Colombia is a country of dizzying variety. This tour will introduce you to the fascinating blend of adventures offered within Colombia’s borders. You’ll see some of Colombia’s most important cites, such as bustling Bogotá, the enchanting city of Cartagena, the colonial Villa de Leyva and quaint Coffee Triangle. You will be introduced to the unique landscapes and colours of the the Colombian Caribbean and the Coffee Region, home to Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm. You can learn how Colombian coffee is made, from picking the very first beans to pouring the perfect cup. You will wander the desolate beaches of Tayrona National Park, where palm trees sway in the breeze and turquoise waters lap the golden Caribbean shores. All this and much, much more on your trip to Colombia with See Colombia Travel.
Day 1 - November 8. Bogota
Upon arrival one of See Colombia Travel´s representatives will be on hand to transfer you to your chosen hotel where you can prepare for your upcoming adventure with us.
Day 2 - November 9. Bogota. City Tour
This is a four-hour excursion that visits the colonial area of La Candelaria, the historical center of the city. It is in the oldest part of the capital, where you’ll find museums, restaurants and cultural institutions. Afterwards we visit the Bolívar Square at the heart of the city and surrounded by buildings of various styles and from various periods, such as the Cathedral, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal’s Palace and the Capitolio or Congress Building. Behind the latter is the Nariño Palace, home of the president. Return to your hotel. Meals: B.
Day 3 - November 10. Bird watching. La Florida Park and Enchanted Gardens
5:00am hotel pick up. During the morning we will visit La Florida Park, a wetland located in the western edge of Bogota. Here you will have the chance to see the highly restricted endemics Bogota Rail, Apolinar´s Marsh Wren and Silver-throated Spinetail amongst others. At around 12pm we continue our journey to the town of San Francisco and to our next stop,The Enchanted Gardens where you can find 30 hummingbird feeders with more that 23 recorded species and the possibility of seeing 10 to 15 in a visit. Key species are: Ruby Topaz, Short-tailes Emerald, Gorgeted and White-bellied Woodstar, Lazuline Sabrewing. After lunch (not included) return to Bogota. Meals: B.
Day 4 - November 11. Bogota - Zipaquira. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira and 'El Dorado' Sacred Lake of Gutavita
Today we will visit the salt mines of Zipaquira, from where the monumental Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira was excavated. This unique structure is almost 400ft deep and it occupies an area of around 8000m², with four sections, each one 300ft long and 42ft wide. It presents 12, 30ft high impressive salt columns that support the structure. In the first tract of the underground journey, you will find the XIV Stations of the Via Cruxis, each designed by a local artist. Subsequently, a 175 meter long ramp descending to the last 13 meters towards the balconies on the cameras and the church choir. The final tract leads to the center of the Cathedral where we find the three monumental cameras and the 16m tall cross.
Zipaquira - Guatavita. 'El Dorado' Sacred Lake of Gutavita
We’ll continue to the Lake of Guatavita, where the legend of El Dorado originates. According to this legend, in the pre-Columbian days the Indians held special religious ceremonies in which the Chief (Cacique), with his body totally covered with gold dust, was submerged in the lake as an offering to their gods, while the natives threw precious stones and gold pieces into the lake. In 1967 the area, including the old village, was flooded, forcing the construction of a new town in a style that resembles the old Spanish colonial architecture. Return to Bogota. Meals: B.
Day 5 - November 12. Bogota – Manizales
Transfer to airport for your journey across Colombia. Upon arrival, you will transfer to your specially chosen finca where you can relax in a unique way for your upcoming adventures.
Cocora Valley
At the prearranged time the expedition begins, heading to Salento and the Cocora Valley. It holds within it a colonial and historic past, as you will see as you walk amongst the unique landscapes, observing the flowing clear water of the Quindio River, and the unique palm of wax the national tree.
Salento and in general the Coffee Triangle, has one of the richest coffee cultures and most scenic coffee crops. It has preserved its colonial architecture and the customs of the local country people. Furthermore, it’s an ideal site for hiking or horseback rides followed by a meal of exquisite trout, the prized local dish. As an optional activity, we’ll take you to Santa Rosa, home of the famous hotsprings for a relaxing end of day. Meals: B.
