Jan
min : 8°C
max : 21°C
We Love —
- Escape to Colombia to enjoy a spectacular tour across the country's highlights - sure to provide the trip of a lifetime.
- From Bogota to Villa De Leyva, Santa Marta and Cartagena, on this tour, you'll unearth some of Colombia's most fascinating history, most beautiful landscapes and most vibrant culture.
- Stay in a variety of Standard or Superior hotels and opt to add on a 2-night extension to the beautiful Rosario Island in order to truly make the most of your time in this extraordinary destination!
Your Destination —
Our Offers —
8 Nights
8-night Private 'Discover the Colombian Landscapes' Tour
10 Nights
8-night Private 'Discover the Colombian Landscapes' Tour
2-night Rosario Island Extension
Your Itineraries In Brief —
8 Nights
Day 1: Arrival into Bogota
Day 2: Bogota
Day 3: Bogota - Zipaquira - Villa De Leyva
Day 4: Villa De Leyva
Day 5: Villa De Leyva - Bogota - Santa Marta
Day 6: Santa Marta - Palomino - Tayronaka
Day 7: Tayronaka - Cartagena
Day 8: Cartagena
Day 9: Departure from Cartagena
Beach Extension
Day 9: Cartagena to Rosario Island
Day 10: Rosario Island
Day 11: Rosario Island - Cartagena
Your Itinerary —
During their tour, our members will follow the itinerary as seen below.
8-Night Tour
Upon arrival in Bogota, you'll enjoy English-speaking assistance and private road transfers with a Spanish-speaking driver to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, and enjoy an overnight stay in Bogota.
Day 2: Bogota
After breakfast, you'll spend the morning on a walking tour. Your guide will be waiting for you at the reception of your hotel. The walking tour commenced with la Candelaria and its main squares such as Plaza Chorro de Quevedo. With its narrow streets, this is a symbol of Bogota’s creation and meeting place of bohemian artists. You will then descend to Bolivar square or Plaza Mayor, a historic site of Colombia where you can observe the Capitole, the Town Hall, the Courthouse, the Primada Cathedral, the Chapel of Sagrario but also La Casa Nariño, which houses the presidential residence. You will end the tour with the city's two essential museums: The Gold Museum and the Botero foundation. There is also the possibility of visiting the Casa de la Moneda or the contemporary art museum if you wish.
You will then walk along the Septima, a very lively pedestrianised avenue, where you will discover the local street shows, giving you a glimpse of the cosmopolitan side of Bogota. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon and enjoy an overnight stay in Bogota.
Note: The Gold Museum is closed on Monday, and Botero Foundation on Tuesday.
After breakfast, you'll ahve an early departure to the Paloquemao market (15 minutes transfer) where there is a wide variety of exotic fruits and vegetables as well as a impressive display of flowers. Colombia is the second largest exporter of flowers in the world. This colourful and fragrant place will awaken your senses with this 1 hour visit. You will then enjoy a tasting of the fruits before passing by the Montserratte Cerro to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Colombian capital.
You will then continue to the village of Zipaquira for a 1hr 30 minute (approx) journey. Upon arrival, you will enjoy lunch before having the chance to discover the Salt Cathedrale, one of the wonders of Colombia. In prehistoric times, the savanna of Bogota was a territory covered by the sea and the interplay of tectonic plates made it a salt lake and thus had an enormous salt reserve underground. During this visit 80 metres underground, you will walk through the imposing galleries to discover the salt cascade, the stalactites and stalagmites of salt, as well as a chapel dug in the rock.
Following this, you will continue your journey to Villa de Leyva for about 2hrs 30 mins. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
Day 4: Villa de Leyva
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll start by discovering the charming streets of Villa de Leyva. Your driver and guide will pick you up at the reception of your hotel for a departure to Casa Terracota. Here, you will visit the largest ceramic sculptures in the world. Then, you will stop at the El Fossil museum which boasts its impressive Krososaurus fossil.
Following this, you will continue to the Santo Ecce Homo Monastery. Under the arches which frame a magnificent flowered patio, you will be transported to the history of evangelisation of the Indians by the Spanish crown. In the afternoon, visit of the historic centre of Villa de Leyva. Discover the history of this magnificent city, with its colonial charm preserved with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, majestic Plaza Mayor (the largest in the country), cafes and craft shops. In Villa de Leyva, there is an atmosphere of tranquility that turns into a festive buzz after dark when the villagers meet in the square for a drink and listen to musicians. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santa Marta. Upon arrival in Santa Marta, you will take a transfer to your hotel located in the historic centre of the oldest city in Colombia. With your guide, you will get to explore the centre, before enjoying free time at leisure. Overnight in Santa Marta.
