Self-drive tour - 21 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Bogotá

  

  A French-speaking assistant will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel in a private vehicle. They will give you your travel documents and a loaner phone. You settle in and rest before starting your journey the next day. Welcome to Bogotá, a multicultural and dynamic capital in the heart of the Andes, at an altitude of 2,600 m. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 2

  Discovery of Bogotá

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to visit the Colombian capital. Suggestions: take the cable car up to Cerro Monserrate, located at 3,150 m altitude (or you can walk up). The panoramic view of the valley and the city is unique. Then, visit the historic district of La Candelaria and Bolivar Square, where you will find the National Capitol, the Palace of Justice, the Bogotá City Hall, the "Primada" Cathedral, the "del Sagrario" Chapel, and the Archbishop's Palace. Discover the neoclassical façade of the Colon Theater and the splendid Santa Clara church (about 2 hours of visit), as well as the Botero Foundation (closed on Tuesdays). The Gold Museum (closed on Mondays) is surely the highlight of your visit as it houses the largest collection of gold pieces from the Amerindian era. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 3

  Direction Villavieja

  

  Breakfast at the hotel This morning, you will pick up your rental vehicle at the hotel. A French-speaking assistant will accompany you during this process. You will then take the road to Villavieja, a small town located near the Tatacoa desert. End of day at leisure. Lunch and dinner at your own expense.

• day 4

  Tatacoa Desert

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free day. Suggestions: excursion in the desert, visit the sites of Cuzco and Hoyos: giant cacti, extreme colors, eccentric geological formations. Arm yourself with a map and discover the different colors of the desert: ochre, red, green, gray... La Tatacoa is full of surprises! Visit the town of Villavieja. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 5

  On the way to San Agustín, archaeological treasure

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to San Agustín and expected arrival in the middle of the afternoon. End of the day to rest and stroll around the village. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 6

  San Augustin, archaeological treasure

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. San Agustín is the cradle of a civilization that mysteriously disappeared long before the rise of the Incas. Those known as the "Augustinians" left us sanctuaries, sarcophagi, and stone statues, some of which are believed to be over 3,000 years old. This day will take you to the heart of this civilization through visits to two key sites: the archaeological park and El Alto de los Ídolos. The department of Huila is Colombia's number 1 coffee producer. In addition, there are crops of sugar cane, tropical fruits, and vegetables. Journey to the San Agustín archaeological park. Visit the park accompanied by a French-speaking guide. Suggestion: visit the Lavapatas site, with its waterfall of sculpted stones. A magnificent place that brings together statues and other marvels of the ancient Augustinian communities, in a lush and pleasant environment. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 7

  Popayán Direction

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Popayan with your rental car. During the journey, you will have the opportunity to see the Puracé moorland, with its endemic Espeletia (Frailejon) and the Puracé volcano (if the weather is favorable). Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 8

  Popayan and its colonial charm

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free visit of the city of Popayán. Nestled in the green meanders of the Cauca, at an altitude of 1,737 meters, Popayán is the very embodiment of colonial charm, with its picturesque streets and pretty cobbled squares. The many churches are like works of art displayed in the open air, bearing witness to the city's religious tradition, which still comes alive today during the Holy Week processions. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 9

  Cali Direction

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Cali. Free afternoon to discover the city of salsa. The capital of Valle del Cauca offers a very active cultural life and musical rhythms that have made it famous worldwide. The Caleños (inhabitants of Cali) are very proud of their city, hence the expression: "Cali es Cali y lo demás es loma." Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 10

  Cali, world capital of salsa

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Free visit of the city of Cali. Suggestions: discover Cayzedo Square, the Ermita Church, the Christ the King monument, a 42-meter-high statue opening its arms over a superb panorama of the city, as well as the colonial district of San Antonio. Also recognized as the world capital of salsa, Cali is the ideal place to listen to or dance salsa, or simply watch the dancers in one of the city's salsa bars in the evening. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 11

  Salento, coffee region

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you head towards Salento, one of the key towns of the coffee axis. Once you arrive, you settle into your hotel and have the day to stroll through the colorful streets of Salento. Lunch and dinner are at your leisure. Suggestion: the "Trucha con patacón," a local specialty, a cooked trout served with a patacón, a fried plantain cake.

