Experience Cartagena with Jowan

Your TourHero

Your TourHero
TOURHERO
Jowan
BIO
Hello, my name is Jowan (Jo-Ann). As a former athlete, I had the opportunity to travel and experience parts of the world through sport from a young age. These were some amazing and unique opportunities, but I wasn’t truly afforded the time to experience the cultures and people around me. These snippets of exposure only fueled my wanderlust for travel as I got older. The passion I had for movement lead me to take a leap of faith in 2012 to move to New York and become a personal trainer. Living amongst and working with so many people from around the world, I have found myself craving to indulge in as many cultures as I possibly can. In the many conversations with my clients about travel I have found that when they go on vacation, they either never leave the resort or they are doing all of the things and come back exhausted. Over the past few years I have wanted to create intentional experiences when traveling that blends access to personalized movement, local foods, culture and the right amount of rest so that your vacation is an extension of your life and not a vacation from it. Travel with me? E-mail: jowan.ortega@gmail.com

Duration

5 泊 · 6日

Travel Date

Jan 12 - 17, 2023

Activity Level

Low to Moderate

Group Size

8 - 12

Transportation

Van, boat

Tour Price

USD 2,500
/ person

Your Fellow Explorers

Age range

21+

Travel interest

Wellness, food & culture, water sports

Fellow Travelers

MoniqueReginaJowan

Your Local Guide

Vaova Travel

Founded in 2013, VAOVA Travel is an experience tour creator specializing in university treks, meetings and events, and luxury small group tours. Their mission is to share an authentic and unique perspective of the destinations they travel to by creating memorable experiences, bringing people together through perfectly curated 'happenings'.

Experts at organizing events and parties in magical locations from remote islands to vibing cities, VAOVA aims to blend traveler's experiences with high-end interactive and unique events and vibrant local cultures. They also specialize in personalized tours, local insider knowledge, highly-trained bilingual guides, exciting accommodation, and tours of all of the best activities — from must-see tourist hotspots to off-the-beaten-track excursions.

VAOVA also have COVID-19 policies in place, ensuring that your safety is the top priority. With symptom monitoring, event protocols, and on-hand medical assistance, they're sure to make you feel safe, secure, and give you that extra peace of mind.

Vaova is an amazing agency. It blew our expectations, and every single event was excellent. The artistic details, lively events, parties, tours, photographers, djs, guides, the whole crew...everything was carefully planned and executed to perfection. Can't recommend them enough, and words will never do it justice compared to the actual experience.

Read more
Juan Felipe Gers

Vaova did a truly outstanding job taking our +360 MBA friends to discover Colombia for a week. As a Colombian, I felt proud of showing such a beautiful face of my country to everyone else and I felt we were in the best possible hands to take care of even the slightest detail for each traveler. I would 100% recommend them to plan a wonderful trip full of surprises and expereniences!

Read more
Sergio Rojas

VAOVA was sensational for our trip to Colombia...we were so impressed in particular by JD and Maria and loved every moment of our travels to Medellin and Cartagena. Our trip was with a group of about 25 from YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and VAOVA did an outstanding job of "wowing" all of us with their high attention to detail, professionalism and personal touches. Everything about the was fantastic! They exceeded all expectations and the quality of the team members, the experiences, and the places and activities they selected was fantastic. Highly recommend VAOVA for an amazing trip to Colombia!

Read more
Gary Weinhouse
コロンビア>Experience Cartagena with Jowan

Are you someone who enjoys working hard and playing just as hard? If so, come along on a 6-day getaway to Cartagena, Colombia that will hone your health and wellness practice, along with showing you the city’s famous sites and gastronomic delights. Jowan will help you strengthen your fitness journey, all while partaking in the local culture. Enjoy a Caribbean cooking class, guided city tour, Rosario Islands cruise, and sunset kayaking adventure. With free time to explore and group dinners at some of the hottest spots in town, you’ll leave Cartagena motivated to continue your movement routine, longing for your next adventure. Book now, and start planning an epic journey to Colombia’s beating heart.

お申込金について/キャンセルポリシー

Refunds after booking your trip
Cancellations up to 60 days prior to the start of the trip will receive a refund minus the nonrefundable deposit. No refunds will be issued after 60 days prior to the start of the trip.

Trip cancellation due to COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19 (only PCR tests accepted) with less than 7 days from the start of your trip, you are eligible for a full refund (excluding service fee).

No refunds will be issued if the COVID-19 diagnosis is positive during or after the trip.

