colombia
January 30 - February 6, 2027
Transform Through Travel—Together
When "I Miss Me More" Becomes Your Anthem
You know that version of yourself that existed before all the roles, responsibilities, and rushing? She's still in there. And Colombia is where you're going to find her again.
This isn't your typical group trip. This is a soul-searching journey designed for women who are ready to expand through travel, adventure, and deep conversations.
I'm Andrea—coach for high-achieving women, mom of two future travelers, and someone who finally remembered what it feels like to be myself instead of just "mom."
At A Glance
Locations: Medellín + Guatapé
Duration: 8 days
Price: $3,799+
Physical Rating: 3/5
Airport: Medellín (MDE)
Group Size: 14 women
Highlights: Guatapé private lake house, paragliding, Comuna 13 cultural immersion
Why This Trip Is Different
Here's the thing about me and travel: a part of me comes alive when I'm thrown into a new situation. I absolutely love the feeling of adventure, discovering new places, meeting new people, and trying incredible foods—especially when I don't have to cook them!
As a coach, I help women tap into their truest selves—the version that's been buried under everyone else's expectations and the daily grind. That's exactly what I want for you on this trip.
We'll have coaching calls leading up to our Colombia adventure so you can show up feeling clear, present, and ready to fully experience everything. Whether you're coming to reconnect with yourself, celebrate a life transition, or simply remember what it feels like to prioritize your own joy—this trip will meet you exactly where you are.
I'll be honest—my obsession with the movie Encanto is what drew me to Colombia. I've learned to trust those nudges, even when they don't make logical sense. Come join me. This is about more than just seeing a beautiful country—it's about tapping into the true you that's been hiding underneath the fear.
My Cuba Awakening
When I traveled to Cuba with Laura in early 2025, something shifted. For an entire week, I felt free to just be Andrea. No rushing, no managing everyone else's needs, no guilt. I came home energized, clear-headed, and a better mother because of it.
That transformative experience showed me that the most generous thing we can do for everyone in our lives is to remain fully ourselves—adventures and all.
What You’ll do in Colombia
You'll experience the urban and hip vibes of Medellín, home of reggaeton and Comuna 13, and learn about the rich history of Pablo Escobar and the 1980's drug trade depicted in Narcos.
You'll get dirty riding ATVs through the muddy mountain backroads of Guatapé, and hike Piedra del Peñol, a giant rock formation with over 700 steps that overlooks one of the most amazing views you'll have in your life. You’ll pick your own coffee beans and paraglide like birds over the landscapes of Cocorná.
Colombia literally has it all—vibrant colors, incredible food, dancing, and those intimate connections with locals that make a trip feel extra special. And having already traveled with Laura, I know that's exactly what we'll get.
Limited spots available!
Secure yours today.
Do it scared instead of not doing it at all.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a beautiful corner of the world with a fabulous group. The way you’ll interact with the Colombian people and immerse yourself in their culture will stay with you—and them—forever. Don’t sleep on the chance to get out of your comfort zone.
Itinerary
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Airport transfer to hotel
Welcome dinner in Medellín
Arrive in Medellín and enjoy a seamless transfer from the airport to your hotel. In the evening, indulge in a welcome dinner showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Antioquia, where traditional ingredients blend with innovative techniques to celebrate the vibrant food culture of this dynamic city.
Dinner included -
ATV adventure
Climb the iconic Peñol Rock
Explore Guatapé town
Free time
Experience an adrenaline-filled ATV adventure through Guatapé's vibrant landscapes. Climb the iconic Peñol Rock for breathtaking views, then discover the meaning behind the colorful zócalos of Guatapé.
In the evening, take a stroll through the quaint town of Guatapé, grab dinner with the group, or relax back at our private lakeside casa.
Breakfast and lunch included -
Private lake house day in Guatapé
Enjoy our exclusive private lake house with breathtaking views of the reservoir and the iconic Guatapé rock. Relax in the pool and jacuzzi, try your hand at paddle boarding, rent a jet ski, play games, chat up our in-house bartender, or just catch some sun in this perfect space to slow down and reconnect.
