Colombia is full of pristine, unique, and remote places, along with jaw-dropping landscapes that set the stage for unforgettable experiences. For most multi-day adventures to remote places, a local guide is either required or strongly recommended to support you with indispensable local knowledge, navigation, and logistics – or to comply with destination requirements (e.g., national parks or protected archaeological sites).
Guided multi-day tours enable you to explore parts of Colombia that would otherwise be off-limits. Since tours and guides in Colombia offer great value for money, small group tours are an excellent way to enjoy a personalized, intimate experience. From trekking in the Amazon rainforest to venturing into formerly inaccessible territory that hosts some of the world’s most ancient rock art, guided tours are your ticket to discovering Colombia’s hidden treasures.
I’ve carefully selected the most epic multi-day Colombia adventure tours you can book online, based on provider reputation, participant feedback, and uniqueness. Since I’m a strongly independent traveler myself, I focused on experiences that are either impossible without a tour – or very difficult or risky to do independently. For example, I’ve excluded multi-day tours to places like San Agustín, that are easy to experience solo.
So, let’s dive into some of Colombia’s most extraordinary multi-day adventures!
Photo by Datingscout, Ciudad Perdida (mod.)
The Lost City trek is to Colombia what the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is to Peru – a scenic and challenging multi-day journey that leads to a jaw-dropping masterpiece of ancestral architecture high up in the mountains, where even the most secular travelers can’t help but feel the spiritual energy. And the Lost City – Ciudad Perdida – is 650 years older than Machu Picchu! The Tayrona civilization founded this sacred city and trade hub around 800 CE, or even earlier.
On the tour, you’ll hike through the lush rainforests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, cross rivers, enjoy stunning mountain views, talk to the local Kogui and Wiwa indigenous communities, sleep in hammocks at rustic camps – until finally the impressive ancient stone terraces of the Lost City will reveal themselves amidst the jungle.
Photo by Datingscout, Ciudad Perdida (mod.)
The easiest gateway to dive into the heart of the Colombian Amazon rainforest is the multi-cultural town of Leticia, which sits right at the border with Brazil and Peru. Access is usually by plane from major Colombian cities such as Bogotá. From Leticia, or nearby Amazon village Puerto Nariño, you can take the most diverse Amazon tours of different lengths – from jungle treks to scenic boat tours along pristine rivers.
On these tours, you can spot rare wildlife like pink dolphins, engage in peaceful birdwatching, learn from local indigenous communities, look for nocturnal creatures in night safaris, try ancestral medical plants – and fall asleep to the amazing sound of the jungle. The longer the tour, the deeper and more pristine the jungle experience.
Photo by Travelhapp, Cabo de la Vela, La Guajira
The La Guajira Peninsula, with its iconic sand dunes, is a naturally and culturally unique destination in the far north of Colombia, characterized by stark color contrasts and strong Wayuu traditions. When choosing your tour, environmental and social responsibility should be a key factor, as La Guajira is one of Colombia’s poorest regions.
On multi-day tours in La Guajira, you’ll typically visit the Manaure salt flats, scenic Cabo de la Vela – where dramatic desert landscapes meet the turquoise Caribbean Sea –, and otherworldly Punta Gallinas, South America’s northernmost point. You may sleep in hammocks under the starry desert sky, enjoy traditional meals, and learn about the unique Wayuu lifestyle and cosmovision through guided cultural exchanges. Some tours also include a visit to the Flamingo Sanctuary near Riohacha, where you can spot vibrant pink flamingos in their natural habitat.
Photo by Djlego123, El Cocuy, CC BY-SA 4.0
El Cocuy National Natural Park (Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Güicán, and Chita) is located in northeastern Colombia, about 10 hours by bus from Bogotá. It is the ancestral territory of the Indigenous U’wa people, rich in spiritual and cultural significance, and home to mystical animals such as the Andean condor, the spectacled bear, and the mountain puma.
The rugged trails of El Cocuy National Park wind through diverse ecosystems, from páramo to glaciers, past turquoise mountain lakes. You’ll camp in mountain valleys with views of 5,000m+ peaks and connect with local communities. Test your limits with optional summit climbs, equipped with crampons.
The El Cocuy trek is not for everyone – it requires excellent physical fitness and mental preparation. Those who meet the challenge are rewarded with unique Andean mountain scenery and an authentic sense of adventure.
