With its dream Caribbean beaches, exuberant Amazon rainforest and three majestic mountain ranges traversed by winding roads that connect bougainvillea-shrouded villages and vibrant cities, Columbia reveals to the world a tropical cocktail of attractions.  It is a country of passion, the land of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 1982 Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and of the great artist Fernando Botero whose sculptures are found all over the world.  Columbia offers varied landscapes for all forms of adventure tourism, from hiking and canopying to scuba diving.  The main fascination of the country however relates to its generous, joyful and enthusiastic people, a fascinating racial mix of Indigenous, Africans and Caucasians that keep their traditions and culture alive.

Essential Activities

·         Explore Columbia’s walled city of Cartagena, the ‘jewel of the Caribbean’

Stay in hacienda’s and visit a coffee plantation to discover how the world famous Columbian coffee is processed.
Colombia
Bogota

Columbia’s capital situated at an altitude of 2600m is a busy, cosmopolitan city where modern buildings and avenues contrast with colonial churches and stately house.  With an intense and vibrant cultural, intellectual and social life, Bogota also hosts the world’s best pre-Columbian art collection and a visit to the Museo del Oro is a must on every itinerary. 

Cartagena de Indias

The walled city of Catagena, jewel of the Caribbean coast, is legendary both for its history and its beauty.  Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, visitors go back in time when they stroll through the narrow streets, framed by picturesque colonial mansions, cloisters and castles.  Immortalised in countless books and paintings, this fascinating city comes alive at night, with numerous bars, exquisite restaurants and live Caribbean Music.  The nearby tropical Islas de Rosario make for a great day excursion.

The Coffee Triangle

In the fertile soils of the central mountain range near the towns of Pereira and Armenia, Columbia’s high quality coffee is cultivated.  Travelling through lush green valleys you can observe traditional villages, colourful architecture, the spectacular Los Nevados national Park and endless coffee plantations from the midst of which emerge traditional coffee hacienda’s – the ideal base from which to explore the lush green coffee valley’s and become passionate about Columbia’s traditional drink.

Tayrona National Park

Unspoilt forest-lined beaches, coral barriers, the turquoise Caribbean sea, mangroves and mountains, this is the stunning Tayrona National Park situated 34km from Santa Marta with the country’s tallest peaks of up to 5755m.  Nearly deserted, the park is home to a few indigenous communities as well as a unique eco-system with numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles
Colombia

Colombia

Essential Columbia – Coffee and Caribbean Coast

12 days from £1349 (excludes flights). Private Tour

9 Days from £939 (excludes flights) Private Tours without Coffee Triangle

Departures: Daily

Day 1: Arrive Bogotá

On arrival at Bogotá airport enjoy a private transfer to your chosen hotel for a two-night stay.

Standard: Hotel Casa de la Botica

Superior: Hotel Del La Opera

Day 2: Bogotá City Tour

Today, embark on a half day private tour of the historic center known as La Candelaria. The ancient quarters are formed by grand houses of profound Spanish influence with iron windows, thick wooden doors and internal patios that hide beautiful gardens. The tour includes a visit to Plaza Mayor, Capilla del Sagrario, the city’s religious and architectural jewel, and the Capitolio. Continue to the fabulous Museo del Oro considered the most important collection of its kind worldwide with nearly 34,000 gold objects and 20,000 in stone! The afternoon is at leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to the impressive Zipaquira Salt Cathedral to explore the enormous salt stalactites and the various halls with water mirrors (not included).(Breakfast included)

Day 3: Bogotá – Armenia

This morning transfer to the airport and fly to Armenia (not included) in Colombia’s famous coffee farming region. En route to your homely hacienda and overnight stay, visit the Quimbaya Museum which houses an interesting collection of gold, ceramic and wooden objects.(Breakfast included)

Standard: Hotel del Campo

Superior: Hacienda Bambusa

Day 4: Armenia – Valle del Cocora – Pereira

Your guide will pick you up today for an all day private visit to a typical village of Filandia, famous for its 'antioqueño' architecture as well as for basket weaving. Continue to the beautiful Valle del Cocora (Nevados National Park) where on a short walk you can admire the 60m high palm trees. Numerous bird species inhabit the area and roads are lined with brightly-coloured 'fincas', typical coffee growing farm houses built with local wood, tiled roofs and mud walls. Transfer to Pereira for a two-night stay.(Breakfast included)

Standard: Hacienda Malabar

Superior: Hotel Sazagua

Day 5: Coffee Plantation & Farm

Private excursion to one of the area’s coffee farms set on steep hills to see the plantation and production system, including the harvest, sun drying and processing (main seasons are May, Jun & Oct). Visit to a 'trilladora' after lunch to observe the manual selection process of the coffee grains as well as the tasting to insure good quality flavour.(Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 6: Pereira – Cartagena de Indias

Private transfer to the airport for your flight (not included) to the picturesque, colonial town of Cartagena. Check-in to your hotel located in the old town, just a short walk from the Caribbean Sea. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the architectural beauty and the many exquisite restaurants and bars.(Breakfast included)

Standard: Hotel Casa la Fe

Superior: Hotel Bovedas de Santa Clara

Day 7: Cartagena City Tour

After breakfast, start your half-day private tour with a panoramic view of the city from the monastery and church of La Popa and continue to the stunning fortress of San Felipe de Barajas on San Lázaro hill. Cartagena’s colourful history becomes most evident by just walking through the picturesque alleys and streets of its well-preserved old town where you will visit the convent of San Pedro Claver and the artisan center in Las Bóvedas. Free afternoon.(Breakfast included)

Day 8: Cartagena at Leisure

Free day for individual activities. We recommend an optional excursion to the Caribbean Archipélago del Rosario, a stunning national marine park enclosing a group of beautiful coral islands surrounded by crystal clear seas (not included). (Breakfast included)

Day 9: Cartagena - Tayrona National Park

This morning, enjoy a 4-5 hour private transfer to Tayrona National Park, comprising of stunning, white-sand Caribbean beaches and a lush mountain landscape on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, home to hundreds of animal and plant species. Check-in to your resort for the next three nights built into the side of a jungled cliff overlooking the sparkling sea. The secluded, ecologically-friendly Ecohabs are pleasantly decorated and feature private bathrooms, plasma TV, mini-bar and hammocks, as well as a restaurant.(Breakfast included)

Standard & Superior: Ecohabs

Days 10-11: Tayrona National Park

Spend two days in one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth. Observe the monkeys, toucans and red squirrels, relax at the remote beach, swim in the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, enjoy day excursions such as hiking to the Indigenous village of Pueblito, or go snorkelling or horseback riding (not included).(Breakfast included)

Day 12: Tayrona - Santa Marta - Bogotá

After breakfast, private transfer to Santa Marta airport for your flight to Bogotá where an assistant will help you to your international onward/homeward flight.(Breakfast included)

If opting for the 9-Day tour, fly directly from Bogotá to Cartagena on Day 3, continuing your itinerary with Day 6.

Prices Include

• Accommodation as shown in itinerary

• Meals as specified

• Transfers & touring on private basis as detailed

• Services of an English-speaking driver/guide

Prices Exclude

• All flights and locally paid airport taxes

• Gratuities and items of a personal nature

 
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