The treasures of Southern Colombia - 13 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to Bogota

  Welcome at the international airport for the delivery of your travel booklet. Transfer (approx. 45 min) and check-in at the hotel. Welcome to Bogota: on a vast plateau of the Andes, at 2,600 meters altitude, 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

  Visit of the historic center of 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

  Direction San Agustín

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Bogota airport (45 min) for your flight to Neiva. Transfer to San Agustín (approx. 4h). On the way, we will make a stop to admire the breathtaking view of the Magdalena River. Arrival and check-in at your hotel. Optional: visit to the Tatacoa desert with a Spanish-speaking guide, overnight in Neiva.

• day 4

  Visit to the archaeological park

  Breakfast at your hotel. Guided tour of the San Agustín archaeological park (closed on Tuesdays) accompanied by your local guide. This fascinating archaeological park, with more than 300 gigantic and imposing statues (some as tall as 7 meters) and sacred tombs, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can discover El Bosque, a small museum, and the Mesitas, which contain ancient dwellings, tombs, gigantic statues of remarkable craftsmanship, and artificial mounds. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Jeep discovery of the surroundings of San Agustín.

  Breakfast at your hotel. Your local guide will accompany you for a beautiful day of Jeep excursion to discover the surroundings of San Agustín. You will first enjoy the exceptional natural site of the Magdalena River and its canyons. You will continue this adventure with a visit to the Obando archaeological museum. Lunch on your own along the way. Continuation of the discovery of the surroundings of San Agustín. You will go to the Alto de los Ídolos archaeological site to discover beautiful statues, including the largest in San Agustín (over 3 meters high). Return to your hotel in San Agustín. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Departure for Popayán and visit of the city.

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer this morning to Popayán (approx. 4h) and check-in at your hotel upon arrival. Popayán is considered the religious capital of Colombia, with the highest number of churches per inhabitant. It is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the country, although it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 80s. The center of Popayán is a renowned historical and architectural heritage site. In the afternoon, visit the village. You have the opportunity to visit its baroque churches (San Francisco and La Ermita), the Basilica Cathedral, and sumptuous stone streets. Discover the city through its colonial houses with white walls, wrought iron balconies, and flowering bushes.

• day 7

  On the way to the coffee region.

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the coffee region (approx. 4/5h). If this day falls on a Tuesday, we can go to the village of Silvia for a visit to the market (1h30 transfer). Every Tuesday, the Guambianos display and sell traditional crafts, turning the market into a true place of meeting and cultural discovery. Arrival and check-in at your hotel. If you wish, we offer you the opportunity to participate in a workshop organized by your hotel to discover all the secrets of coffee making.

• day 8

  Visit 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: drive to the Cocora Valley in a 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

  Direction Cartagena de Indias

  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Pereira airport for your flight to Pereira (4h with a connection in Bogota). Arrival and check-in at your hotel. Free afternoon to discover Cartagena at your own pace, or take part in an additional activity (contact us for more information).

• day 11

  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 taking this little walking tour. Cartagena has suffered repeated attacks from pirates, the most famous of whom is 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. Free afternoon to discover Cartagena at your own pace, or take part in an additional activity (contact us for more information).

• day 12

  Trip to the Rosario Islands

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Cartagena pier to board your boat. Isla Grande, one hour by boat from Cartagena, is the best option for a seaside day under the sign of the Caribbean! You will spend an afternoon relaxing or kayaking in the mangroves (optional)... not to mention tasting a delicious grilled lobster for your lunch! Return to Cartagena in the afternoon.

• day 13

  Back to the capital

  Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Cartagena airport (approx. 15 min). Flight Cartagena – Bogota (1h30).