Itinerary:
Caño Cristales – Feria de las Flores in Medellin – Salsa in Cali – Birdwatching in Km 18 – Dolmetsch Arboretum – San Cipriano
Extension:
Juanchaco and Ladrilleros and Uraba – Bahia Malaga National Park
Why Should You Join This Expedition? Our first collaboration will VII Photo Agency to explore photography, creativity, nature, storytelling, and the power of your own inspiration at The Flower Festival in Medellín (Colombia) and the most beautiful river in the world, Caño Cristales.
Your Photo Experts: Maggie Steber, National Geographic Magazine contributor photographer and Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, and Safina Center Fellow, author and photographer Kike Calvo.
About this tour: This tour is designed to highlight Colombia’s astounding natural and cultural diversity, and we believe we have struck the perfect balance with this exhilarating itinerary: From exploring the Feria de Las Flores in Medellin in the Andes mountains, to swimming in a river that has been dubbed “the liquid rainbow”, to the Latin rhythms of the salsa capital of the world, to riding motorcycle-powered carts through the luscious rainforest, to visiting the beaches and mangroves of one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet in search of Humpback Whales. This trip is of epic proportions, complete with beaches, city life, owers, and incredible hospitality. Join us in a land where everyday life is very real but visitors can easily escape into a magical world as they explore the culture and natural richness the country has to offer.
Expedition type: Photographic Overland Adventure
Focus: Photography; Creativity & Inspiration; Cultural Immersion, Natural history, and Storytelling.
Max. Number of Guests: 8-14 Guests
From $5,950 USD per person, double occupancy, not including international airfare. Single Supplement: $800 USD
EXTENSION: $1,950 USD per person, double occupancy, Single Supplement: $250 USD
Airfare: Approximately $600 to and from Miami. Must arrive in Medellin on or before August 2 and depart on or after August 17 from Cali.
Book this Trip Now
Extension: August 13-17, 2021 ( 5 Days )
12 days / 11 nights total, including estimated travel time. Extension 5 Days / 4 Nights
About VII: A small and photographer-owned agency, believing in the power and energy of collective effort when everyone else seemed to be going big and corporate. VII remains a disruptive and innovative business unafraid to swim against the prevailing currents. Ron Haviv, an American photojournalist who covers conflicts and a co-founder of VII Photo Agency is a Dragonfly Ambassador for The Adventures of Pili project.
Meet Maggie Steber
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Medellin
Guests will be greeted at the airport upon arrival with a private transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Viaggio
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 2: Medellin to La Macarena Flight. Llanero Sunset Afternoon Drive.
After check-out, the group travels to the airport to catch flights to La Macarena. After a 1.5-hour flight guests will check-in at the hotel in town and depart on a 30-minute drive to catch a magical Llanos Sunset. The Llanos, or Orinoco region, is one of Colombia’s five natural areas and is comprised of 16 million hectares of seasonally flooded grasslands. Covering 25% of Colombia’s total landmass, it is the region that is outed as containing some of the richest tropical grasslands in the world.
Photo © Kike Calvo
The sunset includes views of the imposing Serrania de La Macarena National Park, one of Colombia’s first protected areas and art of the Guianan Shield formation. What is so unique about this area biologically has to do with the geography, as it is found at the meeting point of 3 of Colombia’s main ecosystems: Orinoco, Amazon, and Andean. After a nice introduction to it is time to return to the hotel for dinner in preparation for the hikes of the following days.
Lodging: Hotel La Fuente
NOTE: YELLOW-FEVER VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS FLIGHT
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 3 and 4: Caño Cristales Trails and Pools
Our next to days begin with a 30-minute boat ride on the Guayabero River after breakfast at the hotel. The group then boards a 4X4 vehicle to one of the 4 available trailheads at El Cajuche. The National Park is managed jointly by the Colombian National Parks Service and the state agency Cormacarena, and visits to the park are highly regulated. The agencies get together and decide which trails will be open on each specific day, so the specific trail the group will hike is assigned based on carrying capacity and fitness level. Hikes range from easy, to moderate, to difficult, and will be chosen based on the specific fitness level of each participant. A different hike is done each day, and the hike will not be easy, but the reward of being able to visit such a unique site makes it worth the effort.
Photo © Kike Calvo
Also known as the river of five colors, Caño Cristales is considered one of the most attractive natural wonders to see in Colombia. And that is a tough competition to be in, as Colombia is known for the astounding beauty of its natural landscapes. During this time of the year, the river turns shades of red, blue, yellow, orange, and green in a vibrant natural display that happens nowhere Liquid Rainbow is caused by a picky endemic aquatic plan– Macarenia clavigera – growing in the riverbed. The plant requires precise conditions, including just the right water level and just the right amount of sunlight, to take on its bright hues. Though shades of red are most common, the plant turns bright green in shaded areas. The river also features waterfalls, pools, and caverns, and swimming in its crystalline waters to beat the heat is both exhilarating and relaxing.
