Get to know Colombia, a place with a rich history and reputation for friendly people. We’ve partnered with one of the top teams in the region; they consistently win awards for being one of the top specialists on South America. They craft each itinerary from the philosophy that travel is based in curiosity, creating unique and authentic journeys that are exceptionally well planned. As Knowmad and St. Olaf both are both trying to do with customized group travel, “we take out the stress, not the adventure.”

This itinerary was custom-designed to provide an overview of Colombia, its history, culture, arts, biodiversity, and cuisine. The safety concerns of the 80s and 90s are in the past, and visiting Colombia today means traveling with the same common sense that we do in any destination. Because the country is still off the radar for most people, though, now is an excellent time to visit cities, small colonial villages, the coffee region, and natural wonders.

See all the details below and use the REGISTER NOW button above to join us.

Bogotá is bustling. The city has transformed even over the last several years. A somewhat unique aspect of the city is its street art, which has flourished since the city decriminalized graffiti a decade ago.

The coffee region is the “heart and soul” of the country and a UNESCO-protected region. We’ll learn about the coffee culture and how the coffee producers live.

Medellin has risen from the drug war ashes, and has been recognized as one of the world’s most innovative cities.

Cartagena is a spectacular, well-preserved former Spanish colonial outpost in the Caribbean.

This tour starts in Bogotá on March 1, then heads to the coffee region and Medellín before finishing in Cartagena. You can view and print the most up-to-date itinerary here.

To fully participate in this tour, you should be able to walk up to five miles per day over possibly uneven terrain (e.g. cobblestones or aged sidewalks), climb stairs that may not have handrails, keep pace with an active group of travelers, deal with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

We recommend you be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any recommended boosters for your age or health group, before departure. You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about recommended vaccinations for this destination. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

The tour price is $7,272 per person, based on double occupancy. For single occupancy, add $952. Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully.

Inclusions: a St. Olaf host, a full-time guide, internal flight, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Colombia is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare, airport transfers if you are not on the recommended flights, any passport and visa fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic beverages, including at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on tour itinerary.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. 

Deposit due:                       $1,000 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:        $500 until October 31, 2023. If the deposit is made after October 31, 2023 there is no refund.

Final payment due:           November 1, 2023
Refund if you cancel:       None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Some limited travel insurance is included with your program fee. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program. Please see more information on our travel insurance recommendations on this page.

Read the Terms and Conditions and Release and Waiver.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport. No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less, but you should ensure that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after the program.

Browse the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.

Take time to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Keep an eye on your calendar during March 2024, but do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the program is a go.

Meanwhile, you can see some tips for Booking Your Flights.