggage on the Willey Jeeps and drive to the Cocora Valley, the starting point of our trekking in Los Nevados National Park. Walk along the Quindio River to the Acaime Natural Reserve. During our hike we will see the wax palms (which reach an altitude of 60m) and cross several small bridges. After a while we reach the cloud forest and at the highest point of today s hike we pause at a small farmer s house, where we can enjoy a coffee. Not far from here we find a Colibri Station and will be able to see lots of beautiful hummingbirds. Hike back to the Cocora Valley. Ascend 700m and descend 700m. Walking duration: 6-7hours Refugio (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Day 5 Trek Los Nevados National Park After breakfast transfer to La Florida, a small farming village near the River Otun and further via El Cedral. Here is the starting point of our hike to the Refugio La Pastora (2.600m). Ascend 700m, descend 700m. Hiking in a very diverse landscape, we will see cloud forest, moors and the typical Paramo Landscape. Walking duration: 4-5hours Refugio (breakfast, lunch and dinner) Day 6 Trek to Lagoon of Oton After breakfast, hike in the marvellous Paramo landscape until the Lagoon of Otun (3.900m). After a break and lunch, descend to Ortenzias, where our bus will be waiting to take us to Hacienda Venecia. Ascend 1300m, descend 400m. Walking duration: 7-8hours Hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Day 7 Fly to Cartagena Transfer to the airport and fly via Bogotá to Cartagena. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Day 8 Explore the colonial city Cartagena is a colonial treasure on the Caribbean Coast. Once used by the Spanish as the storehouse for gold and other plundered treasures, the walled city of Cartagena still retains many aspects of its colonial past, with superb architecture and a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Cartagena is a must for any visit - but make sure you see much more! Today your guide will take you on an exploratory tour of this beautiful city. Day 9 Drive to Santa Marta Drive approximately 5 hours (240km) to Santa Marta where you will stay in a hotel well-located in the old city. Days 10 Start Lost City Trek La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Santa Marta Snow- Capped Mountain Range) is the highest coastal mountain range in the world. It rises up to 5775 meters at Bolívar peak and is only 50 kilometres, as the crow flies, away from the sea. At this reserve covering hectares one can find a humid jungle of slopes and foothills, tropical rain forest and rainy tundra as well as peaks that are covered by snow all year round. In addition to its immense wealth in bio-diversity, in flora and animal life, this reserve is also the home of diverse indigenous groups such as the Arhuacos and the Koguis. It also represents one of the most outstanding and impressive archaeological sites of the continent: The Lost City or Ciudad Perdida is situated at an altitude of between 900 and 1300 meters above sea-level in the

4 4 middle of the jungle. The Tayrona Indians, who flourished between the 13th and 14th century, probably constructed this archaeological wonder. The Lost City, with its terraced complexes, bridges, paths and aqueducts, is extraordinary, as is the track that leads us there, taking us through diverse and spectacular landscapes and climatic zones. The transfer to Marney to commence the trek will take approximately 2.5 hours. Trek to Cabaña de Adam. Walking duration: 3hrs / 5km Day 11 Trek to Cabaña Turcol Further hike to Cabaña Turcol passing a small village of Kogi indigenous Mutanyi located near the river Buritaca. Walking duration: 3hrs / 6km Day 12 Trek Cabaña Rumualdo Hike to the third camp, known also as Cabaña de Rumualdo. During the hike we cross the Buritaca River. Walking duration: 5hrs / 8km Day 13 Trek back to Cabaña Turcol Early in the morning hike approx. 1 hour to the Lost City, where we spend the next 3 hours getting to know everything about this archaeological site. Around noon hike back to the Cabaña de Rumualdo for lunch and further to Cabaña Turcol. Walking duration: 5hrs / 8km Day 14 Return to Santa Marta and drive to Tayrona National Park Hike back to the Village Mamey. After completing the trek, in the early afternoon we ll be transferred to the Tayrona Park. (Or a lodge next to the park). Walking duration: 8hrs / 13km Lodge (breakfast and lunch) Day 15 Day at leisure Today you can either relax, enjoy the sight and sound of the waves lapping up on the shore of the beach and explore Tayrona on your own agenda. Otherwise, if you haven t had you fill of walking, there is the option of a days trekking (to be paid for locally, from USD70 per person, based on a minimum of 4 people). The trek is to El Pueblito, finishing at the wonderful beaches of El Cabo de San Juan, La Piscina and Cañaveral. (including transport, guide and entrance fees) Lodge (breakfast and lunch) Day 16 Depart Colombia Today you will transfer to Santa Marta Airport for your flight via Bogota back to the UK. (breakfast) Day 17 Arrive UK Arrive back in the UK from an overnight flight. Practical Information How to join and depart this trip The joining point for this trip is Bogota International Airport. The departure point is Santa Marta Airport. A single timed group transfer is provided, if you arrive at a different time to the rest of the group, please speak to your consultant to book a separate transfer. Flight Inclusive Walks Worldwide will be delighted to make your International and Internal Flight arrangements for this holiday. We have full ATOL bonding and can book flights with most Airlines. Most International and Internal flight prices are variable and usually can only be guaranteed at the time of booking. If you would like to upgrade to business or first class, we can also arrange this for you. Please contact us for a quotation based on your preferred dates of travel.