• day 12

  Cocora Valley

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Free day. Suggestions: You can visit the impressive Cocora Valley, a sacred place that is home to the tallest wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense - 60m) on the planet. You can also observe the unique features of the so-called "cloud forest" ecosystem. You can also visit a coffee finca, discover the entire production process and, of course, enjoy a tasting on site. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 13

  On the way to Jardín

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Jardín. Free afternoon to enjoy the peaceful village and the many possible activities in the surroundings. Suggestions to choose from: birdwatching at the "Jardin de Rocas" nature park, visit to a traditional panela factory, walk to the local waterfalls, take the Garrucha cable car and overlook the banana plantations, horseback riding, paragliding or canyoning. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 14

  Direction Medellín

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Free day to visit Medellín. 20 years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Since 2002, the city has undergone a spectacular urban and social transformation. Today, the "City of Eternal Spring" is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 15

  Discovery of Medellín

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Free day to visit Medellín. Suggestions: take the cable car to observe the city from above. You will have a panoramic view of the comunas. Visit Comuna 13 and its graffiti, as well as Moravia. Also visit the Museum of Memory and Botero Square. Note: at the beginning of August, the Flower Festival is a highlight not to be missed. Lunch and dinner on your own.

• day 16

  Excursion to Guatapé

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Head towards Guatapé, 2 hours from Medellín. Free day. Suggestions: drive to Guatapé and the Rock of Peñol (entrance fees not included). The charm of the village of Guatapé lies in the colorful bas-reliefs on the walls of the houses, which tell the customs and legends of the region. Many artisan workshops can be found in the village. The Rock of Peñol is a huge mass rising out of nowhere and 200 m high... From up there, the view is simply magnificent! We can also take a boat ride on the lake. Lunch at your leisure. Return to Medellín at the end of the afternoon. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 17

  Direction Cartagena de Indias

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Flight to Cartagena. Once you arrive, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel located in the historic center of Cartagena. Lunch at your leisure. Free afternoon to discover the warm atmosphere, beauty, and magic of Cartagena. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 18

  Discovery of Cartagena

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Free day dedicated to visiting Cartagena and its most emblematic neighborhoods. Suggestions: stroll through the colonial streets of the city founded in 1533. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, and it is easy to see why. The buildings recall the splendor of the colonial era, with their superb carved wooden balconies. The wooden doors open onto sumptuous patios. Visit Santo Domingo Square, Las Bovedas and its artisans, the Popa convent offering a unique panorama over the city, as well as the imposing San Felipe fortress, from where you can admire the sunset. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 19

  Discovery of Santa Marta

  

  Breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer to Santa Marta. You settle into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day free to visit the center of Santa Marta, a city located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Caribbean Sea. Suggestion: spend the afternoon in Minca, a small lush paradise. Its fauna and flora will surprise you! Walks to waterfalls and birdwatching are possible, among other activities. Lunch and dinner are free.

• day 20

  Excursion to Tayrona Park

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Tayrona Park to start your day of excursion. This park of more than 15,000 hectares is one of the most fascinating ecological reserves on the South American continent. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, it offers a wild landscape made up of thick tropical forest plunging into the Atlantic Ocean and coves with rugged relief. It is home to 108 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. You will walk along beautiful paths between forest and sea to Arrecifes. You will take breaks on the beaches, in natural pools. You will walk to the magnificent beaches of Cabo San Juan where you can swim. Return to Santa Marta at the end of the day. Lunch included. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 21

  Return to Bogotá and international connection

  

  Breakfast at your hotel Private transfer to Santa Marta airport to take your flight to Bogotá and your international connection.