Colombia by Road

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day visit to the historic centre of Bogota known as La Candelaria. This archaic suburb has great significance in the country´s history due to its cultural heritage and is also a great example of Spanish colonial time architecture. Visit the main square Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great emancipator Simon Bolivar is located. The plaza, originally called the Plaza Mayor, was used for civil and military purposes such as a marketplace, a bullring and it was also the place where many executions were held. The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza, is constructed on the same spot where the first church was built in Bogotá in 1539 and houses an important collection of religious artifacts such as textiles and artworks, collection that has been built over four centuries. The Capilla del Sagrario is located just beside the Cathedral and is a gem of religious architecture, it houses valuable pieces of colonial religious art by Gregorio Vasquez de Arcey Ceballos.

The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows its renaissance and neoclassical influences with its carved stonework and tall columns and, it was the first example of republican civil architecture. The central area of the Capitol, known as the Elliptic Hall, is where congress meets and is the actual chamber for politicians and the Senate. In the internal squares are busts of former presidents such as General Tomás Cipriano Mosquera, president over four terms, and Rafael Núñez, the composer of the Colombian National Anthem. Around the Plaza de Bolivar are buildings such as the Palacio de Justicia, the Mayor of Bogotá’s offices called the Edificio Liévano, the oldest school in the county called San Bartolome and the Casa de los Comuneros, named after the leaders that participated towards the end of the XVII Century in some of the first movements towards independence from Spain and the formation of the Republic.

The visit continues with the Botero Museum, a colonial house exhibiting some of Fernando Botero´s works of art and in addition pieces from his own personal collection that includes works by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. Next is the Gold Museum which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics and textiles all precious to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Gold Museum is considered one of the most important museums of its type internationally and it has been operating since 1939. In 2007 it underwent a complete renovation making it possible for visitors to enjoy an interactive experience. The Museum belongs to the International Network of Museums (ICOM). Free afternoon for individual activities.
Overnight stay.

NOTE: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays & the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesday.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

In the morning, transfer to Dorado airport for flight to Neiva. Arrival at Neiva airport and immediate transfer to the north to visit the town of Villavieja and the Museo Palenteológico. Then, visit the Tatacoa Desert crossing crevasses eroded by wind and water. The trip continues 217km to the south over a paved road until San Agustín. This scenic journey allows enjoying views of the extensive floodplains of the Magdalena River valley from 700masl all the way up to 1730masl and in balmy temperatures of 20ºC just as in San Agustín. After a journey roughly 5 hours arrive at San Agustin, check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Morning visit to San Agustín Archeological Park, World Heritage Site declared by the UNESCO in 1995. See these enormous stone statues up close with your own eyes; how the each raised plateau is man-made and has been created specifically for the stone monuments, making where you are trading, holy and sacred ground. You will walk on to the ceremonial Fuente de Lavapatas before heading up the hill to the Lavapatas terrace from which you can enjoy a remarkable view over the surrounding countryside. Also visit the small Museo Arqueológico. Then, visit the strait of the Magdalena River, a spectacular rocky gorge that forces the river to pass through only 2.20 meters. Drive back to San Agustín and short visit to the town. Return to the hotel.
NOTE: The archaeological park closes on Tuesdays.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave on an approximately 5-hour unpaved transfer to Popayán, the capital of the department of Cauca. Enjoy the journey surrounded by the Andean scenery of mountains and high-altitude plains. Upon arrival check-in and. Overnight stay.
Note: An optional excursion to the Silvia market can be offered (only on Tuesdays).

