Relaxation & Wellness in Cartagena, Columbia

Your Escape Details

Discover the perfect balance of beautiful scenery and quiet contemplation over the course of a relaxing eight days in Colombia. Let your body flow in Cartagena with a yoga session and your mouth water on an included street food tour. Spend a day by the crystal clear waters on the Rosario Islands and then journey to your property outside of Tayrona National Park. There you’ll treat both body and mind to a hike and a healing visit to the sacred pools of Aluna Springs. Add in the option of daily yoga practices and your trip will be a complete rejuvenation.

8 days or relaxing, rejuvenating and exploring!

Our small group tours are specifically curated to bring you deeply into the destination. Food, drink, people, customs and soft adventure activities to get you close to the natural surroundings. Specifically on this trip you will savor food, yoga, beach time and healing springs.

Our service is second to none, from your decision to join our tour, throughout the trip and when you get home, we will be there for you.

Each escape brings you experiences you wouldn’t find on your own.

Tour begins November 9-16, 2019

In the spirit of relaxation and wellness, here are some of the experiences you will have on this amazing trip:

  • Yoga at a Local Studio, Cartagena
  • Cartagena Street Food Tour, Cartagena
  • Beach time and yoga, at Islas del Rosario, Playa Koralia, complete with sunset.
  • Islas del Rosario day trip.
  • Tayrona National Park hike.
  • Aluna Springs excursion.

Escape With Us

Our escapes are unique in offering you an adventure filled itinerary with a local flavor. We work with local guides, planners and connections to make sure you do, see and even eat and drink things you may not have even thought of on your own.

Small Groups

We keep our groups small so we get to know each other and travel together, unified by the destination and our experiences.  Often lifelong friendships are forged. If anything, our growing group of like minded travelers start traveling together on future trips. “Where should we go next?” is often the last question asked as we depart for home.

Are you traveling solo? It is our pleasure to welcome you to our small group. We will match you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If you wish, you may choose to pay a solo supplement to have your own room. Please check for availability.

For each trip, you will be invited to our Facebook group so you can chat with fellow travelers, dream about the upcoming trip together, maybe prepare together, hiking, practice a useful skill, etc. Usually, we also organize a get together about a month before the trip to share information, pass out travel documents, and ‘break the ice’ so when we embark on our trip we already know each other a bit. If you don’t live in the area, no worries, we will Skype you into the party and mail you your travel documents.

Why negotiate and plan yourself. Even the best guidebook can’t give you the freedom to embrace and immerse yourself in the destination. Enjoy the pleasure of travel without having to think about the details, leave the planning to us, your job is to fully embrace the journey without the hassles! We are so happy you are considering being our guest and can’t wait to deliver your fantastic experience!

Itinerary

Day 1 Cartagena

Arrive at any time, arrival transfer included. This evening, meet the group and CEO for a welcome meeting and set your intention for the trip ahead.

Day 2 Cartagena(Breakfast)

Discover the Caribbean charm of Cartagena during a day of activities in the city. In the morning, visit a local studio for the first included yoga session of the trip. After, get a taste of local specialties and fresh fruit during a street food tour of Cartagena. in the evening, opt for a dinner at a local restaurant or take a class and learn the basics of Colombian salsa!

Day 3 Islas del Rosario(Breakfast)

Bid farewell to the city and travel to the nearby Rosario Islands for the day. Part of the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park, this series of islands is a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of Cartagena. After arriving, take part in a beach yoga class before free time to swim or snorkel in the crystal clear water, or enjoy time for rest and relaxation. Later, return to Cartagena and opt for a night out on the town.

Day 4 Cartagena/Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona(Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner)

Travel to our hotel just outside of Tayrona National Park. After arriving, take part in a sunset yoga class on the hotel grounds.

Day 5 Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona(Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner)

Head into Tayrona National Park and hike to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach. This is a perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn a little more about the rich, natural diversity of northern Colombia. In the evening, return to the hotel and opt to relax, book a spa treatment or grab a drink at the beachfront bar.

Day 6 Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona(Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner)

Start the day with an invigorating yoga class. After, go on a short hike through the coastal jungle to Aluna Springs – a crystal clear pool used for ancestral spiritual rites by local communities for generations. Swim and relax in the therapeutic waters, before returning to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a bonfire on the beach and partake in a ceremony by a local Indigenous elder.

Day 7 Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona/Cartagena(Breakfast)

Enjoy one last yoga class this morning before returning to Cartagena. In the evening, opt for a group dinner to reflect on the journey of the past week.

