Arrive to Colombia's sprawling capital, Bogota. Situated at 2,640m above sea level in Colombia's Central Cordillera, Bogota is the cultural and economic centre of the country. After checking in to the hotel, depending on your arrival time, there is an option of a short walking tour in the afternoon for those who wish to stretch their legs after their journey. We will visit the Gold Museum and Botero Museum with our guide. In the evening we will meet for a welcome dinner with our guide.

This morning we hike up Monseratte Hill for views over the city and the "Bogota Savanna". This sacred hill, known as 'Grandmother's foot' by the indigenous Musica people, has attracted pilgrims since pre-colonial times - it also holds local astronomical significance with the sun on the June Solstice rising from directly behind the hill as seen from Bolivar Square. The original temple has been replaced by a catholic church and more recent additions of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. After exploring the hilltop and admiring the views we save our legs by descending back to the city by cable car before commencing our Colombian Adventure! We drive (approx. 5 hours) to the colonial town of Honda. On the way we make a lunch stop at the Jardin Encantado in San Francisco. Situated on the banks of the Magdalena River, Honda is part of a network of Colombian Heritage Towns and also known as the 'City of Bridges' with fine examples of colonial architecture. Arriving to Honda we explore the old town on foot including the Rio Magdalena Museum, before continuing to Mariquita where we will spend the night.

Today we visit the Lost City of Falan. Although not as old as its namesake in the Sierra Nevada, which we visit later on the trip, this lost city provides a window into another interesting period of Colombia's colourful history. The Lost City of Falan are ruins of a 17th century Spanish Citadel that was built next to the Royal Mines of Santa Ana. These mines were, at the time, directly owned by the King of Spain and used advanced technologies for the extraction of Gold and Silver. Great figures of Colombian history such as José Celestino Mutis, Francisco José de Caldas, Alexander Van Humbolt and Simón Bolívar, among others, worked or passed through this site. After the mines were abandoned many of the structures were pillaged for bricks to build houses in the neighbouring towns. Tunnels, walls and stone cellars can still be explored in this former mining city, much of which has been reclaimed by the jungle since being abandoned over a century ago. We spend today walking to and then exploring the Lost City. Our route takes us into the jungle, following the banks of a river and passing three spectacular waterfalls. Along the way there are several pools of crystal clear water in which we can take a cooling dip. The trail then uses the old, and now open to the elements, mining tunnels to reach the city ruins. After a day of exploring this interesting archaeological site and its surroundings we return to our hotel in Mariquita.

This morning we take a drive to the Chinchina area (approx. 5hrs). Here we visit the Finca La Romelia Orchid Farm. A family run tourism and conservation project concerned with the collection, study and conservation of orchids and the restoration of native flora and preservation of wild fauna. We learn about this unique mountain ecosystem and the life it supports as well as the challenges faced. After exploring the nature trails, gardens, nurseries and main house we take lunch in this relaxing oasis before continuing on to Salento by minibus (approx. 2 hours) where we check in to our hotel.

Today we will explore the trails of the Cocora Valley, which we reach by Jeep Willy. Nestled in the centre of Colombia's Coffee Triangle, the "Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia" was listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011 as an exceptional example of a sustainable and productive landscape. Centuries old traditions and land-use techniques have been passed down from generation to generation of the cafeteros (coffee farmers). As we walk along the Cocora Valley Trail, through cloud forest and jungle, the coffee producing High Andean farmland reveals itself, with small orthogonal plots perched on vertiginous slopes, a necessity to overcome the challenges of farming this terrain. As we continue through the valley we come across another spectacle and emblem of Colombia, as we enter forests of Quindio Wax Palm trees. Native to the high and humid montane forests of the Northern Andes these are the tallest palm trees in the world, rising up to 60m on slender trunks you can often wrap your arms around! After around 2 hours walking we reach the Acaime Reserve, where we will have a unique opportunity to see hummingbirds up close as they indulge on 'aguapanela' feeders hanging throughout the reserve. We complete the trail loop where we return to our Jeep Willys for the transfer back to Salento. On our return we take a walking tour around Salento with its colourful buildings and craft shops before learning how to play the traditional game of 'Tejo' over a beer or coffee (included).

Today we visit another town steeped in the coffee-connected culture of the region. Approximately 1 hour outside of Salento is the sleepy town of Filandia. We first visit the Kirakai Reserve, a nature reserve rich in bird and animal life also home to a population of Howler Monkeys. We take a 2 hour guided walk with a local wildlife expert through the reserve before returning to the town for lunch at one of the best restaurants in the Coffee Region. Today's lunch spot, Helena Adentro, is an internationally acclaimed tapas restaurant. Serving up a mix of Colombia classic dishes given a modern twist the restaurant focuses on locally sourced and seasonal produce. After enjoying the empanadas, patacones, yucca or even a cocktail, we walk off lunch exploring the quiet streets of the town with their colourful facades and colonial buildings. We return this evening to our hotel in Salento.

