16-Day Colombia Family Tour

Itinerary

• DAY 1 Bogotá
  

  Welcome to Colombia! Your airport pick-up is followed by a transfer to your hotel in the historic center of the Andean capital. Spend the rest of your day at leisure to start discovering the atmosphere of Bogotá.

  Transfer time: 30 min

  • Activity:Arrival. Relaxing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Casa Deco or similar. Luxury: Casa Legado or similar.
• DAY 2 Ciclovía Bike Tour Bogotá
  

  If you’re eager to explore actively, we’ll provide you with a bike and a helmet. This tour takes you through significant locations in the historic center of La Candelaria, including Plaza Bolívar, known for its churches and government buildings. Additionally, you’ll venture into various neighborhoods, passing by the National Museum and admiring the architecture of the English neighborhood and Teusaquillo.

  Moreover, you’ll encounter some of the city’s best graffiti street art, visit a coffee roasting factory, and sample typical fruits at a local market. This is also an opportune time to visit the handicraft market in Usaquén.

  • Activity:Exploring. Biking.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Casa Deco or similar. Luxury: Casa Legado or similar.
• DAY 3 Guatavita Lake
  

  Guatavita Lake, a mountain lake situated at an altitude of about 3,000 m.a.s.l, is located approximately 1.5-2 hours north of Bogotá. It is famously linked to the El Dorado legend, having been a site where many gold pieces, coins, and emeralds were discovered in the past. This crater-shaped lake was among the most sacred lakes for the indigenous Muisca communities.

  If you’re interested in deepening your understanding of Muisca cultures and customs, you can arrange a visit to one of the indigenous communities around Sesquilé. This offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the rich heritage and traditions of the area.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Casa Deco or similar. Luxury: Casa Legado or similar.
• DAY 4 Transfer out Bogota - Yopal - San Luis Reserve
  

  Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel and transfer to the Bogotá airport for your next flight. Upon arrival at Yopal Airport, a transfer takes you to the San Luis Nature Reserves. We’ll start our wildlife safari on the way to your lodging, keeping an eye out for the diverse species that inhabit the region.

  In the afternoon, we’ll explore the savannah and forest edges on foot or by jeep. This exploration will introduce you to the Llanos’ (plains) diverse wildlife and ecosystems and provide grounding experiences. Your search will span from small critters to large felines, offering a profound connection with nature. 

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hato Montana Natural Reserve or similar.
• DAY 5 4x4 Jeep Safari
  

  After breakfast, embark on a classic 4WD safari across part of the nature reserve. You’ll see hundreds of capybaras, deer, spectacled caimans, tortoises, and an array of interesting birdlife. Lunch will be enjoyed at the farm’s main house, followed by a restful period in a hammock to take in the scenery.

  In the late afternoon, you continue your photo safari in a different area of the reserve to enjoy the atmospheric golden hour, leading to one of the mesmerizing prairie sunsets. The day concludes with a nocturnal drive back to the lodge to uncover nighttime species such as maikongs, anteaters, and night hawks.

  • Activity:Exploring. Wildlife Watching.
  • Transport:Jeep.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hato Montana Natural Reserve or similar.
• DAY 6 Horseback Ride or Walk
  

  Start your day as the sun rises with a choice between going on a wildlife-watching walk or participating in a milking session. After breakfast, we saddle up for a horseback ride through the savannas and wetlands, vigilantly searching for wildlife.

  This excursion is tailored to your ability and interest and can last up to 4 hours. Alternative walks along the forest edges and waterholes are available for those who prefer not to ride, offering equally enriching opportunities to connect with the natural surroundings.

  • Activity:Horseback riding.
  • Transport:Car. Horse.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hato Montana Natural Reserve or similar.
• DAY 7 Transfer In Armenia - Salento
  

  An English-speaking guide will accompany you on your transfer to Yopal Airport to catch your flight to your next destination. Upon arrival in Armenia, a private transfer will take you to Salento in the company of another English-speaking guide. This seamless transition offers a comfortable and informative journey, ensuring you’re well-prepared and excited for the next leg of your adventure.

   

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Salento Real Hotel or similar Luxury: Terasu Hotel or similar.
• DAY 8 Cocora Valley & Salento Tour
  

  Often referred to as the “father of municipalities“, Salento is the oldest one in the Quindío department. Its artistically decorated colorful colonial houses boast charming traditional architecture. Your exploration begins here and is followed by a scenic hike in the renowned Cocora Valley, home to wax palms, Colombia’s national tree, which can reach heights of up to (70 m).