Day 8 Cartagena(Breakfast)

Depart at any time.

Your Investment

Your Investment is $1799 per person based on double occupancy. (we will match same gender roommates) If you want your own room, the single supplement is $429 and space is limited.

The deposit to hold your space is $350 per person.  Final Payment is on September 15, 2019.

If you prefer to make payments, please contact us and we will arrange a plan that works.

Your Trip Includes

  • Accommodations
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Tours as listed in the itinerary
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Tour guide throughout the trip

Your Trip Does Not Include

  • International Flights (flights from Boston in the range of $550 per person)
  • Meals not listed in itinerary
  • Airport transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional tours
  • Gratuities

How We Make Your Escape Awesome!

We are ready to answer your questions throughout the process via phone or email.

Once you sign up and pay your deposit:

  • We will send you a link to your My Trips account. You can view your trip details any time from your PC or Mobile Phone.
  • We will send you arrival and departure details so you can make your flight arrangements.
  • We will email you your final payment reminder about 1 week before it is due.
  • About two-three months before the trip we will send significant details like packing lists, further itinerary details, etc.
  • One month before the trip we will mail you your travel documents (or pass them out at a gathering for those local).

Facebook Group

You will be invited to a private Facebook group where you can meet, virtually, your fellow travelers, discuss the trip, make any preparation plans together, and share your excitement.

Our groups are typically 10-15 travelers. We aren’t a ‘big bus’ tour and don’t want to be. We don’t just look out the window and drive by the sights. Typically, our tours are custom and private. The advantage is, we can say, ‘stop here, we want to see this’ and we can stop and explore, even if it isn’t in the plan. Yes, we have an itinerary, but we also feel it’s important to take advantage of unexpected moments that arise. We attract travelers who are flexible and adventurous. A bit of spontaneity is a good thing!

You should know, our travelers are like you, they don’t want a canned tour, they like a sense of freedom on their trip, they understand the value of flexibility in travel, and they love the idea of working with a planning team that understands and respects their travel values.

So, Is this Trip for You?

  • You love traveling with like minded people and a tour company that is focused on traveling deeply into a destination, knowing how to read the group and make the best decisions for a perfect trip.
  • You find joy in trying new things, food, activities, etc.
  • Plans are good, and important to a great trip, however, flexibility sometimes brings a deeper experience and it’s OK with you.
  • You enjoy meeting and traveling with new people.
  • Some moderate physical activity will bring you the memories that make your trip special.

This Trip is Not for You If…

  • Travel is stressful and sometimes you find yourself anxious and frustrated when things don’t go perfectly as planned.
  • New things, new situations, aren’t really your thing.
  • You don’t like trying unusual local foods.
  • You feel uncomfortable and unsafe in places that are ‘foreign’ to Western culture.
  • Too much walking for long distances is tough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often will I change accommodations during the trip?

Please refer to the itinerary. You will stay in 2 hotels during the trip.

Can I extend my stay?

Absolutely, adding a pre or post stay always enhances a trip. You spent the money to get there, why not stay a while? We will be happy to help you make plans.

What airport do I fly into and out of?

You will fly round trip to Cartagena, Columbia.

What are VISA requirements for these countries?

There are no visa requirements for Cartagena.

What type of currency is used in these countries?

The currency used in Cartagena is the Peso.

Who do I contact for other questions and travel advice?

Call us at 860-779-6531 or send an email to lwhittemore@cruiseplanners.com

What is the age group of my potential fellow travelers?

Our guests typically range in age from 45-75. They tend to be of an age where they are either already retired and traveling is an objective for them, or are getting close. There are some tours that attract a younger group, sometimes adult children of a traveler in the group will join the tour.

Groups tend to be predominantly female, although we are wanting a good mix of men and woman, solo and couples traveling.

In any case, our travelers are in good health, active and adventurous.

I’m not a tour person, will this be too much of a standard tour for me?

No worries here, your fellow travelers feel exactly the same way and so do we, your tour curators. Of course there are some parts of our tours that are standard, we travel often by a van or motor coach, we eat together and do activities together. What makes us different, are two critical things, we don’t like traditional touring either, we work hard to be different. And two, you will always have the opportunity to choose. If you want to do something on your own or different than the group plan, you are welcome to do that.

We would love to have you join us! We will do our best to provide the opportunities and activities that allow you to make amazing memories and lasting friendships. We are looking forward to traveling with you.

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