Photo ©Kike Calvo
On each hike the group spends all day out and about, taking a packed lunch and plenty of water to be out all day before returning to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Lodging: Hotel La Fuente
Photo ©Kike Calvo
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 5: Sunrise and Macarena-Medellin Flights
A departure flight at 10 AM means that those who wish to partake in the Llanos Sunrise have to be up quite early to be able to catch the sun rising over the grasslands and return to the hotel for showers and check-out before the flight back to Medellin.
Photo ©Kike Calvo
Medellin is a bustling metropolis that lies in the Aburra Valley, and has been dubbed the City of Eternal Spring due to its pleasant climate. Paisas, as people from Antioquia state are referred to, are known for their abundance of hospitality. The afternoon will be devoted to photographing the grounds of the Medellin Botanical Garden, where the Orchids, Flowers, and Crafts exposition takes place. There is something to suit all tastes. From beautiful grounds to warm and friendly people, to more thousands of species of orchids and flowers. There are plenty of inspiring opportunities and of course, those who wish can do some craft shopping.
Lodging: Lodging: Hotel Viaggio
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 6: Silletero Parade
The silletero parade is undoubtedly the most sought after event of the Feria de las Flores. Held since 1957, the festival is one of Medellin’s most important events and the parade is something that cannot be missed. In it, men and women carry large silletas on their backs, which are beautifully adorned flower arrangements. The parade represents the end of slavery, with participants replacing the weight of slavery on their backs with the weight of large flower arrangements. The first silleteros parade also took place with some 40 men, and this number has grown to more than 500 in the past few years.
Some of the days will be devoted to free time to download and organize photos.
Lodging: Hotel Viaggio
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 7: Comuna 13 Tour
The morning will be spent on a tour through Comuna 13, once known as Colombia’s most dangerous barrio, we’ll explore how innovative urban regeneration projects and the use of street art have given the area a bright & colorful new future. We will explore the graffiti in the barrio by local urban artists, responsible for over 90% of the artwork in Comuna 13. After lunch, there is an optional visit to the classic car parade where more than 260 cars from the past century are exhibited along the streets of Medellin. Those who wish can spend the afternoon processing photos.
Lodging: Hotel Viaggio
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 8: Botero Plaza an afternoon flight to Cali. Drive to Araucana Lodge
Botero Plaza , also known as Plaza de las Esculturas, is a 2-acre park in front of the Antioquia Museum. Photographic subjects abound, including 23 works by famed figurative artist and sculpture Fernando Botero. His signature style, also known as “Boterismo”, depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humor, depending on the piece. He is considered the most recognized and quoted living artist from Latin America. The plaza also provides a great opportunity to photograph people and the surrounding architecture.
The afternoon is spent on a flight to Cali and a 90-minute drive to the Araucana Lodge.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 9: Cali City Tour
Founded in 1536, Cali is known as the Sucursal del Cielo, which loosely translates to “the branch office of heaven.” A whole day in this warm and friendly city nestled at the base of the western Andes, will surely provide great photo opportunities. Just a few blocks from the hotel are the Cat of the River and his Girlfriends, a collection of bronze cat sculptures that were designed by various Colombian artists. The rest of the morning will be spent visiting the Cristo Rey monument for panoramic views of the city. Lunch will be at the Galeria Alameda, a bustling market where the harvests from nearby farmlands and the Pacific Ocean are displayed.
Then we visit the historic center of town and many of the churches and colonial buildings along the Cali River. The boulevard along the river is only open to pedestrians and is quite enjoyable, with wide-open spaces, large trees, and locals enjoying the outdoors. After the sunsets and the breeze from the nearby Andes mountains begins to descend on the city, those who wish can enjoy a tour of the vibrant nightlife of Cali and its friendly people.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 10: San Cipriano
After a one hour drive to Zaragosa and a pleasant 20-minute ride on “brujitas” (motorcycle-powered wooden carts on rails), one arrives in the town of San Cipriano. The ride is exhilarating and will surely get the adrenaline pumping as the “brujitas” travel through luscious tropical rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse on the planet. The area is a protected reserve and is the source of drinking water for the nearby port city of Buenaventura. Located in the Choco Bioregion, it is known for being one of the wettest places on the planet.
Photo © Kike Calvo
Aside from the amazing diversity of birds and the very interesting local village, the reserve is home to one of the most pristine tropical rivers on the planet. A nice trail borders the river with various side trails that provide access to serene riverscapes. A visit to the Waterfall of Love is also in order, with a chance to take a dip in the refreshing waters.
