The Essentials of Colombia

Beschrijving van de reis

Accommodatie

Programma van het verblijf

• dag 1

  Welcome to Colombia

  

  Reception at Bogota airport, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel (about 30 minutes). Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: transport, room with breakfast

• dag 2

  Visit of the historic center

  

  

  Let’s discover downtown Bogotá like the “rolos” (nickname for the inhabitants of Bogota). The walking tour of the capital takes us to the most authentic and history-filled places in the city. La Candelaria, the historic center of the city, is a place full of charm, with its brightly colored houses, its carved wooden balconies and its flower-filled patios. On the program: Bolivar Square, del Chorro Square with its artists, as well as its colonial houses. In the afternoon, we visit the Gold Museum, where the largest collection in Latin America of pre-Columbian gold objects is located, with more than 30,000 gold pieces and magnificent emeralds (closed on Monday), as well as the Botero Museum, with a large collection by the most famous Colombian artist, as well as other masterpieces by the biggest names in Impressionism and Modernism (closed on Tuesday). Duration: 8h Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: excursion, entrance fee(s), bilingual FR guide, room with breakfast

• dag 3

  

  A private transfer will take you from Bogota to Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial village. We will make a stop in Ráquira and Zipaquirá to visit the Salt Cathedral. Travel time: about 4 h. Night at the Boutique La Española hotel, in a standard room. Included: transport, entrance(s), room with breakfast

• dag 4

  Villa de Leyva by bike

  

  This morning, let’s go cycling with our guide. We will cover between 15 and 28 km, depending on our interests. Choose 4 places to visit to create your itinerary: - Pozos Azules - the paleontological research center - the fossil museum - the orchid nursery - the Albaran vineyard - the Ecce Homo monastery - the Muisca observatory - the Terracota House Duration: 3-6 h – Difficulty: easy – Max. altitude: 2170 m – Min.: 2071 m Terrain: 70% on track – 30% paved road Entrance fees to the selected sites are not included. Private transport from Villa de Leyva to Barichara following the Andes route. Travel time: about 4 h. Night at La Nube Posada hotel, in a Standard room. Included: excursion, bilingual guide ANG, transport, room with breakfast

• dag 5

  Guane - Barichara

  

  

  By an ancient path, El Camino Real (the royal trail of Spanish colonization), we descend to the small village of Guane, where life seems lulled by an ancestral rhythm. Its whitewashed wattle-and-daub houses, its stone streets and its small archaeological museum take us back in time. Visit of the archaeological museum (closed on Monday and Saturday) and return to Barichara. Walk: 3 h - Distance: 7 km - Positive elevation gain: 81 m - Difficulty: moderate - Negative elevation gain: 364 m - Maximum altitude: 1 313 m In the afternoon, discovery of Barichara, a peaceful village perched at 1 340 meters of altitude. A true haven of peace, this colonial jewel attracts many artists and artisans who have made their home in its picturesque alleys. We will stroll its cobbled streets, admire its churches and its parks, before enjoying a breathtaking viewpoint over the Suárez canyon. The visit will conclude with meeting local artisans in their workshops (painting, handmade paper, sculpture or tobacco, depending on availability). Visit: 3 h Night at the hotel La Nube Posada in a Standard room Included: Excursion, Entrance fee(s), Bilingual guide FR, Room with breakfast

• dag 6

  Heading to the coffee region

  

  Transport from Barichara to Bucaramanga airport passing through the majestic landscapes of the Chicamocha canyon. Travel time: about 4h. Domestic flight to Pereira (not included). Private transfer from Pereira airport to Salento (about 1h). Night at the Salento Plaza hotel in a Standard room. Included: transport, domestic flight, room with breakfast

• dag 7

  Cocora Valley and Cloud Forests

  

  

  Departure from Salento in a Willys Jeep early in the morning towards the Cocora Valley. Accompanied by a guide during a hike, we will explore an extraordinary valley where the wax palms, the national emblem, give the landscape a surreal dimension. We will then discover the “cloud forests” (bosques de niebla), a very particular ecosystem within which we will be able to observe certain birds characteristic of the region. Return to Salento planned for lunch. Distance: 9 km – Walk: 4 h – Altitude: 2 150 - 2 900 m - Humidity: 75 % – Willys Jeep: 1 h VISIT OF A TRADITIONAL COFFEE FINCA Departure for an immersion in the heart of a traditional coffee finca located near Salento. You will reach the farm on foot, the ideal opportunity to admire the Andean landscapes that the coffee region offers. On site, you will discover the complete process of artisanal production, from picking the beans to the cup. A tasting will be offered to you and you will be able to purchase local coffee for yourself or to give to your loved ones. Return to Salento in a Willys Jeep. Walk: 1 h - Visit: 45 min - Willys Jeep: 15 min Night at the Salento Plaza hotel in a Standard room. Included: Excursion, Local guide ES, Lunch, Entrance fee(s), Bilingual guide FR, Transport, Room with breakfast

