Northbound Rhythms: A Journey Through Colombia´s People, Culture and Nature.

Step into a world where vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and warm-hearted communities converge to create an unforgettable journey through Northern Colombia. Join us as we embark on an exploration that transcends mere sightseeing, delving deep into the heart of Barranquilla, Nueva Venecia, Tayrona National Park, the Wayuu Community in Guajira, rhythmic Vallenato melodies in Valledupar, the spiritual significance of Corpus Christi in Atanquez, the colonial charm of Mompox, and the enchantment of Cartagena.

DESTINATIONS:
 Barranquilla – Nueva Venecia – Tayrona National Park – Wayuu Community in Guajira – Vallenato in Valledupar – Corpus Christi in Atanquez – Mompox – Cartagena 

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 May 21 – June 5 , 2024
$7,195 USD PER PERSON 
Single Supplement: $1,070 USD 

👥 Connect with Local Life: Our journey begins in Barranquilla, a city pulsating with energy, where you’ll interact with locals and witness their captivating traditions. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rhythm of Cumbia and the dazzling costumes of Carnaval, learning firsthand what makes Barranquilla’s spirit infectious.

🏞️ Nueva Venecia’s Waterworld: Next, we glide into the heart of Nueva Venecia, a village suspended on stilts amidst tranquil waters. Engage with the resilient fishing community, understanding their unique way of life, and admire the ingenious architecture that melds seamlessly with nature.

🌿 Tayrona National Park’s Natural Symphony: As we venture towards Tayrona National Park, nature takes center stage. Stroll through lush jungles, encounter diverse wildlife, and bask in the sun on pristine beaches. Discover ancient indigenous sites, and feel the awe-inspiring connection between the land and its people.

🏕️ Wayuu Wisdom in Guajira: Our expedition leads us to the heart of the Wayuu Community in Guajira. Share stories around the campfire, witness the artistry of their intricate crafts, and understand the resilience that defines their nomadic way of life against the backdrop of the vast desert landscape.

🎶 Vallenato Vibes in Valledupar: In Valledupar, the captivating melodies of Vallenato music fill the air. Let the beats guide your steps as you explore the birthplace of this genre, understanding its deep-rooted cultural significance and the stories it weaves.

⛪ Corpus Christi: Atanquez’ Spiritual Spectacle: Experience the Corpus Christi festivities in Atanquez, a spectacle of faith and tradition. Join the procession, witness the vibrant floral carpets adorning the streets, and be swept up in the profound connection between spirituality and culture.

🏰 Mompox’s Colonial Elegance: As we journey to Mompox, step back in time amidst cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Engage with locals who uphold centuries-old traditions, and allow the town’s charm to envelop you in a sense of tranquility.

🌊 Cartagena’s Coastal Allure: Our grand finale takes us to the enchanting Cartagena, where history and modernity converge. Explore the walled city’s alleys, savor exquisite cuisine, and revel in the fusion of cultures that have shaped this coastal gem.

🌅 Embark on a Journey of a Lifetime: Join us on the Corpus Christi Tour 2024 as we unlock the treasures of Northern Colombia, where the heartwarming connections between people, culture, and nature come alive. Let the rhythm of this land capture your soul and create memories to last a lifetime. Book your spot today and be part of this extraordinary adventure!

DAY 1: Arrive in Barranquilla on May 21, 2024 Guests will be picked up by private transport and taken to the hotel.  Lodging: Hotel Movich

DAY 2: Carnaval Museum and Galapa Mask Worshop Barranquilla is home to the second largest Carnaval celebration in the world after Rio.  The morning will be spent visiting Casa de  Carnaval, where we come to know the deep connection between Barranquilla and this yearly celebration. The carnaval slogan is “Those who live it are those who enjoy it.” The carnival originates from a combination of pagan ceremonies, catholic beliefs and ethnic diversity and is a mixture of the European, African and Indian traditions, dances and music. It was at first a holiday for slaves, and grew to be a celebration of the region. The afternoon is spent visiting a several mask workshops in the Galapa neighborhood just outside the city. There are several shops in town that allow us access to the areas where masks are hand-carved, painted and polished before hitting the market. There is a deep connection between the mas-makers and the Carnaval tradition. Of course, the group will also have a chance to buy masks direct form the artists.   Lodging: Hotel Movich 

DAY 3: Barranquilla to Barlovento Beach via Nueva Venecia Floating Village Nueva Venecia is Spanish for New Venice, and is aptly named after the flooded Italian city. The village, with about 300 inhabitants, lies in the vast Cienaga Grande marsh between Barranquilla and Santa Marta. Residents live in houses built on stilts in the marsh, and instead of cars and bikes, they get around by boat, mostly long canoes. Most residents make their living form fishing, but more recently they have opened up to tourism, creating job opportunities for the locals. After visiting Nueva Vencia, we have a two hour drive to the Tayrona National Park area. Lodging: Maloka Barlovento

