2025 Telluride Colombia Program

Accommodations

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.

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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.

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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.

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Group Flight

Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

The Charming Village of Jardín, Antioquia
Nestled in the scenic department of Antioquia, Jardín is one of Colombia’s most picturesque pueblos. Located approximately four hours south of Medellín, this vibrant village is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, well-preserved colonial architecture, and breathtaking mountain views. Jardín has maintained its traditional charm for over a century, offering visitors lush gardens, crystal-clear rivers, enchanting waterfalls, and the warm hospitality of its residents.

Our Service Project

As part of their trip to Colombia, students will spend time working alongside a rural school community just 15 minutes outside the town of Jardín. The school runs a series of hands-on, student-led sustainability initiatives that include a vegetable garden, honey production, crop cultivation (corn, beans, squash, coffee, plantains, and mushrooms), and the development of ecological birdwatching trails.

Our group will join local students and families in enhancing these community-driven projects. Planned activities include improving existing nature trails by clearing paths, installing wooden railings, and building simple steps with planks; expanding the school’s culinary herb garden by planting over 1,000 seedlings; and constructing and painting small beehives to support their honey production efforts. Students will also help refresh the mushroom cultivation station and contribute materials and tools to strengthen the school’s ongoing initiatives.

One special highlight will be helping to set up a new coffee learning station, where students will explore different methods of preparing and appreciating locally grown coffee, from traditional brewers to French press and Chemex.

This project is designed as a collaborative exchange. Local families will be actively involved throughout the experience, and lunches will be lovingly prepared by a group of mothers from the school community, who are welcoming us into their nearby farmhouse. The project is not just about lending a hand—it’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and working together to support long-term community goals.

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list, which will be updated for each program. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on hikes, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The below list should cover everything you would need, but we frequently hear that travelers feel “overpacked” if they follow all of our suggestions. Know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Please consult the 10-day weather forecast in https://weather.com and enter the cities listed in your itinerary if you desire a more detailed look at the weather you might encounter. 

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

• Underwear
• Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
• T-shirts (some quick dry)
• Long sleeve shirt
• Lightweight sweater
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
• Comfortable/hiking/everyday pants
• A nicer outfit for community dinner
• Durable athletic/hiking shoes with good grip
• Sandals (Chaco/Teva/Keen/Merrel sandals are great to have for water activities)
• Work gloves
• Bandana for work site (optional)
• A hat that can protect your neck
• Swimming suit/s

TOILETRIES

• You basics
• Sunscreen 
• Mosquito repellent (non-deet/lotions are preferred to reduce environmental impact)
• Band Aids and Neosporin
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medication in properly marked original container. It’s important that medication travel in its original container, as customs officials have the right to confiscate it otherwise.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen
• Book/s
• Camera
• Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
• Durable water bottle
• Quick-dry towel
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Deck of cards or other portable games
• Host family gift

HOMESTAY GIFTS
Travelers often contact us regarding what an appropriate gift might be for their student’s host family. Host families are often curious about where our students come from and their families in the U.S. As such, we recommend a simple gift that describes, represents or depicts your home. Well-received gifts in the past have included calendars or picture/coffee table books from your city or state, a framed picture of your family, paraphernalia from a local sports team, toys, soccer balls, school supplies, or something produced or grown in your hometown, like chocolate, local candy, t-shirts, etc. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to worry about this… Anything, no matter its value, will be well received!

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.

Luke Mueller

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

[email protected]

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Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History

Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.

Sebastian Avila Angel

Colombia Country Director

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University of San Buenaventura, Cali. – Business Administration.

Sebastian was born in Cali, Colombia, the country of the coffee bean, Gabriel García Márquez, and also “el Pibe Valderrama.” He graduated as a professional in business administration. He is a photographer, explorer, and nature enthusiast who knows beautiful places and adventures in his country by participating in and organizing ecotourism tours and expeditions through several regions of Colombia. Sebastian has explored the renowned “Coffee Axis or Coffee Triangle,” the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and numerous internal regions teeming with nature adventures, fog forests, beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, and friendly people. He enjoys guiding and sharing these adventures with others. In his free time, he is part of a group of friends who, through their sports activities, manage to reach several places in remote regions with difficult access to meet locals and help them according to their needs. He has worked for different event production companies, coordinating and managing entertainment activities. Sebastian speaks Spanish and English, and is ready to provide an unforgettable “Welcome to Colombia!” experience.

 

Ambra Galleotti

Program Leader

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Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy – B.A Intercultural Communication with specialization in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology.

Born in Italy, Ambra is a traveler by profession. Her passion for knowing and studying different cultures led her to the Ivory Coast, Mexico, and Latin America. After working on various projects of cultural integration with migrant groups in her hometown, she decided to graduate with a thesis and conduct field research in Mexico, deepening her studies in Anthropology of the Americas at Complutense University of Madrid. She then won a scholarship for an international cooperation project that took her to Ecuador in 2011. She started working in the area with groups of young people and their families, managing projects for Italian and international NGOs such as Save the Children and the UN’s WFP. The natural and cultural richness of the country fascinated her so much that she stayed to study Andean and Amazonian ancestral medicine for 10 years, getting to know different indigenous communities. Currently, she travels between America and Europe to realize her personal project called Anuar, which aims to promote self-knowledge, ancestral and intercultural forms of healing, creating respect and awareness towards Mother Nature.

Juan Pablo “JP” Rabanales

Global Country Operations Manager

[email protected]

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Earlham College – B.A. International Studies, Minor in Economics

Born and raised in Guatemala in a big family, JP spent seven years living and studying in the U.S., where he was exposed to highly diverse communities. He worked as a Wilderness Leader guiding expeditions across the American Southwest and later attended Earlham College in Indiana after completing the International Baccalaureate in New Mexico. His passion for international affairs led him to study abroad in China and travel extensively throughout Asia and beyond. To date, JP has visited 33 countries, often combining travel with service projects and cultural immersion experiences. Today, he is based in Costa Rica and works full time with the Walking Tree team. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, art and design, hosting friends and travelers, and planning road trips across Costa Rica and Latin America.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

• 1 Althea Bordogna
• 2 Annabelle Starr
• 3 Antonio Cheris Lopez
• 4 Blake Chandler
• 5 Bode Starr
• 6 Briana Thorbahn
• 7 Evelyn Montalvo
• 8 Giovanni Smith
• 9 Griffin Bain
• 10 Irvin Ossola
• 11 Jaden Lopez
• 12 Kaitlyn Kimble
• 13 Lillian Reynolds
• 14 Livija Kramer
• 15 Lucy Lybrand
• 16 Miles Hemphill
• 17 Natalie Sharpe
• 18 Nellie Knight Hagg
• 19 Ramon Rodriguez
• 20 Ramon Rodriguez
• 21 Rexford Lybrand
• 22 Sara Lopez
• 23 Savannah Baize
• 24 Tula Emrick
• 25 Vivian Julia

Blog and Communication

During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.

Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational.  As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.

IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Colombia website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.

Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.

We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.

To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.