Afternoon:

• Arrive at José María Córdova Mellin International Airport (MDE) by 3:00 p.m, where your Trip Leader will greet you.
• Take private transportation from the airport to your boutique hotel located in the heart of Medellin, Colombia. 

• After settling into your hotel, meet with your group as your Trip Leader lays out the plan for the exciting week ahead. 

Evening

• Get to know your new group of friends over dinner, then head back to your hotel to rest up for the adventures that await!
• El Poblado is a fantastic area for shopping and nightlife.

Morning:

• Wake up in Medellin and enjoy breakfast at your boutique hotel.
• Visit Comuna 13 with your local guides and learn how one of Colombia’s most violent neighborhoods became an incredible example of transformation.
• Learn about their history, culture, and see graffiti street art, listen to hip-hop music, and see breakdancing in Comuna 13. 

Afternoon:

• Return back to El Poblado for lunch and some time to explore on your own.

Evening: 

• Take an included city tour on a Chiva Rumbera Party Bus Experience to see Medellin at night, including Provenza, Avenida El Poblado, and the Golden Mile.

Morning: 

• Rise early and grab a packed breakfast and take it to-go before catching an early morning domestic flight to Santa Marta (~flight time approximately 1 hour 20 minutes).

Afternoon: 

• Arrive at Simón Bolívar Santa Marta Airport, then take private transportation to the town of Santa Marta (~2 hour drive).
• Settle into your new boutique hotel and enjoy lunch on your own.
• ​​The rest of the afternoon is open for you to relax at the pool or explore the nearby beach for some R&R.

Evening: 

• After your afternoon of leisure, meet back up with your Trip Leader at the hotel to enjoy an included dinner with your new group of travel friends. 

Morning: 

• Rise and shine! Fuel up with breakfast at your hotel before setting out on today’s adventure.
• Take included transportation into Tayrona National Park.
• Upon arrival, enjoy a hike to Cabo San Juan. This hike in the Tayrona National Park, from the parking lot to Cabo San Juan is about 8 miles and could take ~2-3 hours.
• Enjoy the flora and fauna that is unique to this region of Colombia

Afternoon: 

• Once done with your hike, enjoy lunch at one of the beautiful beaches in Tayrona National Park.
• Soak in the sun at Cabo San Juan Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the Tayrona National Park, and rightfully so. It is b-e-a-utiful!.

Evening: 

• Return back to your hotel and enjoy another included. Be sure to try dishes like arepas, empanadas, and sancocho.

Morning: 

• After a filling breakfast, take a scenic 6-hour drive to Cartagena. Don’t worry; we’ll make pit stops along the way to stretch your legs!

Afternoon:

• Upon arrival into historic Cartagena, check in to your boutique hotel and enjoy lunch on your own. 
• After lunch, take a guided walk through Cartagena with your Trip Leader so you can orient yourself to this new location. 

Evening:

• Tonight's dinner is not included, but your Trip Leader will recommend some local favorites and neighborhoods you should check out.
• Finish the night off with an optional salsa lesson or street food tour to really immerse yourself in the vibrant culture. 

Morning: 

• Enjoy breakfast in Cartagena before visiting San Basilio de Palenque.
• Arrive in San Basilio de Palenque where you will spend your time y learning about the liberation process of the enslaved people and the creation of the palenques. 
• While there, visit some of the most popular places, learn about traditional medicine and medicinal plants, and visit the local museum and different monuments.

Afternoon: 

• Enjoy an included local lunch, then return to Cartagena for some free time to explore or take a power nap.

Evening: 

• Tonight's dinner is not included, but your Trip Leader will recommend some local favorites and neighborhoods you should check out.

Morning: 

• After breakfast, visit La Boquilla, a fishing village near Cartagena. Learn all about the local fauna, especially the mangroves. You’ll even take a guided canoe tour through the mangrove forest to get up close and personal with these unique ecosystems.

Afternoon: 

• Lunch is not included today, but we will stop at a restaurant where we can have lunch and try a typical local dish: fried fish with coconut rice, plantain, and salad. 
• After lunch, dip in the Caribbean Sea or simply relax on the beach.

Evening:

• Join the group for one final dinner together and reflect on your past week in Colombia.
• After dinner, be sure to check out Cartagena’s nightlife scene to end your trip on a high note.

Morning:

• Enjoy one final breakfast with your group before you pack up your belongings and close out your time in Colombia.
• Take included group transportation (~30 minutes drive) to Rafael Núñez Cartagena International Airport (CTG), where you will arrive by 11:30 am. Say your goodbyes to your new group of friends, and keep in touch with the U30X Community!