2-day Cerro Kennedy trek from Santa Marta: Sierra Nevada summit
Climb to 3,000 meters and watch the sunrise over snowy peaks
A 2-day trek from Santa Marta into the Sierra Nevada mountains, staying overnight in a traditional hostel near Cerro Kennedy. Day one is a 3.5-kilometer hike through Minca village to the hostel at 1,600 meters. Day two starts before dawn for the 5-kilometer ascent to the summit viewpoint at 3,000 meters, where you see the snowy peaks of the range and the Caribbean coast. A local Spanish-speaking guide leads both days, and meals, accommodation and transport from Santa Marta are included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Sierra Nevada hostel
- Depart Santa Marta hotel
- Drive to Minca village
- Stop and learn village history
- Continue to Tagua at 1600m altitude
- Drive to trail start at Golden
- Hike 3.5 km to hostel
- Check in and have lunch
- Tour hostel surroundings
- Watch sunset over mountains and sea
- Dinner and rest
Day 2: Trek Cerro Kennedy and coffee tour
- Wake early for sunrise and coffee
- Eat traditional breakfast
- Begin ascent to Cerro Kennedy summit
- Enjoy views of snowy peaks
- Return to Finca Santa Helena
- Have lunch
- Take coffee tour with organic producer
- Travel back to Santa Marta
- Arrive in Santa Marta
What’s included
- Private 4x4 transportation from Santa Marta to the trailhead and back.
- accommodation in a traditional mountain hostel.
- two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast.
- organic coffee and water.
- a local Spanish-speaking guide for both days.
Times
- Every day 07:30 08:00 20:00
Before you book
Operated by Wi Make Tours
Prices and times updated 13 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The trek begins with a 4x4 pickup from your Santa Marta hotel at 7:30 am, climbing through Minca (a village 14 kilometers into the mountains) before the road ends at Tagua, 1,600 meters up. From there, a 3.5-kilometer hike on foot takes you to the hostel in about 90 minutes. You settle in, eat a traditional Colombian lunch, walk the grounds to adjust to the altitude, and watch the sunset over the mountains and the Caribbean before dinner and an early rest.
Day two starts at 5:30 am with organic coffee and breakfast, then the ascent begins. The 5-kilometer walk to Cerro Kennedy's summit takes you through views of the Sierra Nevada's snowy peaks as you climb to 3,000 meters. The viewpoint sits at the top of the range, and the return hike brings you back to the hostel for lunch before the 4x4 drive returns you to Santa Marta by 5:30 pm. In total, day two covers 13 kilometers on foot.
The hostel is a traditional mountain building run by local families, and the guide is a Spanish speaker who knows the route and the communities along it. You'll also learn how organic coffee grows in the Sierra Nevada: the guide walks you through cultivation and processing if you want to know more. Meals are included: two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast, plus water and coffee throughout.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks Spanish, so you'll follow the trek and learn about the region in that language. Choose this trek if you're comfortable hiking at altitude and want an early start on day two to catch the sunrise from the summit.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (6 to 8 years); Infant (under 6).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How high is Cerro Kennedy and what will I see from the top?
Cerro Kennedy sits at approximately 3,000 meters elevation. From the summit viewpoint you see the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and views down to the Caribbean coast.
What is the hike like on day one?
Day one is a 3.5-kilometer hike from Tagua to the hostel, taking about 90 minutes. The trail climbs through the mountains but is the easier of the two days. You arrive with time to rest before sunset.
When does the trek to the summit happen and how long is it?
Day two starts at 5:30 am so you reach the top in time for sunrise. The 5-kilometer ascent to Cerro Kennedy's summit is the main hike of the trek, and the full day covers 13 kilometers including the return walk to the hostel and the hike back down.
What meals and accommodation are included?
You stay overnight in a traditional hostel in the Sierra Nevada near Cerro Kennedy. Meals include a typical Colombian lunch on day one, dinner that evening, breakfast and organic coffee on day two, and a second lunch before the return to Santa Marta. Water is provided throughout.
Do I need any special fitness level for this trek?
The trek involves two days of hiking at altitude, with day two being the more demanding climb. A high level of physical fitness is recommended. The trek is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.
2-day Cerro Kennedy trek from Santa Marta: Sierra Nevada summit
2d · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 611 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.