Sierra Nevada Native Expedition: Experience Biodiversity, Cultural Exchanges in a 3-Day Trek

Embark on a 3-day trek through Sierra Nevada, discovering biodiversity, cultural exchanges, and stunning views. Immerse yourself in ancient rainforests and get welcomed into local peasant houses.

Duration: 3 days
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Discovering the 3 Forests

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park - (Although Minca is listed as an attraction, this day will be spent in the mountains, not in the town):
Embark on a 9 km trek through the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, starting at an elevation of 950 meters and reaching a peak of 2,200 meters. Lunch and…

What's Included
  • Breakfast included
  • Lunch provided
  • Dinner served
Additional Information

Initiated by a collective of rural families who opted to abandon eco-hazardous activities like heavy farming and ranching, this project focuses on tourism. Recognizing the immense natural, cultural, and biodiversified richness of their homeland, these families now want to share this heavenly paradise with the world. This trail deviates from the…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(28 Ratings)
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873victoralejandroh
Aug 4, 2025
Best option for a strong trekking. It is amazing - Amazing experience!! It's the best hiking I have done in my life. Given the sharp geography you can experience all temperatures, vegetation and landscape. The Sierra Nevada offers this unique change within few hours, just amazing. I made a tour for around 450 dollars, the price here seems to be bigger. Better if you contact them and ask directly
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Travel08039158699
Jul 23, 2025
Amazing experience in the jungle of Sierra Nevada - My girlfriend and I both did treks in the jungle before (Peru and Suriname) and have been on many hikes in the mountains, but we were absolutely impressed by this trek put together by Leo. Getting up early and ascending thousand of meters is more than worth the spectacular views you are rewarded with. Each little house you stay at for lunch or dinner is charming, with great food provided by the families that live there. We also loved the animals at each farm, we befriended so many dogs! Specific shout-out to Copito, who did not make it easy at first but earned a place in our hearts during the trek! For us Leo was the perfect guide. He knew the answer to all of our questions and taught us many extra things. He was not only very knowledgeable and good company, he also knew perfectly went to give us a moment to ourselves. He was also a great translator allowing us to communicate with the locals. Our highlights: the stay and views at Lenin's place (first night) and the sunrise of the last morning "palace of clouds", giving you an astonishing above the clouds view. Tip: if for the last day Leo proposes to get up at 4 am to look at the stars and hike up 200 meters at 5am to find a better spot for the sunrise, do it, you can thank us later.
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Stay68237169105
Apr 12, 2025
Great hike! - We went on the 3-day-hiking tour with Leo - it was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. The tour was perfectly organized. The stops at the various fincas for meals or to stay for the night were all charming, the hosts very welcoming, open people, the food very tasty. Our favourite was „The palace of the clouds“ with a spectacular sunrise the next morning. Leo is a patient, sensitive and knowledgeable guide. He let us all the time we needed for occasional rests or admiring the nature, he pointed out interesting animals or plants on the way and didn’t let a question unanswered. He even spotted a beautiful Quetzal-bird. The hike was demanding for us, but totally worth the effort. Thumbs up from Doris and Martin.
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Atlas5935
Nov 21, 2024
Incredible Experience - My partner and I try to do hiking trips whenever we travel, and I I can say that what Leo and his farmer partners are putting together out in Santa Marta is something extremely special. We traveled from Cartagena specifically to do this trip, and we're so glad we did -- it was the highlight of our time in Colombia. This is a tough 3-day hike. Don't let the distances fool you, Day 1 and Day 2 are no joke. But you'll be rewarded with spectacular views, great wildlife, warm people, and a journey way, way off the beaten path. Leo is a joy to spend the days with and helps keep things interesting with his encyclopedic knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Some tips: Bring something warm to sleep in. The farm stays are comfortable, but it can still get cold up in the mountains. Would also recommend bringing a life straw or filter water bottle -- the main source of water along the way are mountain streams (which look perfectly clean, but we didn't want to risk it). If you have any questions, Leo was super communicative by Whatsapp. If you like to hike, don't miss this one.
