Top Hiking Tours in Colombia

Looking for a longer hiking adventure? This four-day trek departing from Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean coast is an excellent option – particularly if you’re interested in ancient history. You’ll venture deep into the jungle-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park with an experienced guide from the region, eventually arriving at Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City), which was founded by the Tayrona civilization around 800CE. Comfortable camping accommodation, three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included.

If you’re in Bogotá and want to experience a total contrast to the busy city streets, you can do so on this one-day tour to a nearby nature reserve in the East Hills, part of the Andes mountains. Hike through cloud forests to La Chorrera – the tallest waterfall in Colombia at 590m (1,935ft) – and another smaller waterfall, El Chiflón. You’ll also have the chance to cool off in the rock pools and tuck into a hearty Colombian meal at the end of your hike. Your guide will also provide snacks along the way.

Escape the city and get a taste for Colombia’s rugged side on this day-long excursion to Sumapaz National Park, around two hours south of Bogotá. Here, you’ll hike through the páramo – a high, treeless plateau dotted with hundreds of freshwater lagoons, typical of South American uplands. Learn about the region’s biodiversity, which includes spectacled bears, white deer, pumas and tapirs, among many other species of flora and fauna. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit a local market before returning to Bogotá.

Just half an hour’s drive outside of Bogotá, you’ll arrive at Chicaque Natural Park – a private cloud forest reserve at around 2,700m (8,858ft) above sea level, home to an abundance of species including sloths, oncillas, monkeys and agoutis. Start off at a viewing point with magnificent views overlooking the valley below, hiking 2km (1.2mi) downhill to a lodge where you’ll be able to catch your breath. Continue on to a waterfall before meandering your way through the forest back to the high point of the park. The maximum group size is four, and private transport is included.

To the west of Cali in southwestern Colombia lies Farallones de Cali National Park, characterized by lowland jungle, mountain cloud forest, páramo and over 30 rivers. It’s a great destination to go hiking, and this tour takes you from the Pance River up to Pico de Loro (Parrot’s Beak) at 2,860m (9,383ft) above sea level. It’s a fairly strenuous trek, but you’ll be rewarded with superb views across the national park at the top. Lunch is included, and you’ll also be able to take a dip in the river and nearby creeks at the end.