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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
(16 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Christiankn2344lo
Feb 7, 2025
Best Colombia Nature experience! - Leo is amazing :)
We enjoyed the three-day hike with Leo to the fullest. We felt very safe and happy in his presence and were infected by his enthusiasm. The hikes are strenuous, but never dangerous or risky. The breaks are well planned and Leo is considerate and motivating at the same time.
The overnight stays were both in very beautiful places. His team of drivers, helpers who take care of the luggage transport with the mules and the hosts at the overnight stops were all very friendly. We felt very welcome everywhere we went!
The Sierra Nevada di Santa Marta was a highlight of our trip to Colombia in every respect.
Looking back, I can really only recommend one thing: Go on the four-day hike!
THANK YOU LEO
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caraplanetary
Jan 23, 2025
Couldn’t be happier - I feel so very lucky to have found Native Expeditions while looking at alternatives to the Lost City trek. My friend and I just finished the four day Sierra Nevada trip, and by the end of the first day I knew that this experience was really something special. Leo is a great guide, teaching us about the plants and birds we saw along the way. Each day you walk through incredible landscapes and in between you get good meals, warm hospitality and a comfortable bed. The hosts we stayed with each night treated us like friends their son or brother brought home for a visit.
I will be recommending this trek to everyone I meet who likes a good hard hike, wants to practice speaking Spanish (Leo speaks excellent English but talking with the hosts is such an encouraging environment to try your Spanish), or wants a truly unique travel experience.
Some notes:
- I’m a vegetarian and was very happy with the veggie meals on offer
- I did the hike in non-waterproof trail runners but often ended up with wet feet. I would have been happier in waterproof shoes.
- Our big backpacks were carried on a mule most of the time, but you need to be able to carry everything part of the way (a few hours). So bring a small day pack in addition to your main bag, and if you have a way to store anything unnecessary for the trek, you’ll want to do that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brigid
Jan 23, 2025
Incredible Experience Worth Every Step - Highly recommend this as a less-crowded alternative to the Lost City treks. Leo is a knowledgeable and helpful guide and we enjoyed our time with him. We did the 4-day Path of Waterfalls and had an incredible experience that felt respectful of the indigenous Wiwa people while seeing natural wonders and meeting some of the warmest, friendliest hosts and families I have ever encountered. The physical challenge is real - make sure you can handle the elevation gain, altitude, and distance as advertised (and bring a pair of waterproof boots). Fortunately, Leo is very patient and checked regularly to make sure I was doing OK on the tougher sections. You do have to carry all your stuff on the last day, so pack accordingly. The sights, sounds, and people of this beautiful part of Colombia are totally worth the challenge!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
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