After an adventurous morning, the group will learn how to prepare a Sancocho soup from the local women. This iconic regional dish consists of fish, coconut,, plantains, and manioc cooked into the soup in a specific order and with a calculated amount of local herbs and spices. After lunch, another Brujita ride is followed by a 1-hour drive back to the lodge.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 11: Bird Photography at Hummingbird Paradise with Juan Jose Arango and Dolmetsch Arboretum
On this day the group will have the pleasure of learning from one of Colombia’s best bird photographers, Dr. Juan Jose Arango. You can view his complete collection of Colombian birds at https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjarango/. The morning is spent at the world-renown Hummingbird Paradise, a small chalet with an impressive feeder set up that attracts hundreds of hummingbirds and colorful tanagers.
Juan Jose will offer up advice on bird photography during a full-day workshop at the site. The problem here is having too many subjects to choose from! The array of colors is awe-inspiring, with tanagers lining up to have a chance at the bananas and hundreds of hummingbirds visiting more than twenty feeders throughout the property.
The afternoon is spent at the Dolmetsch Arboretum with the director, Alvaro Calonje. The Dolmetsch Arboretum houses more than 2,200 plants from around the world and is world-renown for its cycad collection, containing more than 60 species. Cycads are an ancient group of seed plants that are much less abundant than they were during the Jurassic period, and their geographic ranges have contracted, resulting in cycads being one of the most threatened plant groups in the world.
The grounds of the arboretum provide ample photographic opportunities, as does the incredible diversity of plants that adorn the impeccably manicured gardens.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 12: Depart Cali
Photo © Kike Calvo
ACCOMMODATIONS Lodging will consist of a mix of 3-4 star hotels in cities, a basic but comfortable and air-conditioned hotel in La Macarena, and the amazing Araucana Lodge in the outskirts of Cali. There is a river in San Cipriano, refreshing pools in Caño Cristales, a jacuzzi in the hotel in Medellin, and a pool at the hotel in Ladrilleros Extension), so pack your swimwear! We expect relative comfort, hot showers (except in Ladrilleros and La Macarena), and excellent local food and provide a nice variety of snacks and purified or bottled drinking water available throughout the trip.
TRIP INCLUDES
Kike Calvo and Christopher Calonje as Tour Leaders
All Meals From Breakfast on Day 2 to Breakfast on Day 12. One glass of wine or beer with each meal.
Internal Flight: Medellin – Macarena – Medellin, Medellin – Cali
All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
Insurance
Entrances to Parks and Reserves
Regional and Local Guides
Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
Snacks Throughout the Trip
Internal Terrestrial Transport and Airport Transfers
DOES NOT INCLUDE
Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages
Airfare to Colombia
Laundry Services
Photo © Kike Calvo
Pacific Extension
Day 1: Cali – Buenaventura – Juanchaco
The morning starts with a 3-hour drive descending to the port city of to Buenaventura, on the Pacific coast. From Buenaventura the adventure continues by boat, first crossing the bay in order to wrap around the El Tigre peninsula towards the village of Juanchaco. The photographic opportunities begin as soon as you make landfall on the pier of this lazy village. After a short transfer to the hotel, there will be some time to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views before an afternoon hike along the beach to La Barra, a nearby fishing village.
Apart from the incredible landscapes, La Barra offers a chance to photograph the locals, and experience how they live and work in this remote beach village. Chances for sunset photography will abound on the walk back to the hotel.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 2: Visit to Uramba – Bahia Malaga National Park
Uramba Bahía Málaga National is one of the newest Colombian national parks, and was created in 2010 as Colombia’s 56th national park. Known as a hot spot for biodiversity, the park is explored by boat, visiting several remote fishing villages and the interminable mangroves and waterfalls that abound in the Malaga Bay.
The group will disembark at several sites within the bay to photograph the villages, waterfalls, and natural wonders the bay has to offer. Lunch will be taken as a picnic in order to maximize field time in this amazingly diverse location.
Photo © Kike Calvo
After returning to the hotel there will be time for a photo review before and after dinner.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
Day 3: Whale Watching
Each year, hundreds of humpback whales make the 8,000 km journey from the frigid Antarctic Ocean off the coast of Chile to the warm waters of Colombia’s Pacific coastline, gathering in bays and coves by the dozens or even hundreds to mate and calve their babies before beginning the long trip back. This area has the largest concentration of breeding Humpback whales along the Colombian Pacific coast. This species of whales are known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making them ideal for photographers wanting to capture this majestic being.
Photo © Kike Calvo
The specific logistics of the boat ride in search of the whales will depend on the weather and tides, so the day will be split between time searching for whales and time at the hotel working on photographs.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 4: Beach Time – Photo Review and Pacific Music
The morning will consist of free beach time! After lunch, a talk on the history of the Pacific coast of Colombia and the people that inhabit it. At night the evening comes alive with a live dance and music concert on the cliffs overlooking the beach. Escaped African slaves from the sugar cane plantations of the nearby Cauca Valley settled in this region of Colombia, and African roots are deeply ingrained in the traditions, cuisine, and music and dance of the local people.
