Colombia Complete: Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena & More

Upon arrival to El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, please make your way through Customs and collect your baggage. When you reach the Arrivals area, you will be met by an English-speaking guide & private driver holding a sign with your name on it. After settling into your vehicle, you will be transferred to your hotel, which will take approximately 40 minutes. Vibrant and diverse, Bogotá is Colombia’s impressive capital city, its commercial epicenter, cultural heart, and the perfect starting point for Colombian adventures. This bustling cosmopolitan metropolis is a kaleidoscopic mix of classic and contemporary, trendy and traditional, regal and bohemian.

Home to a dazzling array of museums, churches, and colonial mansions from various eras, Bogotá strikes a fine balance between its historical past and its future, making it one of South America’s most dynamic and colourful capital cities. In the evening, make your way to Criterion Restaurant for a lovely dinner on your first night in Colombia where you’ll enjoy an included 3-course meal with one non-alcoholic drink (wine and other beverages are available on site at additional cost).

La Candelaria is Bogota’s heart and soul. From its humble beginnings, this is the oldest part of the city, and the Plaza Bolivar (Bogota’s central square) is high on any visitor’s agenda. The square is the focal point of this historic part of the city. The plaza is also home to the mayor’s office and the Primary Cathedral of Bogota. Standing proud in the plazas center is a statue of Simon Bolivar (founder of Colombian independence), which was the first public monument to be erected in the city. The Botero Museum is a permanent exhibition of works of art by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist who’s "oversized” art is instantly recognizable. The museum not only houses work by Botero but also other world famous artists such as Dali, Monet and Van Gogh. With your guide in tow, the next stop will be the Gold Museum*; home to one of the finest collections of pre-Hispanic gold in the world. This is a “must-see” when in Bogotá, with more than 35,000 pieces in the collection. Many of the works are said to be unsurpassed by goldsmiths of today, and it’s easy to understand when you allow yourself time to study examples such as the Balsa Muisca. This golden raft is one of the focal points of the collection and was the driving force in the Spaniards quest to find El Dorado.

Another of the marvels of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, is well worth the visit. For the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its earth and the hidden jewel beneath the earth’s surface, Zipaquirá is somewhat of a must during a stay in Bogotá. Travelling north of the city, through countryside once occupied by the native Muisca Indians, Zipaquirá is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Colombia. Zipaquirá is most famous for its Cathedral carved underground in a still functioning salt mine, found just west of the town. Across this 8 hour adventure you’ll also enjoy a coffee break as well as a lunch stop, all included.

*Please note that the Gold museum is closed on Mondays, and the Botero gallery is closed on Tuesdays.

Following breakfast, a private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport. This transfer will take approximately 40 minutes. Board your domestic flight from Bogota to Bucaramanga (not included). The flight will take approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. Upon arrival to Bucaramanga, collect your bags and make your way to the Arrivals terminal; here you will be greeted by a private guide holding a sign with your name on it. After settling into your vehicle, you will begin the transfer to Barichara, stopping along the way to explore Chicamocha National Park and enjoy lunch.

The Chicamocha National Park, also known as “Panachi,” is located in the heart of the Chicamocha Canyon. The canyon is one of the largest in the world at more than 200 kilometers long (120 miles), from its highest peak down to the river it plunges up to 2,000 meters in depth (6,560 feet) and at 46-million-year-old, it bursts with geological history. Long ago, the region was a giant lake teeming with marine life, whose fossilized remains can now be found sandwiched between the canyon’s stratified layers. The canyon is phenomenal in size and history, and is deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. The main attraction is the cable car that goes 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) down the canyon and up on the other side, a goregous ride that lasts roughly 30 minutes. The spectacular chasms, cliff faces and spurs tell a story by themselves to the privileged few that visit this spectacular part of the world. After exploring the canyon and eating lunch, you will carry on to Barichara. The transfer, tour and lunch will take approximately 6 hours.

Even though Barichara is not the first place that springs to mind when thinking about coffee production, the Café Alfania coffee plantations - only 15 minutes from Barichara - are an excellent example of organic farming and the regeneration of the landscape. During years of tobacco cultivation, the land was cleared of trees to allow the crops to prosper. However, coffee needs shade and the sun, so the owners of this idyllic spot on the outskirts of the town decided to plant and create some much-needed shade. In this arid region, water is a hot local topic as it is often in scarce supply. As an alternative, the dried leaves on the farm are used to help keep the soil moist and act as a natural mulch.

Throughout the visit there are opportunities to see the plant up close and personal and learn about the process of planting, picking, selecting and preparing these amazing beans. There will be time to see the various stages of the coffee process and life cycle, and you'll soon find out that there is a far greater science to coffee grading and quality control than may be believed. It is said that a professional barista or coffee taster has a more refined palate and nose than a wine sommelier, as there are so many complex aromas and tastes involved in coffee. The art of ‘cupping’, the official name for coffee tasting, can be a noisy, slurping affair but this is necessary to experience the full flavour from the coffee. Learning about the trials and tribulations that face Colombia's coffee growers, seeing the process personally, and how local life is affected by this simple bean will give you a new perspective on that morning cup of coffee! Including transfers and tastings, this tour will last roughly 4 hours.