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Half day visit to historic Popayan founded in 1537, the tour begins on Caldas Park. Around the Park you will be able to see the main religious and governmental buildings, as well as the city’s original buildings such as the Clock Tower, considered one of the symbols of the city, built between 1673 and 1682 and set in 1737. Continue towards the Humilladero Bridge, built in 1873 to facilitate access from the city center to El Callejón (currently the suburb known as Bolívar) up a steep hill, particularly for those pilgrims making the journey on their knees. Visit outside La Hermita Church, Guillermo Valencia Theater and the Santo Domingo Church, a baroque style church designed by the Spanish architect Antonio García and commissioned by the Arboleda family. Enter to the Catedral Basilica Church, the San Francisco Church, considered the most beautiful baroque church in town and the Panteón de los Próceres or Parthenon of the Leaders of the Independence. Visit the Religious Art Museum, which houses an interesting collection of religious art, and the Casa Museo Mosquera, the Settecento style house that belonged to General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera. Take a look from the bottom of the Morro del Tulcán, where an equestrian statue is found in homage to the conqueror Sebastián de Belalcázar, founder of the city. If desired, the ascent to the hill can be performed.
Then, transfer to Cali, arrival after approximately 3 hours, arrival and check-in. Cali is the third largest city in Colombia. Officially known as Santiago de Cali, this is the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca and is a city that enjoys a warm climate, as well as being known for its exciting salsa and warm hospitality due to its friendly and good-natured citizens. Overnight stay.

NOTES:
• Religious Art Museum is closed on Sundays, Casa Mosquera House and Panteón de los Próceres is closed on weekends and holidays, and Guillermo Leon Valencia Museum is closed on Mondays.
• The opening and closing of museums may change without prior notice. Caldas University manages the museums and when the university has an event or is on holidays (July-August and December-January) does not open the museums.
• Guillermo Leon Valencia Museum and House opens on holidays. When it is a holiday Monday, the next day (Tuesday) the museum is closed.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

The third largest city in Colombia, Santiago de Cali is the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca and is a city that enjoys a warm climate, as well as being known for its exciting salsa and warm hospitality due to its friendly and good natured citizens.
Half day visit to the most important historic and cultural sights in the city such as the Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura, built in the XIX century and known as being of a creole yet classic design with a capacity for 1200 spectators; the Casa Proartes; the Centro Cultural; the Museo de Oro Calima, known for its fine golden ceremonial ornaments created by the Calima people in pre-Hispanic times; and finally the viewpoint in Cali’s historical San Antonio district and for a breathtaking view of the city and visit the antique church of the same name. The Iglesia San Antonio houses some well preserved and interesting artwork and wooden sculptures from the Escuela de Quito. The visit continues also to the Iglesia Sebastián de Belalcazar and the Iglesia de la Ermita. Continuing to other interesting sights of the city such as the architectural complex of “la Merced”, the first construction in the city; the Plazoleta de San Francisco, striking with its Mudejar style tower; the Plaza de Caycedo, the city’s main square; and La Tertulia Museum. Then, transfer to Pereira. After approximately 4 hours, arrival and check-in in the selected hotel. Overnight stay.
NOTE: The Museo de Oro Calima is closed on Sunday and Monday. La Tertulia is not always open (please confirm with us opening days before booking).

