Colombia to Guatemala by Vintage Aircraft: The Ultimate Luxury Expedition

By Franco Interian

Published August 23, 2026 · 5:48 PM ET

There are vacations. There are adventures. And then there’s boarding a 1940s-era aircraft and flying across Latin America like you’ve somehow landed inside the opening sequence of an adventure movie.

White Desert’s Dr. Jones concept is built around precisely that fantasy. Its new Colombia–Guatemala expedition connects remote landscapes aboard a completely refurbished aircraft based on the classic DC-3 airframe, configured for only 12 guests and capable of operating from airfields conventional luxury aircraft cannot easily use.

The airplane is the itinerary.

And unlike the earlier shorthand description, we now have an important detail: the Colombia–Guatemala journey launches in 2027, not 2026.

Stop One: Medellín

The journey begins with Colombia’s great urban transformation story before heading somewhere completely different.

Stop Two: San Agustín

Fly into Colombia’s Andean interior to explore the archaeological landscapes around San Agustín, famous for monumental pre-Columbian statues and burial sites.

Stop Three: La Macarena

Then comes one of Colombia’s strangest natural phenomena. Caño Cristales, often nicknamed the River of Five Colors, becomes famous seasonally for extraordinary aquatic coloration.

It’s the kind of destination that demonstrates exactly why the aircraft matters: the itinerary isn’t following normal commercial aviation patterns.

Stop Four: The Llanos

Swap jungle for vast savanna and experience Colombia’s llanero cowboy culture. Horses become more appropriate transportation than luxury SUVs.

Stop Five: Providencia

Then the landscape changes again. The remote Caribbean island of Providencia introduces reefs, Afro-Caribbean culture and water-based adventure.

In the space of days, travelers have gone from Andean archaeology to jungle rivers to savanna to Caribbean reef.

Stop Six: Guatemala’s Maya World

The expedition continues north into Guatemala and the Petén region. One highlight is Uaxactún, where Maya ruins emerge from the rainforest far beyond the conventional city-tour experience.

Finale: Antigua and Pacaya

Finish amid Antigua’s architecture and Guatemala’s volcanic landscape, with the itinerary incorporating experiences around Pacaya.

But the Aircraft Is the Real Star

Dr. Jones says its aircraft is a Basler BT-67, a heavily modernized aircraft derived from the DC-3, with contemporary systems and a refurbished luxury interior.

That distinction matters. You’re getting the romance of vintage aviation without pretending the airplane hasn’t evolved since the 1940s.

Current official pricing for Colombia–Guatemala starts at approximately $49,500 per person, with multiple 2027 departures published.

Dorian Destinations Take

This is the perfect example of a new definition of ultra-luxury travel. The expensive part isn’t the leather seat. It’s access.

Instead of designing the trip around airports, the aircraft has been selected to design aviation around the adventure. That means a traveler can experience archaeology, jungle, savanna, reef and volcano in a single coherent expedition without spending half the vacation backtracking through commercial hubs.

And that’s why this may be one of the most interesting luxury itineraries we’ve seen announced for 2027. It’s not simply transportation. The airplane is the itinerary.

Best For: Ultra-luxury adventure travelers and aviation enthusiasts
Length: 13 days
Group Size: 12 guests
Published Starting Price: $49,500 per person
Launch: 2027
Dorian Destinations Rating: ★★★★★ / Dorian Destinations Bucket-List Pick