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  • Colombia from the Andes to the Caribbean – 14 Days
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Overview

A tour, featuring Bogotá, a journey through two beautiful colonial villages, the coffee region, the iconic Tayrona Park, and Cartagena.

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 centre 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 odours and flavours. Continue exploring La Candelaria, the heart of the historical centre and first neighbourhood 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 colourful 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 Fossil 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 Monestario 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 kilometres, 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

Morning departure from Villa de Leyva to Barichara.

Welcome to Barichara, a romantic and bohemian village in the Andes. Let our local guide take you through the narrow streets of the village and open the doors of the workshops of artists and artisans who have chosen to live in this haven of peace, where time has stood still.

Accept our invitation to the heart of Colombian creativity!

Perched on the top of the canyon of the Suarez River, with a privileged view of the region and an almost perfect climate, Barichara is surely the most beautiful village in Colombia but also a very beautiful representation of the colonial era. Its heritage and its architecture all in stone make it an original village, unique in its kind. Barichara is also the inspiration of talented artists who open the doors of their studios to anyone who wants to take away a magical and unforgettable memory of this region and its creative people.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Guatí 2*sup or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Accompanied by your local guide, you will walk along the Camino Real, a charming little stone path under the acacias that once connected all the villages of the area. After two hours of walking, your steps will take you to the village of Guané.

Return to Barichara in Tuc-Tuc, the local transport, and appreciate the landscapes of the canyon of Rio Suarez.

Difference in altitude: 510 meters negative and progressive (beginning of the walk at Barichara 1340m - end of the walk at Guané at 830m).

Free afternoon to enjoy Barichara at your own rhythm.

Optional: Painting workshop based on the colour region soils: Do you really have to be an artist to paint? Try your hand at creating a small painting thanks to the paintings made from the different colour soils of the region.

Optional: Tapia Pisada workshop, a local construction method. Barichara is a village renowned for its building construction methods. Participate in an introduction to the "tapial", the technique of "pisé", on a reduced scale. Manipulate the earth and form your own small "tapia pisada" wall.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Guatí 2*sup or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Bucaramanga airport in the morning. On the way, you will cross the canyon of Chicamocha, one of the largest canyons in the world with 227 km of length and 2 km of depth.

Flight Bucaramanga – 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 colourful balconies. Continue with the small village of Filandia known for its colourful 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. This didactic immersion will allow you to discover the methods of collection and selection of the beans but also the process from drying to roasting. End the visit with a good cup of coffee!

Free afternoon. Participate in an additional activity (consult us).

Optional:
- Visit a cacao plantation
- Descent a river in “balsaje”, a typical bamboo raft from the region
- Discover the typical villages

Hotel: Hotel Hacienda Combia 2* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Pereira airport in the morning.

Flight Pereira – Santa Marta with connection in Bogotá.

Transfer from Santa Marta airport to your hotel in the Tayrona Park area.

Free afternoon to discover your hotel, its surroundings, and services.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Bambu 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Between luxurious jungle and dream beaches, you will walk the paths leading to Cabo de San Juan, a small hut perched on the rocks.

Tayrona Park is one of the most visited natural parks in Colombia. This place is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. The altitude varies from 0 to 900m in all the park. The area offers a tropical jungle landscape with many old trees and lush vegetation.

Note: Approximately 5 hours walk to and from the entrance to Cabo San Juan. Shorter alternative possible.

Tayrona Park will be closed for three periods in 2024: From 01/02 to 15/02, from 01/06 to 15/06, from 19/10 to 02/11.

Hotel: Hotel Casa Bambu 3* or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Transfer from Tayrona park area to Cartagena in the morning.

Rest of the day free to discover the city center or participate in an additional activity (consult 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

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 centre. 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 neighbourhoods.

Optional: Excursion to the Rosario Islands (roundtrip collective boat and lunch included, port taxes to pay at arrival). The Rosario Archipelago is one of the 56 natural parks of Colombia, located only 35km from Cartagena and is composed of 27 coral islands.

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

IMPORTANT

  • 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
  • Painting workshop in Barichara
  • Tapia Pisada workshop
  • Jeep Willys in the Cocora Valley
  • Visit a cocoa plantation
  • Discover the local villages
  • Descent the river in balsaje
  • Sunset in Cartagena (on collective boat)
  • Salsa class in Cartagena (private or collective)
  • Visit the Boquilla community
  • Visit La Popa Convent and the San Felipe Fort           
  • Excursion in the Rosario Islands

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

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

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.

Program Touring / Guide

Private touring

Trip Highlights

Bogotá-Barichara-Santa Marta-Cartagena

Periodic Departure
30 Jan, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

2-3 pax
AUD 5,631 P P twin share
AUD 6,973 P P single
AVAILABLE

4-5 pax
AUD 4,436 P P twin share
AUD 5,778 P P single
AVAILABLE

6 plus
AUD 4,131 P P twin share
AUD 5,473 P P single
AVAILABLE

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