21-Day Highlights Colombia

Itinerary

• DAY 1 ARRIVAL BOGOTA AIRPORT – TRANSFER IN
  

  Today your Colombia tour starts. You will be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel in the neighborhood of La Candelaría in Bogota.

  • Activity:Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Accommodation:Casa Deco or similar.
• DAY 2 CITY TOUR BOGOTA
  

  After breakfast, you’ll have a private biking city tour in Bogotá during which you will explore the narrow streets of La Candelaria (the historical center of Bogotá). You will also go up to the hill of Monserrate by a cable car or a funicular. All this tour will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. Please keep in mind that any entrances are not included and have to be paid separately.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Casa Deco or similar.
• DAY 3 CHINGAZA NATIONAL PARK
  

  Meet at the hotel with the guide and driver. Transport from the hotel to the Chingaza National Park (+/2 hours drive from Bogotá). Enjoy the beautiful landscapes that this exceptional ̈páramo ̈ mountain ecosystem has to offer. The hike will last between 4 and 6 hours. During the visit, you will also enjoy a typical lunch. Meet the driver after the hike and return to the hotel in the afternoon.

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Casa Deco or similar.
• DAY 4 TRANSFER TO VILLAVIEJA
  

  Today your Colombia tour continues to Villavieja. Transfer from Bogotá to the village of Villavieja (6 h drive), right next to the Tatacoa desert. If the weather conditions allow, visit the desert and its observatory at night (optional).

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Yararaka or similar
• DAY 5 TATACOA – SAN AGUSTIN
  

  Very early in the morning – visit the Tatacoa desert (with a local Spanish-speaking guide). End the walk in the desert with a swim in a beautiful underground water pool. Back to the hotel before noon for check out and depart to San Agustín by a private transfer (6 h drive).

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Yuma or similar
• DAY 6 SAN AGUSTIN
  

  Together with a local guide visit the Archaeological Park of San Agustín. In the afternoon continue with a tour of the surroundings of the town to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the area.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Yuma or similar.
• DAY 7 DRIVE TO POPAYAN
  

  Transfer to Popayan. The drive is long (3-6 hours, depending on road conditions) but it goes through the stunning mountain nature so nice views are guaranteed. Check in at the hotel in the center of Popayan and start an afternoon walking tour with a local guide.

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:La Plazuela or similar
• DAY 8 TRANSFER TO COFFEE REGION
  

  Morning departure north to the coffee region (6 h drive). Arrive in the colorful town of Salento where you will spend the next two nights of your Colombia tour.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Ciudad Segorbe or similar.
• DAY 9 COCORA VALLEY
  

  Pick up by a local guide in the morning and transfer by a typical Willy jeep to the famous Valley of Salento. Hike among the tallest wax palm trees in the world, up to the mountain, till reaching the Acaime Natural Reserve (5-6 h hike today). Back to Salento in the afternoon and night there.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Finca Palmar or similar.
• DAY 10 HIKE LOS NEVADOS (SANTA ISABEL)
  

  Very early in the morning check out from the hotel and depart towards Manizales (2 h drive). From there continue by the mountain roads, enjoying the views, till reaching the spot from where you will start today’s hike. Together with your guide, you will walk through a ̈páramo ̈ and later rocky surface till reaching the snow level of the Santa Isabel glacier. Time for some rest and photos and then descend to the parking place. Continue your Colombia tour with a transfer to a rural hotel – a typical coffee finca – located in the suburbs of Manizales.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Hacienda Venecia or similar.
• DAY 11 COFFEE TOUR
  

  Start the day with a coffee tour in the area of your hotel. You will learn everything about the process that this plant goes through till becoming a delicious drink. In the afternoon – transfer to the thermal baths of Santa Rosa de Cabal for a relaxing time there.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Hacienda Venecia or similar.
• DAY 12 TRANSFER TO MEDELLIN
  

  Today you will continue your Colombia tour to the north to the city of Medellín. The drive takes around 6 hours, but the views are amazing and you are free to make all the necessary stops on the way. Medellín is nowadays one of the most attractive, safest, and most innovative cities in Latin America. The El Poblado district, where you will stay, is a wealthy and safe neighborhood of Medellín, and perhaps the best place to stay. It has modern and trendy restaurants, good coffee shops, fancy boutiques and beautiful parks.

