18-to-Thirtysomethings: Cartagena to Quito on a Shoestring (SMQS)

Countries Visited: Colombia, Ecuador
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Basic

Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences

Simple and clean hotels, guesthouses and hostels chosen for location and character

Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction

Plenty of optional activities tailored to your interests and budget
Physical Demands Rating: 4 - You might encounter a few high-altitude hikes or other more strenuous activities. Pro tip: Put down that pastry, buster.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 14.
Meals Included: 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Accommodations: Simple hotels (11 nts), camping (5 nts, hammocks or rustic bunks), overnight bus (1 nt), homestay (1 nt).

Highlights
Trek to the Lost City of Teyuna, party in Colombian cities, get active in Cotopaxi, experience local life in an Ecuadorian homestay.

Description
Colombia is an underrated country for travellers, but with our safe, social, and budget-friendly group trips, we want to change that. After all, there's so much culture and beauty to this region that it would be a shame to let it go unexplored - plus you can say you got here before everyone else. Over two and a half weeks, you'll go from Colombia to Ecuador, hiking to the Lost City of Teyuna, relaxing on warm beaches, and checking out Medellin and Bogota. With two flights included, you're sure to find something you love in this hidden gem of a country.

Call (407) 833-8330 for more information or to book today! Mention code 12344243

Tour Operator: G Adventures

Duration: 19 Days

Escorted: Escorted - Yes

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Cartagena	Day 1 Cartagena Arrive at any time. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Day 2	Cartagena	Day 2 Cartagena (1B) Free day to explore this coastal colonial city. Wander the historic old town, check out the San Felipe fortress, or get dirty with a mud bath and massage at Totumo Volcano.
Day 3	Santa Marta	Day 3 Cartagena/Santa Marta (1B) Travel by public bus to this coastal port town. Free time to visit the Gold Museum with its collection of Lost City artifacts, chill out on the beach and pick up any last minute necessities for the upcoming trek. Additional Notes: Please note hot water is uncommon in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Showers are likely to only have cold water while visiting this area. Transport: Local bus (4.00 hour(s))
Day 4	Adan Camp	Day 4 Santa Marta/Adan Camp (1L, 1D) Transfer to Machete Pelao, where the trek to the Lost City of Teyuna begins. Trek for 4-5 hrs each day through farmland, steamy jungle, and rural Kogi communities. Get a glimpse into the local way of life in the remote river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Included Activities: Lost City Trek Day 1 Transport: 4x4
Day 5	Wiwa Camp	Day 5 Adan Camp/ Wiwa Camp (1B, 1L, 1D) The route starts along the Buritaca River, taking you further into the vivid green jungle past small villages en route to the camp for the evening. After a long day of trekking, enjoy a refreshing dip in one of the natural swimming pools. Included Activities: Lost City Trek Day 2
Day 6	Teyuna Paraiso Camp	Day 6 Wiwa Camp /Teyuna Paraiso Camp (1B, 1L, 1D) Continue trekking along the route to the Ciudad Perdida. Today is a tough portion of the trek with a lot of steep inclines, make sure to rest and take in the beautiful views. Included Activities: Lost City Trek Day 3
Day 7	Wiwa Camp	Day 7 Teyuna Paraiso Camp/ Wiwa Camp (1B, 1L, 1D) Get started early to climb the 1,200 steps up to the Lost City. The view of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains makes it well worth the hike. Explore the Lost City and learn what is known of its origins from the indigenous guide, before making the descent back to Wiwa Camp for the night. Included Activities: Lost City Trek Day 4
Day 8	Taganga	Day 8 Ciudad Perdida/Taganga (1B, 1L) After a final morning trek back to Machete Pelao, transfer to the fishing village of Taganga for an afternoon of rest and relaxation. Included Activities: Lost City Trek Day 5 Transport: 4x4
Day 9	Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona	Day 9 Taganga/Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (1B, 1D) Enjoy an overnight excursion to beautiful Tayrona NP. Explore the parks lush greenery, extended beaches and turquoise Caribbean waters. Additional Notes: Please note that Tayrona National Park is usually closed during the month of February. The indigenous groups in the area believe that mother nature needs a month of rest, and maintenance to the park is done during this time. If your trip falls in February, you will visit the laid-back town of Minca. Enjoy a visit to a coffee plantation, a hike to a waterfall and learn about local cacao production. Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s))
Day 10	Taganga	Day 10 Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona/Taganga (1B) Enjoy a half-day in the park, then return to Taganga for one more night on the Caribbean. Transport: Private Vehicle
Day 11	Medellin	Day 11 Taganga/Medellin (1B) Fly inland to infamous Medellin, now one of Latin Americas safest cities. Enjoy an orientation walk upon arrival and an optional night out with the group. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Plane (1.50 hour(s))
Day 12	Bogota	Day 12 Medellin/Bogota Opt to go paragliding over the city or catch a ride on the cable car. Board a night bus to Bogota. Transport: Overnight bus (9.00-10.00 hours)
Day 13	Bogota	Day 13 Bogota Orientation walk around the vibrant La Candelaria area. Free time to explore Colombias capital city; check out the riches at the Gold Museum, take a funicular car up Monserrate Hill for sweeping views of the city, or catch a fUtbol (soccer) match if its game day. Included Activities: Orientation Walk
Day 14	Bogota	Day 14 Bogota (1B) Enjoy a second day to explore Colombias capital.
Day 15	Otavalo	Day 15 Bogota/Otavalo (1B, 1D) Fly to Quito and transfer to Otavalo and spend one night at an indigenous community. Interact with the locals and learn about their traditional ways during a homestay. Opt to enjoy a cultural evening and show with typical food. Included Activities: Indigenous Community Homestay Transport: Plane (4.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))
Day 16	Cotopaxi	Day 16 Otavalo/Cotopaxi Visit the famous Otavalo artisan market for a morning perusing colourful textiles, art, carvings and jewelry made by people from nearby communities. Afternoon bus to Cotopaxi to enjoy a couple of nights in Andean beauty. Included Activities: Otavalo Handicrafts Market Visit Transport: Local bus (2.00 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))
Day 17	Cotopaxi	Day 17 Cotopaxi (1B) Opt to visit a lagoon at elevation, hike national park trails or go down Cotopaxi Volcano by mountain bike. Included Activities: Cotopaxi National Park Visit
Day 18	Quito	Day 18 Cotopaxi/Quito (1B) Enjoy the morning in Cotopaxi before travelling back to Quito for an orientation walk and optional night out. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))
Day 19	Quito	Day 19 Quito (1B) Depart at any time. Additional Notes: Consider booking additional nights in Quito for further exploration of Ecuadors capital city. Included Activities: Departure Day

Disclaimer: 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 departure.

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.