Highlights:

Learn about the Legend of El Dorado. Get a taste of Boyacá at Villa de Leyva. Explore the vibrant capital city of Bogotá. Learn about the sacred statues of San Agustín. See the “White City” of Popayán. Explore the traditional coffee towns of Filandia and Salento. Hike among the iconic wax palms of Valle de Cocora. Sample the world’s best coffee in Buenavista. Witness firsthand the stunning transformation of Medellín. Climb the imposing El Peñol. Get lost in the walled city of Cartagena. Relax on a tranquil Caribbean beach. Experience the breathtaking nature at Tayrona National Park.

 

 

Itinerary:

Day 1:

Arrive in Bogotá any time. You’ll be transferred to your hotel in Suesca. A trip orientation will be held in the evening.

 

Day 2: BL

Head to Zipaquirá to see the incredible Salt Cathedral and then to Nemocón for a tour of a working salt mine.

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Day 3: BL

Take a morning hike around Laguna de Guatavita to see where the Legend of El Dorado was formed. Continue to the beautiful town of Villa de Leyva.

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Day 4: B

Spend the day wandering through the cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva. Visit the historic homes and churches before trying some of the local restaurants.

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Day 5: BL

Visit El Fósil, the world’s most complete fossil of a kronosaurus, before learning about the indigenous Muisca people at El Infiernito. Stop by the beautiful monastery of Santo Ecce Homo before finishing the day sampling wines and cheese at Viñedo Ain Karim.

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Day 6: BL

Start the morning with a trip to visit La Candelaria, a tiny hamlet with an Augustine monastery dating back to 1604. Do some souvenir shopping in colorful Ráquira, Colombia’s pottery capital, and sample cazuela boyacense, a local stew. Learn about tagua, a seed with 97% of the properties of ivory, from local artisans in Tinjacá, then snack on longaniza in Sutamarchán before the drive to Bogotá.

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Day 7: BL

Spend the morning in the historic district of La Candelaria. Feast on ajiaco, a traditional stew from Bogotá, for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will visit the Museo del Oro and Monserrate.

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Day 8: B

A free day in Bogotá to take optional bike or graffiti tours, visit some of the city’s many museums, or spend the day relaxing.

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Day 9: BLD

Leave early in the morning for the quaint town of Villavieja. Have lunch and see the small museum. Then it’s off to the Desierto de la Tatacoa for a couple short hikes. After dinner, we attend an astronomy talk under the bright starry sky.

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Day 10: BLD

Head to UNESCO World Heritage listed San Agustín at dawn. Spend the afternoon in the Archaeological Park. Have dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.

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Day 11: BD

Your choice of a fantastic tour of the San Agustín region. An off-road tour in a “camioneta” will take you to more remote sections of the Archaeological Park, a tomb museum, and some waterfalls. Or, go on horseback to visit some incredible archaeological sites and admire the scenery near San Agustín. Have another fantastic dinner.

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Day 12: BL

Leave early for the White City of Popayán. Have lunch at Mora Castilla to try some of the unique culinary delicacies that can be found in this UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The rest of the day is free to explore.

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Day 13: BL

Take an early morning scenic drive to Filandia. Have lunch at one of the hottest restaurants in the region, Helena Adentro, before climbing up the mirador for 360° views of the region. Drive to Salento for some free time to explore the town.

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Day 14: BL

Head to Valle de Cocora in the morning. Hike or take an optional tour on horseback to get up close and personal with the tall and majestic wax palms, a symbol of Colombia, or just relax and enjoy the view. Have a traditional lunch at Bosques de Cocora. In the afternoon, you’ll have more free time to enjoy Salento.

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Day 15: BL

Our first stop is the impressive Quindío Botanical Garden in Calarcá where you’ll take a guided tour to learn about Colombia’s biodiversity. We then drive to the small town of Buenavista for a healthy lunch at Río Azul. After lunch, become a coffee expert with a private experience at San Alberto, Colombia’s most award-winning coffee producer on an international level.

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Day 16: BL

After saying goodbye to Salento, we head to Santa Rosa de Cabal where you’ll have a chance to sample the famous chorizo santarrosano for lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon soaking away in the natural thermal baths before continuing to the city of Manizales for the night.

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Day 17: B

Take an early morning drive to Jardín to see what many Colombians regard as the most beautiful town in the country. Make a quick stop to see the colorful plaza in Hispania on the way there.

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Day 18: B

Take a free day in Jardín for optional activities. Hike to the Cueva del Esplendor for a dip in a natural swimming hole, go birdwatching, or relax in town.

 

Day 19: B

Spend a day in hot Santa Fe de Antioquia. Wander the cobblestone streets to see one of the oldest towns in Colombia. Take a dip in the hotel pool to cool off.

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Day 20: BL

Sleep in, have breakfast, and drive to Medellín. After lunch, the rest of the day is free. Have dinner and dance the night away in El Poblado.

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Day 21: BL

Visit Comuna 13, once considered the most dangerous neighborhood in Colombia, to see some colorful graffiti learn more about the city’s miraculous transformation. After a traditional lunch, take a short walking tour of the city center.

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Day 22: B

Take a day trip to climb the 700+ steps of the giant El Peñol for sweeping views of the countryside or save your lungs and relax in its shadow. Check out the zócalos in the town of Guatapé with a tour in a tuk-tuk. Do some souvenir shopping or take an optional boat ride.

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Day 23: B

A free morning in Medellín to take optional tours or sleep in and relax. Fly to Cartagena in the late afternoon.

 

Day 24: B

A free day to wander through the streets of the UNESCO World Heritage listed walled city of Cartagena. You can also visit Castillo San Felipe (the strongest Spanish fort ever built), the former slave quarter of Getsemaní, and sample street food and fresh exotic fruit juices.

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Day 25: BD

This day is free to explore more of the city. Enjoy a dinner at Mistura.

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Day 26: BL

Take an excursion to Isla del Encanto. The private island resort features a beautiful beach with crystal-clear water and a variety of optional activities.

 

Day 27: BL

Our transfer to Santa Marta will pick us up in the morning. We will have lunch upon arrival and then take a quick tour of the city. Finish the day with a visit to historic Quinta de San Pedro, an important colonial villa.

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Day 28: BL

The morning is free to explore the historic center of Santa Marta. After lunch, we’ll transfer to our lodge near Tayrona National Park.

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Day 29: B

A day of hiking and beaches awaits at Tayrona National Park. A 2-hour hike takes you to the popular Cabo San Juan, or you can opt to get there on horseback instead. Restaurants are located within the park to satisfy your appetite for lunch.

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Day 30: B

Spend the day relaxing at the lodge, which boasts its own private beach, or take an optional excursion in the area. You can visit an indigenous village to learn about the local culture or another spectacular natural place like Quebrada Valencia or Buritaca.

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Day 31: B

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.