Day 6: Santa Marta - Palomino - Tayronaka
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Your driver and your guide will then pick you up at the reception of your hotel and take you to meet a local Arhuaco community. With your first step into the village of Palomino, you will start a hike of about 2 hours across the mountain to reach the village of Arhuaco. Enjoy a typical lunch in the heart of the village.
Between sea and mountain you will enjoy the beauty of the Sierra Nevada, and will be able to refresh yourself on the banks of the Rio Palomino, followed by a moment of cultural exchange with the locals. After the visit, return to Palomino, then return to your hotel. In the evening, you'll have the chance to try your hand at fishing with the locals before sleeping on the reserve. Overnight in Tayronaka.
After breakfast, visit Tayronaka about 30 minutes away. This site, rebuilt for the film "The Mission" starring Robert de Niro, was reinvested by the local communities and has a small museum on local cultures. You will then depart by boat or buoy on the Rio Don Diego to discover the local flora and fauna before a beautiful arrival on the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy lunch on site then depart for Cartagena de Indias. After a journey of about 5 hrs, you will be able to check into your accommodation and have an overnight stay in Cartagena.
Day 8: Cartagena
After breakfast at the hotel, depart from your hotel for a visit of the castle of San Felipe, an imposing stone fortress, qualified as the masterpiece of Spanish military engineering in America. Continuing a visit of the sity, you will discover the convent of "Popa", a cloister erected on the top of a hill which dominates the whole urban area (around 3 hours of visit).
In 1741, the city and its inhabitants resisted a siege by Admiral Edward Vernon with 23,600 men and 186 ships, but Cartagena is also the site of the first insurgency movements which led to the independence of Colombia in 1819. The city has imposing defenses, the fortress San Felipe de Barajas, designed by Antonio de Arévalo and built between 1639 and 1657, as well as the forts San Fernando and fort San José on the bay to the south. The old town itself is surrounded by 12km of ramparts of which the door of the Torre del Reloj is the main door.
Following your 3-hour visit, enjoy a three-course gourmet lunch in a traditional Caribbean restaurant in the historic centere. In the afternoon, you are invited to uncover the history of this city, the first Spanish stronghold established on the South American continent. Cartagena has suffered repeated attacks from pirates, the most famous of which is Captain Francis Drake! You will discover the beauty of its monuments, its squares, its churches, its walls and witness times gone by. This walking visit of about 3 hours will allow you to discover the neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, San Diego, San Pedro Claver Church, Plaza de l Aduana, Torre del Reloj and the Palace of the Inquisition (entrance to the palace not included). Overnight stay in Cartagena.
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a free morning at leisure to stroll through the alleys and enjoy the many craft shops. You will then be transferred to the airport where you will take your return flight home.
2-night Rosario Extension
Following breakfast at the hotel, your the driver will pick you up and take you to Cartagena's port, where you will take a boat to the Rosario archipelago and Big Island. Here, you will settle into your hotel and take advantage of the day to relax on the beach. Overnight in the Rosario Islands.
Day 10: Rosario Islands
After breakfast at the hotel, make the most of this day to relax in this superb environment and try out a host of optional activities bookable on site. there is a dive centre or private boat rentals, allowing you to explore the neighbouring islands. Overnight in the Rosario Islands.
Day 11: Rosario Islands - Cartagena
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Cartagena's port and from there to the airport, at which point you will fly back home.
Please note: A port tax of COP 16,500 per person is paid locally.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following Standard or Superior hotels in Standard Rooms on a Bed and Breakfast Board Basis.
Standard Hotels
Villa de Leyva : La Plazuela San Agustin 3* SUP or similar
Santa Marta: Casa Bugambilia or similar
Cartagena: Monterrey 3* or similar
Rosario Islands: Hotel San Pedro Majagua or similar (only applicable with 2-night extension)
All Hotels Sleep up to
2 Adults
Standard Hotels
Villa de Leyva: Casa Terra 4* or similar
Santa Marta: Cactus or similar
Cartagena: Charleston Santa Teresa or similar
Rosario Islands: Hotel San Pedro Majagua or similar (only applicable with 2-night extension)
All Hotels Sleep up to
2 Adults
Please note: If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Return airport and inter-hotel transfers, including internal flights, are included throughout this offer. Please Note: Although guides during excursions will be English-speaking, the private drivers throughout this tour will be Spanish-speaking.
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