Trip cancellation due to force majeure.
In case the trip is canceled due to force majeure (natural disaster, pandemic, strikes, or curfew), a mandatory lockdown, or a border closure in Colombia or the United States due to COVID-19, you will receive a full refund (no service fee kept). In case of an event considered as force majeure after the trip has begun, which compromises the execution of the activities proposed in the itinerary, we will issue a full refund for the room nights and the activities that could not take place.

Your TourHero

Your TourHero
TOURHERO
Jowan
BIO
Hello, my name is Jowan (Jo-Ann). As a former athlete, I had the opportunity to travel and experience parts of the world through sport from a young age. These were some amazing and unique opportunities, but I wasn’t truly afforded the time to experience the cultures and people around me. These snippets of exposure only fueled my wanderlust for travel as I got older. The passion I had for movement lead me to take a leap of faith in 2012 to move to New York and become a personal trainer. Living amongst and working with so many people from around the world, I have found myself craving to indulge in as many cultures as I possibly can. In the many conversations with my clients about travel I have found that when they go on vacation, they either never leave the resort or they are doing all of the things and come back exhausted. Over the past few years I have wanted to create intentional experiences when traveling that blends access to personalized movement, local foods, culture and the right amount of rest so that your vacation is an extension of your life and not a vacation from it. Travel with me? E-mail: jowan.ortega@gmail.com

Duration

5 泊 · 6日

Travel Date

Jan 12 - 17, 2023

Activity Level

Low to Moderate

Group Size

8 - 12

Transportation

Van, boat

コロンビア>Experience Cartagena with Jowan

Are you someone who enjoys working hard and playing just as hard? If so, come along on a 6-day getaway to Cartagena, Colombia that will hone your health and wellness practice, along with showing you the city’s famous sites and gastronomic delights. Jowan will help you strengthen your fitness journey, all while partaking in the local culture. Enjoy a Caribbean cooking class, guided city tour, Rosario Islands cruise, and sunset kayaking adventure. With free time to explore and group dinners at some of the hottest spots in town, you’ll leave Cartagena motivated to continue your movement routine, longing for your next adventure. Book now, and start planning an epic journey to Colombia’s beating heart.

Timeline

  • 1 日目・Jan 12 - Cartagena
  • Arrive in Cartagena
  • Transfer from airport to accommodation
  • Check-in at Hotel Bantu by Faranda Boutique
  • Free time
  • Transfer to restaurant
  • (20:00 - 22:00) Dinner at Juan del Mar
  • Return to hotel
  • 2 日目・Jan 13- Cartagena
  • Optional 1:1 Session w/ Jowan or personal time
  • Breakfast
  • Optional 1:1 session w/ Jowan or personal time
  • (13:00 - 14:00) Lunch
  • Free time
  • (16:00 - 18:00) Walled city, Gestemaní, and San Felipe tour
  • (18:00 - 21:00) Caribbean cooking experience (dinner included)
  • Return to hotel
  • 3 日目・Jan 14 - Cartagena
  • Group fitness session
  • Breakfast
  • Transfer to port
  • (10:00 - 17:00) Rosario Island hopping excursion (lunch included)
  • Return to hotel
  • Free time
  • Transfer to restaurant
  • (20:00 - 22:00) Dinner at Casa Cruxada
  • Return to hotel
  • 4 日目・Jan 15 - Cartagena
  • Optional 1:1 Session w/ Jowan or personal time
  • Breakfast
  • Optional 1:1 session w/ Jowan or personal time
  • (13:00 - 14:00) Lunch
  • Free time
  • Transfer to beach
  • (16:00 - 18:30) Kayak at sunset
  • Return to hotel
  • Free time
  • Transfer to restaurant
  • (20:00 - 22:00) Dinner
  • Return to hotel
  • 5 日目・Jan 16 - Cartagena
  • Breakfast
  • (10:00 - 17:00) A Day in San Basilio de Palenque (lunch included)
  • Return to hotel
  • Free time
  • Transfer to restaurant
  • (20:00 - 22:00) Dinner
  • Return to hotel
  • 6 日目・Jan 17 - Departure
  • Breakfast and check out of accommodation
  • Transfer from accommodation to airport
  • Journey ends

Details

1日目

Welcome to Cartagena, Colombia – your fitness getaway starts now!

