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. Return to Bogota. This is a group tour that will begin and end at a central meeting point in Bogota – you will be responsible for your transportation to/from that location.

This group tour allows you to discover the colorful history and culture of la Candelaria neighborhood, located in the historic center of Bogota. The tour is adjustable to suit various weather conditions and preferences. It enables you to visit the city in a more fun way, allowing a closer interaction between the visitor and Bogota. The tour starts at 10:30am and lasts for 3 to 5 hours, passing by the Plaza del Chorro, the Botero museum, the National Museum, Plaza Bolivar, local market plaza, central cemetery, Egipto Neighborhood, the Colombian National University, the Gabriel Garcia Marquez cultural center, the Bullfighting Stadium, when available, and many other interest sites. It is very flexible, so if you have suggestions feel free to mention them to the guide. This is a group tour that will begin and end at a central meeting point in Bogota – you will be responsible for your transportation to/from that location.

Transfer to the bus terminal for your journey to Villa de Leyva. Upon arrival transfer to your chosen hostel (bus fare not included).

Visit the nearby museums and sites on horseback. On this tour you’ll visit the desert of Villa de Leyva, the Blue Pools, Fósil, Monquira Archaeological Park, and the Guanani vineyard where you can do a wine tasting. Entrance fees not included. Spend the rest of your day wandering around town.

After breakfast start heading back to Bogota (bus fare not included). Upon arrival transfer to your hostel.

Transfer to the airport for your journey across Colombia. Upon arrival in Santa Marta from Bogota, you will travel to one of the highlights of this tour: the Tayrona area where the jungle meets the Caribbean. In the afternoon, feel free to indulge yourselves in a spa treatment.

During the next two days enjoy and relax by the sea, sunning yourself and reflecting upon your wonderful journey on one of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches.

You will spend your first whole day in on of the many beaches at the Tayrona National Park (entrance fee included).

The next day you’ll have a few options to choose from:

• Take 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.
• You will have the wonderful opportunity to go visit a village of the Kogi, descendants of the Tayrona. Here you will have the opportunity to see how the traditions of the Tayrona people are still present in the everyday lives of the Kogi.
• For your free time at the Eco-Hotel you have option to relax in a hammock with a book, visit the Valencia River, relax at the beach, or indulge in one of their many spa treatments (including chocotherapy!). Meals: B,L,D on all days.

At the chosen time you will be transferred to Santa Marta´s bus termial for your  for your trip to Cartagena (from 5 to 8 hours).

Located on the Rosario Islands about 1 hour from Cartagena, Cocoliso is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. This is the perfect place to enjoy the beach and tropical Caribbean climate, and a great opportunity to taste the local cuisine, mostly consisting of fish and rice flavored with coconut. This boat journey  takes you to discover this paradise, far from the bustling city,  crossing the bay and docking at the coast of Cocoliso. Meals: L.

Today you can take the Hop On, Hop Off bus around Cartagena, visiting the city, including the modern residential neighborhood of Bocagrande and 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. You will visit the Clock Gate, the main entrance to the old town. A walking tour of the Walled City is included and begins at 11:15am. Later you can 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 tickets for the bus are valid all day long, so you can see the city at your leisure.

Free days 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.

Today you’ll be transferred to Cartagena’s airport for your flight to Medellin. Upon arrival one of See Colombia Travel’s representatives will be on hand to transfer you to your chosen hostel.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel or hostel for a 5 hour trip, 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.

The tour continuous and 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.

Three days to enjoy the city of “Eternal Spring” and its museums, shopping malls, and nice weather. If you’d like, head out of Medellin for Santa Fe de Antioquia, declared Humanity’s Heritage. Its small cobblestone 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.

At the chosen time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight onward to Quito.

Of course, if 18 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.