Medellin & Salento
Latin America
Feb 2026

Colombia: Medellin & Salento

[ OVERVIEW ]

Experience Details

6 days through Medellín, Guatapé, and Salento. Explore the city's creative transformation, cruise Guatapé's lakeside villages, visit coffee farms in the hills, and hike through Cocora Valley's towering palms. A mix of culture and nature, with room to take it all in.

Feb 4 - Feb 9, 2026

Dates

Trip Duration

6 days, 5 nights

Price

$2,450

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Tour Itinerary

Day One: Arrival in Medellín

Arrive in Medellín and get settled at our hotel in El Poblado. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a short guided walk around the neighborhood or follow our self-guided route to explore on your own. The main plan for today is to rest, meet the group, and enjoy the evening.

We’ll have a welcome dinner and a few drinks together — a relaxed start to the trip and a chance for everyone to get to know each other.

    • Dinner & welcome drinks;

    • Airport pickup;

    • Optional short guided walk or self-guided route

  • Boutique hotel in El Poblado

  • Flexible based on flight times.

    Optional walk (3:00-5:00 PM) with a 7:00 PM dinner.

Day Two: Day-trip to Guatapé

We’ll start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then hit the road to Guatapé. On the way we’ll make a quick stop to sample some local fruits — a little sugar boost to prep us for the adventure ahead. Next up: the famous climb of El Peñón de Guatapé (about 740 steps to the top) for those who want the view.

After descending, we’ll enjoy lunch at a modern Colombian restaurant overviewing the lake. Then wind down with a scenic boat ride around the lake, taking in colourful buildings, the historic waterfront and the island-dotted reservoir. We’ll aim to be back in Medellín by ~6 p.m., giving you time to relax, explore more or head out for dinner.

    • Breakfast at hotel

    • Group transfer to Guatapé

    • Fruit-stop

    • Climb of El Peñón

    • Private boat ride on the lake

  • Boutique hotel in El Poblado

  • Morning departure → Return by ~6:00 p.m.

Day Three: Medellín morning & flight to Salento

Start the day with breakfast in El Poblado — the neighborhood is packed with great cafés and brunch spots to choose from (or stay at the hotel, up to you). After that, you can take it easy: explore the area, do a bit of shopping, or join our short guided walk through Medellín, including a visit to Comuna 13. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the airport for our flight to Salento. Once there, we’ll have a relaxed dinner in the cozy town center before getting some rest — tomorrow starts early..

    • Hotel in Salento

    • Domestic flight Medellín → Armenia (about 50 min) + transfer to Salento

    • Optional morning walk with visit to Comuna 13

  • Mountain Retreat Hotel or Glamping – depends on availability. The goal is to surround ourselves with the beautiful nature this area offers.

  • Morning walk (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM); flight in the afternoon. Dinner around 8:00 PM.

Day Four: Hike in Cocora Valley & Salento

We’ll start the day early (around 7-8 a.m.) with a quick snack or packed breakfast before heading to Cocora Valley. This national park, famous for its tall wax palms and lush green hills, inspired Disney’s Encanto. We’ll spend about 4-5 hours hiking through the valley, taking in the incredible scenery and mountain air. After the hike, you’ll have some free time to slow down — walk around, grab a coffee or iced tea, read a book, or just enjoy being surrounded by nature. In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner back in Salento.

    • Hotel in Salento

    • Private transfer to Cocora Valley trailhead

    • Guided hike (4–5 hours) + leisure time in Cocora Valley

  • Mountain Retreat Hotel or Glamping – depends on availability. The goal is to surround ourselves with the beautiful nature this area offers.

  • Early departure (7:30 a.m.) → Return mid-afternoon (~3:00 p.m.)

Day Five: Coffee tour & flight back to Medellín

After breakfast, we’ll visit a local coffee hacienda to see how Colombian coffee is made — from picking and roasting to that first fresh cup. You’ll get to walk through the fields, learn about the process, and of course, taste some of the best coffee straight from the source. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the airport for our flight back to Medellín (around 4 p.m.) to spend our final evening in the city.

    • Boutique Hotel in Medellín

    • Domestic flight Salento → Medellín (50 min) + transfer to the hotel in Medellin

    • Guided coffee tour at local hacienda

  • Boutique Hotel in Medellín

  • Coffee tour (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.); flight at 4:00 p.m.

Day 6: Departure Day

Our last morning together! Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and take it slow. Departures are flexible depending on your flight time.

If you’d like to extend your trip, maybe head to the coast or another region — just let me know, and I’ll help arrange it.

    • Hotel Breakfast

  • Check-Out: 11 a.m.

[ the journey ]

  • Accommodation (double occupancy, twin beds*)

  • Daily breakfast

  • Group airport transfers

  • Domestic flights within Colombia

  • Welcome dinner

  • Guided walks and all entrance tickets

  • Local travel coordinator for on-ground support

  • Professional trip photography

    *Single room occupancy might be available upon request at an additional cost.

