2023 Colorado Academy Colombia Service Adventure
| Travel Dates: | May 20, 2023 - May 27, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: | $2,892 USD |
| Deadline(s): | International airfare is included in tuition |
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Colombia Service Adventure
Long overlooked and too often underestimated, Colombia has recently made a triumphant return to the travel scene in the past few years thanks to a largely successful peace process that ended the country’s long running civil war. People should feel safe and be excited to finally be able to explore the beaches, mountains, jungles and cities that have always made Colombia a wondrous place. We have been exploring the country for years now, building a network of contacts and providers for the day when we could return with student groups and we couldn’t be more excited that that time has finally arrived! Viva Colombia!
Service Adventures
Service Adventures combine rural homestays, adventure travel, and meaningful service projects which are guided by our community partners. Living in these small communities provides the opportunity to engage the language and culture from a uniquely advantageous position.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Raft the Samaná, one of Colombia's best rivers
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Contribute to a local community by working on a service project
Settle into the idyllic mountain community of Jardin de Antioquia
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Explore the streets of Medellin, one of most iconic cities in Latin America
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20 | USA - Medellin | Today we'll travel from Denver, CO to Medellin, Colombia. We'll likely have an evening arrival, after which we'll head straight our hotel for dinner and some rest after the long day of travel. | Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte |
| May 21 | Medellin | Our first full day in Colombia! After a breakfast of bunuelos, coffee and other delicious local treats we hop the modern metro and head into the center of Medellin. We'll take a short walking tour of the historical city center before checking out the Museo de Antioquia where many of Fernando Botero's paintings, sculptures and other works are housed. After a couple of hours in the museum we'll enjoy lunch of traditional bandeja paisas, a favorite in this particular department. In the afternoon we'll check out an awesome tour of graffiti street art through Comuna 13, formerly one of Medellin's most dangerous barrios. These days Comuna 13 is an internationally renowned example of how innovative urban regeneration projects can be used to transform and revitalize communities. Our guide will be a member of the Casa Kolacho community center, responsible for 90% of the graffiti art in Comuna 13. As you climb the outdoor electric escalators they'll explain the controversial history of the transformation of Comuna 13 and the importance that graffiti & hip hop play in the community. | Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte |
| May 22 | Medellin | After breakfast we're back on the metro, this time headed to the extreme west of the city. Our destination is Parque Arvi, a lushly forested public park high above the city center. To get there we'll board an impressive gondola that not only serves to ferry tourists up the mountain and into the park but also provides people in the impoverished hillside communities an efficient mode of transportation down into the city. The group will spend the day hiking along the different trails, shopping in the market place run by local vendors that has sprung up at the park's center and enjoying a delicious barbecue lunch. Around mid-afternoon we'll head back down the mountain en route to our hotel in Poblado. | Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte |
| May 23 | Medellin - Jardin de Antioquia | Today we will leave the city life behind and head to beautiful Jardin de Antioquia. The small town of Jardin is one of the most idyllic pueblos in all of Colombia. Located approximately 4 hours to the south of Medellin, it sits in the southernmost stretches of the department of Antioquia. The pueblo is famous in Colombia for its preserved and colonial appearance as well as its striking mountain views and lush green, garden filled landscapes. We will arrive in Jardin this afternoon and begin our homestay experience after a short community orientation. | Homestay Families |
| May 24 | Jardin de Antioquia | The days spent in our homestay community represent the heart and soul of the program as students will be volunteering on a selection of meaningful service projects during the day while also enjoying sufficient free time to hang out with their host families and fellow travelers, practice their language skills, play soccer, make friends with local youth, attend community gatherings and explore the surrounding area. | Homestay Families |
| May 25 | Jardin de Antioquia | After our service work today, we will end our time in the host community by throwing a fiesta de despedida, or going away party, to celebrate the time spent with our new friends and family and say goodbye to the community that has become our home. | Homestay Families |
| May 26 | Samana River region | Today we'll make our way back to Medellin, but not before we embark on a rafting adventure on the Samaná river! After breakfast with our families we'll travel by bus to this full day activity, settling back into Medellin tonight. After we get cleaned up, we'll enjoy a final dinner in country together and reflect on our journey together ahead of our international departure tomorrow. | Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte |
| May 27 | Medellin - USA | Fly home | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.
Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte
Hotel San Pedro del Fuerte is centrally located in Medellín. Located just 10 minutes from Plaza Mayor, this hotel is the perfect location for our group. Students will be split between double or triple rooms based on gender and hotel availability. The hotel has wifi, air conditioning and includes breakfast each morning.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
My son had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica, helped to build a preschool classroom, and has created memories that will last a lifetime!
Jodi
Parent of traveler on Costa Rica Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Premiere travel insurance, baggage fees, airline minor fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.