5 5 All flight schedules (International and Internal) are subject to change. Land Only If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights. Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this Trip Dossier. Local transport All overland transfers will be made using vans and private minibuses. Accommodation Nights indicated in hotels and refugios are based on twin share rooms with private facilities, unless you have requested a single room at extra cost. At refugios during the Los Nevados Trek, due to the small amount of rooms we can t guarantee private single or double rooms here. In hammock camps during the Ciudad Perdida trekking, there will be other groups of international tourists. The accommodation here is not private. Food Popular ingredients which are farmed widely in Colombia are plantain, red beans and corn. In high-altitude Bogota, you will find plenty of grilled meats and stews. Seafood is common in coastal regions, especially red snapper and tuna. As for drinks, you can expect plenty of excellent coffee and refreshing exotic fruit juices. As well as local beer and spirits. Climate Climate varies significantly from place to place in Colombia, largely determined by altitude. Coastal areas have an average temperature of over 24 C. Higher, inland areas such as Bogota have averages of around C. Seasons are not very distinct, and there is no really bad time to visit. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, and it could rain in any month. In general, on the Caribbean coast there is a dry season from December to March. In the south, driest months include June and July, and on the Pacific coast a dry season almost is non-existent. Altitude You will experience a variety of altitudes on this trip starting in Bogota at 2,635 metres. The highest point of the trip will be during the Los Nevados Trek (on the Lost City trek) which goes as high as 3900m. Of course you then come back to sea level in Tayrona National Park. On trek, the altitude increases gradually allowing you time to acclimatise. Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. We request you limit your luggage to one piece of main baggage (preferably a soft kitbag or backpack) and recommend you to pack your clothes in plastic bags to ensure they remain dry. SUITCASES MUST NOT BE USED for your main baggage. As all camping equipment will be provided at the various camps, you need only carry a daypack of suitable size to carry your required personal trek and overnight gear for the Lost City Trek. Vaccinations & health We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check-up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general we recommend however, that you be protected against TB, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis B. Malarial prophylaxis is recommended for this trip. A useful travel health online resource is fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Security Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don t wear jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend too. Safeguard

6 6 valuables, important documents and cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable. Currency The Colombian Peso is the local currency. ATMs offer Colombian Pesos only. If you do need to exchange money, US dollars are the preferred currency - only in Bogota will you be easily able to change European currencies. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Tipping of around 5-7% is customary in restaurants. Bargaining is uncommon, except in the artisan markets of the Andean northwest. You will need your passport at each credit card transaction. Banks are open 9am-2pm Monday-Friday with ATM machines only available in large towns. (Banks are opened normally from 09:00 AM 04:00 PM) Language Probably the most important thing to remember is that European Spanish is slightly different to South American Spanish there is no th sound used for the letters c or z (making the request for beer una cerveza quite different!). Although your guide will speak English, the locals will appreciate any attempt you make to speak their language. We strongly suggest that you take a phrase book to help make yourself understood! Tipping A small tip in restaurants is usual. Guides and support staff have come to 'expect' a tip at the end of the trek. It should be remembered, however, that over-generosity is counter-productive. Please remember that all tips should be a way for individuals to thank staff for good service. A range of US$6-12 per day for the guide is usual plus further tipping for drivers, assistants cooks etc Tips are best paid in US$ or small denominations or Colombian Pesos. Maps We recommend Stanfords at Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: ) Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on for a quotation. Passports & Visas British passport holders do not require a visa for a visit to Colombia (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Please note that visa/entry requirements and prices change regularly. If travelling via the USA (even if only changing planes) you must use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). A form must be completed online and a fee paid see You should do this at the earliest opportunity. You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: Please allow plenty of time for your visa application to be processed. We also recommend you visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for up to date information on the country/countries you are visiting, embassy contact details and other useful advice. Staff on your trip As well as Tour Leader, a Spanish-speaking mountain guide will accompany the group on trekking days. There will also be support staff to assist with and transport equipment. Budgeting for your trip Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry. Important Note Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your Final Joining Instructions approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. Before booking you should read our Types of Trip and Essential and Useful information sections on including our Important Warning.

7 7 Clothing & Equipment Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip.