An active cultural adventure holiday through the heart of Colombia

Transcription

1 An active cultural adventure holiday through the heart of Colombia Discover the mysterious tombs and carved stone figures of UNESCO San Agustin Explore Villa de Leyva & enjoy a day walk into the Iguaque Nature Reserve The beaches of Park Tayrona & bird watching in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Colonial meets Caribbean in colourful Cartagena HOLIDAY CODE CDC Colombia, Discovery, 14 Days 4 nights lodge, 10 nights hotel, 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 8 dinners, max group size: 15, 13 days touring / sightseeing / walking, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction This brand new discovery holiday takes us on a whirlwind journey through the heart of Colombia, the country at the northern most tip of South America, with a chance to explore some of its many highlights on foot. During the course of our two weeks we ll experience ancient archaeological wonders, high Andean plains, charming colonial squares, a melting pot of cultures, delicious food, Caribbean sunshine, prolific birdlife, delicious coffee, fascinating history and one of the friendliest welcomes in South America welcome to Colombia! Beginning in the capital, Bogota, we ll visit the main sights, including the unmissable gold museum. Journeying south we ll discover the secrets of the mysterious carved stone figures at San Agustin and walk to the Alto de Los Idolos, Colombia s premier archaeological sites, before heading on to the White City of Popayan. Here, we will have the chance to meet an indigenous Guambiano community, who are traditionally clad in blue skirts and colourful ponchos. Working our way North we stop off at Lake Guatavita, where the Muisca legend of El Dorado ( The Golden One ) was born, on our way to the immaculately preserved colonial town of Villa de Leyva. Those wishing to stretch their legs will here have the option to join a day walk up into the wild Iguaque Nature Reserve. The second part of our holiday sees us flying north to the sea and sun of the Caribbean coast, where we will visit the beaches of the Tayrona national park and stay in a lodge in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Sierra Nevada can boast some of the most prolific birdlife in the world, and we ll hope to spot some on a forest walk before enjoying a tour and coffee tasting at a traditional coffee hacienda. We ll end our journey in the Jewel of Colombia, Cartagena; once the most important Spanish port in the world. The colourful cobbled streets of the fortified Old Town have many tales to tell, featuring plundering pirates and stolen Incan gold! There can surely be no better way to end our holiday than by enjoying a memorable Caribbean sunset viewed from atop the city walls. Is this holiday for you? This is a cultural adventure holiday and during our two weeks we will be touring, sightseeing and walking around the best of Colombia! We will enjoy several half day walks, which will range from 2hrs to 5hrs in length, as well as some shorter walking city tours or forest walks when bird spotting. The walks will be for the most part on good trails. To reach the Alto de Los Idolos on foot on day 3 will require some reasonable ascent and decent as we will drop down into the canyon of the Magdalena River and up the other side to the archaeological site. During our circular walk into the Igyaque nature reserve we will be walking at an altitude of up to 3000m, so we will want to take that one at a nice pace. To enjoy these walks you should have a reasonable level of fitness. All walks are optional. During our time in Bogota we will also be invited to join in the weekly Ciclovia, bikes and helmets will be provided. You do not have to be an experienced cyclist to join in the fun, but you must know how to ride a bike and be reasonably comfortable on two wheels. In order to cover the best of such a large country in just two weeks, we have some large distances to cover and there will be a reasonable amount of driving and 3 short internal flights. The longest day's drive is 6hrs, but the majority of the others are around 3-4hrs. We ve tried to balance the driving/ flying with sights activities and, where ever possible, relaxation time to ensure you can get the most out of your holiday. Tourism is still in its infancy in some parts of Colombia and you need to be prepared for different levels of services. Participants should be reasonably fit and active and most importantly have a good spirit of adventure! Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Bogota. A single timed transfer from Bogota airport is provided. We arrive into Bogota, the capital of Colombia. KE Land Only package services begin with a single timed transfer from the airport to our overnight accommodation. Sprawling across a highland plateau, and overlooked by Andean

