Rio Verde Colombia Rafting & Hiking

Colombia has an equatorial tropical climate, making it possible to travel throughout the year. Temperatures remain relatively stable, although rainfall varies depending on the region and time of year. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and from October to November.

Rainfall generally does not cause significant changes in temperature. However, it can raise river levels, creating excellent conditions for whitewater rafting and kayaking, while activities such as paragliding may be more dependent on weather conditions. Our rafting trips operate year-round.

If you prefer to travel during a generally drier period, consider visiting between December and March or from June to September. Climate varies considerably depending on altitude and location: Medellín enjoys mild temperatures throughout the year, while the Andean regions around Bogotá are cooler, particularly at night. The Amazon region is warmer, more humid and receives more rainfall.

Good to know:

• December to March: generally drier months.
• March to May and October to November: wetter periods.
• Festivals and cultural events take place throughout the year, particularly in Medellín.
• July is an ideal time to see migrating whales along Colombia’s Pacific coast.
• Peak travel periods generally include December to February and June to August, so booking in advance is recommended.
• The low season can offer more attractive prices for flights and accommodation.

What you need to pack depends on your itinerary and the activities you will be doing with Expedition Colombia. Requirements may vary between a multi-day active holiday and a shorter adventure tour.

For active holidays lasting more than one week, you will find a detailed packing list for each day within your itinerary. For adventure tours lasting 1 to 5 days, scroll down to the “Checklist” section of your tour page and open the “What to Bring” tab.

For most activities, we recommend bringing:

• Suitable footwear, including closed-toe shoes for river activities
• Lightweight, breathable and quick-drying clothing
• A waterproof jacket
• Swimwear
• A hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• A refillable water bottle
• A dry change of clothes and shoes for water-based activities
• A headlamp for excursions where additional lighting may be required
• A small backpack suitable for hiking
• Your phone, camera, chargers and other essential electronics
• Personal toiletries and medication

For mountain regions and high-altitude treks, bring warm layers, including a hat and gloves. For cultural visits and village excursions, comfortable and respectful clothing is recommended.

For any specific activity, always check the “What to Bring” section of your itinerary to make sure you have everything you need.

The fitness level, rated from 1 to 5, indicates how physically demanding a tour is expected to be. It helps you choose an experience that matches your fitness level and understand what to expect before booking.

All our trips combine adventure, discovery and cultural immersion, but the amount and intensity of physical activity varies from one itinerary to another. We recommend reading the detailed itinerary of each tour to understand the activities involved and their level of difficulty.

1/5 — Relaxed
A gentle and accessible experience with little physical exertion. No specific fitness preparation is required, and physical activities are generally optional or very light.

2/5 — Easy
The trip includes some easy physical activities, but no specific training is required. A normal level of fitness is sufficient to fully enjoy the experience.

3/5 — Moderate
Several activities involve moderate physical exertion and may raise your heart rate. A good level of fitness is recommended.

4/5 — Challenging
Expect sustained and demanding physical activity. A good level of fitness is required to fully enjoy the experience.

5/5 — Very challenging
This is our highest fitness level. These expeditions can involve significant physical exertion, challenging conditions and situations requiring teamwork in remote wilderness environments. Excellent fitness and adequate preparation are essential.

Most of our itineraries are suitable for travelers with an average level of fitness, although certain specialist expeditions may require some physical preparation beforehand.

Our guides always prioritize the safety and well-being of our travelers. Some tours also have age restrictions due to their level of difficulty. If you have any questions about your fitness level or whether a particular tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

If you have specific dietary requirements, allergies or a medical condition that may require special attention, please let us know when you book your trip and before paying the 100% non-refundable deposit. This allows our team to assess your needs and make the necessary arrangements whenever possible.

We offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, although available choices may vary depending on the type of trip and location.

For adventure tours, meals may include French cuisine prepared by our chef, meals at local restaurants, or traditional dishes prepared by local families and chefs. When visiting coffee farms, you can also enjoy authentic Colombian meals prepared by the estate’s staff and chef.

