Itinerary

Day 1 Bogota
Upon arrival at the Bogota Airport and transfer to the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Bogota, The Colombian Capital was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo de Quesada Jimenez under the name of Santa Fe. Here you meet both the dilapidated colonial grandeur, and the seething vitality of a modern metropolis. The constant air, fresh morning, warm noon and cool evening makes you forget the fact that there are no seasons. In addition to the vast southern slums ancient buildings are located in quiet, old districts. Overnight in Bogota.

Day 2 Bogota
Get to know Bogota’s most famous food market. In the heart of the city you find early in the morning a beautiful flower market in front. Enter the market place and smell, let surprise yourself from the different kind of fruits, vegetables, herbs, fish, seafood, chicken and meat. Take a break at one of the simple but delicious food stands to take the opportunity to try one of the typical meals of that region. Visit La Candelaria which is a historic neighborhood in downtown Bogota. It is the equivalent to the Old City in other cities. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. Walk across the main square Simon Bolivar, along the governments buildings and reach the famous Gold Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold art. Visit also the Fernando Botero Museum, the well-known Colombian painter and sculptor. Your afternoon is at your free disposal. Overnight in Bogota.

Day 3 Bogota
Drive from Bogota via the fertile plateau to Zipaquira. You visit the famous underground salt cathedral, 120 m (394 ft) long and a total of more than 8.500 square meters. First there was the light of day, then darkness. Little by little, a multi-colored phosphorescent light appeared and illuminated the walls of the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a monumental architectural masterpiece built by the miners’ own hands and which became a beautiful temple. Inside you find monumental crosses, angels and the Madonna statue. In addition to the main cathedral, there are small chapels and Stations of the Cross; its 14 stations are interconnected through labyrinthine tunnels. Go on to a little village for a stop on the main square. Drive up to over 3.000 m (9.840 ft) to the entrance of the legendary lagoon of Guatavita. From here, you make a half our walk to the lagoon. According to the legend, every young ruler of the Muisca (a Chibcha tribe) brought a sacrifice to the sun god of the lagoon. The naked body of the prince was coated with a paste made of gold dust. The prince went on a raft in the middle of the lake and jumped in the water where the gold dust dropped into the lake together with emeralds and gold which were given by the priest. As evidence applies the miniature of the gold craft is located today in the Gold Museum. From here you drive into the mountains, on a not paved road you will reach the house of local farmers where you have lunch and a chat with the family. You can walk around and take an impression of how farmer’s life looks like. In the afternoon take the road again back to Bogota, on its way you stop to taste area typical arepas (corn bread)overnight in Bogota.

Day 4 Bogota-Armenia
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Bogota for your flight (not included) to the capital of the coffee region Armenia. Upon arrival in Armenia transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon get an experiential immersion in the world of coffee. Through to seven stations one has to pass, smelling, feeling, trying and plucking the beans, learning about the drying and roasting. An accompanying specialist in coffee meanwhile will give all necessary information. At the end a personal mixed coffee is waiting for you.Overnight in Armenia.

Day 5 Coffee Triangle
Today you will drive through the enchanting scenery of the coffee area in the Cocora valley. This area is decorated with a variety of wax palms, which extend up to 60 meters. After lunch (not included), visit Salento, an idyllic village with its typical architecture. Finally, you go to Filandia. This place is situated on a hill and with its view point offers magnificent views of the Cordillera. On a clear day you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Nevados of the National Park in the distance. Overnight in Armenia.

Day 6 Armenia-Bogota-Cartagena
In the morning transfer to the Armenia airport for your flight to Cartagena through Bogota (not included). Upon arrival at the airport of Cartagena transfer to your hotel. Cartagena was founded in 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. For a long time Cartagena was hub of goods and also slaves. Only in 1822, Cartagena became independent. Today Cartagena’s old town is a historic gem. Outside the old town, the modern age has developed. Upstream island chains and beaches around the city make the city a popular tourist destination. Overnight in Cartagena.

Day 7 Cartagena
Today you get to know Cartagena. During the city tour you will visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fortress in the city of Cartagena which is located on the Hill of San Lazaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. In 1984, UNESCO listed the castle, with the historic center of the city of Cartagena, as a World Heritage Site. Continue to the old city center and walk along the colorful streets, winding alleyways and main squares of old Cartagena. At the end you visit the convent San Pedro Claver. Overnight in Cartagena.

Day 8 Cartagena-End of Tour
Transfer to the airport for your individual departure flight. You can extend your stay in Cartagena or continue to Medellin or Cali.

Additional nights in Bogota available.