The Jaguar´s Footprint: Hike and Music Day Trip from Cartagena

What an incredible experience! If you love hiking, nature, animals, plant life - this is for you! Olinto our guide is so knowledgeable and passionate and we learned so much about not only the plant and animal life, but about Colombia in general and their culture, food, music, etc. He was very punctual, professional, and fun! We were able to see many different types of birds and also monkeys! The views were INCREDIBLE and seeing the petroglyphs was a once in a lifetime experience! Getting to have lunch at a local hotel and have the local music played for us was so special and cool. We cannot recommend Olinto and TaroAdventures enough! This is a must do in Cartagena!

We had an amazing tour with Olinto visiting Montes de Maria on The Jaguar's Footprint tour! It was definitely one of the best days we had during our wonderful two and a half weeks in Colombia. Olinto arrived right on time to pick us up from our hotel and we were shortly on the road to the San Jacinto. Olinto is a very knowledgeable, passionate and easy-going guide and we had many interesting conversations on the road. Before arriving at the hiking trail to the petroglyphs we stopped for a lovely breakfast at a roadside cafe. When we arrived at the trail a local guide was there to join us. Olinto had also made sure to bring correct-sized wellies for us as it had rained the day before. Both Olinto and the local guide were very attentive to our surroundings, identifying a range of plant species and wildlife. Within a couple of hundred metres we were lucky enough to see a variety of bird species, including toucans and macaws (we would not have spotted them without their help). The trail itself was low difficulty. After criss-crossing some farms, meeting a few farmers and seeing some incredible palm trees, we proceeded on to a dry(ish) river bed to the petroglyphs. There are two sets, one at the entrance, and another a bit further along. The setting was beautiful and the carvings really special. On the return to the car we encountered some howler monkeys clambering around the canopy of the trees overhead. After the hike of approximately 3 hours we then headed to San Jacinto for lunch and a music workshop with Gaita musicians who treated us to a brilliant performance and taught us the basics of how to play their instruments - we did our best. Olinto also gave us a insightful overview of the materials they were made from, their musical purpose and their cultural origins. The lunch provided was also very tasty and everyone involved in the tour was incredibly friendly and hospitable. Overall, this tour and Taroa Adventures are highly recommended. It made for a fascinating day-out from Cartagena. If you have time, visit the Cartagena gold museum beforehand as it gives an interesting background to the region you visit. Thank you Olinto (and please extend our thanks to everyone else on the tour) for a truly memorable day we won't forget!

Our experience with this private tour, guided by Oli, was absolutely the highlight of our trip. From the very start, the communication was seamless. Oli reached out beforehand to ensure we were well-prepared, even providing us with essential rainboots, which we greatly appreciated. The tour itself was a blend of exclusivity and authenticity. Oli picked us up punctually from our hotel, and after a scenic drive out of Cartagena and into the Santa Jacinto mountains, we stopped for a delicious local breakfast. The journey to the trailhead was scenic, and upon arrival, we met a local guide who owned part of the property we would be hiking through. Oli’s knowledge about the local birds and fauna was impressive. He and the local guide frequently pointed out different species, enriching our understanding of the dry rainforest's unique ecosystem. Highlights of the tour included spotting wildlife such as monkeys and trekking through a river that led us to a hidden area adorned with ancient hieroglyphics. The cultural immersion continued as we visited a village in Santa Jacinto, where we were serenaded by gaita musicians. This experience beautifully connected the region's culture with its natural surroundings. We concluded our adventure with a very delicious and satisfying lunch before heading back to our hotel. For anyone visiting Cartagena for the first time, I wholeheartedly recommend this full-day trip. It offers a refreshing break from typical tourist activities. Oli’s passion and expertise made him the most knowledgeable tour guide we’ve encountered in our years of traveling the world. This tour is an absolute must-do!