Border Information: if joining in Quito, you will most likely enter Ecuador at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. In Quito we will stay in a friendly local hotel in the 'New Town'. Hotel for the night: Alston Inn Hotel Alston Inn Hotel Juan Leon Mera N23-41 y Ventimilla Quito Tel: 00 593 2 22 22721 Activity Approximate Cost Visit one of the countless art galleries in Quito, such as the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana or the Museo Guayasamín USD 6 Take a trip on Quito's Telerifico to the top of the Cruz Loma mountain, getting breathtaking views over the city from a height of 4,270m USD 8.5 Visit the excellent Museo de la Ciudad, hous...

Today our journey begins with a short drive to Mitad del Mundo, the monument that marks the Equator. After this we will continue north to the small town of Otavalo, stopping in the centre to visit its famous markets. In Otavalo we will camp in the grounds of a rural guesthouse overlooking the town. Estimated Drive Time - 5 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). Activity Approximate Cost Take a short walk to the beautiful Peguche Waterfalls near Otavalo (if time allows) USD Explore the famous Andean handicrafts markets of Otavalo at the Plaza de los ...

Border information: Exit Ecuador at Ipiales, enter Colombia at Ipiales Today we will have an early start to cross the border into Colombia and reach the border town of Ipiales. We will visit the famous Santuario de las Lajas church outside of Ipiales in the late afternoon. In Ipiales we will stay in a local hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 5 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the jaw-dropping church of Santuario de las Lajas on the outskirts of Ipiales, built on a bridge spanning a 45mdeep river gorge Included in Kitty About Ipiales: Ipiales is the border town on the Colombian side of the Colombia/Ecuador frontier. The town has some pleasant plazas squares and the sight of locals using a horse and cart gives it a quaint, countryside feel. The star attraction of Ipiales, 7 km outside of town, is the famous Santuario de Las L...

Nicknamed the White City, Popayan is a beautiful colonial town of whitewashed houses and grand churches encircled by rolling green hills. Although the capital of the Cauca region and the former capital of Southern Colombia, Popayan somehow retains it's relaxed small town feel. The friendly locals can often be found sipping coffee in one of the city's excellent cafes or relaxing in one of the shaded parks, catching up with friends and watching the world go by. The cool and sunny climate of the lower Andes makes Popayan a very comfortable place to stay and as the main university town of the region, there's a young, sociable feel to the city. The leafy parks marked with elegant church towers provide a sociable and relaxed location where you could easily spend an afternoon, while an evenings entertainment could be chatting with the...

Today we will drive to the small town of Salento, the gateway to the spectacular Valle de Cocora. In Salento we will camp in a well-equipped campsite, 15 minutes drive out of town. Estimated Drive Time - 8 hours.

This morning we will have an included guided trek through the Cocora Valley to see the Quindio wax palm trees, the largest palms in the world and the national tree of Colombia. In the afternoon we will head to the town of Manizales, where we stay for 2 nights on a coffee plantation. Estimated Drive Time - 3 hours. During our time in Manizales we will enjoy a night of traditional music and dancing, take a fascinating tour of the coffee plantations, and visit the Sagrada Familia charity - a local Dragoman-supported charity that provides education, nutrition, and psychological support to poor children in the area. In Manizales we will camp with facilities within the grounds of the finca. Activity Approximate Cost Head out on a half-day guided trek through the spectacular Cocora Valley, and see the incredible 50mtall Quindio wax p...

Today we have a final morning in our coffee finca near Manizales, and then drive to Honda, a historuc river town where we meet the Rio Magdalena. In Hinda we will stay in a local hotel. Estimate Drive Time - 4 hours

Today we will continue our journey with a drive to Villa de Leyva, one of the country's most beautiful colonial villages. Nestled high in the arid semi-desert away from any trade routes, the town has escaped development and modernisation for centuries and is one of the most authentic old-towns in South America. In Villa de Leyva we will camp in the grounds of a hacienda. Estimated Drive Time - 8 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the nearby mysterious ancient religious site and observatory of the Muisca people, dramatically named 'El Infiernito' ("The Little Hell") by the conquistadors (if time allows) COP 3000 See the gigantic near-complete 120-million-year-old fossil of a Kronosaurus (a huge aquatic reptile from the Early Cretaceous Period), still in the spot where it was discovered in 1977 (if time allows) COP 6000 Dis...