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H_bomb001
Sep 17, 2024
Greatest Trek I’ve ever completed - This is the best trek that I have ever been on. The scenery the whole way was incredible, passing through different environments constantly. Every place I slept had everything you could need and all the hosts were extremely kind and enjoyable to be around. The different creatures and animals you will see along the walk are like none you will have ever seen before. My guide Leo was incredible, very knowledgeable on everything in the areas we walked and was a great hiking partner to guide you. The whole trek you are secluded from the rest of the world, and this create the perfect environment for the walk. The whole experience was perfect, highly recommend this to anyone who is up for a tough but rewarding challenge.
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Ashwin
Feb 10, 2024
What an adventure!! - Lenin and Leo have created an amazingly unique experience, and Marga our translator kept things light & fun! Truly a magical 3 days trekking through uninhabited indigenous jungle and cloud forest, followed by comfortable private rooms with welcoming local families. Be ready for an adventure, and a challenging journey, but also for the tranquility and invigoration in sharing this beautiful piece of Colombia. My wife and I feel luck to have found this tour, and have no regrets besides not wearing long sleeve shirts and pants (the insects are very friendly!).
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O6139pyanthonyw
Oct 28, 2023
Like stepping back in time - This hike was fantastic! Highly recommended to experience the rainforest and meet some local people. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. Leo is an excellent guide, friendly and kind, with loads of knowledge about the local flora and fauna. The forest is stunning, intertwining green life everywhere. The various folks whose farms we stayed at were very warm and welcoming. And it was a treat to meet several Wigwa on the trail and see their villages. If you want to do something a bit different, make time for this hike in your visit to northern Colombia. I went for the 3 day Sierra Nevada Experience. I'm an experienced hiker, I live in East Tennessee and visit the Smokies and various parks in the area and happily hike 10-12 miles in a day. 14 or a little over on a good day. Also backpack once or twice a year for a few days. This trek stretched my abilities. The terrain is steep and hard going and those km's are long! Though mostly in the shady forest there are some areas exposed to the hot sun. On the last part of the last day you hit the "Macho Killer" -- a steep 1 km vertical over 5 km hike out of the valley. I needed help w my bag (thank you Leo!) and I wasn't traveling v heavy. But wow, what a hike! The 3 day is the same route as the 4 day and I thought I'd save time but would recommend taking 4 days if you can. The extra time spent at the Cloud Palace farm will not disappoint! Such a beautiful farm and garden on a steep ridge overlooking the valley. Señors Antonio and Lenin are really cool. A couple of recommendations: wear some light long-sleeve clothing in bed to keep mosquitoes away & take a lightweight water filter for water from the streams that you'll want to drink. 100 % recommend this hike or anything else with this company. Well worth the time and money to experience local cultures and ecology.
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Jason
Oct 14, 2023
A tour to remember - One of the most memorable tours we’ve ever done. To see Colombia from this side was nothing but a blessing. The tour was filled with beauty, amazement and wonder. The tour guide was extremely helpful and patient with us and gave a much information about the surroundings of animals we encountered. We feel very lucky to have experienced this and cannot wait to continue hiking in future after having such a wonderful experience the first time. To anyone doubting about this tour, we can fully recommend it, the Sierra Nevada is something to see in your lifetime!
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R8094hstobiass
Sep 30, 2023
Authentic and Fun - Leo is an amazing and fun guide. This was a great authentic insight into the nature and culture of the Sierra Nevada and its people.
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Lahojasintinta
Nov 17, 2023
The secrets of coffee from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia - It is an adventure to go to the Sierra Nevada which is the highest coastal mountain in the world. The coffee grown in the mountains is the “Castilla” variety, which predominates in the region due to its resistance to rust (pests or diseases) and also because it allows coffee farms to benefit economically, among others. allows it to be sustainable and friendly with nature. This farm is looking for a better international positioning, which is why it has been called “special coffee.” It is a brutal experience.
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From $625
up to 5 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).