The Caribbean

Feb 2 - 11th, 2024

The rhythm and flow of the Colombian Caribbean

A musical journey through the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. Beginning and ending in the colorful historic city of Cartagena, we will explore the Caribbean coast, stopping at incredible beaches, ascending into the Sierra Nevada mountains, and connecting with the rich culture, food, nature, and music of Colombia. Ryan Tennis will be your host along with his trusty Colombian partner, Mauricio Romero, and with a cast of musicians and guides along the way, this isn’t just a trip - it’s a musical caravan! Join us this February for a magical journey you will never forget!

About the Trip

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Day By Day

C A R T A G E N A

Friday, Feb 2nd to Sunday, Feb 4th

Let the rhythm of the Caribbean welcome you to Colombia.

We'll arrive in the historic city of Cartagena on Friday and Saturday, and explore the colonial city center. On Saturday night we'll have a minifestival with performances by Colombian Bands (Cheo Jose and more) and Ryan Tennis and his group.

M I N C A

Sunday, Feb 4th to Tuesday, Feb 6th

La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Heart of the World

La Sierra Nevada mountain range has been inhabited for centuries by ancient indigenous tribes, and its mountains are bursting with biodiversity. We'll spend a couple of days surrounded by astonishing nature, music and lovely food. For early risers, we will offer a breathwork meditation overlooking the mountain jungle. In the evenings, you’ll get to enjoy some of the best sunsets in the world.

“Singing the Soul Awake” Workshop:

On Monday afternoon, Ryan Tennis will offer his workshop, “Singing the Soul Awake,” for any who would like to join.

Learn and sing together with voice-opening exercises followed by group singing to classic tunes from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Marley and more (with lyrics provided). Ryan Tennis will teach fundamentals of breathing for singing and invigorating vocal warm-ups, designed to unleash the full potential of our voices. Share the joy of singing in a low-pressure environment, and explore the harmonious connection between heart, breath, voice.

All levels welcome!

GUACHACA

Tuesday, Feb 6th to Thursday, Feb 8th

Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

We’ll stay at Bohemia Beach, a beautiful jungle beach hostel right on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. In the afternoon there’s an optional hike to Pozas Encantadas, a magical pool in the jungle. At night we’ll host open mic for trip participants and locals to share their musical or artistic talent. One morning we’ll offer an optional Yoga and Meditation class by CholesYoga, and there will be plenty of time to relax on the beach, play volleyball, or dance to latin music at one of the beach clubs nearby!

PALOMINO

Thursday Feb 8th to Saturday Feb 10th

Cumbia in the Caribbean

Enjoy yourself by the beach and the waters of the caribbean in this vibrant beach town. We’ll visit Casa del Sol, a traditional music school for local children, and learn the basics of Cumbia along with them. On Friday night we’ll have our last concert of the trip with a performance by a traditional bullerengue drum and dance cumbia group, as well as a show by Ryan Tennis and friends.

Cartagena

Saturday, Feb 10th to Sunday, Feb 11th

One more night in the Caribbean

We’ll return to Cartagena on a private bus and spend one more evening in this historic city before we say goodbye to Colombia. We’ll stay in the same place we arrived to, and on Sunday everyone will be shuttled to the airport in time for their flight (except for those who want to stay and keep traveling in Colombia - definitely not a bad choice!).

2 Notes About Activities:

Aside from traveling with the group from location to location, all activities are optional. If you ever feel like you need an afternoon off to just walk around, or relax, or whatever, go for it! Of course, we think you’ll have a lot more fun if you come along on most stuff!
While this is the outline, it’s possible that one or two activities will change between now and the time of the trip, due to changes with our partners or unforeseen circumstances. Don’t worry though, if we have to change an activity we’ll replace it with something equally fun!

Cost

One Bed in a shared room with other people on the trip, mostly separated by gender. The best thing about staying in a shared room is that you really get to know your fellow Sancochotrippers. It’s like a fast-track to new friends!
FYI, the rooms will all have safes available.
1.600 USD

Shared Room

A comfortable private room. The rooms will vary in size, some will include a bathroom and some will not, but all will be nice, comfortable spaces for you to have some alone time.
2.100 USD

Private Room for Couples

Private Room

A nice comfortable room with a double bed. Rooms will vary in size, some will have a private bathroom and some will not, but all will be a nice private space for you and your partner to relax and get some alone time. This price covers both of your journies.
3.600 USD

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: $100 per person for those who register before Oct. 8th.

FRIEND DISCOUNT: Sign up with a friend and save $50 each more.

(yes, you can use both discounts at the same time)

E A R L Y B I R D

Book my Spot (whatssap)

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All transportation once you arrive in Colombia, including airport pickup and dropoff.

3 Delicious Colombian meals a day
All group activities listed in the trip description above
Support with logistics, packing list, and preparation, including flight recommendations
Ryan Tennis’ “Singing the Soul Awake” voice workshop (it’s optional)
Entrance to two incredible multi-cultural concerts, curated by Ryan Tennis.
Yoga and Meditation class with Angelica Choles of CholesYoga (it’s optional)
Access to the wealth of cultural knowledge of our Colombian guides, especially our co-host, Mauricio Romero. Mauricio is an expert in Perma-Culture and Colombian herbology, and is a fountain of wisdom about Colombian history, music, and culture. He’s also one of the warmest, wisest, most genuinenly good hearted people I know (It’s Ryan writing here).

What is Included:

What is NOT Included:

Airfare is NOT include and must be purchased independently (but we can help advise you on which flights work best)
As of a google search in August ‘23, there’s a nice round-trip from Philly to Cartagena on Delta for the dates of the trip for $531 (but that will certainly change over the coming months).
Alcohol is NOT included, but drinks of all kinds are about half the price of what they’d cost in a typical bar in a US city
Any outside activities beyond what’s in the description, or private classes or lessons (but we can help connect you with a good, affordable Salsa or Spanish instructor if you’d like to get a lesson in your free time).
Any goods or gifts you would like to buy in Colombia

Im Ready to Book my Spot

“It was an absolutely unreal experience!

Seeing the world from that perspective, seeing things I’d only seen in pictures and videos, and then being there with people I just met a week ago who now feel like family.

-Joshua Steingard

Testimonials

To this day, it is my fondest travel memory.

The trip was the perfect combination of cultural exchange,

(the music! The food!) beautiful scenery (those mountains. OMG!)

fun activities (a hike, a music festival, a food tour…)

And, then, there’s the Colombians themselves. A warmer, more welcoming lovely group of people I can’t imagine. I felt like I was a guest not only of Ryan and Mauricio, but of all of Colombia. Everywhere we went, people greeted us warmly, delighted that we’d chosen to visit their beautiful country. Speaking of Mauricio. What a warm and generous soul. He was the perfect person to be our Colombian guide and host, and made sure that each of us had enough to eat and drink and was comfortable in every way.

-Carrie Borgenicht