The Howling Trail Hike
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore with us on a nice hike, the Tropical Dry Forest, just 1 hour away from Cartagena.
Discover this amazing ecosystem with incredible species that were able to adapt to the no rain season. Within the fauna, there is a charismatic monkey, the Cotton Top Tamarin, a squirreled – size primate that takes the first place as one of Colombia’s most appealing endemic mammals.
Through this unique off-the-beaten-path trip will make you enjoy the flora and fauna of this forest while you´re learning of it, having fun and exercising yourself.
With a maximum of 8 people in the group expect a warm, friendly and personal atmosphere that will make you feel you´re with a close friend who has a great travel experience to share with you
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Min age (10)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Cartagena
At 6:00 a.m. we drive out of Cartagena towards the Bolivar´s department, in this area, We hike to discover the flora, the fauna of this region. At 12:00 p.m. approx., we have a typical lunch from the area. At 1:00 p.m. approx. we leave the region. Approximate Driving Time: 2,0 hours. Approximate Hiking Time: 3,5 hours.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
A liter and fruit juice for the lunch
Breakfast is Scrambled Eggs, Arepas and Coffee or hot Chocolate
Traditional meal (Fish, Chicken or Beef)
Trip leader and Local guides
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
The Howling Trail Hike
Pickup included
Reviews
181 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
So much more than a hike!
Karen D,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic experience. It is so much more than a hike! We started with an on time pick up at our Airbnb in Getsemani and lovely drive to a traditional Colombian breakfast (eggs, alepas). What an amazing idea to share Colombian culture and food as part of the tour! We then continued on to the hike, where we saw red howler monkeys and cotton top tamarinds. So. Many. Monkeys! We also were lucky to see a sloth. Olinto also points out different medicinal plants, different kinds of trees and birds. On our drive back, we stopped to have a wonderful traditional Colombian lunch (chicken or whole fish). The hike was hot - bring lots of water - and is about 6km, long enough in the heat with long pants and boots. Olinto was excellent at communicating before, during, and after the hike via WhatsApp. He also took some amazing photos and sent them to us at the end! It is more expensive than other day tour options from Cartagena but I think worth every penny, especially as it includes two full meals, information about the area, culture and food, a snack on the trail (fresh banana), rubber boots, a driver and car, and several guides to help spot monkeys/sloths and keep you safe. Olinto helps to support local people by including several in different parts of the tour. All in all, a perfect day.
Beautiful animals
Tutobum,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Magnificent experience with Oli who guided us we get to see many howler monkeys, titi monkeys, squirrels 🐿️ many, butterflies, a sloth 🦥 sleeping and a fantastic snake 🐍 Excellent occasion to immerse yourself in nature and its fauna 💕
Monkeys, tamarins and birds.
Jeffrey B,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Getting outside of the city for half a day to experience the dry forest was highlight of our visit. Olinto is an amazing guide and host. He was patient and kind with my overheating wife who needed several breaks. We got to see so many birds, cotton tops and howler monkeys. Very informative and educational also. The traditional meals on the way to and from were a treat also.
Howling monkey trail, Taroa adventures
CARINE MUYLDERMANS,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Howling monkey trail with Olinto and it was fantastic. Olinto is the best tourguide you can find in Cartagena. He knows a lot about fauna and flora, culture of Colombia and the geography and will give you an unforgetable day. We learned a lot, saw a lot of monkeys and had a delicious lunch! Don't hesitate, just book a tour with Olinto!
If you love nature, this hike is for you!
Bozenka P,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience touring the beautiful fauna and flora of the Colombia. It was so great to get away from the hustle and bustle of crazy city into the nature. Olinto was a great tourguide with a natural curiosity and knowledge of the secrets that Colombian treasures. We definitively recomend this hike for someone who loves nature!
A must-do in Cartagena to make your trip whole
Departure25956662739,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Olinto's howling trail tour was THE highlight of my wife's and my trip to the Cartagena area. The day-trip eco-tour was the perfect change of pace from every other day's hustle and bustle activities. Taroa Adventures is incredibly worthy of its solid 5-star rating. Our trip started with a 5:45 pick-up from our Airbnb. We then drove out of the city and got a delicious breakfast and an overview of our day. We then drove to our trail and learned about native plants, animals, trees, and local culture through the course of our day trip and 4-mile trek. We listened and saw monkeys. We were also encouraged to activate all of our senses throughout the trek. Olinto was respectful and catered to our wants and needs during the tour, and was able to modify the trip and educational moments based on our group's interests. After our hike, we packed up and headed back to where we got breakfast for an even better Lunch. We recommend the fish for lunch! We were back by 2 PM for a siesta and had plenty of time to experience the night in Cartagena. I truly feel that if you go to Cartagena and do not go on one of Olinto's tours, you will be missing out. The price was absolutely worth it once I considered everything that I got on the tour. On top of providing close toed wellington boots, you also get a big 1L water bottle. Big water drinkers should bring another just in case. Breakfast and lunch were both delicious and perfectly timed. Olinto also had numerous recommendations of activities and other places to visit during our trip to Cartagena! His english was perfect, and was able to communicate easily in both English and Spanish!
Enjoy a rare experience in the Dry Tropical Forest
michellecI3593UM,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an exceptional experience traveling to the dry tropical forest with our guide Olinto . Started in the early morning with breakfast and coffee for energy to enjoy a full day. Olinto has a true love and knowledge of this environment that he was more than happy to share with us. We saw and heard the sounds of the dry forest, including red howler monkeys, and rare cotton-top tamarin monkeys enjoying their natural space. It was a wonderful place to visit, see, understand, and learn. There is less than 10% of this Dry forest remaining to visit. We were happy we took the time…
Amazing hike near Cartagena
190nasht,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'm an avid hiker and was so happy that I found this hiking tour. I would have never guessed there would be such an amazing hike so close to Cartagena. Olinto, our guide, was brilliant, fun, and very professional. I learned a lot, saw a lot, and definitely would recommend this for those who love nature.
Great Hiking Experience
ReneeTraveler88,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great hiking experience with Taroa Adventures. Olinto, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the nature and wildlife. We even got to see two types of monkeys! Plus, some beautiful birds. Overall, it was a great day that I would highly recommend.
Monkeys and the jungle
Alexander G,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Howling Trail Hike, and it was a highlight of our trip to Cartagena. Olinto is such an amazing person, whom you meet once and instantly feel a connection with, like a close friend. He clearly loves his country and the place where he grew up. The hike itself was incredible and lasted 4 hours. We saw red howler monkeys and the rare cotton-top tamarins, which look like little rock stars from the 80s. Olinto told us there are only about 6000 of them left in the wild, and we saw around 10-20, which was amazing. Besides the monkeys, we saw and heard a beautiful laughing falcon, countless other birds and butterflies, all kinds of fruits and uniquely shaped trees growing in the wild, and some brain-shaped mushrooms, which even Olinto said he had never seen before. After finishing, we had lunch at El Pescao de Mi Casa Restaurante. You must try their coconut-sauce fish, just trust me. If I were you, I wouldn’t think twice about doing this experience.
From US$139.00
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