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Peasant Families' Eco-Trek: Mountains to Caribbean
Embark on a 4-day Sierra Nevada Native Expedition, exploring untouched jungles, immersing in cultural experiences, and supporting sustainable tourism initiatives.
Embark on a 4-day Sierra Nevada Native Expedition, exploring untouched jungles, immersing in cultural experiences, and supporting sustainable tourism initiatives.
Duration:
3 days, 13 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Level: Experts.
Day 1: - starting at 06:00 AM from you location in Santa Marta.
- travel of 29 km in motorcycle before starting the trekking.
- warm-up 3 Km hiking to a peasant house (La Esperanza).
-
spend the afternoon and prepare for next day.
Day 2: - get up early (05:30).
- first great day of hiking through the…
-
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Level: Experts.
Day 1: - starting at 06:00 AM from you location in Santa Marta.
- travel of 29 km in motorcycle before starting the trekking.
- warm-up 3 Km hiking to a peasant house (La Esperanza).
-
spend the afternoon and prepare for next day.
Day 2: - get up early (05:30).
- first great day of hiking through the deep mountains and forest, about 12 Km hiking along a path that goes through the most wooded heart of the mountains.
- arrive to second guest farm (Palacio de las Nubes).
-
spend the rest of the afternoon and evening .
Day 3: - wake up 05:40 AM to see the awesome sunrise that the Palacio de las Nubes farm offers.
- start the hike at 09:00. About 5 Km downhill hike most.
- from 1.600 M to 800 M high.
- have the chance to explore one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the entire mountain range, “El Salto”.
-
spend the afternoon and the night at La Estrella Farm.
Day 4: - get up early (05:30) to face our second great day of hiking, about 20 Km.
- hiking through the territory of Wiwa native community.
- our final destination, La Tagua town (1.600 M high).
- we’ll take the lunch (about 14:30).
- start our return to Santa Marta. Average arrival time in Santa Marta: 17:30.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Private transportation
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Additional Information
This project was started by a group of peasant families who have decided leave aside activities with a negative impact on the environment (like intensive agriculture and livestock) and work in tourism. These families saw that the place what has always been their home is a paradise of landscapes, biodiversity and cultural experiences. And now they want…
This project was started by a group of peasant families who have decided leave aside activities with a negative impact on the environment (like intensive agriculture and livestock) and work in tourism. These families saw that the place what has always been their home is a paradise of landscapes, biodiversity and cultural experiences. And now they want to show this paradise, and everything it offers, to the rest of the world. This trek is outside of others tourist treks saturated with visitors, wildlife full, ancient rainforests, impressive waterfalls, friendly people and stunning views of the mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
Of course, to get to the most beautiful places requires great effort, hiking along steep slopes, grass fields, forests and mountains. As such, it is necessary to be in a good physical and mental condition. You will be rewarded at the end of each day, when we will be welcomed, eat and sleep in the peasants houses where we will have a cultural exchange.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Piotrds7033lv
Nov 30, 2024
A truly unique adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - This three-day hike was an unforgettable adventure through breathtaking landscapes, from lush forests to stunning mountain views. The organization was flawless, with expert guides providing both safety and fascinating insights about the region.
What made it truly special was meeting the indigenous communities and experiencing, even briefly, their way of life in such a remote place. It was a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural connection—a journey I’ll always treasure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
456kristoffert
Sep 23, 2024
Amazing tough trek with very friendly and service minded guide Leo! - We had an amazing trek with Leo. We did not have a lot of time due to a tight travel schedule but Leo was very accommodating and tailormade the 3-day trek into 2 days. He also helped us book transfer from Santa marta to Cartagena directly from the end of the trek.
The trek was pretty though but we knew that since we had to walk 29 km in just two days and both me and my friend are in very good physical condition.
The trek itself was just amazing. Started with riding on motorcycles through the jungle to the start of our trek. Steep climbs, magnificent views, lovely lunch at a farm. Would recommend this to anyone adventurous and in good physical condition that can take steep climbs in both heat and rain. Oh, and make sure you wear good shoes and functional clothes. They will be muddy and sometimes wet as you cross waterfalls and creeks.
10/10 in my book! Thank you Leo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
25katea
Jun 26, 2024
Unique routes, a great adventure! - Would highly recommend this tour company. They offer routes that you can’t find anywhere else. My husband I had the most marvellous 3day trip with Leo. It was the highlight of our trip to Colombia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W7258mxpeterp
Feb 2, 2024
Four great days hiking in the Sierra Nevada with Leo! - So far I have done three hiking tours in Colombia, but the hike with Leo / NATIVE EXPEDITIONS was by far the best! Leo is a passionate ornithologist and showed me many birds that I would otherwise have missed. His knowledge of the country and its people is impressive. The conversations with him and the farmers on the fincas where we stayed were super interesting.
