Classic Colombia - 16 days

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16 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

20 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Bogota, Colombia

Ends

Cartagena, Colombia

Highlights

Bogota - Take in the highlights of Colombia’s capital city on a guided tour

San Agustin - Visit the UNESCO Listed San Agustin Archaeological Park with its fascinating statues

Tayrona National Park – Follow tropical trails through this dazzling national park, once home to the Tayrona Indians

Cartagena - Stroll around the beautiful Old Town and soak up the atmosphere of Colombia's most captivating coastal town

The Coffee Triangle – Learn about coffee farming at local ranch in Armenia

Mompos - Take a boat trip along the Magdalena River, spotting wildlife along the riverbanks

Aracataca - Learn about the famous Latin American writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez who was born in the town

Cocora Valley – Take a hike in the home of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm, the tallest variety of palm tree in the world

Salento – Stroll through this charming town with its preserved colonial bahareque architecture and streets lined with restaurants, bars and shops

Mompos - Take a boat trip along the Magdalena River, spotting wildlife along the riverbanks

Aracataca - Learn about the famous Latin American writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez who was born in the town

Cocora Valley – Take a hike in the home of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm, the tallest variety of palm tree in the world

Salento – Stroll through this charming town with its preserved colonial bahareque architecture and streets lined with restaurants, bars and shops

Itinerary

Venture from bustling Bogota to the sun-drenched streets of Cartagena on this 16-day 'Classic Colombia' tour. Wander through colonial cities, discover ancient stone monuments in San Agustin, and bask on the unspoiled beaches of Tayrona National Park, teeming with wildlife.

Perfectly paced for experienced travelers and seniors, the trip seamlessly blends cultural immersion, nature, and history, showcasing Colombia’s captivating diversity. Its unique strength lies in the combination of archaeological wonders and idyllic Caribbean shores, making it a comprehensive exploration of Colombia’s heritage and natural beauty.

day 1 - Bogota

Saturday. Hola Colombia! Upon arrival at Bogota airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon we embark on a guided tour through the city's cobbled streets, passing through the fascinating colonial area of Candelaria with its fine historical buildings, including churches and the presidential palace. Then we visit the Botero museum where we see the art and sculptures of Colombia’s most famous artist. Our final stop is the city's famous Gold Museum which houses more than 50,000 pieces of gold.

Please note: we recommend booking flights to arrive into Bogota before midday, in order to join the city tour which usually starts at approximately 2pm. Pre tour accommodation can be arranged upon request.

OverNight:Bogota

day 2 - Bogota

Today is free to spend at leisure or there are some optional excursions in and around Bogota on offer including a visit to the picturesque La Sabana countryside to the centuries-old Zipaquira salt mine - which lies 200 meters beneath the earth and houses the salt cathedral whose pillars and walls are made from the gleaming salt from the mines. The excursion continues to the Guatavita Lagoon, where there is a hike to the crater-lake‘s rim for amazing views of the surroundings.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Bogota

day 3 - San Agustin

Bogota - San Agustin. After breakfast we’re transferred to the airport for a quick one-hour flight to Neiva. We then continue our journey with a 4-hour drive through emerald green hills and coffee plantations until we reach the town of San Agustin. This pretty little town, which was once the neutral ground used to trade and worship by Magdalena and Cauca indigenous cultures, is our base for the next three nights. The town is home to attractive colonial houses and churches, cobbled streets and shady plazas.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:San Agustin

day 4 - San Agustin archaeological park

We spend our day exploring the remarkable San Agustin archaeological park, which is home to over 100 statues, some of which date back to 3,300 BC. Alongside the statues are the burial houses which were used to make human sacrifices and offerings to the gods. We spend some time marveling at the beauty of the countryside and have the opportunity to hike into the surrounding area, to the Fuente de Lavapatas, a fountain set on a bed of carved rocks in the creek.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:San Agustin

day 5 - Magdalena Canyon

Today we enjoy an excursion to the Magdalena Canyon passing through sugar plantations and steep gorges. We have time to explore the canyon and see the huge figures caved into the rocks of the canyons walls, with some free-standing stones sculpted into animals while the river crashes below us.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:San Agustin

day 6 - Popayan

San Agustin - Popayan. This morning finds us driving through rugged hills until we descend to the university town of Popayan, a stately colonial town often referred to as the ‘White City’ due to the abundance of white-walled buildings and cathedral in the centre. The city was founded in 1537 by the Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Belalcazar and played an important role in colonial times as a rest stop for the miners transporting the gold between Lima, Quito and Cartagena before it was sent to Spain. In March 1983 an earthquake shook the city, caving in the cathedral roof which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, and despite other earthquakes since then the city has maintained its charm and character. We spend the night at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Popayan

days 7-9 - The Coffee Region

Popayan - Armenia. From Popayan it's a 5-hour drive to the heart of the coffee region where we spend three days relaxing and walking along the trails of colourful flora, fauna and fresh coffee. On arrival there is a guided tour of a local farm where we gain insight into the regions agriculture and learn about fruit and coffee production including the picking, de-pulping, washing, drying and roasting of the beans.

