Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/22 | 20/09/22 | 12 days | £4,495 ex. flights | £995 | Richard McColl | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Join us on this ground-breaking tour to dispel the myths and uncover the truths of Colombia, a country whose reputation precedes it. Accompanied by British journalist, author and hotelier, Richard McColl, who has spent much of his life exploring the Americas.
Spend time in Bogota, an ideal base for an introduction to the history of Colombia, its armed conflict, and today’s peace process. Visit local neighbourhoods where communities are using tourism to change lives; and meet with local coffee farmers, growing Colombia’s second greatest export. Continue your journey to Medellin, one of the greatest examples of urban and social regeneration in Colombia before visiting, in contrast, the sleepy riverside town of Mompoós, which is steeped in tradition and famous for its jewellery-making. The journey concludes in the colourful city of Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
While the focus of this tour is on indigenous and colonial history, you will also experience an exciting modern Colombia that is emerging from a difficult few decades with positivity, energy and an eye firmly set on a bright future. Bars and restaurants in Bogota are full, displaced coffee farmers are returning to their small holdings in the south and Cartagena buzzes with Colombian and international visitors.
It’s a fresh start and a thrilling time to be in Colombia.
British journalist, author and hotelier, Richard McColl spent much of his life in the Americas. Following a career in journalism, he turned to expedition guiding and freelance writing in South America.
Settling in Colombia, he opened his first guesthouse with his wife in 2008 in Mompós.
Richard continues his career in journalism from Bogota and is an authoritative voice on the political, social and contemporary history of Colombia.
Day 1
Bogota
Day 2
Bogota
Day 3
Finca La Palma and El Tucán
Day 4
Bogota – Medellin
Day 5
Medellin
Day 6
Medellin
Day 7
Medellin to Mompos
Day 8
Mompos to Ciénega de Pijino
Day 9
Mompos to Cartagena
Day 10
Cartagena
Day 11
Cartagena
Day 12
Cartagena
Day 1
Bogota
Arrive in Bogota. In the afternoon, visit Santuario de Monserrate, a symbol of Bogotá. Ride the cable car or funicular up the mountain which, offers an incredible panorama of the city on one side and the Andes on the other.
Day 2
Bogota
Bogota Peace tour where, there is the opportunity to understand key moments of Colombia’s history and then focus on its rebirth and future. In the afternoon visit to the Botero and Gold Museums.
Day 3
Finca La Palma and El Tucán
Visit a coffee project located two hours from Bogotá, which seeks to rethink the model of production and commercialisation of special coffee in Colombia.
Day 4
Bogota – Medellin
Fly from Bogota – Medellin, nestled at over 5,000ft above sea level, in the depths of a stunning Central Andes valley, Medellin quite rightly claims to be the city of eternal spring. Explore the hustle and bustle of the city centre of Medellín on a unique culinary walking tour.
Day 5
Medellin
Visit a local community social transformation project where they are training low-income people in cooking and entrepreneurship with healthy food at affordable prices, applying techniques and recipes from all over the world with local ingredients and products.
Day 6
Medellin
Enjoy an exciting tour through Medellin following the footprints of Pablo Escobar.
Day 7
Medellin to Mompos
Fly from Medellin to Corozal, via Bogota. From here, travel to the riverside colonial town of Mompos to discover one of Colombia’s best preserved most forgotten colonial towns as recognised by UNESCO.
Day 8
Mompos to Ciénega de Pijino
Embark a wooden boat and head off to the Ciénega de Pijino. In the late afternoon, enjoy at talk at the hotel to learn more about Gabriel Garcia Marquez one of the most important authors of the 20th century who invented a literary style that is called Magic Realism.
Day 9
Mompos to Cartagena
Today involves a full day of travel, driving from Mompos to Cartagena. On the way, learn of an impressive effort in the Colombian Caribbean to link 28 productive projects of ex-combatants and victims of the 50-year armed conflict.
Day 10
Cartagena
Cartagena half day city tour.
Day 11
Cartagena
Half Day Tour visit to Pescador de Letras Foundation.
Day 12
Cartagena
Transfer to airport for your flight home.
Bogota is rapidly developing into one of Latin America’s most interesting and cosmopolitan capital cities, the city is at a high elevation of 2640m.
Rivalling London for size, this sprawling metropolis is still fringed with shanty towns to the south. However, beautiful churches, engaging museums, cultural events and gastronomic experiences fill the centre of the city, while the cool mountain air and smattering of public parks make for a relaxed and genial atmosphere.
When Marshal Jorge Robledo first set eyes on the Aburra Valley in 1541, even he – a conquistador of great vision, would not have imagined what this city, founded in 1616 would have become – a centre of industrial Colombia in the first instance and now declared as the most innovative city in the world.
One of the most surprising and interesting attractions however, are its various new-age projects that aim for social inclusion and equality that have transformed the lives of those living in the poorer neighbourhoods that hug the mountainsides. Medellin is definitely a city that is looking forwards, not back.
Mompos is one of Colombia’s best preserved most forgotten colonial towns as recognised by UNESCO, a must-see destination for anyone remotely interested in the writings of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the history of the independence of Colombia.
One of the most vibrant and colourful cities in South America, Cartagena should not be missed. Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, the city was one of the most important ports in South America, sending plundered riches back to the mother county whilst attracting an eclectic combination of African and Caribbean cultures. This mix lives on and can be seen through the love of music and dance that the city’s inhabitants thrive on today.
This is a captivating, vibrant city and veritable highlight for any visit to Colombia.
Why should I travel to Colombia with Steppes Travel?
This specialist tour offers you the opportunity to be in the vanguard of visitors that are re-discovering this remarkable country. Colombia is home to some of the most important pre-Colombian archaeological sites in South America, dating back thousands of years and interconnected through a timeline of migration, colonisation, development and war.
What is the accommodation in Colombia like?
We use a good standard of accommodation throughout, occasionally in historic buildings. Sometimes the accommodation will be functional but always clean and en-suite.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour Expert.
If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you do not have to pay for a single room.
If you would prefer the privacy of your own room and would like this guaranteed, then the single room price supplement will apply.
What will the weather be like in Colombia in September?
Colombia is a year-round destination however September is within the dry season and a perfect time to travel to Colombia. The days will be warm and the evenings slightly cooler.
How fit should I be to enjoy this tour?
You ideally need a moderate level of fitness to participate. Bear in mind that you will need to negotiate flights of steps, inclines and uneven surfaces.
What is the food like in Colombia?
Colombian food is very diverse, each region of the country having its own characteristic dishes. Dishes and recipes are handed down from generation to generation, influenced by not only indigenous Colombian culture, but Spanish, African and Arab cultures as well.
Bandeja paisa is the hearty national dish of Colombia. It comprises of Colombia’s staple ingredients – rice, plantain, an arepa (corn cakes), avocado, ground beef, chorizo, black sausage and fried pork rind, there’s a fried egg thrown on top for good measure. This rather intimidating plate of calories and carbohydrates is generally accompanied by a rich bean soup. Good luck!
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/22 | 20/09/22 | 12 days | £4,495 ex. flights | £995 | Richard McColl | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
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Expert-Led Group Tours
With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of experts guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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