In the evening, take a sunset boat tour of Guatapé before enjoying a dinner with our private chef.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Paragliding flight over Medellín
Dinner in Medellín
Make your dream of flying come true with a tandem paragliding experience, soaring over endless mountains with stunning views of Bello and Medellín from above.
After we finish, we’ll return to Medellín. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we’ll head out to taste the typical flavors of Medellín on an in-depth gastro experience, sampling fresh juices, pastries, and street food at cultural hubs throughout the city.
End your exhilarating day with some free time to rest, recharge, or have dinner in the city.
Breakfast and lunch included -
Comuna 13 tour with Metrocable ride
Lunch at Mi Palenque Restaurant
Salsa or tango workshop with locals
Dinner
Ride Medellín's iconic Metrocable into Comuna 13 to witness a powerful story of resilience and transformation through street art, hip-hop performances, and honest conversations. Enjoy lunch at Mi Palenque, then head to the authentic Manrique neighborhood for a dance workshop at a community-transforming academy, learning salsa or tango through innovative teaching methods.
End the evening with a dinner in one of Medellín’s trendiest restaurants.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Traditional coffee farm experience
Plantation tour and lunch
Dinner in Medellín
Visit a traditional organic coffee farm just 30 minutes from Medellín, where passion has shaped every bean since 1948. Immerse yourself in the complete coffee journey from seed to cup, concluding with a tasting of the exquisite coffee grown on the farm.
After freshening up back at the hotel, you’ll enjoy a dinner in the city.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Free morning
Optional tattoo session
Farewell dinner
Enjoy a free morning to explore Medellín at your own pace—shop for souvenirs, revisit a favorite spot, or commemorate your transformational journey with a group tattoo session.
Cap off your Colombian adventure with a festive farewell dinner celebrating the unforgettable memories we made together.
Breakfast and dinner included -
Transfer to airport
Say goodbye to your new travel besties, enjoy a stress-free transfer from your hotel to the airport, and we’ll see you on the next trip!
Breakfast included
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✓ Airport pickup and drop-off at Medellín Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) on official trip dates
✓ All activities and tours listed in the itinerary
✓ Local ground transportation to all listed activities with private driver
✓ 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
✓ All accommodations
✓ Spanish/English guide on all tours
✓ Pre-trip calls with Andrea
✓ Coaching support on the trip
✓ Trip guide with everything you need to know regarding safety, currency, packing, and preparing for your trip
✓ Group orientation call via Zoom 2-3 weeks prior to trip
✓ On-site support from Laura Ericson Group Trips leader before and during trip
✓ Recommendations for restaurants and activities during free exploration time
✓ Photos and videos of the entire trip in a shared album
NOT INCLUDED
X International flight to Medellín airport. Details will be provided after you register.
X Travel insurance (required)
X Meals not specified above (mainly during your free time to allow you to explore)
X Alcoholic beverages
X Gratuities for guide and driver (optional, but highly encouraged)
X Personal shopping
X Any extras not listed above
Ready to reserve your spot?
INVESTMENT:
Starting at $3,799
See individual rooming options below
Get $200 off at checkout for paying in full by March 15, 2026 using promo code PAYINFULL.
We offer a free payment plan, so you can spread the payment across several months, with a $750 deposit due at time of booking.
Your spot is locked in like that tattoo you probably got with us in Mexico City – non-refundable, non-transferable, non-negotiable.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement.
Shared room option: $3,799
Roommate vibes the whole trip. Share a room with one other traveler throughout the journey—two queen or twin beds with a private bathroom. Five nights at the Diez Hotel in Medellín, two nights at our private Guatapé lake house.
Hybrid w/Medellín Privacy: $4,299
Private in the city, shared at the lake house. Enjoy your own queen room with ensuite bathroom for five nights at the Diez Hotel in Medellín's El Poblado neighborhood. In Guatapé, share a room with one other traveler (two queens or twins) with a private bathroom for two nights.
Please note that we only have 3 private rooms available in Guatapé, which is why we are offering this alternative.
Private Oasis Upgrade: $4,499
Your own space the entire trip. In Medellín, unwind in your private queen room at the Diez Hotel in El Poblado. In Guatapé, retreat to your private queen suite with ensuite bathroom and jacuzzi overlooking the Guatapé Reservoir. Seven nights of solo sanctuary.