Day 8 will be spent driving to the traditional village of Salento, where we have free time to wander through the streets and admire the houses adorned with balconies bursting with flowers, and sit back and bask in the view of the Cordillera Central mountain range emerging from behind the buildings. The afternoon finds us heading east of Salento to the beautiful nature reserve of Valle de la Cocora, home of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm which grows over 3000m. We follow the well market path to the top of the valley for views of mountains’ foothills.

On the last day in the region there is an optional visit to the Botanical Gardens at Calarca and follow the series of natural trails, passing tropical flowers until we reach the insect museum and enclosed butterfly garden. Alternatively, there is the option to explore the surrounding areas on a horse-riding excursion.

Meals:3 Breakfast

OverNight:Armenia

days 10-11 - Santa Marta & Tayrona NP

Armenia - Santa Marta. Flying via Bogota we arrive at the oldest city in Colombia and the first one settled by the Spanish, Santa Marta, which is our base for the next two nights. The city has an important historical centre and a beautiful old town, and it is most famous for being the birthplace of the great liberator Simon Bolivar. We spend the rest of the evening at leisure exploring the city.

On day 11 we embark on an excursion to the beautiful Tayrona National Park, which was once home to the indigenous Tayrona Indians and has some of the best coastline on the continent. Tayrona is perfect for a spot of escapism. We have the day here to follow the tree-covered trails through the tropical forest, with monkeys swinging above our heads, until we reach the secluded beaches where roads and cars have no access. You can snorkel in the reefs, visit some of the local villages in the nearby mountains or hike through the dense rainforest, stumbling across ancient pre-Columbian ruins reclaimed by the jungle.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Santa Marta

days 12-13 - Mompos

Santa Marta - Mompos. We board our bus this morning and make our way to the provincial town of Aracataca, the famous birth place of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of Latin America’s most famous writers. Born in the town in 1927, his family home is now a museum and we take some time to follow in the footsteps of this iconic writer.

Our afternoon journey continues past banana and palm oil plantations until we reach the 16th century town of Mompos. Situated on the eastern banks of the Magdalena River the town resembles something out of one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novels, with the whitewashed colonial mansions and buildings which were once home to Spanish merchants, who used the town as a stopping off point on the trade route to Cartagena. The rest of the day is at leisure.

On day 13 we embark on a boat trip along the banks of the wildlife-rich Magdalena River, which is home to cormorants, white heron and iguanas. Our last night in Mompos is at leisure.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Mompos

day 14 - Cartagena

Mompos - Cartagena. Today we travel back to the Caribbean coast and the famous city of Cartagena. Our final destination, is one of the most interesting colonial towns on the continent. On arrival we have the rest of the day to wander the streets of the city and soak up the mix of Caribbean and African influences. There are several interesting sites to see such as Castillo San Felipe and the fortress on San Lazaro hill. Beneath this fortress is a maze of tunnels and there are still cannons in place along the battlements. Also worthwhile is a trip up La Popa hill to visit the colourful convent with great views over the city. The Boca Grande area of Cartagena is where Colombians come for their beach holidays and it is full of shops, nightclubs and bars. Near Cartagena is the Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, a mud volcano where you can relax and wallow in the mud, which is believed to be a good treatment for the skin.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Cartagena

day 15 - Cartagena

Our morning is spent walking through the streets of the Caribbean’s most romantic colonial city. Founded in 1533, this city quickly became the main Spanish port in the Caribbean, and a prime target for pirates when native treasure was stored in the city while waiting to be shipped back to Spain. In a bid to protect their loot the Spanish constructed walls around the city which still encircle the town. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Make your way to the old town square to watch some of the Cumbia dance performances or sit in one of the cafes lining the walkway to sip on a drink and look out onto the sea.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Cartagena

day 16 - Cartagena

Sunday. Transfer to Cartagena airport for your onward flight or consider extending your stay to relax by the coast. We can book post tour accommodation upon request.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

15 nights 3 star hotels

Meals

15 breakfastsCoffee region: tour of coffee farm, Salento and Cocora Valley

Transport

Domestic flights: Bogota to Neiva and Armenia to Santa MartaBogota airport arrival transfer on day 1 and Cartagena airport departure transfer on day 16All relevant transfers and transportation

Guide

Escorted by an experienced tour leader with the services of local guides

Others

Bogota: city tour and Gold MuseumSan Agustín: Archaeological Park and Magadelena Valley excursionsTayrona: visit to the national parkAracataca: Marquez museumMompos: boat tripCartagena: city tour

What's Excluded

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