3 PAGE 3 peaks, Bogota, at 2600m, is the third highest capital in South America. Arriving at the hotel we will arrange for an early check in so that we can freshen up, drop our bags and take some breakfast before heading out to explore the city. We'll visit all the modern and historical highlights of Bogota, including the 'old town' of La Candalaria with its collection of colonial houses, churches and buildings, and the government district around Plaza Bolivar with its Cathedral, Palace of Justice and Town Hall. We will also visit the Museo Botero home to the work of Colombia's most famous artist and sculptor, Fernando Botero. Botero's work is easily recognised because of its famously rotund figures. A highlight of the day will be a visit to the Museo del Oro or Gold Museum, with its superb and unique collection of pre-columbian gold jewellery. Finally we will make our way to Monserrate Peak (3152m) where we will take the funicular railway up to the top for a lovely view back down over the city. With its white church perched on the top, Monserrate Peak dominates the skyline of the city. We'll take lunch here before heading back to the hotel to relax and enjoy an early night to recover from our journey. Day 2: Join in Bogota's 'Ciclovia'. Fly to Pitalito. Drive to San Agustin. This morning we can choose to relax at the hotel or we can head out to join in Bogota's weekly 'Ciclovia'. Since the 1970's, every week, Bogota has one city-wide, car-free day. Over 76 miles of road, including the cities commercial centre become off limits to motorised vehicles. We'll see cyclists, skaters, joggers and dog walkers from all walks of life taking advantage of the car free streets. We will have the option of heading out by bicycle to join in the fun, which will certainly give us a very unique insight into life in Bogota! Around lunchtime we will transfer to the airport, with a packed lunch, in time to check in for the 1hr flight to Pitalito, where we will meet our transport before driving on the San Agustin, home to the most important archaeological site in Colombia and also a UNESCO world heritage site. We'll check in at our accommodation before walking the short distance to the site for our guided tour. It was only in the 18th century that Spanish missionaries reported the unusual statues hidden in the forests around San Agustin. Much mystery remains around the origin of these statues, the mountainous terrain and lack of written records leaves modern archaeologists still searching for answers. The archaeological park covers a relatively small space, the most famous sites are the 'Ceremonial Fountain' and the 'Forest of Statues'. At each stone statue you can spend time pondering their origins. Are the figures human or animal? Are they smiling guardians offering friendly reassurance to the villagers, or grimacing menaces designed to frighten off would-be invaders? We have some time to explore the site before heading back to our accommodation in time for dinner. Drive time: 1 hr. LODGE Day 3: Optional hike to Alto de Los Idolos. Visit Alto de Los Idolos. Today we will enjoy a walk through the canyon of the Magdalena River to reach the Alto de los Ídolos archaeological site. From the village the trail rises gently and crosses a hill to the rim of the canyon. Next, a series of switchbacks take us down to the canyon floor where cross the bridge over the Rio Magdalena, before facing the inevitable uphill switchbacks on the other side of the canyon! Reaching the top of the canyon we finally find ourselves in the Alto de los Ídolos. This is the sister site to San Agustín, and its setting on the rim of the canyon makes it almost more spectacular. Here we will find the region's tallest statue, a 7 metre high figure of a woman. We'll have some time to explore the tombs, before being met by our vehicle and driving back to San Agustín. Drive time: 2hrs.

