15-Day Colombia & Peru Tour: Medellín to Puno with Inca Trail

Hola and a very warm welcome to Medellín, Colombia! Your tour through South America officially kicks off this morning in the hotel lounge, where you’ll meet your fellow travel buddies and Adventure Leader for a trip briefing – outlining travel plans and top tips on staying safe in South America.  

After, it’s time to get your bearings with your first unmissable activity – a guided walk through Comuna 13. This is a vibrant neighbourhood renowned for its colourful street art, striking culture, and history of resilience. While it has its complex past, it’s since been transformed into a hub of urban renewal and innovation, featuring landmarks like outdoor escalators offering stunning views of the city, and murals that represent hope and progress.

After exploring, we’ll grab some lunch as a group at the Mercado del Río, a local food market offering a variety of Colombian cuisines, before taking a break from the city’s hustle and bustle for a Spanish class led by your Adventure Leader. Get prepped with some useful phrases that you can put to the test throughout your tour. 

¿Estás listo? Good! Because we’re heading back out for a walk around Medellín’s most famous sites including the Plaza Botero, the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, and the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana. Cultural lovers – this is for you! But for those seeking out a little more adrenaline, why not opt for a paragliding flight offering an incredible bird-eyes view of the city below?

Come evening, we have some optional activities available:

• Depending on fixtures, you can opt to watch a local soccer game at Estadio Atanasio Giradot.
• If there is no game on, you could try our hand at Tejo – a Colombian game where you throw clay at gunpowder with the aim of causing a small explosion (Cool, right?) If neither of those takes your fancy, then kick back with some drinks and salsa in El Poblado – one of Medellín’s safe party streets!

Start day two the Colombian way – with a cup of locally produced coffee (Medellín is home to some of Colombia’s best!)

We’ll then head out for a day trip to Guatapé – a colourful lakeside town known for its vibrant zócalos (decorative murals), charming streets, and lively atmosphere.

We’ll kick off our adventure here by climbing the 740 steps* to the top of El Peñón de Guatapé – a massive granite rock, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and landscapes.

Afterwards, enjoy some time to explore the town of Guatapé itself before hopping in kayaks (2 per kayak) on the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. Paddle through the serene waters of this scenic reservoir, admiring the rolling hills, surrounding colourful houses, and Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir from below!

In the evening, it’s time to dive into another quintessential Medellín experience, thanks to the influence of the famous singer Carlos Gardel – TANGO! Join your group for an exciting tango dancing class, where you’ll learn the vibrant rhythms and energetic moves that make this dance a cultural icon. 

This morning, we’re up and out early bound for our next stop – Salento! This quaint town in the Coffee Triangle is known for its colourful colonial architecture, lush coffee plantations, and stunning views of the Cocora Valley’s towering wax palms. You’ll transfer by minivan (roughly 6 -7 hours) to arrive in Salento in the early afternoon where your Adventure Leader will meet you.

Coffee lovers, this next unmissable experience is for you! We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm. From picking the beans and trying the coffee-making process for yourself, to tasting the final product – you’ll be a connoisseur by the end!

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy under your own steam! Why not soak up some traditional Colombian culture in the town’s picturesque central plaza?

Today, we’re transferring to our next destination in Colombia – the famous Cali, a vibrant city surrounded by mountains, known for its lively salsa music scene! You’ll transfer via bus to arrive in Cali late in the morning where your Adventure Leader will meet you before you take a rest by the pool in your hostel.

In the late afternoon, we’ll take some time to explore some of the city’s must-sees, including the Plaza de Caycedo – Cali’s central square, boasting towering palm trees, a lively atmosphere, and historic significance as the heart of the city. We’ll also visit the Catedral Metropolitana, a magnificent Neo-Gothic cathedral overlooking the plaza, renowned for its stunning architecture and cultural importance.

Guided by local experts, we’ll then uncover Cali’s rebellious spirit – wandering its lively streets to explore salsa’s rich cultural roots, its influence on social movements, and its artistic expression through murals and music. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish, so why not party the night away at one of the city’s hippest salsa clubs? You have a relaxing morning tomorrow, so go wild! 😉

As promised, enjoy a quiet morning of soaking up the rays and relaxing by the pool!

In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the airport and board a short flight to Bogotá, Colombia’s capital city perched high in the Andes. On arrival, we’ll transfer to the hostel for an evening of rest!

What better way to get our bearings today than with a bike tour? Start by pedalling through Bogotá’s vibrant districts, exploring the historic downtown areas of La Candelaria, Plaza Bolívar, the Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace.

Then, stop by a traditional fruit market and sample exotic Colombian fruits like lulo, uchuva, passion fruit, and more – passing through more local neighbourhoods along the way.

Switching gears, we’ll cycle to a middle-class district to get a taste of modern Colombian neighbourhoods (and even some National Parks), before re-grouping in Bogotá for a graffiti art experience! Here, you’ll learn more about Colombia’s history, culture, and politics through its dynamic and vibrant street art, as well as get the chance to visit a gallery, admire the art pieces, and even go crazy with some spray painting of your own!