Photo by Pedro Szekely, CC BY-SA 2.0, Caño Cristales (mod.)
Caño Cristales is known as the “River of Seven Colors” or “Liquid Rainbow” and considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Its multiple colors show between June and November, due to an interplay of sunlight and unique aquatic plants. Caño Cristales is part of the vast La Macarena Highland National Natural Park, and can be reached via plane from Villavicencio.
On tours, you’ll hike through savanna, swim in natural pools, and marvel at the river’s vibrant red, yellow, green, blue, and black hues – which look even more amazing during the golden hours of the day.
Photo by AA Lombana-Bermudez, CC BY-SA 2.0, Cerros de Mavecure (mod.)
The iconic Mavecure Hills – backdrop of the movie “Embrace of the Serpent” – are located in the remote Guainía Department, accessible only by plane. These three massive rock formations rise dramatically from a pristine rainforest landscape. To me, this is one of the most fascinating and mystical destinations in Colombia.
On tours, you’ll canoe along the serene Inírida River, enjoy incredible hikes with unique panoramic views, and camp with Indigenous communities, stargazing under the clear night sky.
Photo by Mateo Arteaga (mod.), Guaviare, Colombia
Before the 2016 peace agreement, the Guaviare department was largely off-limits due to guerrilla activity. Despite ongoing issues with dissident groups in some areas of the region, the capital, San José del Guaviare, is starting to attract adventurers looking for unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Although the famous Chiribiquete National Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage with impressive tabletop mountains and extensive prehistoric rock art, remains closed to visitors and can only be admired by authorized overflight, other remarkable attractions are accessible by ground from San José del Guaviare in guided tours. These include the ancient rock paintings at Cerro Azul, the otherworldly Orion Gate rock formation, and the vibrant, multicolored Caño Sabana river, which matches the stunning beauty of the better-known Caño Cristales.
Photo by Arnhue Tan, Scuba diving: lionfish
Not exactly a tour, but definitely a multi-day adventure: Colombia is a fantastic place to learn scuba diving! Most dive centers offer open water and advanced courses, and the prices are very competitive. Cartagena, Tayrona National Park (Santa Marta and Taganga), and San Andrés are great destinations to get certified.
I did my open water course in the Tayrona National Park – and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Colombia’s unique geography fosters diverse marine ecosystems and incredibly rich and colorful underwater life. With warm waters between 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F) and excellent visibility, Colombia is an ideal destination for learning to dive or getting to the next level.
Photo by Travelhapp, Cerro Kennedy at sunrise
Nestled in the verdant Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Cerro Kennedy offers one of Colombia’s most breathtaking yet lesser-known trekking experiences. On clear days, the 3,100 meter high mountain summit offers jaw-dropping views of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, including the impressive Bolívar and Colón peaks, the Caribbean Sea, and Santa Marta. The sunsets and sunrises are among the most beautiful I have seen in my travels, connecting you deeply with nature and existence.
The route winds through lush cloud forest alive with diverse flora and fauna, past mountain farms and hidden waterfalls, making it a favorite for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
If you’re a motorcyclist, I envy you! Colombia offers some incredibly scenic biking adventures.
For the ones that search extreme adventure and want to go completely off the beaten path, there is an amazing 14-day motorcycle tour in the remote Vichada region, that can be booked via GetYourGuide* (while the tour is new, the provider is an experienced Bogotá-based specialized company with great ratings).
For a softer adventure, check out this top-rated 2-day motorbike tour (Viator.com)* along the stunning Caribbean coast between Santa Marta and Palomino.
Also people passionate about cycling, can live amazing outdoor experiences in Colombia – you need to be very fit though! (It comes at no surprise that Colombians excel at the Tour de France…)
There are some nice multi-day tours available, especially in the department of Antioquia and the Coffee Triangle, both areas characterized by extremely beautiful Andean landscapes dotted with traditional coffee farms and colorful colonial towns. Check out this top-rated 9-day bike tour (Viator.com)* – available in English, Spanish and French!
For peace of mind while exploring Colombia’s remote destinations, consider travel insurance from my affiliate partner World Nomads, who offers dedicated coverage for adventure activities.
Enjoy your unique adventures in Colombia!
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Last Update: May 13, 2025
Image credits: Title image (top) by Mateo Arteaga (mod.), Guaviare
*Affiliate links: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, you support my work on Travelhapp – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I trust and believe will provide value to you.
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