4 PAGE 4 LODGE ASCENT 500M DESCENT 300M TIME 3-4HRS WALKING HOURS Day 4: Drive from San Agustin to 'The White City' of Popayan. Today we drive west through the Colombian countryside from San Agustín to the small colonial town of Popayan. Popayan is known as 'The White City' due to the chalk white facades of its houses. This scenic drive will take us across the central mountain range of the Andes and through the areas archetypal high moor landscape, known as the 'Paramo'. We'll be sure to take the opportunity to stop and look at the Frailejones plants, which can grow up to 3 meters high, and which can only be found in the highlands of Ecuador and Colombia. The sources of four of the largest rivers of Colombia are also located in this water-rich area. If we are lucky enough to have clear weather we will also have some good views of the volcano Puracé. We will reach Popayán, in the early afternoon allowing some time to relax, or look around the city at our own leisure. Drive time: 6hrs Day 5: A day to explore in and around Popayan, including a visit to a traditional Guambiano Community. After breakfast we head out to visit a traditional village, home to the Guambiano community. This is one of the the last remaining indigenous communities in Colombia's highlands that still live according to their traditions. They all, women and men, wear bright blue skirts and colourful ponchos. The colour blue is a symbol for the cosmos, black symbolizes the earth. We'll enjoy a traditional lunch with the village elder and we'll have the opportunity to learn about their lives and the difference between traditional and modern Colombia. Drive time: 5hrs Day 6: Fly back to Bogota and drive to the beautifully preserved colonial town of Villa de Leyva. An early start today as we head to the airport and take the early 1.5hr flight back to Bogota, which takes around 1hr. Arriving into Bogota we are met by our vehicle are begin the drive to Villa de Leyva. We will stop en route at Guatavita, where we can enjoy a short hike to the perfectly circular Laguna Guatavita (3000m), where the legend of Eldorado may have originated. According to the myths, on their coronation day, the heir to the Musica throne would be covered in gold dust and floated out onto the lake aboard a raft. Once out in middle of the lake they would cast numerous golden offerings into the water, before jumping in themselves. These stories have lured many a treasure hunter to this place, and over the centuries there have been numerous attempts to drain the lake in a hope of revealing its fabled fortune; the remnants of these efforts are still visible today. Leaving the lake behind us we continue our drive, stopping for some lunch at the Sisga Dam where we can enjoy some fresh trout. For those interested in history, we can also quickly stop at the Puente de Boyacá, that is the place where in 1819 Venezuelan general Simón Bolívar ('La Libertador'), won his last and decisive battle against the Spanish colonial rulers. From there it's only a short ride on to Villa de Leyva, a village which in colonial times used to serve as a summer residence to the bishops from Tunja, making it the home to some very impressive and beautifully preserved churches. This evening we can enjoy a walk through the cobbled streets and end our day at the Plaza Mayor, one of the largest main squares in the whole of South America.

5 PAGE 5 ASCENT 100M DESCENT 100M TIME 2HRS WALKING HOURS Day 7: Exploring Villa de Leyva and around. Today will be spent exploring the surroundings of Villa de Leyva. For those keen to do a bit more walking, we can begin the day with an easy two-hour hike through the adjacent hills, from where we can enjoy a beautiful view back over the town and countryside. Returning, we will next drive out to the Monasterio de la Candalaria founded in the 17th century by Augustine monks. A special highlight of the monastery has to be its beautiful garden. Leaving the monastery we will next stop off in Ráquira, a small town famed for its pottery. There are numerous colourful craft stalls and workshops here and we can spend a little time hunting for souvenirs. We should also have the opportunity to learn more about the ceramics and handcrafted pottery made here. On our way back to Villa de Leyva we'll have to opportunity to visit a fossil museum in which, amongst other things, an 8-meter-long ichthyosaur found in the region is displayed. The valley in which Villa de Leyva is located is rich in fossils from Mesozoic and Cretaceous period and as we journey around we will notice how the abundant supply of fossils have been integrated into the architecture of many of the buildings. Arriving back at the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to spend strolling through the cobbled streets of this atmospheric town. Dinner tonight is not included so that you can choose where you want to eat and at what time. MEALS BL TIME 1.5HRS HOURS Day 8: Enjoy a day's trek above Villa de Leyva and into the Iguaque Nature Reserve. A real taste of the Colombia countryside today as we will head out on a day hike to explore above Villa de Leyva and into the Iguaque Nature Reserve. We begin by driving up to an old colonial road or "camino real" to around 2140m. From here the path takes us up hill to around 2900m from where we will enjoy a fantastic view back down over Villa de Leyva. Continuing our walk our route winds through farmland and fields of potato, cassava and maize, which form the basis of most local dishes. Finally we enter the densely vegetated valley of the river Chaina. We are now in the Iguaque Nature Reserve; the reserve is brimming with different plant species such as orchids and ferns and we can also hope to see lots of birdlife. Our circular route takes us back town to our vehicles, and we head back to our accommodation. DESCENT 760M ASCENT 760M TIME 4-5HRS WALKING HOURS DISTANCE 17KM MEALS BL Day 9: Browse the local market. Drive to Zipaquira. Visit Salt Cathedral. Return to Bogota. This morning we will head to the local market to browse the colourful stalls and maybe hunt out some bargains. Afterwards, we begin our drive back to Bogota, stopping en route at the old colonial town of Zipaquirá. Ziparquira is famous for its salt mines, known locally as 'salinas', and for its Salt Cathedral, a church built within the tunnels of a salt mine nearly 200m under the earth! The cathedral has long been a popular place of pilgrimage for Colombia Roman Catholics. We'll join a tour of this imposing underground structure where we can marvel at the architecture and also learn more about the religious significance and the importance of salt mining in this region and its impact on the area's history. Afterwards we head back to Bogota and after checking into our hotel, we head out to enjoy a late lunch at Andrés Carne de Res Restaurant in Chía. This is the top spot for Bogotanos to enjoy a unique mix of