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to El Dorado Airport in Bogotá for departure flight to Pereira. Upon arrival, transfer to Finca del Café, a place where coffee tastes better when you live the experience of the farm. Once you reach the farm, the tour begins with an expert who will take you through the coffee plantations, showing you how is the process from planting, manual picking and pulping. After this, you will toast the beans of special coffee in a wood stove in the typical kitchen of the country house, here you can have an authentic coffee experience. During the tour, you will have several stations with viewpoints made in bamboo where you will appreciate the coffee landscape and the natural environment of the place. Finally, you will go to the innovative drying process of the coffee bean and then to the coffee processing center. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave for the Valle de Cocora which is located in the central mountains of the department of Quindío. This makes part of the Parque Nacional de los Nevados and is the ideal place to marvel at the “Quindian wax palm” (Ceroxylon quincense), the national tree of Colombia. This tree can reach a staggering height of 60m. Around here a great number of species of birds live, in particular some types of hummingbird and the orejíamarillo or the palm parrot (Ognorhynchus icteroti) which is endangered. Upon arrival in the valley, either hiking or on horseback (not included), head into the cloud forest to enjoy the biodiversity of flora and fauna. On the return journey, cross the River Quindío while walking along an ecological pathway which takes one past the tallest wax palms in the world. Learn why the indigenous people here worshipped this tree. Then you can have a typical lunch and enjoy some free time here. In the afternoon, continue 10km towards the traditional town of Salento to enjoy a city tour that visits the Plaza de Bolívar with its colorful balconies, the calle real, the handicrafts shops and the Cocora viewpoint. Then, transfer to the traditional village of Filandia to enjoy a city tour that includes the viewpoint, the colonial homes, the Plaza de Bolivar and the coffee shops. Here, enjoy some time soaking up the regional atmosphere and perhaps some local spirits before returning to the hotel.
Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure flight to Medellín. Arrival and check-in. Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Half-day tour to visit those places that best represent the social transformation that has taken place in Medellín. The tour will show the symbolic areas of Medellín from the 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world, up to today many projects that fostered the city’s change. Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. 20 years ago, Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellin's drug cartel was at its peak. Thus, the reign of “El Patrón” came to its end. Until the turn of the millennium the struggles about Escobar's successor continued, but since 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Visit the barrio San Javier, which used to be one of the most unsafe suburbs of Medellín Located some 7km from the city centre, it is a clear example of the social transformation that has taken place in the last few years. Arrive here by the metro cable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre, which has been life changing to many of the inhabitants of Medellín. Learn more about the city’s transformation after the death of Pablo Escobar and also get to know the innovative transport-system in the poorer neighborhoods at first hand. Explore Medellin’s newest invention: the electric stairways of the district Comuna 13, discover stories about its past by visiting the most important places marked by historical events and see some graffiti that symbolizes a form of expression of the community. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. Then, go on to La Plazoleta located in the city centre, in an area that fell into decline in the 1980s and today houses 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero, donated by this famous local artist in year 2000. Since that time, the city has undergone a social and cultural transformation around these works placed in a public space. Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure flight to Cartagena. Arrival in Cartagena, transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Formerly known as the “Popa del Galeon” and famous for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed in 1606 this church and monastery are located at a height of 140masl from where one can enjoy 360º views of the city and the sea as well as the port zone, one of the most important in the Caribbean. Continuing to the San Felipe Fortress, erected in honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López, made famous for his sonnet “A mi ciudad nativa” It was built on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around the fortress and learn how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then continue on to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Convent and Church of San Pedro Claver which was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the “apóstol de los esclavos”. Lastly, continue to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan center where one can appreciate local handcraft. Overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Transfer from the hotel to the pier, where you will board a boat for a 45 km journey to the islands of the Rosario Archipelago. Once on the island, you will have free time to relax and enjoy the beach and the hotel's social areas. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch on the island before returning to Cartagena.

NOTES:
- Includes lunch.
- Unspecified activities incur an additional cost.
- Pier confirmation is required prior to service.
- Hotel-to-pier and pier-to-hotel transportation is private.
- Boat transfer from pier to Rosario Islands and back is shared service.
- Port tax must be paid in cash at the pier.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, four to five-hour transfer to the area near Tayrona Park. Arrival and check-in. Rest of the day free to relax. Overnight day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner

Leave from Cañaveral, walking through the forest and its different micro climates begin. Birds are in abundance and on some occasions might be possible to see squirrels and monkeys playing in the trees. After roughly 45 minutes walking, arrive at Arrecifes, one of the park’s most scenic and beautiful areas, which will astounds you with its beauty and drama with restless seas crashing on huge boulders. Continue by walking along the coast to La Piscina, a naturally calm stretch of beach ideal for bathing. Then, head on to El Cabo de San Juan de Guía which leaves an indelible mark on your memory due to its enormous boulders. Enjoy a free time in the beach to rest or take a bath. Return to Cañaveral in the afternoon. Overnight stay.

NOTE: This is a reasonably hard trek and requires a degree of physical fitness. We recommend starting the tour between 7:00-8:00 a.m. If the departure is later, the sun is stronger and you will having lunch after 2:00 p.m.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, 1-hour transfer to Santa Marta airport to take flight to Bogotá.

Meal Plan: Breakfast