The best of Colombia

The key moments

This beautiful Colombia trip allows you to see the different facets of this country still rather unknown. From the colonial cities in the Andes, villages surrounded by coffee or cocoa plantations, the Caribbean coast and beaches, incredible biodiversity, the time you pass in Colombia will be flying! Meetings with local people will allow you to approach the atmosphere of Colombia today!

• Private transfer and an English-speaking guide for your comfort
• Good 3-star hotels
• Bogota City Tour
• Discovery of the colonial village of Leiva
• Guadalupe and its crystal rivers
• Barricharra and the discovery of cocoa
• Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast, UNESCO heritage
• City Tour Medellin
• Guatape and the Piedra del Penol
• Salento, Valley of Coffee and Palms

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Bogota

Arrival in Bogota with your international flight. Our driver picks you up at the airport and takes you to the hotel.

Free afternoon.

 

Day 2 – Visit of Bogota

You will certainly be impressed by this city of 9 million inhabitants, located at 2,600 m altitude.

This morning we start directly with the visit of the city. Your English-speaking guide will accompany you and make the eventful history of the city of Bogota alive just in front of you. Between the historic city center, the central cemetery and the explanation of important figures (artists and presidents) of Colombia and Bogota, you will know everything ????

We will go to the oldest cafe in Bogota, stroll along the pedestrian street, but also discover the center of memory and the Mirador Guadalupe (which is a much more intimate point of view than Montserrate).

Return to the hotel and overnight.

 

Day 3 – Colonial Village of Villa de Leyva

This morning we leave the Colombian capital to reach Villa de Leyva, three hours and 30 minutes from Bogota. On the way we will stop at Raquira, another village well known for its potters. Pottery is all about knowledge and art in this community.

We arrive at Villa de Leyva in the afternoon. You will love to stroll in this village, classified heritage of Colombia, with these white facades and wooden doors, colonial style. We will do a guided tour of the trip.

Overnight at Villa de Leyva.

 

Day 4 – Guadalupe – Crystal river

Departure from Villa de Leyva in the morning direction Guadalupe, a small colonial village in the region of Santander, just like Barichara. Journey time around 4 hours.

Arrive in Guadalupe and check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon go to the river and the quebrada “Gachas”. Guadalupe is known for its crystal river and its particular color. In addition, the particular phenomenon of water holes in the river, offers real small Jacuzzi. After a hike of about 40 minutes, you arrive at the river to swim in the Jacuzzi ????

Night in Guadalupe.

 

Day 5 – Barichara and its surroundings

From Guadalupe we leave today to Barichara, a village classified national heritage and one of the most beautiful in the colonial style.

But first we drive to Oiba, to discover the manufacture of sugar cane loafs, which is a great tradition in Colombia. In this small village the tradition of the agua panela process has been maintained. First cane sugar is cooked for several hours. Several ingredients are added to make a bread (or a loaf) of sugar cane. The visit is done in a loca finca, and the production process is artisanal.

In the farmer’s finca (his family farm) he will then explain us the cocoa process, as they also plant cocoa there.

Free afternoon.

Night in Barichara.

Day 6 – Barrichara – Carthagène des Indes

This morning we leave for the guided tour of the beautiful village of Barichara. With its privileged location on a cliff overlooking the valley, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country.

After our visit, we leave for Bucaramanga, but on the way we will visit the impressive canyon of Chicamocha (deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States with its 2 km deep and almost 23 km long)!

Then we continue to Bucaramanga city from where we will fly to Cartagena de Indias, our next stop.

Flight to Cartagena de Indias (in a small plane of 20 people).

Overnight in Cartagena de Indias.

 

Day 7 – Carthagène des Indes

Cartagena de Indias and its fortress are classified World Heritage by Unesco. It is the largest city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

This morning we will leave first for the visit of Mount Popa with a breathtaking view of the city of Cartagena. From Mount Popa we continue to San Felipe de Barajas Castle, a real bastion of Spain’s crown in Colombia!

Finally we will visit the different areas of the city, such as Bocagrande, Getsemaniet, the historic center with its colorful colonial houses.

Free afternoon.

Night in Cartagena.

 

Day 8 – South part of Baru Island

Today you will experience the beauty of the beaches of the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Indeed, we leave this morning towards the peninsula of Baru, 1 hour 30 from Cartagena, at the entrance of the National Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo.

In the southern part of the island (where it is less touristy), we will have a local guide who will show us the traditions of Afro-descendence. We will discover the gastronomy, music and culture specific to this region.

In the afternoon, we can enjoy its beautiful white sand beaches.

Night in Cartagena.

 

Day 9 – Carthagène – Medellin

Before leaving the lands of the Caribbean, we will visit with our guide the local market Basurtoy to make some purchases necessary to cook a typical dish of the region.

We then participate in a cooking class with a family from the popular neighborhoods of the city of Cartagena. You will learn step by step to prepare a recipe from the Caribbean coast. Enjoy your meal !

Our Caribbean getaway ends in the afternoon and according to the schedule of your flight, we reach the airport of Cartagena to return to the city of Medellin.

Night in Medellin.

 

Day 10 – Medellin

Medellin is a fascinating city. Colombia’s second city with a difficult history linked to narco-traffickers, it is changing at an impressive speed! In 2015 Medellin was elected City of Innovation and today it is a city in full economic expansion.

We visit the historic city center of Medellin as well as the Comuna 13 district.

Finally we go to Pueblito Paisa, located on the Cerro Nutibarra. It is a replica of a typical village at the beginning of the century in the region of Antioquia. You will find the Plaza with its stone fountain, surrounded by the church and the town hall, the hairdresser and the school with only one classroom. In addition you have a breathtaking view of the city of Medellin and the mountains and valleys around.

Free afternoon.

Night in Medellin.

 

Day 11 – Guatape

About 2 hours from Medellin is Guatape, the tourist attracion of the region. Aside from being a colorful colonial village, the whole site is simply enchanting: lagoons, lush greenery and friendly locals.

You will be surprised to see colors everywhere – on walls, stairs, balconies, cars or bikes. The different drawings are based on the customs and legends of the region. Moreover, the walls have been classified as natural and environmental heritage of the city!

From Guatape you will climb the 690 steps to the top of Piedra de Penol (about 220 m) where you have an impressive view of the surrounding landscape.

Night in Medellin.
Time of the journey: 4h30

 

Day 12 – Medellin – Salento

We leave the city of Medellin to reach the village of Salento, located in the heart of the coffee region, called the father of Quindio.

Salento is one of the oldest villages in the region of Quindio and you will admire the typical architecture with houses built of bamboo (guadua) that have been inspired by pre-Columbian traditions.

Night in Salento.
Travel time: 6 to 7 hours

 

Day 13 – Salento – Vallée Cocora – Calarca

We leave in the morning for the Cocora Valley, precisely the symbol of the region of coffee and Salento. The community lives mainly from coffee, agriculture and tourism, but is also known for its regional art.

In the Cocora Valley there are several forests of Quindio wax palms, which are endangered. These palms can reach up to 60 meters in height. If you wish, we can hike for 4 hours in this exceptional environment. (Moderate level with some important climbs).

Night in Calarca.
Travel time: 1 hour

 

Day 14 – Calarca – Arménia

Day 15 – Bogota – Departure

Transportation to the Bogota International Airport for your international flight.

 

Budget