DAY 4: Tayrona National Park We will have a morning visit to the park, and if all things align for us, the Blue-billed Curassow could show up and allow for photographing. One abundant bird that is easiest to see here than anywhere is the stunning Lance-tailed Manakin. While exploring the park we will have a chance to photograph Cotton-top Tamarins, a gorgeous primate that is dwarfed by the less common White-fronted Capuchin. We have a whole day to explore the beaches, trails and wildlife of the park,  and enjoy the company of our trained guides here who will have the pulse on where the wildlife is. Lodging: Maloka Barlovento

DAY 5: Tayronaka Nature Reserve On the banks of the Don Diego River lies the Tayronaka Reserve, a place that is as important ecologically as it is culturally, and we will have a whole day to explore it. Glacial melt from Pico Colon, Colombia’s tallest mountain (18,950 feet), supports the biological diversity of the most irreplaceable protected area on the planet, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Here we find the most important concentration of threatened wildlife on Earth, a treasure-trove of endemism. Apart from birdwatching and swimming in the pristine waters of the river, we will take a boat ride to seek out groups of Howler Monkeys along the edge and have the opportunity to participate in a spiritual cleansing ritual with a Kogi Mamo (tribal priest). The Kogi are descendants of the Tairona culture, and are a culturally intact as they’ve lived in seclusion since the Spanish conquest 500 years ago. Highly attuned to nature, the Kogi believe they exist to care for the world – a world they fear we are destroying. At the heart of the tribe’s belief system is “Aluna”, or “The Great Mother,” their creator figure, who they believe is the force behind nature. The Kogi understand the Earth to be a living being, and see humanity as its “children.” They say that our actions of exploitation, devastation, and plundering for resources is weakening “The Great Mother” and leading to our destruction. Lodging: Maloka Barlovento

Day 6: Visit to the Wayuu community in Los Flamencos National Park and transfer to Valledupar

The morning will start with a 2.5 hour drive to the Guajira peninsula for a visit with the Wayuu community, known as the people of the sun, sand and wind. They live in a very harsh, deserted environment in huts called rancherías, made from cactus or palm-leaf-thatched roofs, and yotojoro (mud, hay or dried cane) siding. The dances of the Wayuu, inspired by the local birds is a visual delight with women dressed in bright red robes set against white sand beaches and the Caribbean blue sea.  La Guajira, is full of life and the bird watching here can be outstanding.  We are on the lookout for vermilion cardinal, the elusive Tocuyo sparrow, the lovely buffy hummingbird and, if luck is on our side, American flamingoes. We will meet with a large family in a communal area called an enramada, sharing stories with them and getting to see them working on their handcrafts before setting out to the flats to witness their traditional wind dance. After lunch the group begins a 3 hour drive to the city of Valledupar.  Lodging: Hotel Sonesta

Day 7: The Acordeon Museum and The Vallentao Leyend Park

Today will be a musical kind of day, with a visit to El Museo del Arcordeon, to meet Beto Murgas, and discover the history of this fascinating instrument. We will also have  a visit to El Parque de la Leyenda Vallenata, to understand the importance of the Vallenato genre for their uniqueness as storytellers of the Colombian culture, always beloved and admired by Gabriel García Marquez.  Lodging: Hotel Sonesta

Day 8: Corpus Christi in Atanquez

Today we witness the celebration of Corpus Christi, a unique fusion of indigenous, african and Spanish traditions. Portrayed in Kike`s last book, La Fiesta del Sol en Atànquez, you will be part of a “non-touristic event”.  You will discover the essential message of Kike’s wonderful book, with its glorious celebration of the festival of Corpus Christi, La Fiesta del Sol, in Atanques, a small town on the lower flanks of the Sierra that we know well. 
Lodging: Hotel Sonesta

Day 9: The Children of Vallenato

Today we visit la Escuela del Turco Gil. In 1999, he created Los Niños del Vallenato . For forty years has trained many vallenato kings and prestigious artists and thousands of musicians, who have brought vallenato closer to each other to a conservatory quality. They were in the White House during the term of Bill Clinton, who fell in love with the magic of the accordion, the caja and the guacharaca. In his book How can each of us change the world? (2007), the former president dedicated a few words to him: “How I wish that in every area of conflict there was a teacher like Turco Gil and children like Los Niños Vallenatos”. Lodging: Hotel Sonesta