This hike is not a walk in the park! You should bring mountain hiking experience and stamina. Next time I wouldn't hike in shorts (ticks and mosquitoes). The list of recommended hiking equipment should be followed.
MUCHIAS GRACIAS LEO!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W2913rpnathalieb
Sep 27, 2023
Once in a lifetime experience ! - The trip was amazing! The guide Lenin is such an adorable person and he knows so much about the nature, animals, indigenous. The hikes are hard but so beautiful, probably the most amazing landscapes i have ever seen. The food is great and it felt like home staying with Lenin and his family! Can recommend it to everyone! Also as a solo traveller! Amazing experience, thank you so much! And the dog Tutu who came with us all the way is very very cute :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicolelola12
Sep 17, 2023
Great experience in the jungle without other tourists. - Required fitness level = good/very good.
We were picked up from Santa Marta and began the hike for about 1.5 hours in the beautiful, nature-rich valleys of the Sierra Nevada.
Unlike in other places in Colombia, there are no other tourists here, no rubbish or devastated nature.
We were also able to stay in simple but comfortable houses with locals. The families were very friendly.
I can only recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luisbl8502mp
Jan 13, 2023
Deep dive in the sierra nevada far from the crowds - I would recommend the 4 days trek to any of my friends visiting Colombia.
We were looking for an alternative to the lost city trek, because we feared the mass tourism side of it.
We were not disappointed. Leo is a single guide and everything about the trek is very authentic. We crossed path with 2 other tourists in 4 days, and got to sleep in small mountain fincas, each of us 2 couple having his own room. They were able to provide vegetarian food that beats most restaurant of the coast.
Spoilers:
We got to experience all of:
- riding at the back of a motorcycles on mountain trails
- walking through different kind of ecosystems forest
- exchange with the farmers and the children and grandchildren (holiday time)
- see many cascadas and swim in some
- learn about birds and plants (Leo is very knowledgeable)
- encounter and exchange a bit withe indigenous people on their own territory
-seing stunning sunset and sunrises
-watching fireflies at dawn
-walking on an antique indigenous path
So yeah, no lost city at the end, but so much freedom, we only saw two other tourists during the whole 4 days
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Weaselmetal
Dec 29, 2022
Three days of hiking adventure - We were looking for a hike beyond the beaten paths, and we got exactly that!
This hike is physically taxing, but rewards you with beautiful landscape and a feeling of being completely swallowed up by the jungle.
You very likely will not see any other tourist, and you get to spend the nights at cosy farm houses owned by local families.
You should be in very good physical shape. We measured 42km of distance for the three day hike we did. And there's quite some elevation change too! There are river crossings that require you to hop from one boulder to another.
You will also pass through and by indigenous villages, that are still authentic and haven't turned into a tourist attraction.
If you are looking for a real adventure including mental and physical challenges, this is for you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abilebix
May 12, 2022
Greatest jungle hike I ever made! - I had four awesome days with Leo and the very kind families we stayed at. The landscape we saw and hiked through is just gorgeous. We were able to see many different animals in their natural habitat. The name, Deep in the jungle, does not promise too much!
The hike was challenging and beautiful at the same time. Nevertheless we had enough breath for nice conversations during the time we spend together.
It was really one of the most beautiful experiences I have had so far and I can only recommend it to others. I had and have complete confidence in Leo as a guide and felt very safe throughout.
Gracias pot todo! And hope to see you again soon.
I wish you all the best,
Alex.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kari
Feb 12, 2022
Highly recommended - I did a 4-day hike with Leo as a solo traveler in a larger group. I highly recommend him as your guide. He was very knowledgeable and pointed out several things that I definitely would have missed. He could answer any question I had about trees or birds…or well pretty much anything. He was very patient and professional with the group. Super friendly, but also let you have your own experience. On the last day I wanted to run rather than hike, and he ran with me. (Well, much faster than me so he could still technically “lead”. 😀) Just really made it fun.
Coincidentally a few weeks later I was out on a run near Minca and ran into Leo as he was guiding a bird watching expedition. Not surprisingly his clients seemed to be really enjoying their experience.
Highly recommend Leo and Native Expeditions for your wildlife and hiking guided adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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