Sunset calls for some views! You and your group will take the funicular up to Monserrate, a mountain that sits over 3,000 metres above sea level, offering stunning views of Bogotá. As good as the views are, we recommend taking some time to explore the area up there itself, including the church and other surroundings, before heading back down via cable car.

The evening is yours to enjoy at your own leisure. Feeling wild? Why not head to Theatron – Latin America’s biggest club? 😉

After a week, it’s time to explore a new country on your South American adventure – Peru! In the morning, we’ll head to the airport and catch a direct flight to Cusco, the former capital of the Incan Empire and the gateway to the legendary Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

On arrival in the afternoon, you’ll take a guided walk through Cusco’s historic downtown, exploring iconic landmarks like the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and the San Pedro Market.

Top it all off with a group meal, where you’ll get the chance to try some of Peru’s traditional dishes! Just a heads-up: you’ll need plenty of energy for the next three action-packed days, so an early night might be a wise choice. 😉 

Today marks the start of one of your tour’s most amazing unmissable activities – a 4-day trek bound for Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll get all your food included – there’s no shops in the Andes, after all!

Today will be a relatively gentle hike, as we focus on acclimatisation whilst passing through stunning Andean vistas. You’ll only be expected to carry a day pack with you on these hikes, as we’ll hand off larger luggage.

After a day of hiking, we’ll set up camp, enjoy dinner prepared by your trekking team, and settle down for the rest of the night enjoying sites of the Milky Way high in the Andean Mountains.

(Please visit the section below marked ‘Trekking Alternatives’ for important information about our route, an alternative route option, plus a non-trekking variant to these days.)

A second full day of hiking commences as we traverse mountain passes, small archaeological sites, and stunning natural scenery. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for hummingbirds, known to frequent this part of the trail!

Today’s hike will be a more intense pace than yesterday, with a lot of uphill hiking – and a final couple of hours’ climbing taking you and your group to your next campsite!

Day three of our hike to Machu Picchu is our most impressive yet, starting with a gentle climb which takes you to some truly spectacular views. As we hike throughout the day, you’ll see the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca, the third-highest point along the entire trail.

We’ll then head back downwards towards our third campsite, coming down from the chillier altitudes towards the more humid climates of the Amazon jungle via the impressive Intipata archaeological site! Today’s trekking sees you arriving at the campsite in the afternoon, so you’ve got some time to yourself to rest up after a busy couple of days.

Today calls for a very early start (but it’s definitely worth it) as we ascend for breathtaking views over Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and a highlight you won’t forget!

Not sure what Machu Picchu is? It’s an Incan citadel set on top of a mountain peak high in the Andes. Built in the 15th century, it served as a royal estate and ceremonial centre before being abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It became forgotten and overgrown for over 400 years before being rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in the early 20th century.

Afterwards, we’ll start our journey back to Cusco, where you’ll have the evening free to relax and explore at your own pace. Why not opt to treat yourself to a massage? Your muscles will thank you for it!

After your grand expedition into the Andes, today calls for some well-earned rest! So, this morning is yours to enjoy as you please in this beautiful, vibrant city. Take a leisurely stroll through the city’s charming streets, visit a local café for a traditional Peruvian breakfast, or head to the picturesque Plaza de Armas or the nearby San Pedro Market.

In the afternoon, we’ll regroup and head to Sacsayhuamán, an ancient Incan fortress complex located on a hill overlooking Cusco. It’s renowned for its massive stone walls, sophisticated masonry, and stunning, panoramic views of the surrounding valley.

In the evening, we recommend throwing yourself into the city’s legendary nightlife with the Cusco Bar Crawl!

Today, we’re transferring to our next destination on this group tour around South America – Puno. But it’s not just any old travel day – we’re following the Route of the Sun (Ruta del Sol).

Connecting Cusco and Puno, this is one of Peru’s most beautiful journeys, showcasing breathtaking Andean landscapes, ancient ruins, and cultural landmarks. Along the way, it’ll also give you a chance to explore one of Peru’s most stunning natural landscapes – Rainbow Mountain! A short hike of around an hour and a half will take you up this incredible peak, so named for its stunning multi-coloured earth formed by previous tectonic activity. Make sure your camera is charged for this one!

We’ll then hike back down before we continue onto Puno, arriving in the early evening. Here, you’ll then have some free time to familiarise yourself with this stunning town on the shores of the iconic Lake Titicaca.

This morning, it’s time for another truly unmissable experience – a boat ride on Lake Titicaca. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for being the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest lake in the world – not to mention the stunning Andean views that it boasts.

Along the way, you’ll get to spend time on the floating homes of Lake Titicaca – created out of reeds by the Indigenous Uros people as protection against the attacks from the Incas centuries ago.

After an amazing day on Lake Titicaca, spend the final night with your group in Puno however you like – why not go out with a bang? Explore the lively bars and restaurants on Lima Street, catch a traditional dance show, or take a leisurely stroll through Plaza de Armas to soak in the local culture and street performances.

Your Colombia and Peru adventure ends this morning in Puno. Say farewell to fellow travelers continuing the full tour that goes to Bolivia and Chile.