6 PAGE 6 eating, drinking and dancing - the kind that is only possible in Colombia! The rest of the afternoon/evening is free. Drive time: 3hrs. MEALS BL Day 10: Fly from Bogota to Santa Marta. Visit Tayrona National Park. Transfer to lodge in the foothill of the Sierra Nevada. After breakfast we head back to the airport in Bogota and check in for our flight up to Santa Marta, the flight take just over an hour. Arriving we are met by our vehicles and head off on the next exciting section of our journey! Here, on the Caribbean coast, we can expect some dramatically different scenery and a likewise dramatic hike in temperature! Our first stop will be a secluded bay in the Tayrona National Park, where we will have our first chance to dip our toes (or more!) and test the temperatures of the Caribbean water - Bliss. We'll want to think about having our swimwear easily accessible. We will have a couple of hours to relax and enjoy the views and the water, before we drive on to our lovely lodge accommodation, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Drive time: 2-3hrs. LODGE Day 11: Morning Coffee hacienda visit. Afternoon bird spotting walk. Keen birders may want an early wake up call to head out in the dawn, which can be a great time to spot rare birdlife! After breakfast we then head out to learn about Colombia's number one export. If you ask most people what Colombia is famous for, they will most likely answer "coffee", you simply cannot come to Colombia and not visit a coffee farm. What better way to start the day than by learning about the cultivation and processing of the world's go-to wake-up drink. We'll spend some time on a local working coffee farm learning all about the coffee process, and hopefully get to sample some of the wares! Returning to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon we will head out on a hike through the forest on the lookout for brightly colourful endemic bird life, which is abundant in the forested slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Colombia can boast the largest number of bird species of any country on earth and nowhere is this more evident than in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta where 635 different bird species have been recorded. Our expert guides will be on hand to help us spot even the most well camouflaged birds! We return to our lodge for a second night. LODGE Day 12: Drive along the Caribbean coast to Cartagena. Today you will drive from Santa Marta to Cartagena. On the way we will cross the Río Magdalena in Barranquilla, were the famous Colombian singer Shakira was born. The Rio Magdalena, flowing 1528km, is the longest river in the country. We'll also enjoy some lovely sea views during this ride along the coast. We can stop off to stretch our legs in one of the quaint little fishing villages, which are dotted along the coast line. We arrive into Cartagena in the mid afternoon and head to our hotel, located in the old town, to check in. Cartagena is known as the Jewel of Colombia, you simply cannot visit the country without spending some time here. As you wander around its atmospheric cobbled streets it is not hard to see why, the city simply radiates colonial charm and history. Drive time: 4.5hrs. MEALS BL