*only 3 upgrades available
“Meeting Laura has legitimately changed my life for the better. I went on her Morocco trip & it felt like a dream. Having everything pre-planned & details figured out made for a stress free experience that gave me the opportunity to really enjoy & immerse myself in every moment. I not only learned so much about a misunderstood culture, but I learned so much about myself. I daydream about the trip every day & find myself looking for excuses to talk to anyone about it. I cannot wait for my next Laura Ericson trip!”
-Amanda
Meet Laura Ericson Group Trips
Hey all! I'm Laura, travel entrepreneur and your Colombia trip planner. After my divorce in 2017, I ditched my 14-year higher ed career to create the travel experiences I couldn't find myself. I've built my family through my own global travel community instead—connecting incredible humans across six continents. When I'm not traveling, I'm back in Eau Claire, Wisconsin plotting our next adventure. My trips skip the tourist traps for the real deal—the kind that'll have you texting friends at 2am with "you wouldn't believe what happened today" stories.
Read more about the business here.
FAQs
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Hell no, you won’t! In fact, over half our travelers on international trips come solo, and they often leave with a whole new crew of friends.
Our trips are practically designed for people to mix, mingle and bond over shared experiences.
The beauty of our group is that everyone's there for the same reason: to experience Colombia’s magic and meet cool people. You won't be the odd one out - we're basically creating a readymade friend group for you, complete with inside jokes and slightly embarrassing dance party photos by the end of the trip.
Some of the strongest friendships in our travel community started with "Hi, I'm here alone too!". By the time we're watching the sunset on our final evening, you'll forget you ever came solo.
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The age range on our trips typically lands between 35-50, but we’ve had 30-year-olds and 65-year-olds who were the absolute life of the group. It's less about your birth year and more about your mindset. If you're down for authentic experiences, can roll with unexpected plot twists, you'll fit right in. Our travelers are united by curiosity and a desire to experience Colombia beyond the Instagram spots.
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Let's get real about safety in Colombia - this isn't your typical sanitized resort destination, which is exactly why it's worth visiting.
We purposely build trips around places that trigger your mom's "be careful over there" texts. These destinations are often misunderstood, with outdated warnings and sensationalized media coverage scaring away the tourists who stick to the predictable spots.
That's where group travel comes in clutch. Traveling with our crew, professional drivers, and local guides (who become friends by day two) gives you access to the Colombia most travelers never experience. We’ve personally tested every experience on this itinerary multiple times to ensure it's as secure as it is awesome.
That said, no place on earth comes with a safety guarantee - not even your neighborhood Target parking lot. Common sense still applies here. That's why we’ll prepare you with specific Colombia safety intel before we go.
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This trip doesn't require Olympic training, but it's no poolside vacation either. We'll cover a ton of ground on this road trip to soak up everything Colombia has to offer. Expect daily walking with some paragliding and ATV adventures thrown in the mix.
Don't worry though - our private transportation between destinations doubles as mobile nap pods. This trip strikes that sweet spot between thrilling adventure and relaxation.
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While this itinerary is packed (Colombia’s too damn cool to waste a minute), we’ve deliberately built in pockets of freedom throughout. You'll have dedicated free time in cities.
And here's the real deal: nothing is mandatory. If your introvert battery needs recharging or a particular activity isn't your jam, opt out guilt-free. That said, everything on this itinerary has survived our ruthless vetting process. We’ve personally test-driven all these experiences and cut anything that wasn't worth your time or got mixed reviews from past groups.
This trip strikes that sweet spot between "holy shit, I can't believe we're doing all this!" and "thank god I have time to just exist in this amazing place." You get all the good stuff without the typical tourist bullshit.
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This is one of those "how long is a piece of string?" questions, but we’ll break it down for you.
Since most of your big expenses are covered in the trip cost, you're mostly looking at spending money for small extras, drinks, meals that aren’t included and shopping binges.
We’d suggest about $50 a day for casual spending, but this will really depend on you.
You'll also want to set aside money for tips for our guide and driver - these guys will become your best friends and will absolutely earn their appreciation by the end of our journey.
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You bet! We get that dropping thousands on a trip all at once isn't exactly pocket change for most of us.
