The Dazzling Diversity of Colombia
Tour Introduction
This sample tailor-made tour showcases the astonishing mix of wildlife, culture, archaeology and history that makes Colombia such an enthralling country to explore.
Based initially in Bogota, enjoy the smells and flavours of vibrant Paloquemao Market, walk colonial streets and take in the spectacular city panorama from Cerro de Monserrate. Descend into the Zipaquira salt mines to admire the magnificent Salt Cathedral, regard the remains of a large kronosaurus and explore colonial Villa de Leyva. Sample coffee in the verdant UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape, and admire the towering wax palms of the Cocora Valley. Continue to the Caribbean to the UNESCO World Heritage Cartagena de Indias with its intact Spanish colonial walled town. Finally, relax on the Caribbean coast and enjoy the coconut fringed beaches and wildlife of Tayrona National Natural Park before flying homewards. This would indeed be a truly memorably journey through Colombia.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival in Bogota and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon begin exploring La Candelaria district accompanied by a private guide. Visit Bolivar Square and several important colonial and republican style buildings including the Palace of Justice, Congress, and cathedral, the Botero Museum with a permanent exhibition of the work of Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist, and the gold museum. The tour finishes at Monserrate with panoramic views over Bogota before returning to the hotel.
Staying at Hotel de la Opera. Includes Lunch.
Visit Paloquemao Market, Bogota's largest food market which sells a variety of produce which is unique to Colombia and the Andes. Continue to Zipaquira, best known for its impressive Salt Cathedral, and then travel to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva.
Staying at Hotel La Posada de San Antonio. Includes Breakfast.
In the morning enjoy a walking tour of Villa de Leyva. Declared a National Monument and National Heritage Site, time seems to stand still in this beautiful colonial town. A perfect mix of 17th century Spanish colonial architecture, altiplano (high plain) culture, lush nature, and interesting palaeontology and archaeology makes this little town a place worth exploring in depth.
In the afternoon visit the pre-Colombian Monquira Archaeological Park which was a centre of religious ceremonies and spiritual purification rites, and also served as a solar observatory. The tour finishes with a visit to El Fosil Museum where different fossils are exhibited, including a complete skeleton of a 110 million year old Kronosaurius boyacensis hampe.
Staying at Hotel La Posada de San Antonio. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to Bogota Airport and fly to Pereira. Met on arrival and transfer to Salento in the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape.
Staying at Reserva El Cairo. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
In the morning explore the Cocora Valley, home to the world’s tallest palm and Colombia’s national tree – the endemic Colombian wax palm.
In the afternoon enjoy a coffee tour in a beautiful colonial coffee hacienda.
Staying at Reserva El Cairo . Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Pereira and fly to Cartagena, one of the first cities founded by the Spanish in South America and Colombia's first commercial port. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the city including Plaza de los Coches, Plaza de la Aduana, Parque Bolivar, and Plaza de Santa Teresa.
Staying at Alfiz Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
In the morning enjoy a guided tour of the Castillo San Felipe and the Gold Museum, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Alfiz Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Spend the day relaxing, or snorkelling from a private island in the Islas de Rosario.
Staying at Alfiz Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Transfer to Tayrona National Natural Park on the Caribbean coast. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on own.
Staying at Villa Maria Tayrona. Includes Breakfast.
Accompanied by a private guide spend the morning exploring Tayrona National Natural Park. Tayrona is a mixture of dry and humid forest with an impressive biodiversity including over 700 species of plant and 300 species of bird. The park also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the region with healthy coral reefs offshore and remnants of ancient tribal settlements. The afternoon is at leisure.
Staying at Villa Maria Tayrona. Includes Breakfast.
At leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Staying at Villa Maria Tayrona. Includes Breakfast.
After a morning at leisure transfer to Santa Marta Airport for the flight to Bogota and onward international connections.
Staying at Villa Maria. Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Alfiz Boutique Hotel
Overview
The Alfiz Boutique Hotel is a charming small hotel in a restored 17th century house on a quiet road in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town. It occupies a perfect location between the two oldest squares of the city – Plaza de Bolivar and Plaza de la Aduana – and is also close to a variety of coffee shops, galleries, bookstores, restaurants and bars.