For active holidays, breakfast and lunch are included. Dinners are generally at your own expense, and we provide restaurant recommendations based on your preferences and budget. If you would prefer to have all dinners included, this can be arranged upon request.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in our tours, except for champagne served aboard our sailing boat in Cartagena.

Please inform us of any allergies, intolerances, dietary restrictions or medical conditions when booking. We will do our best to adapt your trip and ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Yes. Solo travellers can join a group on any of our day or multi-day adventure tours. Rafting trips require a minimum of 4 people per raft, so we connect solo travellers with other like-minded adventurers to make the experience possible.

Alternatively, you can book a private tour with a guide for our non-rafting adventure tours and active holidays. Private tours are exclusive to your party and can be tailored to your preferences. As a result, they are priced higher than the rates listed on our website.

Yes, you are required to carry your passport with you during your tour. A copy of your passport will be recorded when you check in on the morning of your activity.

If you require medical attention during your trip, your passport may be required to receive treatment at a Colombian medical facility. Colombian law also requires foreign visitors to carry valid identification, as police may conduct ID checks.

Once you arrive, we will provide you with a secure way to store your passport during the activity. However, you remain fully responsible for your passport at all times. You cannot leave your passport or valuables with our driver or inside the vehicle.

We recommend leaving other valuables at your hotel whenever possible. For certain activities, particularly rafting, jewelry and piercings are not permitted as they may cause injuries or become lost during the activity.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes international medical coverage. This can provide protection in the event of flight or trip cancellations, as well as medical issues that may arise during your stay.

Before travelling, check with your existing health insurance provider to understand how you are covered abroad and which regions of Colombia are included in your policy. Expedition Colombia provides insurance coverage for its staff and participants through Colasistencia.

In the event of an accident or medical emergency, you must carry your original passport with you. Medical facilities may require the original document before providing treatment.

Regarding vaccinations, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date before travelling abroad. Recommendations may vary depending on your itinerary, the regions you plan to visit and your individual circumstances. Certain areas of Colombia also require additional precautions against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, as well as illnesses such as typhoid fever.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/colombia

We recommend checking the official travel health guidance from your home country and consulting a healthcare professional before departure to determine which vaccinations and preventive measures are appropriate for your trip.

The safety of our travelers is our top priority. Our staff is trained to manage medical emergencies in remote wilderness environments, stabilize and monitor participants, and provide initial assistance until appropriate medical care can be reached.

We have developed an emergency response plan for each of our wilderness destinations. These plans include internal communication procedures and coordination with local emergency services. Please note that emergency helicopter evacuation services are not available in Colombia.

When an injury or medical condition does not require emergency evacuation, our guides will arrange safe transportation to an appropriate medical facility, usually in one of Colombia’s major cities.

You must carry your original passport with you during the tour. If medical treatment is required, Colombian medical facilities may require the original passport before admitting you as a patient; a copy is not sufficient.

To secure your booking, a 100% non-refundable deposit must be paid within the timeframes specified below. This allows us to make the necessary arrangements and prepare our guides and resources for your trip.

• Day trips: full payment is required at least 1 day before the trip start date.
• Multi-day adventures: full payment is required at least 3 days before the trip start date.
• Active holidays: full payment is required at least 2 weeks before the trip start date.

As the payment is non-refundable, cancellations do not qualify for a refund. We therefore recommend carefully confirming your dates and availability before completing your booking.

Yes. All our guides speak English and Spanish, although their level of English may vary. Every trip is led by a trip leader who is fluent in both languages. If you speak French, please let us know when booking, and we can also arrange a guide who is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

Our guides are professionally licensed and certified, with extensive expertise in their respective fields. Some are also pioneers in their disciplines. For example, our whitewater kayaking and rafting guides were among the first to explore certain remote Colombian rivers, including the Samaná and Verde Rivers.

Thanks to their experience and knowledge of the terrain, our guides are sometimes the only professionals with the skills required to operate safely in remote and challenging wilderness areas. Their expertise also allows us to offer authentic experiences and meaningful interactions with local communities.