  After a delicious lunch, join traditional games like Tejo or Sapo as you enjoy a Colombian Pola (beer). Enrich your experience with your choice of additional activities: an extended hike in the valley, a horseback ride with a picnic, or a visit to the colonial village of Filandia, a traditional coffee farm, or an avocado plantation.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Salento Real Hotel or similar Luxury: Terasu Hotel or similar.
• DAY 9 Hacienda Venecia - Artisan Chocolate Workshop
  

  A Spanish-speaking driver will transfer you to Hacienda Venecia for an immersive chocolate-making workshop. Discover the origins of chocolate as you explore the Hacienda’s cacao trees and taste the fresh bean directly from the fruit.

  This workshop gives you the chance to roast and grind cocoa beans, uncovering the entire process, filled with enticing aromas, vivid colors, and rich flavors. The highlight is creating a personalized homemade chocolate treat. Relish the chocolate bar you crafted and take it home as a cherished souvenir of your artisanal experience.

  • Activity:Cooking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Hacienda Venecia or similar. Standard: Coffee Lodge. Luxury: Main House.
• DAY 10 Pereira - Cartagena
  

  Your journey continues with a scenic private ride from Salento to Pereira. Your private driver will warmly greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cartagena. The transition from the lush landscapes of Salento to the historic charm of one of Colombia’s most iconic cities marks the beginning of another exciting chapter in your Colombian adventure.

  • Activity:Transfer.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Tres Banderas or similar. Luxury: Charleston Santa Teresa or similar.
• DAY 11 Cultural Immersion in La Boquilla
  

  Experience traditional fishing techniques with locals, navigating the Ciénaga de Juan Polo and Ciénaga de la Virgen lagoons. Dive into Afro-Colombian culture with a drum workshop in La Boquilla, learning Cumbia, Mapalé, and Champeta rhythms with Kilele Son. 

  End the day with a soccer match on the beach, celebrating the universal language of soccer and community spirit. These activities offer a deep dive into the local traditions, fostering a unique cultural exchange and a profound understanding of La Boquilla’s vibrant lifestyle.

  • Activity:Immersing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Tres Banderas or similar. Luxury: Charleston Santa Teresa or similar.
• DAY 12 Adventure and Culinary Discovery in Cartagena
  

  Embark on a family-friendly Pirate City Tour in Cartagena’s historic center, diving into pirate tales and treasure hunts with a real pirate guide, and exploring significant sites. Follow this with the Encanto Foodies Tour, a culinary adventure tasting local delicacies like arepitas and empanadas, engaging playfully with Colombia’s food culture.

  Tonight, dive into Cartagena’s vibrant culture with a visit to a local family on the city outskirts, where you’ll enjoy dinner and champeta music. Feel at home and maybe even dance with your hosts! The excitement continues with “Salsa hopping” through neighborhood clubs, where instructors will teach you moves from Cumbia to Reggaeton, and the signature Champeta. Your night of dance and discovery ends at a popular salsa spot in the historical center, where you can dance the night away.

  • Activity:Culinary. Exploring. Dancing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Standard: Hotel Tres Banderas or similar. Luxury: Charleston Santa Teresa or similar.
• DAY 13 Transfer Cartagena - Punta Faro
  

  Today’s journey begins with a boat ride leading you to a serene paradise, ideal for the final days of your holiday. At Punta Faro, you’re invited to either indulge in relaxation or partake in various water-based activities. Choose between snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, or simply disconnect from the hustle and relax at the pristine beach.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Punta Faro, Isla Múcura or similar.
• DAY 14 Leisure and Exploration at Punta Faro
  

  Today is dedicated to personal leisure and exploration in the tranquil surroundings of Punta Faro on Múcura Island. This is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the Caribbean lifestyle, whether you prefer to relax on the pristine beach, engage in water sports like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding, or stay active on land with tennis and volleyball. The day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, offering a blend of relaxation and adventure in a picturesque setting.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Punta Faro, Isla Múcura or similar.
• DAY 15 Serene Conclusion at Punta Faro
  

  As your holiday nears its end, today continues to provide a serene backdrop for relaxation and personal time. Continue to explore the beauty of Punta Faro, take advantage of the island’s recreational activities, or simply unwind by the sea. This final full day on Múcura Island allows for a peaceful conclusion to your journey, ensuring you return home with a collection of memorable experiences and a renewed sense of tranquility.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel Punta Faro, Isla Múcura or similar.
• DAY 16 Transfer out Punta Faro - Cartagena Airport
  

  Now the moment has come to say goodbye to this beautiful country. After a shared boat transfer from Las Islas departing at noon, our driver and guide will pick you up at the port and transfer you to the airport.

  • Activity:Departure.
  • Transport:Boat. Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.