There are eight, individually decorated ensuite rooms reflecting the history of Cartagena. All rooms have a/c, ceiling fan, cable TV, minibar, safe and WiFi. Services and facilities include a lobby lounge with complimentary coffee and a small drinks cabinet, and library with over 200 works by the Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. There is also a breakfast room, limited room service, and sun terrace with small pool. The hotel does not have a restaurant but there are numerous dining options nearby.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Lobby lounge with complimentary coffee and honour bar, breakfast room, limited room service, complimentary WiFi, and rooftop terrace with small pool.
Optional Activities
Enjoy one of the many excursions from Cartagena. Take a traditional bus city tour or a private historical walking tour. Enjoy a tour of San Felipe Fort. Take a short walk along the historic streets of the walled city and find the Palace of Inquisition and the Cathedral of Cartagena just a few minutes away from the hotel. Have a guided tour of the botanical gardens 30 minutes away. Or perhaps take a boat trip to the nearby Rosario Islands..
Villa Maria Tayrona
Overview
This secluded hotel is nestled within tropical Colombian jungle with views of the Caribbean. There are 27 ensuite rooms and bungalows with a/c, minibar and balcony with hammock. The main building houses the restaurant, bar and spa, and there is also an outdoor pool with a snacks and drink menu. WiFi is available at the pool and restaurant. There are some short walking trails through the hotel’s grounds, and under the road to the beach (10 minute walk).
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, spa, outdoor pool with drinks and snacks menu, and a few short walking trails. WiFi is available at the pool and restaurant.
Hotel De La Opera
Overview
Located on the Calle Coliseo adjacent to the Colon Theatre, Hotel de la Opera is the best accommodation option in the historic La Candelaria district of Bogota. The hotel consists of two houses from the 19th and 20th centuries which have been joined, with 27 rooms in the Republican building set around an internal courtyard, and 15 Art Deco rooms in the adjacent 1940s house. The upper floors have views across the historic centre, and the junior suites have a bath tub and balcony. The Republican section was once used by Spanish settlers and later housed the personal guard of Simon Bolivar who lived opposite in what is now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There are two restaurants – La Scala in the courtyard serving Mediterranean, international and local dishes, and the more casual El Mirador Restaurant on the top floor serving tasting platters, pizzas and burgers. On Fridays and Saturdays there is live music in El Mirador Restaurant. The Automatico Bar also offers a light food menu and cocktails. Both restaurants and the bar are open to the public.
For those seeking some rest and relaxation the Thermae Spa offers massages and treatments, a small indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and Turkish bath. There is also a small gym.
All of the rooms are ensuite with complimentary WiFi, TV, minibar and safes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Complimentary WiFi throughout, two restaurants, bar, spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath, and gym.
Reserva El Cairo
Overview
Reserva El Cairo occupies a peaceful location one-and-a-half miles east of the town of Salento on the road to the Cocora Valley.
The accommodation is in a century old coffee house that sits among a private 100 acre reserve. There are seven ensuite rooms with WiFi and minibar, and three of the rooms also have a balcony. Guests can relax in the comfortable lounge and enjoy a cold beer, soda, juice or a glass of wine whilst browsing a variety of books and magazines about the local area. Breakfast is served in the small dining room, and dinner can be prepared if booked before 1400 each day. The kitchen is also able to prepare a simple packed lunch.
The 100 acre reserve has two trails for guests to explore, one across farmland to a 17 metre high waterfall within the forest, and a longer trail which loops through primary forest. Flora and fauna includes more than 140 species of birds, and 200 species of trees and shrubs.
Reserva El Cairo can arrange a variety of activities including birding, a night hike, and biking.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Main building with lounge, dining room serving breakfast and dinner, beer, wine, sodas and natural juices available for purchase, WiFi.
Local Wildlife
The 100 acre private reserve has an inventory of more than 140 species of birds and 200 species of trees and shrubs including the Quindio wax palm, the world's largest palm.
Optional Activities
Night walks, biking, birding and hiking.
Hotel La Posada de San Antonio
Overview
La Posada de San Antonio is located on the corner of Plaza Nariño and just 100 metres from the historic centre of Villa de Leyva. It is set across three restored colonial houses and still maintains many of the original details.
The rooms feature replica colonial artwork and antique furnishings, with some rooms facing in to the property, whilst others face the street, including some with a balcony. All rooms have cable TV, minibar, WiFi and safe. The suites have an extra living space and a fireplace.
The hotel has a restaurant that is open to the public, reading room with original stone fireplace, bar, games room, small spa with offering massages, a Jacuzzi and a steam room, and plant-filled courtyards.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, games room, spa and complimentary WiFi.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Best Visited:
November to March
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