Day 10: Nabusimake

Today we visit a village called Nabusimake, inhabited by the Kogi people. The Kogi are descendants of the Tairona culture, and are a culturally intact as they’ve lived in seclusion since the Spanish conquest 500 years ago. Highly attuned to nature, the Kogi believe they exist to care for the world – a world they fear we are destroying. At the heart of the tribe’s belief system is “Aluna”, or “The Great Mother,” their creator figure, who they believe is the force behind nature. The Kogi understand the Earth to be a living being, and see humanity as its “children.” They say that our actions of exploitation, devastation, and plundering for resources is weakening “The Great Mother” and leading to our destruction. Lodging: Hotel Sonesta

Day 11: Valledupar to Mompox

The morning is spent on a 4 hour drive to Mompox, also known as Santa Cruz de Mompox, a historical town that was founded in 1540 along the banks of the Magdalena River. The town quickly developed as a hub for merchants transporting all manner of goods between the Andes and the Caribbean coast. Mompox was also a safe place for the Spaniards to keep gold and other treasures protected from the siege of pirates and a refuge for the families running away from the pirate attacks in Cartagena. We will arrive in time for lunch, check-in, and have the evening to photograph its gloriously preserved buildings and churches from its early Spanish colonial rule. Mompox is a town frozen in time, and was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995.  Lodging: Bioma Boutique Hotel OR Hotel La Gloria

Day 12: Mompox

As Mompox was a main deposit for precious metals, it soon became a hub for artisans that specialized in Filigree jewelry, whereby the metal is melted down and made into a thread before being delicately transformed into detailed pieces of jewelry. The abundance of metals  sparked the interests of skilled Spanish artisans, who came from Europe and settled in Mompox,  bringing their skills and techniques to the New World. Today we will visit some artisan shops and will spend the rest of the day exploring the town.  Lodging: Bioma Boutique Hotel OR Hotel La Gloria

Day 13: Mompox to Cartagena via San Basilio de Palenque

After breakfast we embark on a 5 hour drive to San Basilio de Palenque: the first free slave town of the Americas. Four centuries ago, escaped slaves built the village in the jungles that surround Cartagena. Today, the Afro-Colombian inhabitants of Palenque have preserved many of the customs of their African ancestors, including their music. In Palenque you can listen to many rhythms including lumbalu, bullerengue, la chalupa, mapale, puya, catalina and culebra. The village is also considered the birthplace of a genre of music called champeta, a percussion-heavy mix of African and Colombian musical styles, and our visit will give us the opportunity to visit local recording studio Kombilesa Mi to learn about the musical history of Palenque and visit with local artists. There is no doubt that this new generation of Palenquero musicians have a very distinctive vision and voice of their own. After a long day we head on a 1 hour drive to Cartagena for check in and dinner at the hotel.  Lodging: Hotel Hyatt

Day 14: Bazurto y Getsemani

The morning is devoted to the Bazurto market, a great opportunity to get out of  the charming old city and into the depths of local life in Cartagena.  A tour through the rowdy, frenetic, vibrant, and labyrinthine market is guaranteed to provide a taste of sensory overload, even to the most experienced travelers. The place is dirty but friendly, and most of the locals working the market are happy to show off the catch of the day, the recent butcher cuts, or the fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables that abound.  The visit to the market is followed by a visit to Convento de la Popa, the highest point in Cartagena, for stunning views of the city. We then have a nice lunch at Casa de Pepina, one of the last remaining 100% authentic eateries in town. After lunch, some time to escape the heat at the hotel pool or unwind while it cools off enough to stroll around in Getsemani, the very authentic neighborhood offers a glimpse into everyday life in Cartagena: local food vendors, graffiti art, galleries, public plazas , and kids being kids along the narrow streets. Lodging: Hotel Hyatt

Day 15: Historic Town

Few cities on Earth are as beautiful as Cartagena. On the sunny Caribbean coast of Colombia,  Cartagena de Indias has righteously earned a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is easy to see why. Founded in 1533, Cartagena still retains its colonial charm, with colorful balconies overlooking cobblestone streets and quaint plazas that pull you into impressive churches. The city was one of the main ports in the Americas during the Spanish Conquest, resulting in numerous pirate attacks that eventually led to the fortification of the city with 13 KM of stone walls. The day  will be devoted to photographing within the walled city, where there is something to suit all tastes. From beautiful architecture, to warm and friendly people, to striking monuments. there are plenty of inspiring photographic opportunities to be had.  Lodging: Hotel Hyatt

Day 16: Depart Cartagena on June 5, 2-24

Our Trip Includes

• All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
• All Meals From Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6
• Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
• All Activities Listed in Itinerary
• Bilingual Guide During Trip
• Internal Terrestrial Transport From Airport Pickup to Airport Drop-off
• Limited Health and Accident Insurance
  
  Trip Does Not Include
• Tips
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Insurance
• Airfare to Colombia
• Laundry
• Items of Personal Nature