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. Drive between the main mountains of Bogota up to the statue of Guadalupe. Here you can enjoy an incredible view over the town. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Bogota.

Day 3 Bogota
Drive from Bogota via the fertile plateau to Zipaquira. You visit the famous underground salt cathedral, (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-Vila Vieja
Transfer to the airport and flight to Neiva (not included). After reception transfer to your hotel. Walk through the little village, founded in 1550. Here, time stood still. Visit a local family and learn how they make very famous crackers, loved in whole Colombia and visit a small private museum, where you will be surprised what locals make from Totumo (gourd tree). In the late afternoon take a moto taxi and enjoy the airy ride to the entrance of the Tatacoa Desert. The landscape is crossed by ditches and canals between which grow large cactus’s. The cracks in the eroded soil, the shadow of the sun, that colors the site in orange and gray colors, and the roaring wind is the appeal of this landscape. Transfer back to your hotel for overnight in Vila Vieja.

Day 5 Vila Vieja-San Augustin
Today you drive along the river Magdalena, the largest river in the country and finally you reach the archeological area of San Agustin. In the afternoon visit the archeological Park of San Agustin with its significant graves and statues in a forest with a variety of sculptures.Transfer to the hotel for overnight in San Augustin.

Day 6 San Agustin
In the morning you visit a coffee farm to learn about the process. In the afternoon visit the archeological park of “Alto de los Idolos”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in San Agustin.

Day 7 San Agustin-Popayan
Today you will enjoy a 6 hour drive to Popayan. On the way you pass along the National Park of Purace which extends from an altitude of 2,500 meters to 5,000 meters. The hilly Paramo landscape is crossed by ravines and water courses, as well as volcanoes, their craters still smoldering. Visit to the sulfurous hot springs of the volcano Purace “Termales Agua Hirviendos”. Overnight in Popyaan.

Day 8 Popayan
Today you will visit the bustling market of Silvia. It is where a colorful mix of Guambiano and Paeces-Indians, nuns and tourists meet each other. You have the opportunity to buy handicrafts. In the afternoon back to Popayan to enjoy the colonial town. Overnight in Popayan.

Day 9 Popayan-Cali
In the morning your journey travels northwards to Cali, the city of Salsa. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the city and a social dance project for children. Overnight in Cali.

Day 10 Cali-Cartagena
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cartagena (not included). Upon arrival transfer to the 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 11 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 12 Cartagena-Rosario Island El Encanto-Cartagena
Depart from the main pier. With a motor vessel it takes about 45 minutes to reach the island. Long beaches with crystal clear water give you the possibility to swim, snorkel or just relax on the beach. Lunch included. In the afternoon return to Cartagena for overnight.

Day 13 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 the Coffee Region.

Additional nights available.