Colombia: from the Andes to the Caribbean - 14 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to Bogota

  Welcome at the international airport for the delivery of your travel booklet. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Welcome to Bogota: located on a vast plateau of the Andes, at 2,600 meters above sea level, the capital of Colombia, with nearly 8 million inhabitants, is an essential cultural and economic center of the country, but also a dynamic and modern metropolis where people from all backgrounds converge. Dinner at your leisure.

• day 2

  City tour Bogota

  Breakfast at your hotel. Day dedicated to discovering Bogota: you will discover La Candelaria, the historic center of the city. A neighborhood with colorful houses and colonial architecture, you will stroll through the charming alleys of this timeless place. Lunch on your own in a typical restaurant where you can taste regional specialties (Ajiaco, Tamal, Santafereño chocolate). In the afternoon, visit the Museo del Oro (closed on Mondays), which houses the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects in the world. Continue with a visit to the Botero Foundation (closed on Tuesdays), where paintings and sculptures by the famous Colombian artist are exhibited, as well as works by famous artists from his private collection (Picasso, Braque).

• day 3

  On the way to Villa de Leyva

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Villa de Leyva (approx. 4h without visits) On the way, you stop at the Nemocón salt mine. In prehistoric times, the Bogota savannah was a territory covered by the sea, and the movement of tectonic plates turned it into a salt lake, then a huge underground salt reserve. During this visit 80 meters underground, you will walk through the impressive galleries to discover the salt waterfall, salt stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a chapel carved directly into the rock. Lunch at your leisure. Continue with the small village of Ráquira, which became famous for its pottery in different colors, an ancestral tradition dating back to pre-Hispanic times and preserved to this day. Arrival and check-in at your hotel.

• day 4

  Villa de Leyva and its surroundings

  Breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, a walking tour to discover the history of a magnificent village with preserved colonial charm, with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, its majestic Plaza Mayor — the largest in the country —, its cafés and craft shops. The history, or rather the stories, sometimes indigenous, sometimes Spanish, make this place a must-see on your trip. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, discovery of the surroundings of the village: have you ever come face to face with a chronosaur? Have you ever strolled through an Andean park dotted with stone phalluses over 3 m high? The Christianization of the Muisca Indians did not happen overnight. This afternoon, discover the Ecce Homo monastery and the decorative techniques used by the Dominican monks to convert them: we are at the heart of the history of an entire continent and of religious syncretism. To end this day, you will try your hand at Tejo, a traditional Colombian game that reminds us of pétanque! The game consists of making a firecracker explode using a metal puck thrown from a certain distance from the target (1 beer included / person).

• day 5

  Villa de Leyva and its surroundings

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Barichara (approx. 4h30) Perched on the top of the Suarez River canyon, with a privileged view of the region and an almost perfect climate, Barichara is surely the most beautiful village in Colombia, but also a very fine representation of the colonial era. Arrival and check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, discovery of the village. With our local guide, you stroll through its charming streets and visit its churches (the Immaculate Conception on the main square, the chapel of Santa Barbara to the north). You will also encounter many artists' and craftsmen's workshops who have made their home in this haven of peace, where time once stood still. On the program: visit to blacksmiths' workshops, an organic paper factory, sculptors' workshops (Monday to Saturday)... Accept our invitation to the heart of Colombian creativity!

• day 6

  Barichara: walk to Guané towards the Camino Real

  Breakfast at your hotel. Departure in the morning on foot along a paved path, an ancient pre-Columbian trade route, towards the small village of Guané (2 hours walk). On this path full of history, you enjoy the splendid landscapes and observe many plant species from this semi-arid region. Arrival in Guané, a place that seems lost in time. Moreover, its valley, which is full of fossils, only adds to this impression. You can also visit its beautiful square dominated by the Santa Lucía chapel. Visit to the paleontological museum of Guané, where you can find fossils and objects from the pre-Columbian civilizations that inhabited the region. Return to Barichara by Tuc-Tuc (35 minutes transfer), a local means of transport that allows you to best appreciate the landscapes of the Rio Suarez canyon. Free afternoon to enjoy the charm of the place.

• day 7

  On the way to the coffee region.

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Bucaramanga airport (approx. 4h) for your flight to Pereira (4h). Arrival and check-in at your hotel. You will discover a region with a completely different climate, surrounded by green valleys.

• day 8

  Discovery of the Cocora Valley and the village of Salento

  Breakfast at your hotel. Departure towards the Cocora Valley. A beautiful walk (from 30 min to 1h30 depending on your preference) along the Quindío river will allow you to discover the so-called cloud forest and admire the wax palm forests, the Colombian national tree, impressive for its height. Lunch at your leisure. Transfer by vehicle to the village of Salento. Visit the village to enjoy its typical colonial architecture with its colorful balconies. Continue with the small village of Filandia for its many colorful houses and its square surrounded by café terraces. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Option: travel to the Cocora Valley by Willys jeep. The Willys jeeps were imported to Colombia after the war to allow farmers to move more easily in this mountainous region. The Willys jeep still serves this function, but is also used as tourist transport.

• day 9

  River excursion aboard a balsaje

  Breakfast at your hotel. Departure by jeep to reach the dock of the "La Vieja" river (1h). Descent of the river on a balsaje, a typical raft of the region, during which you will enjoy the lush landscapes passing before your eyes, and why not cool off by swimming! Typical lunch by the river and free time. On the way back, we suggest visiting a coffee-producing finca, to discover its production and harvesting process. You will stroll through its fruit gardens and taste many local fruits. You will end this day with a small coffee in the center of Quimbaya, in the café managed by the same producer family, who have recently diversified their activities.

• day 10

  Heading for the Caribbean coast of Colombia

  Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, transfer to Pereira airport for your flight to Santa Marta (3h30 with connection in Bogota). Arrival on the Caribbean coast and transfer from the airport to your hotel (approx. 1h). Arrival and free time to enjoy the beach.

• day 11

  Hiking in Tayrona Park

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer this morning to Tayrona Park (30 min) Between lush jungle and dream beaches, you walk the paths leading to Cabo de San Juan, a small hut perched on the rocks, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden that is Tayrona Park. Return to your hotel at the end of the day.

• day 12

  Cartagena de Indias: the pearl of the Caribbean

  Breakfast at your hotel. Free morning to enjoy the relaxation of the place, close to the beach, take a short hike allowing you to reach refreshing waterfalls, or participate in one of the activities offered by your hotel. In the afternoon, transfer to Cartagena de Indias (approx. 5h) and check-in at your hotel.

• day 13

  City tour in Cartagena.

  Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, we suggest you travel back in time and relive some of the city's key historical moments by joining the walking tour. Cartagena suffered repeated attacks from pirates, the most famous of whom was Captain Francis Drake! You will discover the San Pedro Claver church and monastery, the cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica, as well as the colonial houses lining the streets of the historic center. Afternoon free to explore Cartagena at your own pace or take part in an additional activity (contact us for more information).

• day 14

  Back to the capital

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Cartagena airport (approx. 15 min). Flight Cartagena – Bogota (not included).