2 Weeks - Salento, Medellin, Santa Marta, Lost City | Colombia - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:40:52 +0000

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to spend 2 weeks in Colombia this November. It's my first trip there, and I'm still trying to figure out my route. I'm really attracted to the idea of doing the Lost City hike (the 4 day option) which eats up a good bit of my time but I've heard that it's worth it.

I'm hoping to receive some constructive criticism on the itinerary I've put together:

○ November 5: Arrive in Bogota 5am; fly to Salento (1 hour)
○ November 6: Salento
○ November 7: Salento - Day trip to Cocora Valley
○ November 8: Salento
○ November 9: Travel to Medellin (bus, 6 hours)
○ November 10: Medellin
○ November 11: Medellin - Day trip to Guatape
○ November 12: Medellin
○ November 13: Fly to Santa Marta (1 hour)
○ November 14: Lost City hike
○ November 15: Lost City hike
○ November 16: Lost City hike
○ November 17: Lost City hike
○ November 18: Fly Santa Marta to Bogota (1.5 hours)
○ November 19: Fly home

Is this too much time in Salento? I haven't booked my flight from Bogota to Salento yet but it will be sometime in the morning so I'll technically have 3 full days plus the day trip to Cocora (although I'll probably be exhausted and not functional that first day, so it's more like 2 days). If so, I can reduce the time in Salento and head to Medellin sooner, and make room for one full extra day in Santa Marta to do something (day trip to Tayrona? or Taganga for scuba diving?)

Alternatively, I could skip the Lost City hike which would afford me time to visit a greater number of places, such as Cartagena and possibly Tayrona NP or Minca or somewhere else.

Keeping in mind that it's the rainy season, any recommendations on which route I should choose? Thanks!

ONLINE

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:17:50 +0000

You could do a day less for Salento, conceivably, if you did something like a tour of a coffee farm the afternoon you arrive. When I was there, Plantation House was running tours of their coffee farm. You could easily do with a day less for Medellin too. And if you freed up a couple of days, you could use that time for a visit to Tayrona national park, so you have some beach time.

As for the Lost City hike, I'd wait and see what the weather is like. I wouldn't want to trek that it if it's going to be raining for hours every afternoon in the mountains above Santa Marta. If bad weather, then go 4 hours by bus to Cartagena, which is good in any weather.

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ONLINE

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 12:24:11 +0000

Yeah, I'm definitely worried about it raining constantly on the Lost City trek...but it seems like it would be just as unpleasant to be at the beach if it's going to rain so much too. I'd definitely like to see Cartagena if I can so I'll keep that in mind as my "rain backup."

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ONLINE

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 04:01:53 +0000

Interesting, I'm heading on a similar route myself, looks like a good lineup and I hadn't thought of flying to Salento from Bogota.

Arriving in Ipiales on 31st Oct/1st Nov.

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Mon, 23 Oct 2017 01:00:37 +0000

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