• Home -
  • Highlights of Colombia – 14 Days
  • (#18581)
Overview

This tour includes Bogotá, the Coffee Region, Cartagena, and a more urban touch with Medellín. The circuit concludes at Mucurá Island, where clients can enjoy white beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Detailed Itinerary

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Bogotá! Located at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) in the Andes, it is the cultural, economic, and political center of Colombia. With 8 million of inhabitants, Bogotá is a dynamic and modern metropole with numerous attractions, cultural events, and a thriving nightlife. The historic district can be found at La Candelaria, a pleasant quarter of cafés, churches, and museums.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Deco 2* or similar

Meal: No Meal

After breakfast at your hotel, you will have a whole day to explore some of the most attractive places of Bogotá.

Visit Bogotá’s largest food market: Paloquemao! This typical market serves as the supplier for most of the city's best restaurants, being a real labyrinth of odors and flavors.

Continue exploring La Candelaria, the heart of the historical center and first neighborhood of the city. This is a lovely historic quarter full of churches, renowned museums, and cafés.

In the afternoon, visit the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays) to see the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects. Next stop is the Botero Museum (closed on Tuesdays) where, paintings and sculptures of Colombia's most celebrated artist are exhibited with a private collection of Picasso and Braque.

Optional: Graffiti workshop with a local artist. Share his passion and do your own graffiti to take away!

Optional: Empanadas workshop. Make a typical Colombian dish accompanied by a young Colombian chef (closed on weekends and holidays).

Hotel: Hotel Casa Deco 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to Villa de Leyva.

On the way, stop at the famous Nemocon salt mine, a place that will amaze you with its authenticity and its 80 meters tunnels under the ground. Its main attraction are the 28 brine mirrors in the dissolved salt rocks that produce a stunning visual effect. You will cross the huge galleries to discover the salt waterfall, stalactites, and salt stalagmites, as well as a chapel carved into the rock.

Arrival at Villa de Leyva. You will explore the colonial village by taking a guided walking tour through the magnificent colonial buildings and its whitewashed walls, and cobblestone streets. Then discover the majestic Plaza Mayor (the largest in the country), its cafes and craft shops. To end the day, play “tejo”, a surprising traditional Colombian game!

Hotel: Hotel Casa Terra 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

This morning, go to the Monasterio Ecce Homo to broaden your knowledge of the evangelization of the indigenous people.

On your way, take part in a pottery workshop, a regional speciality. You take advantage of being close to the village of Raquira to discover pieces of handicrafts inside these colorful houses.

You will then be welcomed in Tinjaca, in the workshop of Don Cesar, a specialist in the carving of the tagua seed, the "vegetable ivory" of the country.

End the day with a last stop at the El Fosil Museum. A few tens of thousands of years ago, the entire region was covered by the sea, which explains the presence of fossils such as the Kronosaurus, the largest marine reptile, which can be found in this museum.

Alternative: (without Monasterio Ecce homo) Walk on the ancestral path Pinturas Rupestres de Sáchica which invites you to walk between the valley and the rocky shelter. The route is punctuated by the sound of the river for a few kilometers, this harmonious and relaxing route leads to a beautiful archaeological site of pre-Columbian art with hundreds of symbols. (Easy walking) – no extra charge.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Terra 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Bogotá airport in the morning.

Flight Bogotá – Pereira with connection in Bogotá.

Transfer and installation to your hotel.

The Coffee Region is very attractive for its historic and colonial cities, farms, coffee plantations, beautiful nature reserves and for the beauty of its landscapes.

Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Combia 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Today, you will discover the Cocora Valley. First, take a beautiful walk along the Quindío River that will allow you to discover the cloudy rainforest and admire the wax palms, the Colombian national tree, impressive by its height that can reach 70 meters.

Head to the village of Salento to enjoy its colonial architecture with its colorful balconies. Continue with the small village of Filandia known for its colorful houses and its square surrounded by coffee shops.

Optional: Hop on a Jeep Willys to go to the Cocora Valley (private or shared). The Jeep Willys were imported to Colombia after the war to allow farmers to get around in this mountainous region. It still occupies this function but is also used as a tourist way of transportation.

Optional: Visit a private natural reserve. Plant your own « Palma de Cera » and contribute to preserve this unique panorama. You can also horseback ride in the reserve.

Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Combia 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer in the morning from your hotel to a traditional coffee plantation.

You will receive a warm welcome in this family business in the heart of the beautiful landscape and discover the history but also the whole process of coffee. You will have the chance to plant your own tree and enjoy a good cup of this product that gave its name to the region.

Enjoy lunch with the family!

Flight Pereira – Medellín.

Note: Includes 15kg of checked luggage, extra charge of to be paid on site.

Optional: Evening out, visit traditional taverns. The "Fondas" are bars with Colombian decoration and atmosphere. Local music, objects of all kinds, religious symbols, you can find all these details to slip into the skin of the "Paisa". Visit several local places and enjoy some food and drinks while being carried away by the traditional music.

Hotel: Hotel Dix 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Start the day with a guided tour of Medellín, the city of “eternal spring”. Fascinating for its modernism and its own identity, you will walk through the city center, the Plaza Botero, where are gathered some statues of the famous Colombian artist, the Parque Bolívar, Plaza de Luces and climb aboard the Metro Cable to admire a magnificent panorama of the whole city.

After lunch, reach the well know Comuna 13. Accompanied by a local guide, you will discover a district of Medellín formerly theater of civil war and drug traffic in the 80-90´s.

