Kidnapped backpackers trek to freedom in Colombia

After three months in captivity, four Israelis and a Briton have begun their final journey to freedom in the jungle-covered mountains of northern Colombia.

The five kidnapped backpackers were heading yesterday to an undisclosed location in the Sierra Nevada mountains where they are expected to be released by their rebel captors this week, said Cesar Velasquez, a member of the commission that has been negotiating the hostages' release.

The hostages left their latest base camp in the last few days and are expected to arrive at the meeting spot by today, where commission members are to receive them.

Rebels from the National Liberation Army, or ELN, said last week they would release the five hostages before the end of the year.