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Campana Boutique or similar.
• DAY 13 MEDELLIN CITY TOUR
  

  A local English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel for a tour of the city of the eternal spring. Explore downtown and the historical center where you will find Plaza Botero, full of sculptures of the famous artist Fernando Botero. Take a ride in the cable car metro to the neighborhood of Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area with gang violence. Here you will have a spectacular view of the city. You will experience the transformation from the most dangerous city in the world to an innovative city with friendly people.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Diez Hotel or similar.
• DAY 14 FLY TO SANTA MARTA
  

  Pick up at the hotel, transfer to the airport of Medellín, and flight to Santa Marta. Once there you will be picked up by a local driver who will bring you to your hotel, located in the historical center of the city. Check-in at the hotel and in the afternoon, continue with a visit to Taganga (only transfers).

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Casa Carolina or similar.
• DAY 15 TRANSFER TO TAYRONA
  

  Morning transfer (private) to Tayrona National Park (entrances included). The Tayrona National Park is perhaps the most beautiful nature reserve in Colombia. Beaches and tropical rainforests mix up here. Clearwater, swaying palm trees, and soft sand that tickles between your toes. The driver will leave in a parking place inside the park (no vehicles can go further). From there you will have to continue walking or riding a horse (available on the spot for +/- 6 euro) to your accommodation place.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Cabañas Arrecife or similar.
• DAY 16 TAYRONA FREE DAY
  

  Enjoy a day off in Tayrona National Park. There are plenty of opportunities to relax, swim, or take a long beach walk. Arrecifes has one of the most beautiful beaches in the park, but swimming is prohibited. From Arrecifes it is a 15-minute walk across the beach to another bay where you can swim. From here you walk in 30 minutes to another famous beach, La Piscina. Continue for another 15 minutes to El Cabo de San Juan. From here you can take a walk over the old Tayrona path (uphill) to Pueblito, lasting about 3 hours back and forth. These are ruins of the Tayrona civilization.

  • Activity:Hiking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Cabañas Arrecife or similar.
• DAY 17 ONE MORE FREE DAY IN TAYRONA
  

  Enjoy another day off in Tayrona National Park. You can have a day full of relaxing activities, or take long walks across Tayrona. Arrecifes has one of the greatest-looking beaches in the park, but swimming is prohibited. You can take beautiful pictures along the way and enjoy good company while learning about local history. These are ruins of the Tayrona civilization.

  • Activity:Exploring, Relaxing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Cabañas Arrecife or similar.
• DAY 18 TAYRONA – CARTAGENA
  

  Today you continue your Colombia tour to Cartagena. Transport from Tayrona Park to Cartagena – it is a beautiful ride along the coast of about 6 hours. Welcome to Cartagena! The city is surrounded by a wall that is used to protect the city from pirates. Because of its colonial appearance, Cartagena is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Islas de Rosario, real tropical Caribbean islands, are located within an hour of boat ride from Cartagena.

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Tres Banderas or similar
• DAY 19 CARTAGENA FREE DAY
  

  Free day in Cartagena. Enjoy a day off in Cartagena. A walk through the historical center makes you feel like you have traveled back in time.

  • Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Tres Banderas or similar.
• DAY 20 ONE MORE FREE DAY IN CARTAGENA
  

  Another free day in Cartagena. Explore the diversity in this beautiful city. Different locations full of color and creativity with local markets and plazas where you can enjoy numerous activities.

  • Activity:Exploring. Hiking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:Tres Banderas or similar.
• DAY 21 TRANSFER OUT
  

  After enjoying exciting days in the beautiful north of Colombia. A driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the airport of Cartagena from where you will take your international flight back home (or a connection via Bogotá). This is the end of your Colombia tour.

  • Activity:Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.