Photo © Kike Calvo
The traditional songs and dances and the sounds of the marimba instrument were declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The marimba is basically a xylophone made of wood with keys that are made from specific palm trees that grow in the region. The cultural expressions we will witness make up an important part of the social fiber, where men and women tell stories and recite poems as they dance rhythmically. The objective is to celebrate life and death, and in some cases, the events take a religious, ritualistic, or festive tone.
Lodging: Hotel Agua Marina
Photo © Kike Calvo
Day 5: Ladrilleros to Buenaventura and drive to Araucana Lodge
The morning will be spent enjoying the beach or processing photos before lunch and an afternoon boat ride to Buenaventura. A 2.5-hour drive will have at the Araucana Lodge, the evening will be spent on the Carnaval Terrace, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner and reminisce on the good times and the memories and photographs that were made in Colombia.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
EXTENSION TRIP INCLUDES
All Meals From Breakfast on Day 2 to Breakfast on Day 16. One glass of wine or beer with each meal.
All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
Insurance
Entrances to Parks and Reserves
Regional and Local Guides
Internal Terrestrial Transport and airport transfers
Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
Snacks Throughout the Trip
DOES NOT INCLUDE
Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages
Airfare to Colombia
Laundry Services
Email us for a detailed itinerary email: colombiaphotoexpeditions@gmail.com
Read about the experiences of our travelers during our last Colombian Photo Expedition.
See the Photo Gallery of our travelers during our last Colombian Photo Expedition.
Photo © Maggie Steber
Photo © Maggie Steber
About Your Photo Experts
About Maggie Steber: A Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, 2017-2018, and documentary photographer who has worked in 70 countries photographing stories concerning the human condition. She is a contributing photographer to National Geographic Magazine. In 2013 Steber was named as one of eleven Women of Vision by National Geographic Magazine. Her current personal project is The Secret Garden of Lily LaPalma, a project differing greatly from her documentary work, and supported by a generous two-year grant from the Guggenheim Foundation.
Photo © Maggie Steber
Her honors include Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award, 2020, for commitment to the craft of visual journalism that advances the profession, Pulitzer Prize Finalist 2019, the Lucie Award for Photojournalism 2019, Leica Medal of Excellence, World Press Photo Foundation, Pictures of the Year, Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service to Journalism from the University of Missouri, the Alicia Patterson Grant, a Knight Foundation Grant, and the Ernst Haas Grant. Steber has worked in the small nation of Haiti for 30 years. Aperture published her monograph on Haiti entitled DANCING ON FIRE.
Photo © Maggie Steber
Her work is exhibited in dozens of festivals and galleries throughout the United States and overseas, Her photographs are included in the American Women Collection at the Library of Congress, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Richter Library. She is affiliated with VII Photo Agency and the National Foundation for Young Arts. She lives in Miami, FL.
Photo © Maggie Steber
About Kike Calvo: Kike is a Safina Center Fellow 2020, and an award-winning photographer, journalist, and author focused on culture and environment.
Kike has been on assignment in dozens of countries, working on stories as varied as belugas in the Arctic to traditional Hmong costumes in Laos. Kike’s images have been published in National Geographic, The New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair, among others. His images are represented by AP Images, Redux Pictures, and the National Geographic Image Collection.
Photo © Kike Calvo
Kike is pioneering the use of small unmanned aerial systems to produce aerial photography as art, and as a tool for research and conservation. In 2019, his early work with drones was profiled as “genius” in the 2019 National Geographic Almanac. He is also known for his iconic photographic project, World of Dances, on the intersection of dance, nature, and architecture. He has authored eleven books, including Drones for Conservation; Staten Island: A Visual Journey to the Lighthouse at the End of the World; and Habitats, with forewords by David Doubilet and Jean-Michel Cousteau. In 2018, Kike launched “The Adventures of Pili” project, with the mission to create books and other educational materials that will increase children’s awareness of global environmental issues and foster multi-lingual literacy. Partnering with local NGOs, and adding the support of companies and readers, to the date, 5,000 free bilingual books have been given to kids living in remote communities around the world.
Photo © Kike Calvo
Kike has been part of scientific river expeditions in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Over the years, he has joined numerous National Geographic Expeditions—from Spain and Patagonia to Costa Rica and the Amazon. He also enjoys teaching photography workshops and has been a guest lecturer at leading institutions like the School of Visual Arts and Yale University
Click here to learn more about The Land of a Thousand Rhythms
Suggested Readings about Colombia
Email us for reservations or a detailed itinerary: colombiaphotoexpeditions@gmail.com
Read about the experiences of our travelers during our last Colombian Photo Expedition.
See the Photo Gallery of our travelers during our last Colombian Photo Expedition.
Photos © Kike Calvo