Highlights of Peru and Colombia in Comfort and Style

Met on arrival at Cusco Airport and transfer by road to the Sacred Valley Incas. This valley was of symbolic importance to the Incas and is littered with holy sites. It also contains some of the more fertile and flattest land for the production of the staple Andean cereal, maize. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and acclimatise to the altitude.

Today enjoy a full day guided tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the Inca ruins of Pisac perched above the town of the same name. These ruins are some of the largest and finest in the Sacred Valley. Then visit the town of the same name and visit the town’s colourful market.

After lunch at a local restaurant visit the town of Ollantaytambo. This town is one of the few places that still has the original Inca layout, with the town laid out in a trapezoidal shape with the buildings arranged in blocks. The ruins at Ollantaytambo are very impressive. It was to here that Manco Inca retreated in the great revolt against the Spanish.

Transfer to Ollanta train station for the train service to Machu Picchu town. Board the bus to Machu Picchu and begin exploring the Inca Citadel with a guide.

The famous lost city of the Incas is one of the most evocative places in Peru. It is perched on a mountain ridge 600 metres above the Urubamba River which winds spectacularly through the valley below. The mountainside is clad in thick cloud forest, often covered in mists which are quickly burnt off by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely sculpted granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, Machu Picchu may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. Your guide will tell you the story of the rise and fall of the ancient civilisations of the Andes, the tragic end of the Incas, and the unresolved mystery that this ‘lost city’ remains. Return to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Spend the morning in guided exploration of Cusco and the surrounding Inca sites. Sites of interest in the city to be explored include the Cathedral, considered to be the second largest in South America after Sao Paulo, and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun with a 17th Century church built on top. The Inca sites above Cusco include the large Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, and the Inca baths of Tambo Machay. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on own.

Transfer to Cusco Airport and fly to Bogota. Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel

Meet guide at the hotel to make it to the prime time of the hustle and bustle of the capital’s largest food market ‘Paloquemao’. Here you’ll learn about rural culture and sample (optional!) some of the vast number of fruits (some of which are unique to Colombia and the Andes) and various local foods with the locals. The market is open every day and supplies the ingredients for the majority of the city's best restaurants.

Next, you will visit the Spanish colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria, which is considered the city’s heart and soul. Here you will see the architecture of the old houses, churches, and buildings in Spanish colonial, baroque, and art deco styles. Head to Bogota’s main square - the Plaza de Bolívar - and see several important colonial and Republican-style buildings, including the Palace of Justice, Colombia’s Congress, Mayor’s office, and the Primary Cathedral of Bogota. A visit will be made the Botero Museum depending on time.

Lunch will be had at the stylish restaurant Prudencia, a new restaurant in La Candelaria that boasts beautiful architecture and delicious food. Head next to Colombia´s famous Gold Museum. Here you’ll learn about Colombia’s rich, diverse and remarkable pre-Hispanic past, seeing part of the world’s largest collection of Tumbaga gold artefacts beautifully presented in this recently remodelled museum. Then climb Cerro Monserrate via cable car or funicular railway. You’ll walk around the Cerro and Sanctuary of ‘Our Fallen Lord’ learning about the unique story behind this mountain-top sanctuary. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Bogota to finish the tour before heading back to your hotel.

Transfer to Bogota Airport and fly to Pereira. Transfer on arrival to Hacienda Bambusa, visiting Filandia en-route for a coffee and snack in the plaza and a visit to the viewing tower.

After lunch enjoy a welcome hike and cacao tour. This easy level hike through explores the 500-plus acres hacienda, which is mostly cultivated with cacao plantation. Some bird watching is done on the way. Finish the tour learning the process of the cacao beans starting at the plantations until enjoying a hot cup of chocolate with cheese and an arepa.

Visit a working coffee farm at Hacienda Bruselas opened only to Bambusa’s guests for a private coffee tour. Walk through the coffee plantations, visit the farm facilities where coffee processes like selection, drying and roasting takes place, and end the tour with a coffee tasting.

Lunch at Hacienda Bruselas and transfer back to hotel. End of afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Salento. Here you will hop in a classic Willys Jeep that will take you to the gorgeous Cocora Valley, home to the world’s tallest palm and Colombia’s national tree – the endemic Colombian wax palm. Spend time exploring the stunning landscape of Cocora, named after the local pre-hispanic chieftain’s daughter of the region. Picnic packed lunch at the valley. Here there will be an option for a 10 km hike into the cloud forest to visit a beautiful hummingbird reserve depending on your preference.

Late afternoon transfer back to Salento and time for a short walking tour, a coffee or shopping for local crafts. Transfer and dinner at Hacienda Bambusa.

Transfer to Pereira Airport and fly via Bogota to Cartagena. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Afternoon walking tour to the colonial neighbourhoods of San Diego and Santo Domingo. Stops will be made at places such as Plaza de los Coches, Plaza de la Aduana, Parque Bolivar and Plaza de Santa Teresa. The rest of the afternoon and evening you’ll have time to relax, discovering the sheer range of restaurants and excellent Caribbean-themed bars.

After breakfast, early private tour of Castillo San Felipe and Gold Museum.

Lunch at recommended restaurant and afternoon at leisure at hotel or exploring some more of the walled city.

Morning transfer by road to Santa Marta and Buritaca to beach hotel.

Afternoon at leisure.

After breakfast drive to Tayrona National Natural Park accompanied by a bilingual local guide. The most visited National Park in Colombia, Tayrona is the perfect combination of tropical rainforest, beautiful beaches and the Caribbean sea. It covers a large area ranging from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta down to the beaches by the Caribbean. Walk to the Arrecife area or further to Cabo San Juan.

After a relaxed morning transfer to Santa Marta airport and fly to Bogota for international connection to the UK.