Highlights of Colombia (Superior) - 11 Days

Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Bogotá. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Bogotá at your own pace or to relax at the hotel.

Our guides will take us on an immersive bike tour of Bogotá, starting from hotels in La Candelaria. We will not only explore the squares, beautiful parks, and historical monuments of Colombia’s vibrant capital, but also uncover the “real Bogotá.” As we pedal through the streets, we’ll delve into the city’s politics, culture, art, and the powerful graffiti that adorns its walls, reflecting the turbulent history of this fascinating country. The tour is incredibly flexible, with each experience subtly differing depending on the unique knowledge of our guide.

We’ll immerse ourselves in Colombia’s rich history and culture at the renowned Gold Museum, where we’ll journey back in time to admire over 30,000 pre-Columbian gold pieces (closed on Mondays).

In the afternoon, we’ll dive into the excitement of playing Tejo, Colombia's national sport. We’ll get our hands dirty and engage in some serious fun with this traditional pub game. Tejo, a sport invented by the Chibcha people, involves throwing metal discs, called “tejos,” at targets made of small gunpowder packets, or "mechas," buried in sand. The objective is to hit the mechas and set off a small explosion, earning points. A private van will pick us up from our hotel, and we’ll spend a lively afternoon in one of Bogotá’s unpretentious Tejo spots, where beer, music, noise, and lots of cheering create a vibrant atmosphere.

Bogota - Zipaquira- Raquira - Villa de Leyva. After breakfast, we’ll leave Bogotá and head north along the highway. Our first stop will be the remarkable Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, an extraordinary piece of ecclesiastical architecture carved 120 metres underground in a salt mine during the 1950s.

Next, we’ll visit Ráquira, a lively village renowned for its colourful pottery and ceramics, where we can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore its charming streets.

We’ll then continue our journey to Villa de Leyva, and as soon as we arrive, we’ll see why this colonial town is regarded as one of the most beautiful in South America. After checking into our hotel, we’ll take a leisurely stroll around the main square, wander through cobbled streets, and explore local cafés and handicraft shops.

Nestled in the heart of Colombia, Villa de Leyva is a town brimming with charm. Founded in the 16th century, it once served as a centre for grain storage and trade. Today, it remains wonderfully preserved, with one of the best-preserved historic centres in the country. The main square, one of the largest in South America, is framed by impressive colonial buildings and churches. As we explore the narrow streets, we’ll take in the stunning architecture or unwind in one of the many cosy cafés. For those who enjoy hiking, Villa de Leyva offers access to the nearby Iguaque National Park, where scenic trails lead to the sacred Iguaque Lagoon, perched at 3,600 metres and held in reverence by the indigenous Muisca people.

Villa de Leyva - Bogota - Salento. Today, we’ll step back even further in time as we visit the Paleontological Museum, where we can marvel at dinosaur fossils that are over 150 million years old and uncover the fascinating Jurassic history of the region. After our visit, we’ll begin our journey back to Bogotá, where we’ll catch our flight to the Coffee Region.

Salento - Cocora Valley - Finca El Ocaso - Salento. After breakfast, we’ll explore the stunning Cocora Valley, where towering wax palms rise high against the lush slopes of the cloud forest. This valley is one of Colombia's most beautiful spots, and we’ll walk beneath these majestic trees, soaking in the surroundings and spotting various bird species. If you prefer, you can opt for a horseback ride through the valley.

On our return to the hotel, we’ll pass scenic hills and charming haciendas, then stop in Salento, one of the most picturesque coffee villages. We’ll explore the streets, enjoy the main square, and taste the local coffee or shop for handmade crafts.

Finally, we’ll visit Finca El Ocaso, a traditional coffee farm, where we’ll learn about the coffee production process from seed to cup.

Salento - Medellin. Today, we’ll embark on a private transfer from Salento to Medellín. The journey will take approximately 7 hours, offering a chance to relax and enjoy the scenic views as we travel through the beautiful landscapes of Colombia’s coffee region and beyond.

Once we arrive in Medellín, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, cafes, and local sights.

After breakfast, we’ll explore the fascinating transformation of Medellín. Once notorious as one of the world’s most dangerous cities, Medellín was shaped by the violent legacy of Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel. After Escobar’s death in 1993, the city’s struggle continued until the early 2000s. However, from 2002 onwards, forward-thinking leaders invested heavily in infrastructure and public education, gradually turning Medellín into one of the most innovative cities globally.

We’ll experience the city’s captivating evolution first-hand, using the metro and cable car to journey to Comuna 13, an area with a history of resilience. On the electric escalators, a key part of the city's revitalisation, we’ll delve into the daily life of the community.

Later, we’ll visit Berrio Park and Botero Plaza, where we can admire the striking bronze sculptures of the famous artist Fernando Botero in the heart of Medellín.

Medellin - Santa Marta - Tayrona. This morning, we will be met at the hotel and transferred to José María Córdova International Airport for our flight to Santa Marta. Upon arrival at Simón Bolívar International Airport, we’ll continue our journey with a scenic transfer to Tayrona Park, just an hour away, where we can begin to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of this stunning coastal region.

After breakfast today, we will have a day at leisure to enjoy the wonders of Tayrona at our own pace. You can take the opportunity to relax in this stunning coastal region or opt for a Day Trip to explore more of Tayrona National Park (approximately 9 hours).

During the day tour, you will leave our hotel in the morning and drive east along the Caribbean coast to El Zaino, the main entrance of Tayrona National Park. After a short walk, you will reach Cañaveral Beach, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from a small hilltop.

The adventure continues with a one-hour hike through the tropical forest to Arrecife, another beautiful beach within the park. After a break for lunch, you will continue your trek, passing beaches like Arenillas, La Piscina, and Cabo San Juan, where you can relax and enjoy a well-deserved swim on the palm-fringed beach.

Please note: The walk in Tayrona National Park is of easy to intermediate difficulty, with ascents, descents, and high humidity. Wear appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and a hat. Swimming at Arrecifes Beach is prohibited due to strong currents. The park closes for ecological recovery from February 1–15, June 1–15, and the last two weeks of October.

Tayrona - Santa Marta - Cartagena. Today we will make our way from Tayrona to Santa Marta and Cartagena (approximately 4–5 hours). Upon arrival, we embark on a fascinating half-day exploration of Cartagena’s iconic landmarks, beginning with the revered La Popa Monastery. Perched atop the city’s highest point at around 140 metres, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Our journey continues to the formidable Felipe de Barajas Fortress, a stunning feat of architecture built with coral stone, which once served as a key defensive stronghold against pirate raids during the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, we delve into the city’s military history on an informative one-hour tour.

Next, we meander through the historic centre, enjoying a leisurely two-hour stroll through its charming squares, churches, and winding streets. As we wander, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant fusion of colonial architecture, local cuisine, and cultural energy that makes Cartagena so unique. This captivating city, with its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, leaves an indelible mark on all who visit.

After breakfast, you will be met and transferred from the hotel to Rafael Núñez International Airport for your onward flight.