• dag 8

  Villages of Quindio

  

  This day is an opportunity to visit the typical villages of the Quindio region and to admire the magnificent landscapes it offers. We pass through several pretty villages while regularly making stops in order to admire the surroundings and to take a few shots. The itinerary depends on the location of our hotel. Transport: 6 to 8h Night at the Salento Plaza hotel in a Standard room Included: excursion, bilingual FR guide, room with breakfast

• dag 9

  Heading to the Colombian coasts

  

  Private transfer from Salento to Pereira airport (about 1h). Domestic flight to Santa Marta (not included). Welcome at Santa Marta airport and transfer to your hotel near Tayrona Park (about 1h15). Night at Villa Maria Tayrona hotel, in a Doble room. Included: transport, room with breakfast

• dag 10

  Tayrona Park

  

  A car will take you from the surroundings of Tayrona Park to Cañaveral (round trip). Journey time: about 30 minutes. Tayrona takes us to a magical place, located between the mountains, the tropical forest and the sea. There we discover the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the country and ancient volcanic stones bathed in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. This day begins with a hike in the heart of the tropical jungle, starting from the Cañaveral entrance. The trail will lead you to the wild beaches of Arrecifes, then to La Piscina, ideal for swimming and snorkeling (equipment not included), to finish in style at Cabo San Juan del Guía, a spectacular white-sand bay nestled between immense volcanic rocks. Throughout this crossing, you will enjoy exceptional fauna and flora. After a free lunch on site, you will take the same path to return to the park entrance, before returning to your hotel by bus in the late afternoon (note: park entrance fee not included, unless otherwise stated). Duration: 7h - Hike: 5h (jungle, beach, stairs) Night at the Villa Maria Tayrona hotel in a Doble room Included: Transport, Entrance(s), Excursion, Bilingual guide ENG, Room with breakfast

• dag 11

  On the way to beautiful Cartagena

  

  Private transport from the surroundings of Tayrona Park to Cartagena. Travel time: about 5h. HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR OF CARTAGENA Follow in the footsteps of legendary pirates and let yourself be surprised by the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, a city with a unique mixed heritage. This tour will immerse you in the heart of the colonial era, among colorful houses and lively parks. It is the ideal opportunity to go back in time and relive the highlights of this city, the second Spanish stronghold established on the South American continent. Cartagena was for a long time the scene of repeated pirate attacks, including those of the famous captain Francis Drake. You will explore the beauty of its monuments, its churches and its emblematic walls, witnesses of the past that still defy the horizon today. Duration: 4h Night at La Artilleria hotel in a standard room. Included: transport, excursion, bilingual guide FR, entrance(s), room with breakfast

• dag 12

  La Boquilla, fishing and traditional cuisine

  

  

  An excursion dedicated to adventure and authentic encounters enthusiasts, far from the beaten path. Early departure from your hotel towards La Boquilla. Upon your arrival in this fishing village, you will be welcomed by the local Afro-Cartagenian community. The inhabitants will share with you their ancestral techniques: net fishing and crab fishing. You will then discover the secrets of coastal cuisine and learn to prepare fish and crabs, accompanied by the traditional coconut rice. You will finally taste the fruit of your fishing in the company of the fisherman's family who will have accompanied you. Return to Cartagena planned in the early afternoon. Duration: 6h – Transport: 20 min Night at La Artilleria hotel in a standard room Included: Lunch, Transport, Excursion, Bilingual guide FR, Room with breakfast

• dag 13

  Rosario Islands

  

  Transfer from your hotel to the Cartagena pier (about 15 minutes). DAY PASS ROSARIO DE MAR Enjoy a relaxing day on an island in the Rosario archipelago, a paradisiacal place where you can admire the beauty of the landscapes and the turquoise waters characteristic of the Caribbean Sea. Meet at the pier to set course for Isla Grande, the largest island in the archipelago. Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed with a welcome cocktail, during which the various activities offered on site (at an additional cost) will be presented to you, such as snorkeling, a mangrove tour or a visit to the aquarium. You can then organize your day at your own pace and enjoy the white-sand beaches as you wish. Whatever program you choose, the navigation team will ensure your return to Cartagena in the middle of the afternoon. Boat: 1h - Duration: 7h Return to the hotel on your own (by taxi 10 min or on foot 10 min) Night at La Artilleria hotel in a standard room Included: transport, lunch, cocktail, boat, room with breakfast

• dag 14

  End of stay

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Cartagena airport (about 20 minutes). Included: transport