Today, the inhabitants and the new generation of the Comuna are moving forward and want to leave these years behind. Walk through the colorful and vibrant streets of the neighborhood. New initiatives are regularly created to offer new alternatives to young people in the neighborhood. During the visit, taste a homemade ice cream and finish with a graffiti workshop with your guide.

Hotel: Hotel Dix 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Departure in the morning from your hotel in Medellín towards Peñol. If you wish, you can climb the 649 steps of the impressive Peñol Rock (entrance not included) and enjoy a breathtaking view of the water dam that surrounds you.

Then, continue to Guatapé and walk in the charming village, discovering the art of “zocalos” that decorate the houses. Enjoy the small and traditional streets of the village like “La Calle de los enamorados” (Lovers street).

After the visit, you will be transferred to Medellín airport for your flight to Cartagena.

Flight Medellín – Cartagena.

Transfer to your new accommodation.

Hotel: Hotel Alfiz 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Go back in time and relive some of the highlights of the city´s history with a walking tour. Cartagena has suffered repeated attacks from pirates, like the notably Captain Francis Drake. Discover the church and the monastery San Pedro Claver, the Cathedral also called Minor Basilica and the colonial houses which border the alleys of the historical center. End the visit with a homemade ice cream.

Free afternoon.

Optional: Visit the Boquilla community. A fishing village of Afro-Colombian culture located 20 minutes away from Cartagena on the beach and surrounded by mangroves. After visiting the community, observe different types of native and migratory birds aboard a local boat through the mangroves.

Optional: Visit the Popa convent and San Felipe fort, a masterpiece of military architecture, erected in 1536 to defend the city of many pirates and corsairs. The convent of Popa offers a panoramic view of the city and its many popular neighborhoods.

Hotel: Hotel Alfiz 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Cartagena harbor in the morning. Embark for the Mucura Island by boat.

Arrival and installation at the Punta Faro hotel. With its crystal-clear water and white sand beaches, you are in a true Eden of the Caribbean coast. The traditional charm and the standing of the facilities, the quality of service and the friendliness of the staff makes it the ideal place to relax and disconnect from the world.

Enjoy the beach or other optional activities on-site: snorkeling, kayaking, diving, visit a nearby island or ecological walks.

Hotel: Hotel Punta Faro 3*

Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy the beach or other optional activities on-site: snorkeling, kayaking, diving, visit a nearby island or ecological walks.

Hotel: Hotel Punta Faro 3*

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer from Mucura Island to Cartagena by boat.

Free afternoon to explore Cartagena on your own or join an optional activity (contact us).

Optional: Join a private or group salsa class. (1h, water included).

Optional: Sunset cruise in the bay of Cartagena by collective boat (semi-public yacht with open bar: cocktails, lemonade, soda, water (from Wednesday to Sunday only).

Hotel: Hotel Alfiz 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Optional: visit the Bazurto Market (from Monday to Saturday).

During this culinary journey, you will be visiting the colorful, authentic, and hectic alleyways of the market to discover the gastronomic and cultural tradition of the city. Enjoy breakfast with your guide at a restaurant in Getsemani.

You will be transferred to the airport.

Hasta luego!

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions
  • English-speaking support on arrival at Bogotá airport.
  • Accommodations in the hotels mentioned (or similar).
  • The meals mentioned in the program.
  • The visits and excursions mentioned in the program with an English/Spanish speaking guide are subject to availability.
  • The private ground transfers mentioned in the program with a Spanish-speaking driver (unless otherwise specified in the program).
  • Domestic flights mentioned in the program (prices estimated to date and subject to change).
  • 24 hours assistance during the trip – English-speaking telephone hotline.
Exclusions
  • International flights.
  • Optional activities.
  • Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Additional luggage on domestic flights.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Assistance and repatriation insurance.
  • Voluntary tips for guides or drivers.
  • Anything not mentioned in "THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES".
Notes
  • The organization and the course of the excursions are given as an indication and can vary according to the conditions of the moment.
  • The flight schedules are given for information only. The final schedules are subject to existing flights available at the time of the program.
  • The prices of the domestic flights mentioned in the program are estimates at this time and are subject to change.
  • The ground transfers mentioned in the program are organized with a Spanish-speaking driver.
  • Our proposal does not include assistance insurance. For more information do not hesitate to ask us.
  • Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.                 
  • IMPORTANT: Local imperatives: transportation delays, seasons, holidays, and public holidays, opening of museums, restaurants or sites visited, local weather conditions... may lead us to modify the itinerary on site.

Optional visits:

  • Graffiti workshop with a local artist
  • Empanadas workshop
  • Jeep Willys in the Cocora Valley
  • Evening out, visit traditional taverns
  • Visit the Boquilla community
  • Visit La Popa Convent and the San Felipe Fort
  • Sunset in Cartagena (on collective boat)                             
  • Salsa class in Cartagena (private or collective)

*Domestic flights (estimated prices to be confirmed at moment of purchase).

Rates not valid for the following periods: Holy Week; Bank holidays, high season (July, August), end of year (December, January) and Christmas. Please ask for a specific quote for requests concerning these dates.

Our quote is based on Standard category of hotels, rates for Superior category of hotels are available on request.

Program Touring / Guide

Private touring

Trip Highlights

Bogotá-Villa de Leyva-Medellín-Cartagena–Mucura Island-Cartagena

Periodic Departure
01 Feb, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

2-3 pax
AUD 6,577 P P twin share
AUD 8,349 P P single
AVAILABLE

4-5 pax
AUD 5,543 P P twin share
AUD 7,315 P P single
AVAILABLE

6 plus
AUD 5,172 P P twin share
AUD 6,945 P P single
AVAILABLE

Download PDF
Share
×

Upload Document

X
?