Yes. Expedition Colombia is a company based in Antioquia, specializing in adventure experiences throughout Colombia.

Our mission goes beyond creating exciting and adrenaline-filled trips. We aim to help travelers discover Colombia’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage while developing a deeper understanding of and respect for the places they visit.

Through our experiences in Colombia’s mountains, rivers and culturally rich regions, we promote responsible travel and help highlight the value of the country’s natural environments and local communities.

Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect travelers with nature, showcase Colombia’s cultural diversity and encourage greater awareness of the importance of protecting these resources for future generations.

Expedition Colombia offers three payment options for your booking:

• Online payment: a secure payment link is provided through the Pago Ágil platform. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The amount and booking reference will be provided before you complete the transaction.
• Cash payment: payment can be made directly in cash.
• Bank transfer: you can make a transfer to Expedition – Colombia S.A.S.’s Bancolombia savings account (No. 37535170615, SWIFT: COLOCOBM).

By completing your payment, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions applicable to your booking and participation in your trip with Expedition Colombia.

Colombia offers many great destinations for whitewater rafting, including the Samaná, Pance, Fonce, Suárez and Chicamocha Rivers.

At Expedition Colombia, we specialize in rafting experiences in the Antioquia region, close to Medellín. We particularly recommend the Calderas, Verde, Santo Domingo and Samaná Rivers, each offering a unique rafting experience surrounded by spectacular natural landscapes.

The difficulty level of whitewater rafting in Colombia varies depending on the river, weather conditions and time of year. Some rivers offer routes suitable for beginners, while others feature more technical rapids that are better suited to experienced rafters.

At Expedition Colombia, we help you choose the route that best matches your fitness level and experience, so you can enjoy the activity safely and make the most of your adventure.

Not necessarily. Some rafting trips are suitable for beginners and do not require any previous experience. However, for routes with more technical rapids or higher difficulty levels, previous experience or an introductory rafting session may be recommended.

Before your trip, our guides will provide you with the necessary safety instructions and guidance so you can enjoy the experience with confidence.

Rafting is possible year-round in Colombia, although river conditions vary depending on the season and the river. The wetter periods, generally from March to May and October to December, bring higher water levels and often create more powerful rapids and more challenging rafting conditions.

However, each river has its own characteristics, meaning that different rafting experiences and difficulty levels are available throughout the year. In the regions where we operate, a unique microclimate also means that rainfall is often limited during the daytime, making it possible to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year.

Water temperature varies depending on the river, altitude, season and weather conditions. In the rivers where we operate rafting trips in Antioquia, the water is generally cool to mild.

• Calderas River: approximately 15–20°C. Located in a mountainous area, the river generally has cool water.
• Samaná River: approximately 18–24°C. Its temperature varies with altitude, with cooler water in higher sections and warmer water at lower elevations.
• Santo Domingo River: approximately 15–20°C. Like the Calderas River, it flows through a mountainous region and generally has cool water.

These temperatures are approximate and may vary depending on the season, weather and local conditions on the day of your activity.

Our shared rafting trips generally require a minimum of 4 participants to be confirmed.

If you are a group of fewer than 4 people, we can check whether you can join an existing confirmed group. Private rafting trips can also be arranged for 2 or more people, subject to availability and the specific requirements of the activity.

If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the trip has to be cancelled, you will receive a 100% full refund.

Solo travelers are also welcome to contact us. We can check existing groups and, whenever possible, find an available trip for you to join.

The minimum age varies depending on the river and the difficulty of the route:

• Calderas River: from 14 years old.
• Verde River: from 18 years old.
• Samaná River: from 18 years old.
• Santo Domingo River:
  • Beginner route: from 5 years old.
  • Intermediate route: from 12 years old.

For the Santo Domingo River, the recommended age for younger participants may vary between 5 and 8 years old, depending on their previous experience. We recommend contacting us before booking so we can help determine the most suitable route.