Having explored the lush natural environments it is grown in and the quaint mountain communities the industry supports, it is only right we now sample the main product of the region during this morning's coffee experience tour. After breakfast we visit an artisan coffee farm to learn about the growing, harvesting and production of coffee. The tour, of course, culminates in an interactive preparation of Salento Coffee, in the traditional method using a cloth strainer and pot. After this quintessential experience, full of beans and fond memories, it is time to say goodbye to the Coffee Region as we continue our adventure on to the Caribbean Coast and Sierra Nevada Mountains. We transfer to Pereira Airport to fly to Santa Marta in the far North of Colombia. On landing we have a 30 minute transfer to our hotel for the night.

Today is the day we start our journey to Ciudad Perdida - Colombia's Lost City. From our hotel in the city we take a transfer to Mamey and the start of the trek into the jungle. Led by guides from the nearby indigenous communities, we weave our way through the undulating landscape on jungle trails, often crossing low streams and wooden bridges over rivers. Some of which offer inviting pools where we can stop to take a refreshing dip. About halfway along the trail we reach the 3 crosses viewpoint, where we enjoy a welcome and delicious stop for fruit before continuing on to the first camp. The only way to access the Lost City is along this hiking trail and overnighting at the set camps, organised in conjunction with the local communities. Each camp has a covered area for dining, a mixture of hammock and beds arranged in open-air huts with bunks under mosquito nets, toilets and showers. These basic camps employ local people to maintain the camps and prepare food for the trekkers passing through, but can be quite simple and at times busy. As well as the local guide we are also accompanied by our tour leader who will help ensure the smooth running of camp for our groups.

After breakfast at camp another day of intrepid adventure awaits us in the jungle. We continue our journey walking for around 3 hours along the trail to the second camp, Cabana Wiwa, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim in the Buritaca River while we wait for lunch. After a short rest we continue into the Sierra Nevada passing Mutanyi, an indigenous Kogui Village. We will then head towards the third camp, Paraiso Teyuna, where we will spend our second night in another fixed camp.

We wake very early in the morning to have breakfast and begin our 2km journey to reach Cuidad Perdida. Dating from around 800CE the Lost City predates Machu Picchu by 650 years. Rediscovered in 1972 by a group of local treasure looters the site is steeped in mystery and enigma. Local tribes such as the Kogis and their forbearers acted as guardians for the site for hundreds of years before eventually succumbing to the European Conquistadors in the 15th century. Much of the gold and artefacts from this period are still housed in European Museums. Parts of the city were reconstructed by archaeologists between 1976 and 1982 but it is believed there are many more unearthed sites throughout Colombia's Sierra Nevada. After about an hour we reach the bottom of a 1,200 step stone staircase, hidden under the dense jungle canopy. This staircase, as if picked out of a work of fiction, guards the entrance to the Lost City and gives the first indication of the magnitude of work that must have gone into the construction of the tiled roads, terraces and plazas carved into the mountainside. Upon reaching the top of the staircase we are welcomed by an impressive view over the famed city and its signature circular terraces. Wooden dwellings housing the ancient Tayrona would have stood atop these terraces and acted as trading posts for farmed crops, seafood and salt transported from the coast, as well as later gold traded with Europeans. We have around 3 hours at the site including a guided tour and time to soak in the history and atmosphere. After our tour we begin our descent back to the second camp (approx 6.6km - 4hrs walking).

Today is our last day as explorers of the Sierra Nevada, as we complete the return leg of our adventure. After breakfast we begin a 2 hour hike back towards Adan or Alfredo camp (where we slept the first night). Once there we will have a quick break for water, snacks and fruit. Another 4 hours completes our walk back to El Mamey, where we will have lunch and board the 4x4 truck that will take us back to Santa Marta. Here we can check into our comfortable hotel for a well-earned rest and reminisce on our adventure through the jungles and mountains to the fabled Lost City.

After breakfast at the hotel we take a private transfer from Santa Marta to the colonial port city of Cartagena de Incas (approx. 5 hours). Set on the seafront is the 16th century old town, an unmissable highlight and fitting end point of any Colombian Adventure. Cartagena has a rich colonial history, as a major port for the export of gold plundered from the continent. From hilltop castles to guard against pirates to elaborate and colourful residences there is a lot to see. Street art, modern cuisine and lively nightlife, as well as white sand beaches and excursions to Caribbean islands make this a popular destination. On arrival we take a 2.5 hour guided tour of the old town to explore the mysteries and marvels of this port town.

Today we have a day of leisure to further explore the town or beaches of Cartagena. An optional day trip to the beautiful Rosario Islands, a Caribbean island chain and 'Natural National Park' less than 2 hours by boat from the mainland, can be taken at additional cost. This evening we gather with our group and guide for a celebratory farewell meal.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to the airport are provided.