2025 Telluride Colombia Program
| Travel Dates: | June 12, 2025 - June 25, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,190 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,096 |
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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!
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
Immerse yourself in a different culture by staying with a host family
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 abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Date | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | USA - Medellin - Guatapé | Today, we'll travel to Medellín, Colombia. We’re likely to arrive in the evening and will head straight to our hotel in Guatapé, which is approximately a 1.5-hour drive away. We’ll enjoy dinner and some rest after a long day of travel. | Hotel Verony Guatapé |
| June 13 | Guatapé | Welcome to our first full day in Colombia! Our adventure begins in the enchanting town of Guatapé, located just 1.5 hours east of Medellín. Nestled alongside a beautiful reservoir, Guatapé is renowned for its vibrant, colorfully painted houses. In the morning, we’ll kick off our day with an exhilarating climb up the iconic Piedra de Peñol. With over 700 steps leading to the summit, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. After this energizing adventure, we’ll head to the historic town center, where we’ll embark on a walking tour through the narrow streets and charming zócalos, immersing ourselves in the local culture. Once we’ve worked up an appetite, we’ll savor a delicious lunch at a traditional restaurant, enjoying authentic Colombian flavors. After recharging, we’ll unwind with a scenic boat ride around the lake, taking in the stunning surroundings. To conclude our day, we’ll indulge in dinner along the bustling boardwalk, soaking up the lively atmosphere that makes Guatapé so special. | Hotel Verony Guatapé |
| June 14 | Guatapé - Medellin | This morning, we’ll start the day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before venturing out for an exciting day of water activities at a lakeside club. After a refreshing shower and a satisfying lunch, we’ll make our way back to Medellín, where we’ll check into our hotel. After check-in and some rest, we’ll head out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. | Hotel Estadio Real |
| June 15 | Medellin | After enjoying a breakfast of buñuelos, coffee, and other delightful local treats, we’ll hop on the modern metro and head into the heart of Medellín. Our first adventure will be an incredible graffiti tour of Comuna 13, once one of Medellín's most dangerous neighborhoods and now a vibrant tourist destination, known for its stunning viewpoints. As we ascend the outdoor electric escalators, we’ll explore the significance of graffiti and hip-hop culture in the area, learning how art has transformed this community. Next, we’ll head to the historic city center for a brief walking tour, which will include a visit to Parque de los Pies Descalzos, the vibrant Plaza Botero, and the Museo de Antioquia, home to many of Fernando Botero's renowned paintings and sculptures. For lunch, we’ll savor a traditional bandeja paisa, a beloved dish in this region. Our afternoon will be packed with fun at EXPLORA PARK, an interactive science museum featuring over 300 exhibits, an educational planetarium, and the largest Amazonian aquarium in South America. Later, we’ll visit Medellín's Botanical Garden just one block away. As we continue exploring the city, we will make our way to dinner at a local restaurant. Tonight, our program leader will host a safety orientation to help us prepare for our rafting adventure the next day. | Hotel Estadio Real |
| June 16 | Medellin | After breakfast, we’ll set off on an adventure to Cocorná, located about 1.5 hours from Medellín. Our day will be filled with rafting, kayaking, and hiking in the lush tropical rainforest of the Melcocho River Canyon and the Santo Domingo Forest Reserve. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide and their team, we’ll navigate the Santo Domingo River, which flows through a scenic valley adorned with granite rock formations. The river offers a safe and enjoyable rafting experience suitable for all levels, with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the vibrant biodiversity. As we raft and kayak, our guide will share captivating stories and historical insights about the region. After our water activities, we’ll enjoy lunch in this stunning setting before boarding 4x4 jeeps to head to the Melcocho River, renowned for its exceptionally clear waters. A brief 15-minute hike will lead us to the refreshing currents of the river, where we can relax, meditate, and explore ancient trails through vibrant forests. Along the way, we’ll be enchanted by waterfalls, hidden spots, and the fascinating stories associated with each part of our hike. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at a scenic roadside viewpoint in Cocorná before returning to Medellín for the night. Tonight, our program leader will host a cultural orientation to help us prepare for our time with our host families and answer any questions we may have. | Hotel Estadio Real |
| June 17 | Medellin - Jardin de Antioquia | Today, we will leave behind the bustling city to stay with our homestay families in the charming village of Jardín de Antioquia. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Jardín is one of Colombia's most picturesque pueblos, having maintained its traditional character for over a century. Located approximately four hours south of Medellín, this town is nestled in the scenic department of Antioquia. We will arrive around noon and start our visit with lunch at a traditional local restaurant, followed by a brief community orientation. After lunch, we will meet our homestay families and settle into our accommodations. The afternoon will be spent exploring the town with our hosts, visiting notable sites such as the beautiful church built in 1918, Central Park, and other points of interest around town. Meeting point: 'Café Donde el Primo' in the central park! | Homestays |
