Amazon River at Sunset

Colombian Amazon

The Colombian Amazon accounts for almost a third of the country’s landmass and is located in the south-east of the country.

The gateway to the Amazon is the bustling town of Leticia on the banks of the Amazon River, reached only by plane or boat, as it is miles from any road networks. Most adventures into the rainforest start from here, also a point where Peru, Colombia and Brazil meet, known as the Tres Fronteras. This area of the Amazon Basin, although much smaller than its neighbouring countries, is largely unexplored in Colombia and relentlessly flooded in some regions, access is often limited to boats only.

San Pedro Claver Church, Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia

Highlights of Colombia

Combine a host of Colombia’s cultural highlights, spending time in vibrant cities, peaceful mountain villages and fertile coffee growing valleys, topped off with time on the coast.  

15 days

from $6,057 pp

UN SDG - 14 Life below water logo UN SDG - 17 partnerships for the goals logo

View holiday details

Salt production, Guajira Peninsula, Colombia
Guajira Peninsula, Colombia

Off-the-Beaten-Track in Colombia

This Colombian adventure unveils some of the nation’s most offbeat locations, while still taking time to privately tour the galleries and architectural highlights of the cosmopolitan capital.
An extraordinary trip for intrepid visitors to “the gateway to South America”, it traverses both the Amazon Rainforest and the Guajira Peninsula.

18 days

from $7,050 pp

View holiday details

Tucan, Uakari Lodge, Amazon, Brazil
Toucan, Amazon

A little more about the Colombian Amazon

The rainforest is bordered by a number of national parks, most notably Amacayacu National Park, a two-hour boat journey from Leticia. Public access is restricted, but the park is well organised for trekking and is popular with wildlife enthusiasts, particularly ornithologists. Quite literally teeming with life, this whole wilderness area supports an array of wildlife from exotic birds to wild cats and monkeys and is worthy of the effort it may take to get here.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Amazonian Boat, Brazil

Cruise the Amazon

Sail on the world’s mightiest river during an authentic Amazon cruise that navigates far off the beaten track.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Pink Dolphins, Samiria National Reserve, Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Search for Pink River Dolphins

Head out to try and find the elusive and magnificent pink river dolphins, which only live in the fresh waters of the Amazon Rainforest.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Pastaza River Basin, Amazon Rainforest

Amazonian Country-Hopping

Consider exploring the Amazon in more than one country, moving between Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Colombia or Bolivia to experience the remotest corners of the Amazon Basin.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Negro River, Amazon, Brazil

Swing in a Hammock

After a morning of adventure, head back to your cabin to swing in a hammock to read a good book (or simply for a siesta).

Suggested Holiday Idea

Leaf cutter ants, Tambopata National Reserve, Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Observe Ant Armies

Hike through the rainforest to seek out armies of leafcutter and bullet ants, watching from a safe distance as they carry out their methodical work.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Amacayacu National Park, Colombia

Discover Amacayacu National Park

Journey to Amacayacu National Park, known as the River of Hammocks, for a superb Amazon experience in an area inhabited by the Ticuna people.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Amazon tree frog at night

Embark on Night Walks

Head into the dense forests, with a head torch to find its unique nocturnal animal and insect species.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Araza Fruit, Amazon Rainforest

Discover Tasty Fruits

Forage for fruits in the company with an expert naturalist guide, tasting unusual and exotic varieties like the vitamin-rich Arazá.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Heliconia Reserva £££££

  • Colombia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Located on a quiet tributary of the Javari River, just over the border into Brazil (59 miles by river from Leticia) and surrounded by jungle vegetation and heliconias hide the Heliconia Reserva jungle lodge. Maloka Indian thatched-roof wooden cabins offer simple living with charming open bathrooms and garden views and are spread out among trails connected by wooden paths. The terrace bar-restaurant serves home-made local dishes and there are activities such as canoeing, canopy trails, bird and dolphin watching, as well as walks and visits to native communities.

View Property

Calanoa Amazonas £££££

  • Colombia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Calanoa Amazonas is located in the heart of the Colombian jungle bordering both Peru and Brazil, 30 minutes by boat from Leticia. Each cabin is a two storey A-frame structure. Downstairs has a netted double bed with its own private bathroom and the loft space in each cabin can also sleep up to six people, so a great option for families. A boardwalk connects the cabins with the social areas and doubles as an excellent platform for watching birds and monkeys.

View Property

Reserva Natural Palmari £££££

  • Colombia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Reserva Natural Palmari is located across the border in Brazil, three to four hours (depending on water levels and boat engine available) downriver from Leticia, Colombia. Accommodation options include three cabins (with small front terrace), four bedrooms with private bathrooms (cold water), as well as a ‘maloka’ and an ‘enramada’ for overnight stays in hammocks or dormitory-style beds with a communal bathroom. Further facilities include a visitors centre, watchtower, restaurant serving simple dishes and a river-front viewing terrace with loungers.

View Property

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull

Colombia is a firm Latin favourite with John, who’s most memorable moment in the country included an exhausting hike through the wild (and lawless) Darien Gap with The Times journalist Martin Fletcher.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E