From Palomino: 4-Day Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Expedition

Discover the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on a 4-day expedition from Palomino. Follow ancient paths, meet Kogui and Arhuaco families, and swim in crystal-clear mountain pools.
Begin your expedition in Palomino, on the Caribbean foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Leave the roads behind and enter the mountains, following ancient Indigenous paths through humid tropical forest, rivers and remarkably preserved landscapes.

Day 1 — Entering the Ancestral Territory

Hike for approximately 5 hours, ascending from the Caribbean lowlands into dense tropical forest. Cross mountain trails, rivers and streams until reaching a remote family settlement surrounded by forest and traditional crops such as bananas, avocados and citrus trees.

Meet a Kogui family and share time in their everyday environment, learning through conversation and observation about their way of life, traditions and relationship with the land and water.

At night, sleep in hammocks inside a simple Indigenous shelter and experience the forest after sunset, with the possibility of gathering around a fire beneath the mountain sky.

Day 2 — Ancient Paths, Crystal Waters and Arhuaco Territory

Continue deeper into the Sierra Nevada along ancestral trails. After approximately 2 hours of hiking, reach La Cristalina, a natural area with crystal-clear mountain pools surrounded by tropical forest. When conditions allow, enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pools.

Continue for approximately 3 more hours to an Indigenous camp, where you will stay with an Arhuaco family. Learn about their relationship with the territory, mountains and nature. Depending on community guidance and circumstances, a traditional pagamento may also take place as an expression of respect and connection with the territory.

Day 3 — Tropical Forest, Biodiversity and the Great Waterfall

Explore the surrounding tropical forest, rivers and mountain landscape. The Sierra Nevada is home to extraordinary biodiversity, including birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles and a remarkable variety of plants.

Your Indigenous guide will help you interpret the landscape and share knowledge about the natural environment and its importance to local communities.

The highlight of the expedition is Yezuy Humoke, a spectacular crystal-clear waterfall hidden deep in the mountains. Surrounded by dense forest and pristine water, this remote place offers time to slow down, listen to the river and experience the landscape away from conventional tourism.

Day 4 — Return Through the Mountains

After breakfast, begin the return to Palomino, with a final hike of approximately 7–8 hours through mountain trails and tropical forest.

By the end of the expedition, you will have traveled through ancestral paths, rivers, rainforest and Indigenous settlements, experiencing a living territory where nature and culture remain deeply connected.

Per garantire la disponibilità, prenota il prima possibile. La prenotazione anticipata è consigliata soprattutto se stai pianificando il viaggio durante l'alta stagione come le festività pubbliche o i fine settimana.

Questa escursione può essere annullata senza costi fino a 24 ore prima dell'inizio del viaggio. Se la annulli dopo 24 ore o non ti presenti all'escursione, ti verrà comunque addebitato il prezzo intero dell'attività. Essere in ritardo al ritiro o alla partenza sarà considerato come non presentarsi.