Artemis: Colombia – The Rise of the Phoenix

A women-centred journey in Colombia

Explore Colombia with Elcy Blanco of PHX Tours and Fireside Adventures. The trip brings together cultural activities, outdoor experiences and opportunities to learn from women-led community projects.

Cartagena, the Caribbean coast and the foothills around Tayrona offer settings for learning about art, food, music and the region’s history. Elcy’s local perspective helps the group explore both the places and the challenges that shape everyday life.

Welcome Package

Itinerary, packing list & trip info.

2026 DATES
7-day: May 01–08, 2026
Optional 4 -day trek: Mar 08–12
9-day: Apr 01–09 & May 13–21
12-day: Aug 05–16

Price: coming soon

Customizable:
Days, activities, pace, and accommodations can be adjusted to fit your group.

More info: office@firesideadventures.ca

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Why Colombia with Artemis?

The course connects outdoor activities with Colombian art, food, music and community projects. Local partners guide the cultural visits and explain how to take part respectfully.

Travel with other women, try practical activities and make time to discuss what you learn. Personal reflection sits alongside shared experiences and group responsibilities.

The experience

Cartagena and Getsemaní

Explore street art and neighbourhood history on a guided walk through Getsemaní. The route takes in the clock tower, La Sierpe, Trinidad Square and the city walls, with murals providing starting points for conversations about community and identity.

Craft with DAMARTES

Visit the women’s collective in La Boquilla and learn how coconut shells are made into jewellery and keepsakes. Hear about the project’s development and practise the craft with the artisans.

Music in La Boquilla

Learn about the Afro-Colombian fishing village and its cultural traditions. A bullerengue activity with cultural guide Luis Eduardo Gómez Leal introduces the music, movement and stories associated with the community.

Food and literature

Walk through Cartagena’s Old Town and explore local food traditions through an experience inspired by Gabriel García Márquez. Tastings and stories connect the places you visit to coastal Caribbean life and literature.

The Rosario Islands and Orika

Learn about marine conservation during a guided snorkel and coral-restoration activity. Visit Orika and the Museum of Living Memory to learn about the communities, oral histories and craft traditions of the Rosario Islands.

Optional Additional Trek; The Poderosas Challenge- Expedition to the Lost City

This multi-day hike is an available extension for those looking for a more physically active adventure. This incredible trek will be directly supporting the Poderosas organization, a non-governmental program that provides empowering sexual education for young adults around Colombia. This is a vital initiative that enhances leadership skills and fosters support networks within youth.

If your group has guests who may have physical limitations or prefer not to take the trek, transportation to the airport will be provided.

Beginning in Santa Marta, you will be welcomed to Colombia, and presented the Podersosas project expedition logistics. Settle into the seaside city and ask all your questions about the upcoming trek at the informative Q&A. Staying in an ocean-side hotel surrounded by busy streets, historic buildings and beautiful parks, there is lots to explore in this community.

The 4-day trek follows a trail of lush vegetation and incredible vistas, encountering indigenous dwellings and small settlements. Guided by locally informed leaders, this hike allows time for reflection, leadership and inner transformation. Steep inclines and river crossings through verdant jungle fauna and flora will lead you to various native cabins with mosquito net hammocks. You will meet with spiritual leaders of the local community and experience life in the small settlement of Mutanzi, home to the Kogui People. Finally, this trek leads you to the ancient and sacred site of Teyuna, immersing yourself in unique architecture and deep sacred importance for the Indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

This journey will provide you with the physical challenge of the Poderosa Challenge, combined with valuable space for self-reflection from the trip, inner strength, and resilience.

The Artemis approach

Local collaboration: Colombian partners, artisans and community leaders guide the activities.
Practical participation: street-art walks, craft, drumming and outdoor activities create opportunities to learn by doing.
Environmental learning: coastal activities introduce conservation and restoration work.
Group connection: conversation and reflection help participants make sense of what they experience.

Who is this journey for?

Artemis Colombia is for women interested in art, culture, food, music and outdoor learning. Come with a willingness to participate, listen to local perspectives and contribute to the group.

The journey offers opportunities to meet women-led community projects and spend time with travellers from different generations and backgrounds.

The Rise of the Phoenix

The trip’s theme connects stories of creativity and renewal: economic independence through craft, cultural traditions maintained through music, and environmental work along the coast. Reflection invites each participant to consider what those experiences mean to her.