Cartagena welcomes you with open arms! This city has been crowned as the indisputable queen of the Caribbean, and considering it’s where architectural and urban heritage mingle like no other place in the world, with the vibes of African legacy and indigenous remnants, it’s a well-deserved title! The Old Town, one of the best-preserved in the region, showcases a series of remarkable works of colonial architecture that accommodate, among other things, bars and restaurants which offer exquisite gastronomic experiences. Therefore, it's not surprising that the city has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Upon arrival, we’ll take our transfer from the airport to the hotel and have ample time to get settled. Explore the city, rest from your travels, and breathe in the new start that’s coming your way.

At 8:00 pm, you’ll meet up with the group at Juan del Mar. Located in the San Diego Plaza, the heart of the walled-city, Juan del Mar is a local favorite. Enjoy a menu that blends together the taste of Caribbean cuisine with the roots of Mediterranean gastronomy. From starters to dessert and unlimited wine, you’ll have everything you need for the perfect evening to get to know your group and kick this trip off right!

2日目

Start the day with your choice of personalized 1:1 session or some free time before a guided city tour and hands-on cooking class

Rise and shine! It’s our first full day in Cartagena and you have a choice of how you want to start your day. You can get your blood pumping with a personalized 1:1 session with Jowan or have a leisurely start to your day before indulging in a delicious breakfast spread at the hotel. From here, you’ll have ample free time explore the city at your own pace with more time for a 1:1 with Jowan.

At 4:00 pm, we’ll meet back up with the group and see all the major sites on a guided city tour! Discover the stories, beauty, and culture of the iconic city of Cartagena with a tour through the historic center and its most popular streets, passing through the monumental stone walls and fortifications. Visit the colorful neighborhood of Getsemaní, where you’ll enjoy local fruits and beverages, and walk the tunnels and bastions of the renowned San Felipe Castle. Enjoy an inspiring tour where you'll learn about the colonial period, the influence of the city on the Afro-Colombian community, and why Cartagena is known as the 'jewel of the Caribbean'.

Discover the flavors of Caribbean cuisine during a hands-on cooking class

After our tour, we’ll come together with a local chef and uncover the secrets of authentic Caribbean cuisine. Enjoy a traditional drink, explore the fresh ingredients that you’ll use, and learn how to prepare a four-course menu that’ll delight your palate and surprise your guests when you cook for them at home. This is an experience for foodies and lovers of Colombian traditional cuisine. The best part? We’ll get to indulge in all the food we prepare!

3日目

Island hop in style on a full-day Rosario Islands cruise before dinner at Casa Cruxada

Start the day in the gym with your group and refuel with a delicious breakfast spread to prepare you for an incredible adventure ahead. You’ll spend the entire day on the water while you cruise around the pristine Rosario Islands! Feel the thrill of the sea and don't be afraid to jump from the boat! Enjoy the best gastronomic flavors of the Colombian coast during a traditional lunch, and loosen up to the Caribbean vibes. Get ready for an afternoon on the beach, sailing, and swimming in one of Colombia's most idyllic archipelagos.

Once you return to the hotel, you’ll have some free time to freshen up before a dinner in town. Spend a great night at Casa Cruxada, a complex and rich nightclub with different environments to choose from. Start with a three-course dinner at Ocasus, a restaurant with a wood-fired oven, grill, and tiki bar. After dining on an exclusive patio and enjoying Caribbean music, go up to the second floor to find Osteria Alta, an electronic music nightclub where you can have an unforgettable party with one of the best electronic DJs in the city. Dance until the sun comes up!

4日目

Spend the morning getting in a 1:1 session or exploring before we kayak into the sunset and enjoy a great meal

We have a stellar schedule for you to enjoy today! Start the day focused on fitness with an opportunity to get in a 1:1 session with Jowan. With ample free time to explore, you can grab a bite to eat at a local cafe for lunch and pick up souvenirs for your loved ones back home.

At 4:00 pm, we’ll reconnect with the group and enjoy a unique kayaking adventure by paddling in the idyllic waters of Cartagena. As the refreshing sea splashes from all directions, admire the incredible landscape embellished by the island of Tierra Bomba, which you'll see from the beaches of Castillo Grande. After basking in the Caribbean warmth, return just in time to experience an unforgettable sunset aboard your kayak.

We’ll return to the hotel to freshen up then head back out for a delicious dinner.