Trip Inclusions & Essentials

What’s Included

Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Colombia

  • Lunches and dinners (except welcome dinner)

  • Personal expenses and souvenirs

  • Travel insurance

  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Small adjustments to the itinerary may occur depending on group size or local logistics, but the spirit and quality of the trip will always stay the same.

Your Travel Support

Joan Bernet Biscochea
Local Experience Lead

Joan is based in Colombia and knows the country inside out. She’s an experienced event manager and a naturally calm, friendly person who’ll make sure everything runs smoothly on site. From helping us explore hidden corners to handling any last-minute details, she’s our go-to local expert and support during the trip.

Maks Lepokhin
Founder of when&where

I’ll be joining you throughout the trip. With years of experience in travel management, event organization, and group trips, we’ve designed this itinerary from scratch to show you Colombia in an easy, authentic, and inspiring way — without the stress of planning.

[ FAQ ]

Tour FAQ

  • Yes. We visit well-known, safe regions and work with trusted local partners.

    As with any country, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions, especially if you decide to explore on your own.

    Our local coordinator, Joan, will be with us throughout the trip.

  • Accommodation (double occupancy, twin beds), daily breakfast, group airport transfers, domestic flights within Colombia, guided walks and all entrance tickets, local travel coordinator, and a welcome dinner. You’ll also get plenty of professionally taken photos throughout the trip.

  • We stay in boutique hotels that reflect the warmth and natural feel of Colombia - think light textures, neutral tones, and cozy design. Most hotels are high-quality boutique-style properties.
    In Salento, because we’re close to Cocora Valley National Park, the hotel may be slightly simpler but still charming and comfortable. Depending on availability, some guests might stay in glamping or another mountain resort option.

    Due to limited capacity in certain areas, the group might be split between two nearby hotels - we’ll coordinate that based on when each traveler joins.

    All stays are double occupancy with twin beds. Rooming is usually male with male, female with female, unless friends request to share. Single rooms can be arranged at an additional cost if available.

    We don’t spend much time at the hotels since most days are filled with activities, but they’re carefully selected to make you feel at home when we return.

  • Yes, before the trip begins, we’ll share a short list of common travel guidelines to make sure everyone’s on the same page. These cover simple things like respecting shared spaces, being on time for group activities, and keeping a positive, friendly atmosphere. Each participant will review and agree to these before confirming their spot.

  • The deposit is generally non-refundable within 3 weeks of the trip, unless I’m able to fill your spot with another participant. In that case, I’ll return it in full. If you cancel earlier than that and no major costs have been incurred, I’ll do my best to refund as much as possible.


    Every situation is handled individually and fairly, depending on timing and what’s already been paid for on your behalf.

    Travel insurance is included and may help cover unexpected cancellations.

  • A detailed packing list will be shared with all travelers closer to the trip, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare.

    In general, February in Colombia brings warm, pleasant weather, so think light summer clothes, comfortable shoes, and sport clothes for the hikes. Bring something a bit nicer for evening dinners or a night out, plus sunscreen and a light jacket in case of cooler mornings or mountain breezes.

    The full checklist with specifics will be sent to you once your spot is confirmed.

  • This trip includes a few active days, climbing around 740 steps at El Peñón de Guatapé and a 4-5 hour hike in Cocora Valley. Both are considered moderate, and you can go at your own pace.

    You don’t need to be an athlete. If you already live an active lifestyle or do light exercise a few times a week, you’ll be perfectly fine.

    That said, doing some regular walks, light cardio, or stairs before the trip will help you feel more comfortable during those days.

  • You should fly into Medellín – José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) at the start of the trip.
    The tour officially ends in Medellín as well, but if you prefer to depart from Bogotá, that’s also possible, just let us know in advance. After our coffee tour in Salento, we’ll be flying back to Medellín, but we can review your travel plans together and adjust the route if you want to continue exploring Colombia on your own.

  • There’s a good balance of guided activities and downtime. Usually a few free hours each day and one lighter day for rest or exploring on your own.

  • Breakfast and the welcome dinner are included in the trip price.

    Other meals are not included. We don’t want to tie everyone to the same restaurant since Colombia has so many great local spots to explore. Everyone can choose based on their own taste and mood.

    For lunches during day trips, we’ll coordinate options on site so the group can eat together if they’d like. egetarian and vegan options are available at most restaurants.

  • Most travelers from the US, Canada, and Europe don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days. We will double-check your country’s entry requirements before booking.

  • To book your spot, just reach out - you can contact me via email, WhatsApp, or Instagram, whichever is easiest for you.

    Once you decide to join, a 50% deposit is required to confirm your place. The remaining balance will be due closer to the trip date.