WELCOME TO... COLOMBIA !
COME ON A COLOMBIA PHOTO TOUR WITH ME AND EXPLORE SOME OF THE MOST HIDDEN GEMS OF THIS COUNTRY. THE PROGRAM I PROPOSE INCLUDES AN INCREDIBLE 4-DAY TREK TO A MYSTERIOUS LOST CITY IN THE CARIBBEAN JUNGLE… WE’LL MEET A LOT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY, AND GET TO KNOW IN GREAT DEPTH THEIR CULTURE AND HISTORY. WE’LL ALSO GO TO THE MIGHTY AMAZON RAINFOREST, TO THE PICTURESQUE LITTLE TOWN OF LETICIA, AT THE BORDER OF THREE COUNTRIES… IN SUMMARY, YOU WILL GET TO KNOW COLOMBIA BEYOND ITS CLICHÉS AND STEREOTYPES… A REAL TRIP OF A LIFETIME !
♦ Snow Capped Mountains
♦ Bird Watching
♦ High Jungle
♦ UNESCO World Heritage Sites
♦ Los City Trek
♦ Street Life
♦ Picturesque Amazon Towns
♦ Indigenous Communities
♦ Cartagena
THE SIERRA NEVADA DE
SANTA MARTA
It is the highest coastal mountain range in the world !
From the sea level, it goes up to 5,775 meters.
It is still home to 4 remaining indigenous communities : the Kogis, the Wiwas, the Arhuacos and the Kankuamos.
As well as the mysterious Lost City of the Tayronas, that we’ll explore during our 4-day trek in a stunning jungle environment…
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
© Nicolas Castermans ¦ PHOTOGRAPHY
THE AMAZON FOREST
Leticia is accessible only by plane in Colombia. Remote and at the border of Peru and Brazil, its port is very picturesque.
It also gives a great insight into this fascinating world. I personally enjoyed photographing life as it is everyday in this town, but wildlife photographers will also be pleased with the typical fauna of the region.
It’s anyway a location that does not leave anyone indifferent…
Bonus : we’ll also go to Peru and brazil during this expedition!
WHY BOOK WITH ME ?
Besides the fact that I’ve photographed extensively in the region for the past few years,
My wife and I have been running a Travel Agency in South America since 2016.
We know Colombia particularly well, since we lived 8 months in this country in 2021, and we’ve developed privileged relationships with trusted local partners. My experience as a guide and my knowledge as a photographer will ensure you to live unforgettable moments. But that’s not all…
The photographic skills that I’ve developed over the years have recently earned me a spot as One of the finalists at the prestigious “Travel Photographer Of The Year Award” in 2021 and 2022.
I’ve also been awarded in many other international contests – The Independent Photographer, Life Framer, 500px – judged by iconic photographers such as Steve Mc Curry, and acclaimed artists from prestigious agencies such as National Geographic, Time…etc
So if I can be of any help to you photographically during the trip, I’ll be very happy to share my knowledge and my experience with you.
AWARD-WINNING IMAGES & PORTFOLIOS
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 & 2
Day 1 : Arrival in Cartagena. Pick up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. Later, we will all meet around a nice meal and enjoy the old streets of the picturesque old town for some street photography…
Day 2 : The whole morning will be dedicated to some street / people photography as well, in the historical center of Cartagena while all the tourists are still sleeping. Then we’re gonna move on to Getsemani district which is full of life and colors in the morning.
Bus ride in the afternoon to Minca (4-5 hours), high in the mountains…
DAY 3 & 4
Day 3 : Early wake up for those interested in bird-watching. Then we’ll just enjoy a peaceful breakfast in a pristine nature, above a small indigenous village. A village that we’ll be able to visit. We’ll also go to a coffee and chocolate farm for some degustation. Private session in the afternoon with the local indigenous Wiwa family in their village. Then back to the hotel for a stunning sunset…
Day 4 : Early start this morning to the El Dorado Reserve, on one of the most challenging 4x4 trail in Colombia. We’ll then hike 1,5 hours up to one of the best mirador of the region. Back to the hotel in the afternoon after enjoying some nice waterfalls in the area.