Here's how it works: You'll put down a $750 non-refundable deposit to lock in your spot.
After that, we'll split the remaining balance into manageable chunks that won't make your credit card cry. Just keep in mind that you're responsible for making these payments on time - we’ve got a waitlist of people ready to pounce on any opened spots, so missed payments mean forfeiting your place without a refund.
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Look, we hope you don't bail on us, but we're not naive enough to think life won't occasionally throw curveballs at your calendar.
Here's the deal: All trip payments are non-refundable.
We promise we're not being jerks - we're running a small boutique operation here, not Carnival Cruise Lines. When you pay your deposit, that money immediately goes to our local partners (who also don't offer refunds), and filling last-minute spots is a massive time-suck that our small team can't absorb.
If you're worried about potential cancellations, grab yourself some travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage. It's like a safety net for your wallet when life decides to be an asshole.
(See the next FAQ about travel insurance recommendations if you're the "but what if I break my leg the day before?" type.)
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Yes, travel insurance is required for this trip. You'll need at minimum the basic post-departure/medical coverage (usually around $50), but we strongly recommend a package with trip cancellation benefits.
While travel insurance isn’t the sexiest part of your trip, that $50 policy might be the smartest money you'll ever spend. We’ve had travelers have canceled flights, lost bags, and last-minute cancellations due to family emergencies.
Ask yourself: "Am I cool with setting fire to thousands of dollars if I can't make this trip?" If that thought makes you queasy, spring for the cancellation coverage.
We partner with Wanderwell for my travelers because they're not the typical insurance scammers. They actually cover what they say they will, and their claims process doesn't require a law degree to navigate.
Trust us, nothing ruins post-trip bliss like coming home to a stack of foreign medical bills or eating the cost of a trip you couldn't take.
If you want to learn more about travel insurance and are looking for a recommendation, you can learn more about our travel insurance partner, Wanderwell, here.
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Yes, you will need a passport valid beyond August 6, 2027.
If you do not have a passport, we recommend you start the process right away, as it can take several months to receive it. If you need assistance with this, feel free to reach out!
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Wait until you get the green light from us to purchase your flights—we typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as we’ve finalized our group and arrival details.
We will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing fights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
In the meantime, feel free to set up a flight alert on Google Flights to start monitoring prices. You will be flying in and out of Medellín (MDE).
Do you have additional questions
about traveling with us?
Fun Facts
Colombia is famous for its world-class coffee, incredible biodiversity, vibrant festivals, and cultural figures who have made a global impact.
In January + February, most of Colombia experiences its main dry season, offering warm, sunny weather that is ideal for travel. However, the country's diverse geography means conditions vary significantly by region, from cool mountains to hot, humid coasts and rainforests.
The Colombian peso is the official currency of Colombia.
After leading over 300 people through 10 countries, we’ve learned that while group trips are absolutely life-changing for most people, they're not everyone's cup of tea (or shot of tequila). Before you dive in, let's make sure we're a match:
Vibe Check
You'll thrive with us if:
You can roll with the punches when things go sideways (because they will - it's travel, not a scripted TV show)
You're cool with scheduled adventures (we've got amazing stuff planned, but if you're the "wake up at 2pm on vacation" type, you’ll be missing out)
You understand the whole "strength in numbers" thing means sometimes doing what works for the group vs. your sudden craving for street food at midnight
You're ready to embrace the summer camp vibes - shared meals, group transportation, and maybe even a roommate who becomes your new best friend
You can vibe with different personalities (spoiler: you won't click with everyone, and that's totally fine)
You get excited about culture shock instead of freaking out when things aren't exactly like home (that's kind of the whole point)
Think of it like joining the coolest adventure club you never knew you needed. If you're nodding along to these points, chances are you're gonna fit right in. If you're breaking out in hives just reading this... maybe stick to solo travel for now.
Remember: Travel isn't about being perfect - it's about being open to whatever awesome weirdness comes our way. Because trust us, it will.
Still have questions?
Want to scope out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Medellín (MDE).
Laura Ericson Group Trips is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 3-6 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.
“Travel is about the
gorgeous feeling of
teetering in the
unknown.”
— Anthony Bourdain