5日目

Take a day trip to San Basilio de Palenque to learn about history and culture

It's our last full day of the trip, so we're going to live it up one more time in celebration of our adventures. For today, we've got a day trip planned to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in South America. As you may have guessed, there's an immense amount of history to explore here. Stroll through the city streets and simply enjoy learning about the music, traditions, and culture that makes San Basilio de Palenque so unique. We'll also grab lunch while there, giving us a chance to sample the amazing local cuisine. Afterwards, we'll head back to the hotel and head to a farewell dinner. Here, we can reflect on a great trip together and align our health and wellness goals for the return trip home. Grab a drink and toast to a successful fitness retreat with new friends and new experiences!

6日目

It’s time to head home – say goodbye to Colombia and new friends

It’s been a stellar five days in Cartagena, but unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast, pack up and take your transfer to the airport to catch your flight. We hope you had an unforgettable experience and wish you luck on your health and wellness journey.

Accommodation

  • Hotel Bantu by Faranda Boutique

    Nestled in the historic city center of Cartagena, Hotel Bantu by Faranda Boutique pairs gorgeous 18th-century architecture with charming Latin design and decor. The upscale, Colonial-style hotel is located just 2 kilometers from the maze of tunnels of the San Felipe de Barajas Fortress. Chic guest rooms are warmly decorated and include Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minifridges. You'll find a vibrant restaurant offering Caribbean and Colombian cuisine, as well as a spa area with a sauna and a hot tub, an outdoor pool, and a bar. Room type: Single occupancy.

Included

  • 5 nights at Hotel Bantu by Faranda Boutique

  • Single occupancy in accommodation

  • Airport & activity transfers

  • Daily fitness classes & fitness coaching with Jowan

  • All breakfasts

  • Dinner at Juan del Mar

  • Walled city, Gestemaní, and San Felipe tour (guide, entrance fee & fruit tasting included)

  • Day trip to San Basilio de Palenque (lunch included)

  • Rosario Islands day cruise (lunch included)

  • Lunch on day 2 and day 4

  • Dinner at Casa Cruxada (starters, main course, dessert, and unlimited wine included)

  • Day 5 dinner

  • Sunset kayaking excursion

  • Farewell dinner

  • Bilingual guide

  • Medical insurance

  • VAOVA welcome & departure kits

Not included

  • Flights

  • All food not mentioned in inclusions

  • Personal expenses not stipulated

  • Optional add-ons

  • Gratuities

FAQ

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

Please check the on this itinerary page for specific details.

Will TourHero or the operator take care of my visa (if applicable)?

Travelers are responsible for researching visa requirements and obtaining a visa if needed. Please check government websites to ensure you have the necessary documents, along with passport requirements, before your departure date. This includes necessary transit visas, permits, and vaccinations required prior to travel and any required reciprocity fees for the destination. TourHero will provide a booking confirmation document after purchase, which may be needed to obtain a visa.

If your visa is denied for any reason, TourHero will issue a refund based on the cancellation policy. However, we are unable to provide a refund after the cancellation due date has passed.

Do I need a passport for this trip?

A full and valid passport is required for all persons traveling to any destination outside of one’s home country. Most international tours require a passport that's valid for at least six (6) months beyond the scheduled end of your itinerary. TourHero will not issue refunds based on passport issues such as renewals or lost passports.

What's included in the price?

Please check the inclusion and exclusion sections above. You'll find information about included meals, transfers, flights, and activities. If you have any questions or need support, please contact hello@tourhero.com.

Available add-on

An extra day of fun in Colombia!

This add-on covers the price difference for an extra day of fun in Colombia including lunch, dinner, and a day trip to San Basilio de Palenque. Jowan is the best.

Price: USD 1,225

Sold out

Add-on: An extra day of fun in Colombia!

お申込金について/キャンセルポリシー

Refunds after booking your trip
Cancellations up to 60 days prior to the start of the trip will receive a refund minus the nonrefundable deposit. No refunds will be issued after 60 days prior to the start of the trip.

Trip cancellation due to COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19 (only PCR tests accepted) with less than 7 days from the start of your trip, you are eligible for a full refund (excluding service fee).

No refunds will be issued if the COVID-19 diagnosis is positive during or after the trip.

Trip cancellation due to force majeure.
In case the trip is canceled due to force majeure (natural disaster, pandemic, strikes, or curfew), a mandatory lockdown, or a border closure in Colombia or the United States due to COVID-19, you will receive a full refund (no service fee kept). In case of an event considered as force majeure after the trip has begun, which compromises the execution of the activities proposed in the itinerary, we will issue a full refund for the room nights and the activities that could not take place.

USD 2,500
Per person