Wild Colombia
Cloud-Forest Palms, Coffee Hills, and a Desert That Ends at the Sea
This journey is for travelers who want Colombia’s landscapes more than its cities. You start in the Coffee Region, walking among the tallest palms on earth in the Cocora Valley and staying on a working coffee farm, then fly north to La Guajira, where sand dunes run straight into the Caribbean and the Wayuu people still shape daily life. Two very different kinds of wild, one itinerary.
Day by Day
Day 1Arrive in Bogota
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Bogota sits at about 2,600 meters, so we keep the first evening easy – a short walk, an early dinner, and time to adjust before the trip gets active.
Day 2Fly to the Coffee Region
A morning flight to the Coffee Region, then a transfer into the hills to a working coffee farm. Walk the plantation, learn how the crop goes from cherry to cup, and settle in for a quiet night surrounded by green mountains.
Day 3Cocora Valley
A full day in the Cocora Valley, home of the Quindio wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest palm in the world. A guided hike takes you through cloud forest and out onto open pasture where the palms rise out of the mist. Back to the farm or nearby town for the evening.
Day 4North to La Guajira
A travel day: flights from the Coffee Region to Riohacha, the gateway to La Guajira, usually connecting through a larger hub. Overnight in Riohacha, with time to walk the seafront and prepare for the desert.
Day 5Into the Desert
A 4×4 journey out of Riohacha into the Guajira desert, a landscape of dry scrub, salt flats, and dunes that meet the Caribbean Sea. This is Wayuu territory, and the route passes through communities whose crafts, language, and traditions remain very much alive.
Day 6Dunes and Coast
A full day exploring the desert coastline: dunes dropping straight to the water, wide empty beaches, and some of the best sunset light in the country. Facilities here are simple, which is part of the appeal.
Day 7Return to Riohacha
A final morning in the desert before the drive back to Riohacha. Evening at leisure and a farewell dinner by the sea.
Day 8Departure
Transfer to the Riohacha airport for your onward or return flight.
What’s Included
Included
- 7 nights accommodation (category to your preference)
- Domestic flights on the route
- All airport and overland transfers
- 4×4 desert transport in La Guajira
- Guided Cocora Valley hike and coffee farm visit
- English or Spanish-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees for all listed activities
- Daily breakfast
Not Included
- International flights to and from Colombia
- Lunches and dinners (we’re happy to recommend)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day
Good to Know
La Guajira is remote: expect long drives, basic lodging, and heat, which is exactly why it feels so far from everywhere else. Like every ColombiaSky itinerary, this is a starting point, not a fixed package. There’s no fixed price shown here because there’s no fixed trip – request a quote and we’ll build the real version around your dates, comfort level, and group size.
