2 weeks in Colombia: between culture, history and architecture.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Flight Paris - Bogota

  

  Arrival of the flight in Bogotá in the afternoon or evening. Welcome and transfer to your hotel located in the historic district of Bogotá. Check-in to your room. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  Free visit of Bogota

  

  Free day to visit Bogotá and its Candelaria (historic center). Suggested visits: cable car ride to Monserrate, visit to the Gold Museum and the Botero Foundation. Meals at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Bogotá / Zipaquirá and its salt cathedral: Villa de Leyva

  

  Traditional breakfast at the grand market of Bogotá, Paloquemao, then drive to Zipaquirá and visit its famous Salt Cathedral, built inside the salt mines of Zipaquirá (visit in English or Spanish). Continue to Ráquira, an artisan village known for its clay mines. Stroll through the colorful local market! Arrival in Villa de Leyva at the end of the afternoon. Meals not included. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Unusual diving around Villa

  Morning in a private vehicle for a country drive in the surrounding countryside. Visit to the La Primavera Mill, followed by a tasting of typical cheese. Stop at "El Infiernito", a place of rituals and astronomical observation for the Muisca Indians. Finally, stop at the Casa Terracotta, a house built exclusively by hand with sun-baked clay. In the afternoon, free walking tour of Villa de Leyva, one of the best-preserved colonial towns in the country. Stroll through the town's cobbled streets and visit its central square of 14,000 m², considered one of the largest in the South American continent. Meals not included. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Peaceful stop in Barichara, a little colonial gem

  In the morning, drive to Barichara (about 4h30), one of the most beautiful and authentic colonial towns in Colombia. Afternoon dedicated to a guided tour of Barichara and its craft workshops (stone cutters, cigar making, fique workshop...) for a discovery of local crafts, in contact with Colombians. Meals at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Hiking on the Camino Real, discovery of Guane and introduction to tile making.

  2-hour hiking (easy) to discover Guane, located below in the valley and connected to Barichara by a stony path, the "camino real" (royal road). This ancient paved path, built by the Indians, connects Barichara to the neighboring village of Guane. Arrival in Guane, discovery of this tiny village where life beats to the rhythm of another time. Visit its famous archaeological museum and return by tuk-tuk to Barichara (20 min) for an extraordinary ride! In the afternoon, introductory workshop on making traditional clay tiles, so specific to the region. Meals not included. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Canyon and coffee hacienda...

  

  In the morning, you leave for an excursion to the Chicamocha National Natural Park (about 1h40 drive) and its impressive canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Crossing this natural wonder by cable car, then continuing by road to a typical hacienda, a coffee producer. Lunch at the hacienda, then visit of the coffee plantation with the producer, who will explain all the subtleties of the aromas, the seeds, and the secrets of production, followed by a tasting... Transfer to the village of Giron, dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Flight to the mythical Cartagena de Indias...

  Road to Bucaramanga airport and flight to Cartagena, in Spanish "Cartagena de Indias". Arrival in the middle of the afternoon and first free discovery of this emblematic and historic city, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Meals at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  Morning visit of Cartagena de Indias.

  Morning tour of Cartagena de Indias and its most emblematic sites. On the way, stop at a dance school for an introduction to "Champeta," a Colombian musical genre and dance, as well as a tasting of typical dishes from the "Costa"… Meals at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  Isla Bela, what if paradise existed?

  Boat transfer with the hotel's maritime shuttle, heading to "Isla Bela" located in the Rosario archipelago (1h of navigation). Isla Bela is located in the natural park of the Rosario Islands, in the Caribbean Sea. Many activities are offered, as options. You can also enjoy its paradise beaches for a guaranteed change of scenery! 3:30 pm, departure from the island towards Cartagena (1h of navigation) with the hotel's maritime shuttle. Lunch on the island included and dinner at your leisure in Cartagena. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  Road to Mompox, the sleeping beauty...

  Morning drive to Mompox (about 5 hours by road). Arrival at the end of the morning, then free fish lunch in a local restaurant by the river. The afternoon is dedicated to a free walking tour of the city and its main points of interest. Meals at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  Exploration along the water of the Ciénaga...

  We offer you a day dedicated to discovering the surroundings of Mompox and its Ciénaga, immersed with the local population… On the program: a bike ride (about 1h) to visit the surrounding villages and meet the "campesinos" (peasants). Then, you will board a motorboat towards La Ciénaga, which forms the marshes of Mompox, true aquatic labyrinths surrounding the city. Encounters with fishermen (and initiation?), swimming. Lunch en route at a local's home. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 13

  Route to the Pearl of the Caribbean: Cartagena

  Transfer by road to Cartagena (about 5h) for an arrival in the afternoon and free time. Free meals. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 14

  Return flight

  Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out, then transfer to Cartagena airport (about 20 min). Check-in and boarding for your flight to Bogotá. Connection with the transatlantic flight.