Just 10 kilometers (6 miles) separate Barichara from Guane. An ancient settlement of the extinct Guane people, the village is nestled in the mountains of Chicamocha and is a little gem to encounter after the walk between the two towns. The two-hour hike is of moderate difficulty, predominantly downhill along an isolated canyon with stunning views of the valley below. Dry grasses, shrubs and low-lying trees border the stone pathway, and occasional shaded areas are an opportune moment for a drink of water and respite. There are favourable opportunities for spotting some Yellow Finches, Blue Tanagers and the Iridescent Motmot, while ringing cowbells sound intermittently along the way. On arrival to Guane the colonial grandeur may not be as striking as that of Barichara, but its pleasant atmosphere and charm are certainly welcome after the walk, and enjoying a refreshing juice along one of the few cobblestone streets before returning to Barichara by vehicle is a delight. In all, this trek will take approximately 4 hours to complete.

After breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide & driver in the hotel lobby and begin the transfer to Bucaramanga Airport. The transfer will take approximately 4 hours. Board your domestic flight from Bucaramanga to Medellin. The flight will take approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival to Medellin, collect your bags and make your way to the Arrivals terminal; here you will be greeted by an English-speaking guide & private driver holding a sign with your name on it. After settling into your vehicle, you will be transferred to your hotel, which will take roughly 45 minutes.

Medellin is a city with a colourful history; from the city's valiant founding fathers trekking across the Andes, through to the dark days of drug cartels, and now to the city’s more recent rebirth as one of South America's most vibrant & progressive. A tour of the central part of Medellin can really help to bring the city to life and to help you understand why Medellin is so important to Colombia in terms of both commerce and culture. The city tour will take in all principal sites including the Plaza Botero, the famous Botero sculpture park where many giant sculptures of Colombia most famous artist, Medellin-born Fernando Botero, are exhibited. A ride on the city’s famous metro and cable car system will not only provide great views of the city but will be a chance to understand a bit more about the geography and social make up of Colombia's second city.

This incomparable tour of Medellin will give you a unique opportunity to explore vibrant communities and witness the miraculous transformation of one of the region's most troubled neighborhoods. The Comuna 13 barrio was once considered to be among the most violent communities in Medellin. This tour was developed to showcase the phenomenal transformation of the barrio through innovative and determined social and urban planning. The success of Comuna 13’s ambitious makeover serves as an inspiration and model for troubled and neglected communities around the world. Community leaders from the local organization Casa Kolacho guide you through the streets and pathways, showcasing work with local artists that encourages a message of unity through education via modern arts such as hip hop, graffiti, breakdance and DJ’ing. Most of the live art that you see on the walls and in the streets have been produced by the young people in the area. Including a break for coffee, and later lunch, this tour will last approximately 8 hours.

Following breakfast, you will be met by an English-speaking guide & private driver who will transfer you to the airport. Approximate transfer time is 45 minutes. Board your domestic flight from Medellin to Cartagena (not included). The flight will take approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival to Cartagena, collect your bags and make your way to the Arrivals terminal; here you will be greeted by an English-speaking guide & private driver holding a sign with your name on it. After settling into your vehicle, you will be transferred to your hotel, which will take roughly 30 minutes. Arriving in the mid-afternoon, once you have checked in to your room, make your way to nearby Alma Restaurant for an included 3 course lunch with one non-alcoholic drink (wine and other beverages are available on site at additional cost).

Carved from a colourful history rife with piracy, Caribbean heat, fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is Colombia’s living museum. Colour splashes every corner, balconies overflow with blossom, and energy seeps beneath the ancient wooden doors of hotels, restaurants and Casa Privadas. Your 6 hour tour will take through the Old Town under the Puerta Del Reloj (clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, into the Plaza de los Coches. Your guide will share the myths and legends, histories and stories of Cartagena from ancient time’s right up to the present as you amble from the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning church, on through to the Plaza Bolivar with its shady areas and where a fresh lemon juice can be enjoyed. During the walk you’ll also visit the Museum of Cartagena; the former headquarters for the Inquisition of 1610, the building itself is considered one of the most characteristic colonial constructions of its time. Throughout its interior visitors to the museum will find instruments of torture and prison cells.

A short walk away is San Pedro Claver Cloister, monastery and museum; built in homage to the protector of slaves, San Pedro, and which serves as reminder of the turbulent past of Cartagena, and more broadly, the Americas. The Cloister where Pedro Claver lived and died has become a special place of silence, and reflection – a shrine to the life's work of this extraordinary man. Adjoining the monastery is a beautiful baroque church, designed by German and Dutch architects. Here, at the high alter, within a glass encasement, lie the remains of Saint Pedro Claver, “the slave to the slaves.” Leaving San Pedro Claver, make your way to Celele restaurant for lunch (included), and later continue your walk through the streets of Getsemaní. Unlike the rest of the colonial part of the city, where many families have sold their homes to be converted into boutique hotels or exclusive restaurants, Getsemani still retains much of its traditional culture. Many of the original families from the neighbourhood still live here, creating a hip yet family-friendly atmosphere. The local residents share their space with artists, bohemians, restaurateurs and poets in this eclectic little community. There is more to Cartagena that just the colonial walled city, and getting out to explore beyond the ancient walls is very much part of the fun.

Today, enjoy the city at your own pace. On this, your final full day in Colombia, take the time to stroll through the historic center of the city, relax by the water, or take in the spectacular culture of the city. Whatever you choose, be sure to keep space for dinner! In the evening, please make your way to nearby Montesacro Restaurant, a trendy resto-bar featuring upscale international cuisine, for a final 3 course meal including 1 non-alcoholic drink (wine and other beverages are available on site at additional cost).

After an incredible adventure in Colombia, it is time to return home. Following breakfast, you will be privately transferred to the airport. Approximate transfer time is 30 minutes.