Day 6 & 7 - November 13 & 14. Bird watching. Otun and Rio Blanco
During the next two day syou will visit two of the most important birdwatching sites of the area, Otun and Rio Blanco. Rio Blanco reserve operated by Fundacion Ecologica Gabriel Arango Restrepo (FUNDEGAR) and owned by Aguas de Manizales the reserve is one of the best in Colombia for antpittas. There are several good trails which provide access to forest across a wide attitudinal range, while hummingbird feeders at the cabins are very well-attended. A large variety of endemics and specialties representative of the Cordillera Central can be found in the forest. Return to hotel. Meals: B.
Day 8 - November 15. Manizales - Medellin
At the chosen time land transfer to Medellin and your chosen hotel through the colourful Autopista del Cafe (Coffee motorway).
Pablo Escobar is History tour
This tour gives you plenty of information about Pablo Escobar and his legacy, but contrasting the city today with the information you’re given it becomes increasingly clear that Pablo Escobar is well and truly history. You will be taken through the streets of Medellín to the house in which Escobar was hiding shortly before he died, on the roof of the very same building. You’ll be told more information about his life and death and, circumstances permitting, you can go inside to see for yourself how he attempted to escape before the police caught him. The tour ends at Escobar’s final resting place, a cemetery on the outskirts of Medellín. It’s here you can learn more about the complicated legacy the man left behind, as the special grave will suggest. Return to your hotel. Meals: B.
Day 9 - November 16. Medellin – Oriente & Guatape
This tour will begin with a visit to Peñol Rock, which is one of the most interesting natural attractions in Colombia. Then we will visit the village of Guatape, famous for the details of the homes and the Peñol-Guatape reservoir. As an optional activity, take a little tour of the reservoir in a boat, go to the top of Peñol Rock, take the cable car or simply enjoy the artisan craft stalls and the life next to the water (optional activites not included). Around noon we will visit Rionegro. Here we will eat lunch (not included) and then visit San Antonio de Pereira, which is famous for its desserts. The tour continues on the street of trees and onward to the entrance to Tutucán. After leaving Tutucán, we will stop at the touristic inn called El Tequendamita. Afterward, we will visit Retiro to learn about the traditional production of timber. We will end our tour admiring the beautiful scenery surrounding the Dam of Faith. Meals: B.
Day 10 - November 17. Medellin - Cartagena
At the chosen time transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Cartagena one of See Colombia Travel´s representatives will be on hand to transfer you to your chosen hotel where you can relax and prepare for your upcoming adventure with us.Meals: B.
Day 11 - November 18. Cartagena. City Tour
We take approximately four hours visiting the city, including the modern residential neighborhood of Bocagrande and, later, the Walled City. The Old City maintains all the charm of the colonial days, with its narrow, cobbled streets flanked by charming balconies and heavy, characteristic doors. Our entry is through the Clock Gate, the main entrance to the old town. We visit the church of San Pedro Claver, the oldest church in the city before seeing the Castle of San Felipe – an imposing stone structure regarded as the masterpiece of the Spanish military engineering in the Americas. Finally, the Convent of La Popa is a cloister built on top of a hill that dominates the entire urban complex. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the city. Meals: B.
Day 12 - November 19. Cartagena - Santa Marta - Minca
At the chosen time land transfer to Santa Marta (aprox 5 hrs). Upon arrival you will be transfered by 4×4 to Minca where you can relax and prepare for your upcoming adventure with us. This transfer Meals: B, D.
Day 13, 14 & 15 - November 20, 21 & 22 . Minca - El Dorado. Bird watching
Spend the next three days walking around the reserves where you´ll be able to see several species of raptors, Sooty-headed and Brown-capped Tyrannulet, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Golden-fronted and Scrub Greenlet, Black-chested Jay, the delightful songsters Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white Wrens, Swallow and Black-headed Tanagers, Yellow-tailed Oriole and more. The first and second nights you´ll stay in Minca and third and fourth nights your accommodation would be at El Dorado natural reserve. Meals: B, L, D.
Day 16 - November 23. Minca - Santa Marta - Bogota.
Transfer by 4×4 from El Dorado to Minca to Santa Marta airport for your flight back to Bogota. Upon arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel where you will spend one last night in Colombia. Meals: B.
Day 17 - November 24. Bogota - Home.
At the chosen time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. All good things must come to an end, after all. Of course, if 15 days just isn´t enough time in Colombia, our tours are 100% customizable and we´d be happy to extend your stay with us. Just ask for more details. Meals: B.