As I prepare for my next trip to Colombia, I can’t help but think of the last time I visited the frontier town of Jurado in Colombia, close to the Panama border. It was June 2021, and I had visited the small town to begin building a network that would assist me in my plan for an expedition to cross the Darien Gap. I knew that if I was ever going to be successful, I needed a base of operation where I could reliably call upon contacts to help.
It had taken a long time to reach the town, firstly in a small 6-seater aeroplane that nearly rattled the teeth out of my head, and then two small boats, known locally as Lanchas. It was hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees.
I found myself in a local bar and struck up a conversation with a man I recognised from the boat that had finally brought me into Jurado. He regaled me with tales of his career as a captain of one of the two boats that ply the pacific coast from Bahia Solano. While he did tell me his name, I will not divulge it here for security reasons. Having visited and written about my trips to Colombia on several occasions, I have a Colombian readership. I will not put anyone at risk by naming names for reasons I’m about to explain.

Working with Battleface Insurance; Protection for the Most Dangerous of Journeys

As I prepare for my upcoming trip to Colombia, it is vital that I take all possible precautions. The risks of this journey are numerous including, but not limited to being detained, going missing, and getting injured.

However, I feel as comfortable as I can knowing that I am protected through Battleface Insurance. Their adventure travel and crisis response insurance policies give me peace of mind that whatever may happen while I’m there, they will have my back. In this article, I want to briefly outline the purpose of my trip, provide an in-depth description of how Battleface is keeping me protected, and let you know how you can follow my journey and support me, if you are interested in doing so.

Those of you who follow my blog will know how much I enjoy travelling to Colombia. The country has had my attention since I first hopped off the plane back in 2014 on just a short layover. Since then, I have been back 4 times…and I am not done with the country yet! In a few weeks’ time I will be hopping on a plane back to Colombia; I cannot think of a better place to start travelling again after COVID restrictions lift!

Making new friends and acquaintances on the road is one of my favourite things about being a solo traveller. I have not only explored all corners of the globe and travelled in the most unconventional ways, to the most amazing places, I’ve also met some of the nicest, kindest people out there. Travelling is not just about how many countries you visit, or how long you spend on a trip, it’s about the people you meet on the way.

Travelling from Jurado in Colombia to Jaque in Panama is a logistical nightmare and there is only one known way which is a trusted means by the authorities and now myself having experienced it first hand with a number of locals.

I landed in Bahia Solano with the intention of staying no more than a week and a point at where I could head further north into Jurado to begin my crossing into Panama. By any means, I could.

Colombias choco department is one of its least visited departments for a number of reasons historical and current. Although I have travelled to Colombia five times I have visited this region the most.

It is now 40 days until I set off on my 50 mile expedition of the Darien Gap and I wanted to share my feelings as the trip draws closer.
Dangers I will face my preparation I have taken part in.

In the last month, I have secured 4 new sponsorship and partners with organisations which are paramount to the success of the expedition to the darién gap In Colombia and Panama.

The equipment to take on a solo expedition lasting more than a week.