7 PAGE 7 Day 13: Sightseeing around Cartagena. We begin the day with a drive up to La Convento de La Popa. This is a certainly a church with a view, having been built on the hill overlooking the city, gifting us a fantastic outlook over all the sites we'll visit today. Augustinian monks built a simple wooden monastery here back in 1607, this has long since been replaced by a white brick structure which is visible from everywhere in town. We will have a great view of the bay of Cartagena, which was once the most important Spanish port in the whole of South America. It was here that the Spanish brought all the golden treasures, pillaged from the Incas, to await transport back to Spain along with the gold and silver plundered from the mines of Peru and Bolivia. News of the city's prosperity spread quickly and it soon became an irresistible target for pirates and buccaneers, including notorious pirate Henry Morgan and also Sir Francis Drake. During the 15th Century alone the city was under siege from pirates on 5 separate occasions. Numerous forts were constructed in order to defend the city from these frequent attacks, the entire old town is essentially one large fort, with various other fortified structures built in strategic positions around it. We will visit one of the largest of these forts next - the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, which is quite possibly the greatest fortress ever built by the Spanish. Wandering around the fortresses labyrinthine corridors and tunnels, we'll feel transported back to the time of the pirates. After some time to walk around the fort we will set off on foot to the Old Town, we may want to stop off in an open air café in one of the many beautiful plazas en route to cool off and enjoy a fresh fruit juice. Next, we'll enjoy a walking tour through the well-preserved old town, a UNESCO world heritage site. We'll be sure to visit all the important historic buildings, squares and churches in this part of the city, such as the Iglesia San Pedro and Plaza Bolivar. Our tour finishes at lunch time and the rest of the afternoon is free to wander about the city at your own pace and perhaps revisit any points of interest, go shopping for souvenirs, or just sit with a cocktail and admire the sunset from the Café del Mar up on the city walls. MEALS BL Day 14: Departure day. Morning free for independent sightseeing. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Depending on the time of your departure flight time, this morning is free for further independent sightseeing. A single timed transfer back to the international airport in Cartagena will be provided. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included A professional English speaking local leader and any additional specialists guides Single timed group transfers on Day 1 and Day 14 3 x Internal flights All accommodation as described Meals as desribed in the Meal Plan Entry to all sites as per the itinerary What's Not Included Travel Insurance Tips for local staff

8 PAGE 8 Airport transfers other than group transfers Some meals as described in the Meal Plan Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc Meal Plan All breakfasts, 13 lunches and 8 dinners are included in the holiday costs. Food The cuisine of Colombia is a little less spicy than some of its neighbours, meals are often simple with a strong reliance on indigenous foods like corn, beans, squash, lot of grilled meat and tropical fruits. Towards the coast you can expect more Caribbean fare, fresh fish, rice and beans and delicious fried plantain. The Colombians love to mix sweet and savoury and those looking to try something a little different should look out for Queso con Arequipa (a desert of local cheese served with a caramel sauce) and if you order a vegetable soup, you might be surprised to find it served with a banana rather than bread! If you are thirsty you can expect a wide range of freshly squeezed fruit juices and, of course, coffee. If it is an alcoholic tipple you are after, then there will be no shortage of rum on the Caribbean coast or aguardiente (an aniseed flavoured liqueur derived from sugar cane) in the Andean regions. Joining Arrangements & Transfers The group will rendezvous at the group hotel in Bogota on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. A single timed transfer is arranged to coincide with the early arrival on this day of the Avianca flight from the UK. A group transfer to Cartagena Airport is also included in the afternoon of the final day of the Land Only itinerary. Clients whose flight schedules do not allow them to take advantage of these group transfers, must make their own arrangements for airport transfers. Independent Bogota Airport transfers can be arranged at additional cost. Accommodation During this holiday we will spend 2 nights in Bogota (1 in a comfortable centrally located hotel and 1 in a hotel near to the airport), 2 nights in a simple, characterful, lodge at San Agustin nestled on a hill overlooking the valley and surrounded by a beautiful garden, 1 night in a converted colonial mansion in Popayan and 2 nights in a villa style hotel in Villa de Leyva just a couple of blocks from the Plaza Mayor with it's cafes and boutiques. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada we will spend 2 nights in a forest eco lodge where we'll sleep in huts built in the style of the indigenous Tayrona. For our last two nights we sleep in a comfortable and well located hotel in the charming fortified old town of Cartagena de Indias. All accommodation is en suite and based on twin sharing. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired with other travellers of the same sex. Group Leader & Support Staff This trip will be led by an experienced English-speaking, locally-based tour guide. In addition, there will be further specialist guides at a number of the sights we visit such as San Agustin, Alto de Los Idolos and whilst bird spotting in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Altitude This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at high altitude. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.

