2 Days
Trek Duration
8 max
Group Size
4.9/5
Traveler Rating
100%
Passionate Guides
Where the Sierra Nevada Meets the Sky
At 3,100 metres above sea level, Cerro Kennedy rises above the clouds of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — the world’s highest coastal mountain range. In just two days, you will trek through coffee farms and cloud forest to a summit where the snow-capped peaks of Cristóbal Colón and Simón Bolívar stand on the horizon, and the entire Caribbean coast unfolds below.
This is not just a hike. It is a night of stargazing at 2,450 metres with the Milky Way blazing overhead, a sunrise that simultaneously reveals glaciers and the Caribbean Sea, and a genuine encounter with the mountain farming communities who have called the Sierra Nevada home for generations.
Wild Sierra Nevada
The world's highest coastal mountain, untouched and preserved.
Fair Trek
Not an agency — a collective that celebrates our heritage and directly benefits Sierra families.
Total Immersion
Three days off-grid, around the fire, under Kogi stars.
Who are we?
Ancestral Hike is a collective of local and international guides passionate about the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and its history. We are not a conventional travel agency — we are residents who open the doors of our territory, our culture and our Tayrona ancestral traditions to you.
By choosing Ancestral Hike, you directly fund local families and contribute to the preservation of this unique cultural heritage. Every trek is an authentic encounter, never a performance.
“Follow in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors”
Two days. 3,100 metres. One unforgettable sunrise.
The Day-by-Day Program
Pick-up from Santa Marta at 7:00 AM. Drive up into the mountains to Minca, the village at the gateway of the Sierra Nevada.
The trek starts here, on a special hiking trail away from the main track — a quiet route that climbs steadily through coffee and cacao farms and into the cloud forest: moss-draped trees, hummingbirds, toucans, the mountain rising all around you.
Lunch break mid-trail. Continue climbing through the afternoon as the air cools and the vegetation changes with every hundred metres of altitude.
Arrive at the camp near the peak in the late afternoon, at around 2,450 m. Traditional dinner around the fire, then an early night — on a clear evening the Milky Way blazes overhead. Tomorrow you leave before sunrise for the summit.
🕖 Pickup 7:00 AM · 🥾 ~4–5 h hiking · 🍽 Meals: lunch + dinner included
Early breakfast at camp before the final ascent. At 5:45 AM, a short 1 km sunrise trek to a viewpoint overlooking the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
At 7:00 AM, breakfast — then the final push to the summit of Cerro Kennedy (3,100 m). At the top, one of the most spectacular panoramas in Colombia: Palomino beach glittering to the east, the vast Ciénaga Grande to the west, the city of Santa Marta below, and the glacier-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada rising behind you.
Descent begins at 8:45 AM with a snack break on the way down. Lunch at Vista Nieve at 1:20 PM.
2:30 PM: Your transport vehicle picks you up for the return journey to Santa Marta.
~5:00 PM: Arrival in Santa Marta.
🏔 Summit Cerro Kennedy · 🥾 ~4–5 h hiking · 🚐 Transport back to Santa Marta · 🏠 Back in Santa Marta ~5 PM
What's Included
✅ Included
Round-trip transport (Santa Marta – La Tagua – Santa Marta)
Bilingual local guide (born and raised in the Sierra Nevada)
1 night accommodation at Mountain Hostel La Sierra (comfortable bed)
All meals and snacks (Day 1: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Day 2: breakfast, lunch)
Medical assistance insurance
Cultural encounters with local mountain farming families
❌ Not Included
International flights
Travel insurance
Personal expenses and tips
Personal hiking equipment (boots, backpack, etc.)
Any services not listed above
Why Choose Ancestral Hike?
What Our Travelers Say
★★★★★
"We started hiking in the dark and reached the summit just as the sun broke over the snow-capped peaks. Seeing the glaciers and the Caribbean Sea at the same moment is something I will carry with me forever. The perfect 2-day adventure."
— Sophie & Théo, France
★★★★★
"The stargazing alone was worth the trip. At 2,450 metres, the Milky Way is so clear it takes your breath away. Add the sunrise and the encounters with mountain farmers and you have something truly special."
— Marcus L., Germany
★★★★★
"I thought two days would not be enough for a real mountain experience. I was completely wrong. Cerro Kennedy exceeded every expectation. The guide was outstanding."
— Emma R., Netherlands
★★★★★
"The local families we met along the trail were the highlight for me. Their knowledge of the land, the plants, the history — it made every step of the trek feel alive. A beautifully organised experience."
— Julien B., France
★★★★★
"Physically challenging but absolutely manageable if you are reasonably fit. The views from the summit are among the best I have ever seen anywhere in the world. Book it without hesitation."
— Sarah K., United Kingdom
★★★★★
"Everything was seamless from pickup to drop-off. The hostel at La Sierra was warm and cosy, the food was delicious, and the guide made the whole trek fascinating and safe."
— Carlos M., Spain
Ready to Go? Book Now
Limited spots — Groups of 8 people maximum
Date and Number of Participants
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential: good hiking shoes, warm layer for the night (4–8°C at altitude), lightweight breathable clothing for the day, waterproof jacket, sun protection, insect repellent, reusable water bottle, headlamp. All meals and accommodation are provided.
The Cerro Kennedy trek is rated moderate to high. You will cover approximately 20–22 km over 2 days with a significant elevation gain of around 1,500 m on Day 1. Participants should be in good physical condition. Previous hiking experience is recommended.
Temperatures vary with altitude. At the trailhead (~1,000 m): 25–28°C. At Mountain Hostel La Sierra (2,450 m): nights drop to 4–8°C. At the summit (3,100 m): it can be close to 0°C in the early morning. Bring a warm layer for the night and summit.
We recommend this trek for participants aged 14 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should have previous hiking experience. Please contact us if you have any questions about suitability.
Ready for the Adventure?
Join the next group departure. Maximum 8 participants.