Today we will take an included walking tour of the main sights of the colonial town of Villa de Leyva in the morning, before driving to San Gil, the outdoor capital of Colombia and a mecca for extreme-sports enthusiasts! Tonight we will enjoy a vegetarian Indian buffet from the campsite's in-house restaurant. Estimated Drive Time - 5 hours. The following day is free to enjoy some of the myriad of adrenaline activities on offer in the area, or to spend the day relaxing on the farm. In San Gil we camp in a coffee and cattle farm outside town. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the beautiful scenery around San Gil on one of the area's many walking trails, perhaps to the colonial town of Barichala or on the old road to Guane village Discover the scenery of the San Gil region on a horse riding trip through the surrounding hills USD ...

Today we will drive north, stopping for the night in the town of Aguachica. In Aguachica we stay in a hotel. Estimated Drive Time - 7 hours.

Today we will drive to the peaceful and rarely-visited colonial town of Mompós, where we will stay 2 nights. Estimated Drive Time - 9 hours. The following day we go on a short boat trip down Rio Magdalena to observe the riverside life and do some wildlife spotting. There will also be plenty of free time to explore this historical colonial town, the first town in Colombia to declare independence from Spain, wander the beautiful streets and soak up the atmosphere of the architecture. In Mompós we stay in a lovely local hotel. Activity Approximate Cost Explore the beautiful and serene colonial town of Mompos USD Explore the area of Mompos by boat, on a beautiful short trip out on the Magdelena River Included in Kitty

Today we drive north to Tayrona, one of the most popular national parks in Colombia. Leaving our main luggage stored on the truck, we take a day-pack/ night-bag and go on a moderate walk in to the park to where we will stay. Mules to carry your luggage can be hired at an extra cost. Estimated Drive Time - 9 hours. The following day is a free day to explore this stunning coastal park. We have the opportunity to trek to El Pueblito, a pre-Hispanic settlement of the Tayrona people, do some snorkelling, or just relax on the beautiful beaches. In Tayrona National Park we will stay in rented hammocks. The hammocks are equipped with mosquito nets but please note that the nets are not treated with Permethrin or similar pesticides There is also an option to bring tents if you prefer to stay in a tent rather than a hammock, but please no...

We will have some more free time in Tayrona National Park in the morning, before we walk back to the park entrance and complete our epic journey with a drive to the beautiful coastal colonial city of Cartagena. In Cartagena we will stay in a comfortable hotel just outside the historical centre. Estimated Drive Time - 5 hours. About Cartagena: Cartagena is one of the most historic cities in South America. It is legendary both for its history and beauty and tends to be a favourite of all travellers who visit it. Having been the centre of many battles, the city is heavily fortified and huge defensive walls surround its narrow cobbled streets and colonial buildings. The city is made up of various districts, the new town with its high rise hotels, apartments and nightspots; and the older colonial parts of the city. The old city is ...

Today we will have an included walking tour of the city, and then the afternoon will be free to explore the city further, enjoy the many optional activities on offer, or simply relax on the beach. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the historic coastal Spanish fortress of Castillo San Felipe COP 17000 Head out by speedboat to the stunning beaches on the Islas del Rosario off the shores of Cartagena COP 60000 Head out for a day of scuba diving amongst the reefs surrounding the Islas del Rosario in the Caribbean Sea USD 60 Discover the brutal history of the Spanish Inquisition at their former headquarters in Cartagena, the Palace of the Inquistion COP 15000 Learn all about Cartagena's naval tradition and history at the Naval Museum of the Caribbean COP 15000 Explore the fascinating colonial city of Cartagena and learn all about ...

Border information: if you are finishing in Cartagena, you will most likely exit Colombia at Cartagena Rafael Núñez International Airport. Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Quito. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight. If you are continuing on to Panama then your leader will assist you with airport transfers for your included flight. You will stay tonight in a comfortable hotel in either Panama City or Cartagena (depending on the flight times and availability).