9 PAGE 9 Spending Money A total of US $ should be sufficient to cover your personal spending including tips for your guides and miscellaneous expenditure on drinks, souvenirs etc, It is possible to use credit and debit cards to withdraw money from ATMs in the airport in Bogota and in banks in most towns, the easiest solution is probably to withdraw your spending money on arrival from the ATMs in the airport. Your guide can assist you with this if necessary. Note that Colombians use the Colombian Peso exclusively and you will not be able to use US dollars.if you are bringing your travel money with you it is best to bring this as cash US dollars and your guide will be able to help you find a bank in which to exchange your money. During this trip there is a total of 5 dinners that are not included. There are a wide range of dining options in Villa de Leyva and Cartagena and we have, therefore, not included the cost of all meals in these cities, preferring to leave the choice to you. You should budget around $5-10 (mid-range restaurant) per person per non included meal. Guidance On Tipping Tips are an accepted way of saying thank you to your local staff. They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local crews the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from the group. On a group holiday of this nature, where you may have multiple local guides and drivers, tipping can be difficult to arrange. To make things easier for you we would suggest that, with the help of your guide, you arrange a tipping kitty to which everyone contributes around $40 (in local currency). Your guide can then make all the necessary tipping arrangements, keeping a record of these so you know how your money has been spent. As a simple guide you should look to tip $1-2 a day per person for additional local guides and $1-2 a day per person for your drivers. In addition to the above you may want to consider tipping your Tour Leader for a job well done. This is not compulsory and amount is entirely up to your personal preference and should be given to reflect your thanks for the service received throughout your trip. As a rough guide, $2-4 a day per person is a reasonable amount for your tour guide; you are of course free to adjust this amount how you see fit. We would recommend that you tip in Colombian Pesos. Beat The Jet Lag Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels is useful for this holiday. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Group Size & Holiday Status

10 PAGE 10 For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Colombia A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport. Visa Colombia UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. Transit via USA You will require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), and you must get this before boarding any US-bound aircraft or ship, or entering on a land border. The fee is USD$14 and you should apply for it at With the ESTA complete, the majority of British Citizen passport holders can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme, VWP. As of 1st April 2016 you will be required to have a passport with an intergrated chip. Note that if you have travelled to Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the last 5yrs you will have to apply for a visa. NOTE: This is only required if you are transiting through the USA Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. There is risk of yellow fever and you must carry a current vaccination certificate. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Zika virus has been confirmed as active in this country. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like dengue and malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV are unlikely to be found above 2,000m altitude. For more information, visit the website of the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) at

11 PAGE 11 Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Currency The unit of currency in Colombia is the Colombian peso. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate Colombia s position close to the Equator means that its climate is very stable and there is not really any high or low season to speak of. December to March can be considered rainy season, but it can and does rain at all times of year. In Bogota and Villa de Leyva you can expect reasonable clement temperatures and evenings can be cool. In San Agustin and Popayan you can expect more humid conditions, but still relatively mild temperatures. This will be in contrast to the north and the Caribbean coast where we can expect temperatures of up to 30 degrees centigrade and high humidity. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Bogota with Avianca. Outbound flight will depart from the UK in the evening, arriving in Bogota early in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flight will depart from Cartagena in the early evening of the final day of the Land Only itinerary, connect through Bogota and arrive in the UK in the afternoon of the following day.

12 PAGE 12 Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Bogota and departing from Cartagena. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Bogota Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to Joining Arrangements and Transfers for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: ext Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.

13 PAGE 13 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of

14 PAGE 14 the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

15 PAGE 15 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: Walking boots Trainers for travelling Socks Trekking trousers Shorts Underwear Casual shirts and/or T-shirts 1 light fleece warm jumper and jacket Light weight waterproof jacket Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Sunhat Sunglasses Daypack 25 litres Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Travel clothes Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Swimwear Beach towel Insect repellent Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag) Basic First Aid Kit including the following: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea The Following Items Are Optional: Sandals Spare laces Walking poles Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Camera Headtorch and spare batteries Please note: This document was downloaded on 30 Nov 2017, and the trip is subject to change.