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 - June 14. 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 - June 15. Bogota - City Tour
This is a six-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. We continue to the Quinta de Bolívar. Once a colonial mansion of great architectural value, it is now converted into a museum that houses documents and objects that belonged to Simón Bolívar. Afterwards we will go to the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays), where we will find a collection of more than 36,000 pieces of pre-Columbian manufacture; being the only display of its kind in the world. Finally, we will take a cable car to visit Monserrate for a fantastic view of the city. Meals: B.
Day 3 - June 16. Bogota - Zipaquira - Villa de Leyva
Departure towards Villa de Leyva. On the way 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. Meals: B.
Day 4 - June 17. Villa de Leyva. Half day city tour
The visit begins through the Ricaurte Square, also known as San Agustin Square and continues to the house of Antonio Nariño, who was a journalist, politician, and militant. He played an important role in the independence of the country. The visit continues through the Main Square. Covering over 14000m², it is the biggest square in Colombia. There you will see the notorious Cathedral, and the facade of what used to be the house of Luis Alberto Acuña, a painter, sculptor, and Colombian historian who transformed it into a museum. The tour ends with a visit to the church of El Carmen and its surrounding park. Rest of the day is free to get lost in any of Villa de Leyva’s enchanted cobble stone streets or to join any of the optional activities available. Meals: B.
Day 5 - June 18. Villa de Leyva - Bogota
After breakfast start heading back to Bogota´s airport via Raquira (time permitting).
Bogota – Pereira
Upon arrival, you will transfer to your specially chosen finca where you can relax in a unique way for your upcoming adventures. Meals: B.
Day 6 - June 2019. Coffee Experience and Tasting
During the Cultural Coffee Experience tour, where you will gain a unique insight into the real lives of the coffee workers. This tour allows us to learn the fantastic and mystical history of the coffee growing culture and the colonization of Antioquia. From the coffee corps we will continue to the Joyful Harvest, pulp, dry, roast and ground your own coffee as the locals have done since colonial times. Then, after a great day at work you can sit down and enjoy a fantastic cup of the best Colombia Coffee, specially processed and made by you, for you! Meals: B.
Day 7 - June 20. Pereira - Medellin
At the chosen time land transfer through the colorful Autopista del Cafe (Coffee Motorway) to Medellin where on 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 8 - June 21. Medellin. City Tour
Apon arrival enjoy a city tour that uncovers the roots of Medellín and its most iconic symbols, such as the “Pueblito Paisa”, the Intelligent Building, the Plaza Mayor, the Administrative Center of La Alpujarra and Carabobo street. We will travel in the “Metro Cable”, a massive transportation system unique to the city, and visit of the España Library Park and its distinctive architectural structure. Meals: B.
Day 9 - June 22. Medellin – Santa Fe de Antioquia
After breakfast we leave Medellín for Santa Fe de Antioquia municipality, declared Humanity´s Heritage. Its small cobbled streets and its beautiful houses with balconies recall the colonial period. The access road goes through a 4km tunnel and by the “Puente Colgante de Occidente”, a masterpiece of engineering from the 19 century. As an optional activity you could go horse riding in the surrounding mountains. Meals: B.
Day 10 - June 23. Medellin - Cartagena
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 - June 24. 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 - June 25. Cartagena. Free Day
Free day to enjoy the city. Get lost in the many plazas, meander through the cobble stone streets and be enchanted by Cartagena’s rich architecture and overwhelming history. As the sunsets, have a drink on top of the old wall watching the sun go down on the Caribbean. Meals: B.
Day 13 - June 26. Cartagena - Santa Marta - Palomino
After breakfast, land transfer to Santa Marta and Palomino (about 6 hours) where you will spend the night. We´ll make an hour stop in Santa Marta where you´ll have the chance to visit the San Pedro de Alejandrino Quinta, this mansion was built in 17th century and is famous for being the place where Simon Bolivar died in 17 December 1830. Meals: B.
Day 14 - June 27. Playa La Roca EcoHotel - Kogi Community
Today you will have the wonderful opportunity to go visit a village of the Kogi, descendants of the Tayrona. Here you will have the chance to see how the traditions of the Tayrona people are still present in the everyday lives of the Kogi.
In your free time enjoy and relax by the sea, sunning yourself and reflecting upon your wonderful journey on one of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches.
As optional activities , you will spend a full day in one of the many beaches at the Tayrona National Park (entrance fee included). You’ll be taken for a beautiful hike to a waterfall in the morning. Then, after lunch, you could take a trail to the mouth of the Palomino River or just relax into a hammock with a good book. Meals: B on all days.
Day 15 - June 28. Santa Marta - Bogota - Home.
At the chosen time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Bogota and 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.