DAY 5 & 6
Day 5 : Today, we start our 4-day trek to the Lost City. It takes place in a stunning jungle environment. On the first day, we walk about 10km (4 hours hiking). Arrival at the campsite in the afternoon where we can take a refreshing bath in a natural pool below a waterfall…
Day 6 : After breakfast, another adventure awaits us. We will officially enter the indigenous territory, where we can see many Kogis and Wiwas people along the trail. We’ll also pass by Mutanyi, an indigenous village of the Kogi tribe. Arrival in the afternoon at our second camp after 7 hours of hike.
DAY 7 & 8
Day 7 : We will have breakfast very early in the morning and start our 2 km ascent to get to the Lost City (less than 1 hour). We will have to walk 1,200 steps to reach this majestic stone settlement with interconnected roads, retaining walls, and circular terraces. We’ll visit the site during about 3 hours. Then, we’ll hike in the afternoon towards our campsite (4 hours).
Day 8 : We’ll come back to the beginning of our trek in the morning (5 hours) and after lunch, we’ll drive to a cosy hotel for a deserved rest.
DAY 9 & 10
Day 9 : Chill out morning at the hotel, before we take our flight in the afternoon to Leticia (with a stop-over in Bogota) – the capital of the Amazonas region. This city lies on the border with Peru and Brazil. We’ll arrive at night, so nothing special organized on this day…
Day 10 : Early wake up this morning to take advantage of the beautiful light at the port in Leticia, which is full of life and very photogenic. Then we’re gonna go to Peru for lunch, and to Brazil for sunset. Three countries in one day !
DAY 11 & 12
Day 11 : Early wake up again for those who want to shoot more at the port of Leticia, before we take our boat to Puerto Nariño, a lovely little town located 2 hours further on the Amazon river. Today, we’ll go on a river expedition to search for the local wildlife of the region : pink dolphins, guacamayos, caymans, sloths…etc
Day 12 : After breakfast, we come back to Leticia by boat, from where we’ll take our flight to Bogota. End of this amazing Colombian trip. It’ll be time to say good-bye…
INCLUDED :
- All the internal flights (Santa Marta-Bogota ; Bogota-Leticia ; Leticia-Bogota)
- Private transportation for the whole trip
- All the entrance tickets
- All the accommodations (varying from luxurious hotels to shelter, tents…)
- All the food during the trekkings, and all the breakfast
- And me, as a multilingual tour leader
NOT INCLUDED :
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Personal trekking equipment (headlamp, sticks, clothes…)
- Lunches and dinners in the cities (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Leticia, Bogota)
- Bank commission due to transfers
- Single room (350 USD extra)
TESTIMONIALS
What a trip that was ! Colombia’s kept all its promises, both in terms of scenery, and for the kindness of the people. Nicolas is a genuine guy. I’ll blindly join another photo tour with him. Thanks again man !
JESSE HUNNISETT - UKAbsolutely stunning country ! Amazing itinerary, full of surprises. Great photo opportunities during the whole trip. Thanks nicolas for such a memorable adventure.
GREG LEMOINE - FRANCEThe Lost City is a jewel. What a special energy there is on that archeological site ! Great photo opportunities of the local indigenous people too. I came back home with amazing memories. Thanks Nico !
MACIEJ ADAMSKI - POLAND” THE 4-DAY HIKE TO THE LOST CITY OF THE TAYRONAS IS RELATIVELY DEMANDING (HOT AND HUMID ENVIRONMENT). YOU MUST BE IN A GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO JOIN THIS ADVENTURE. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ABLE TO RUN A MARATHON… BUT YOU MUST AT LEAST HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HIKING EXPERIENCE. IF YOU BOOK THIS TRIP, YOU WILL RECEIVE A MUCH MORE DETAILED PROGRAM WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW DAY BY DAY.
ALSO, THE AMAZON FOREST IS FULL OF LITTLE INSECTS OF ALL SORTS. SO BE PREPARED FOR THIS KIND OF DISCOMFORT…”