Elevate Destinations

Experts in socially responsible luxury travel. We design travel experiences that support conservation and local communities without skimping on comfort.

Colombia

Eco-Luxury Adventures

Enrich your life and the community

Beyond the temperate city of Medellin, often referred to as the “city of eternal spring,” Colombia's diverse landscapes are impressive, including the Andes, the Amazon and the Tatacoa Desert.

The Magdalena River, with its dense vegetation, is ideal for spotting howler monkeys, iguanas, and even Escobar's escapee hippos, while the alleyways of Cartagena, with its bohemian Caribbean vibe, are the place to get your culture fix.

For a culturally immersive experience on your Colombian vacation, visit community empowerment projects that work to enrich the lives of local people and simultaneously educate travelers.

Let an expert travel designer plan your next trip

Sample Itineraries

Inspiration for your custom adventure

What our travelers are saying

  • A group of nine people, including Kathy Sharpe, pose together indoors, smiling at the camera. Some are kneeling in front, while others stand behind them. Casual clothing and hats are worn by several individuals.

    “Our highlights were musicians playing with the founder, the cocoa farm, rafting, the hike, and the accommodations. It was the perfect mixture of cultural education and adventure.”

    –Kathy Sharpe, Colombia

  • Three people pose in yoga stances, appearing to stand on top of three Uyuni beer bottles, with a flat, expansive salt plain in the background.

    “Elevate has helped us, yet again, plan an amazing and memorable trip to South America. They take all the stress out of researching, coordinating, booking activities and accommodations by creating custom itineraries tailored to your needs and interests and handle all the hectic scheduling and organizing for you! We were able to experience so much more of Bolivia with their help with little to no effort on our part, allowing us to relax and enjoy the ride!”

    –Justin Lamb, Bolivia

  • Peru: Cobblestone street lined with colorful textiles and crafts displayed on tables outside rustic yellow and stone buildings, with mountains and a blue sky in the background.

    “Our trip was filled with so many amazing experiences. May be our best family trip yet. We have specific dietary restrictions, and Elevate really made sure we were accommodated in each location.”

    –Sara Kubersky, Peru

  • Peru: Five people smile for a group selfie with the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and green mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    “The ease of the experience allowed all four of us to soak it all in without the usual planning and logistics stress. Nothing but positive feedback! Thank you to Lana and Emily for creating an inspiring, fun, adventurous, educational trip for us and for doing so with positive energy and contagious enthusiasm for beautiful Peru! We can’t wait to travel with Elevate Destinations again!”

    –Jody Shue and friends, Peru

  • Argentina: A freshwater lake with patches of aquatic plants and grasses under a clear blue sky.

    “My trip to Argentina was the third that Elevate Destinations has arranged for me. As with the others, I was thrilled with the itinerary they developed and amazed by their attention to every last detail. The trip was seamless and I felt well looked after the entire time.”

    –Tonnie Cummings, Argentina

  • Peru: Stone ruins of an ancient structure with mountains covered in greenery visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

    “Ephi was a fantastic leader and guide, the lunches each day were different and amazing especially the one hosted by the family and the pachamanca restaurant, and the hike and time at Machu Picchu. We loved the itinerary. Our guides were knowledgeable, fun, flexible, organized…amazing!!”

    –Ceci Enge, Peru

  • Peru: Three people wearing helmets and safety gear stand together on a rocky mountain trail, smiling at the camera with cliffs and greenery in the background.

    “Our trip was the perfect mix of adventure, philanthropy, mystical, extraordinary, and educational. While it was an immense adventure, there was ease all the way through knowing that everything was taken care of for us from transportation to stays. A huge thank you to Lana and Emily on the Elevate Team, and Erica, and Efrain in Peru.”

    –The Cook Family, Peru

  • “Lana with Elevate Destinations did a great job planning our honeymoon! We advised that we were interested in hiking, bike riding, kayaking, and seeing Southern Chile - and Elevate Destinations put together an itinerary that was a perfect blend of outdoor activities that we were looking for and high end, socially responsible accommodations with amazing service. We absolutely would recommend Elevate Destinations and a trip to Chile.”

    –Holly and Blaine Murphy, Chile

  • “I loved the perfect mix of learning about Peru and its rich history and spending time in the students homes. We very much enjoyed painting at one home, gardening at the Andean Alliance, having dinner with the Peruvian Hearts girls, and working in the school with the young girls. We really fell in love with all of them and plan to be in contact with them for a very long time. We came home and immediately made donations to each!”

    –Melissa Allen, Peru

  • “Everyday was a highlight. From Machu Picchu to painting at a Peruvian Hearts scholar home - we just did not want to leave a country with so much passion for its people and heritage. The accommodations, restaurants, guide, driver - everything was perfect. The girls we met at Chicuchas Wasi and Peruvian Hearts gave us so much more than we gave them. Our scaling the cliff and zip lining down was just the thing to push our comfort zone. Our hearts will forever be left in Peru. So what can we do next year to match this year? Can't wait!”

    –Julie Marchese, Peru

  • “We had an incredible 25th anniversary trip, planned by Elevate. The hotels were all first-class, and we enjoyed some upgrades that were unexpected and just lovely. Lana and Dominique are incredibly intuitive about what we would like. Can’t say enough really. We will definitely book a trip through them again!”

    –Dru Lindgren, Ecuador

  • “It is difficult to put into word the meaning of our trip to Peru. We feel so blessed to have spent time with so many wonderful people. It was the perfect balance of volunteering, getting to know the Peruvian culture, outdoor exercise and history lessons. The hotels were supreme and we always had someone there to guide us along the way. Every activity had special meaning to us. Your planning was wonderful.”

    –Kathy Sharpe and family, Peru

Your Questions Answered

What to know about Colombia

When is the best time to visit Colombia?

The best time to visit Colombia is typically from December to March, when drier conditions make travel easier across much of the country. That said, Colombia can be visited year-round depending on the regions you’re focusing on.

What are the best regions to visit in Colombia?

Colombia offers a mix of landscapes and cultures, from Cartagena’s coastline to the Coffee Region, Medellín, and the Pacific Coast. Most trips are best shaped around one or two regions for a more relaxed pace.

Is Colombia a good destination for luxury travel?

Yes — Colombia has a growing luxury travel scene, with boutique hotels, restored historic properties, and experiences that focus on culture, food, and place. It tends to feel more intimate and design-forward than large-scale.

Is Colombia a good destination for wildlife experiences?

Yes — Colombia’s biodiversity is remarkable, especially for birdlife and marine life along the Pacific Coast. Whale watching season is a particularly special time to visit.

How many days do you need in Colombia?

Most trips range from 7 to 12 days. This allows time to combine a couple of regions — for example, a city with either the coast or the countryside.

Should you visit multiple regions or focus on one?

It’s usually more rewarding to focus on one or two regions and experience them well. Colombia’s diversity is part of its appeal, but slower travel allows for a deeper connection to each place.
Start planning your next trip