| June 18 | Jardin de Antioquia | Our time in the community will be focused on our service projects throughout the day. Today, we’ll visit a local school, where we’ll meet enthusiastic students and teachers excited to share the day with us. We’ll have the chance to practice our Spanish while teaching English, exchanging experiences and knowledge, and enjoying games together as part of our service project introduction. Lunch will be shared with our new friends at the school. Afterward, we’ll head back to our homestays to relax before meeting again just before sunset. We’ll visit the Gallito de Roca Nature Reserve, a bird sanctuary where we can enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and sweet treats. Finally, we’ll return to town for dinner and a movie or documentary at the local theater. | Homestays |
| June 19 | Jardin de Antioquia | Today, we will embark on an exciting adventure in 4X4 Jeepetos, a traditional mode of transportation in the Colombian mountains. We will travel through the coffee region to a local farm, where we will enjoy a hearty breakfast. After our meal, we will begin our descent to La Cueva del Esplendor for a scenic hike to a stunning waterfall nestled in a lush, misty forest. Here, we will have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the cool waters. After lunch, we’ll head back to the school to continue our service project, spending the afternoon engaging with students while working on various activities. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at our homestays and take a leisurely stroll around town. | Homestays |
| June 20 | Jardin de Antioquia | In the morning, we’ll engage in meaningful activities at our service project site while having fun. For lunch, we’ll share a meal with our new friends at the school. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the charming town of Jardín and its stunning surroundings, including the famous Charco Corazón, a picturesque river spot with a natural pool. We’ll then take a short 10-minute Jeep ride to dinner at one of Jardín’s most celebrated spots: the renowned Café Jardín viewpoint, where we can savor delicious local treats while taking in breathtaking views of the landscape. | Homestays |
| June 21 | Jardin de Antioquia | In the morning, we’ll engage in meaningful activities at our service project site while having fun. For lunch, we’ll share a meal at our homestays, enjoying the warmth of our hosts' hospitality. In the afternoon, we’ll hop on a Chiva for a quick 10-minute ride to the starting point of our hike to the Stairway Waterfall. This stunning spot offers the perfect opportunity to swim in the river and cool off beneath the picturesque waterfall, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in nature. After our adventures, we’ll return to our homestays for a cozy dinner, where we can reflect on the day's enriching experiences. | Homestays |
| June 22 | Jardin de Antioquia | In the morning, we'll have the chance to explore the town at a relaxed pace, taking in its charm and local culture. We'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where we can indulge in delicious regional cuisine. In the afternoon, we'll continue exploring town at our own pace and invite our host families to join us at a local coffee shop in the central park. | Homestays |
| June 23 | Jardin de Antioquia | Today, we will board the famous traditional Chiva, a colorful means of transportation commonly used by coffee-growing families. This vibrant journey will take us to a coffee farm plantation, where we will learn about the entire coffee production process, experiencing it firsthand. After lunch, we can explore the town for souvenirs and crafts. In the evening, we will gather for our Farewell Party (Fiesta de Despedida) with our host families. We will savor a delicious Fritanga or Colombian Picada, a meal featuring a variety of traditional dishes and snacks at a local restaurant. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share our best memories and celebrate our time spent with our new families and friends. | Homestays |
| June 24 | Jardin de Antioquia - Medellin | After breakfast at our homestays, we will have some time to connect with our host families before starting our journey back to Medellín. As we head back, we will stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant before continuing our trip. Upon arrival, we will check in and settle into our hotel. After freshening up, we will gather for a final dinner together, preparing for our international departure the following day. | Hotel Estadio Real |
| June 25 | Medellin - USA | We will board our flight home in the morning, taking with us unforgettable memories and new friendships from our incredible journey. | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Hotel Verony Guatapé
Located just a few minutes from the heart of colorful Guatapé and the famous El Peñol Rock, Hotel Verony Guatapé offers a comfortable and peaceful stay surrounded by nature and sweeping views of the reservoir. This 3-star hotel features modern rooms with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and scenic balconies in select units. Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, on-site restaurant, and beautiful gardens. The hotel also offers meeting space options that are ideal for group reflections or evening debriefs.
Hotel Estadio Real
Hotel Estadio Real is located in the Laureles – Estadio district of Medellín, Colombia. The hotel offers rooms equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, and private bathrooms featuring showers and hairdryers. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas, a 24-hour front desk, and on-site dining at the hotel’s restaurant. Additional services include room service, laundry facilities, and a business center. The hotel is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their pets during their stay.
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 FUNDING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Walking Tree gave us everything we needed to make our vision of the perfect educational trip to China a reality.
Andy
Repeat Group Organizer on programs to China
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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.