Colombia Highlights in a Small Group – 16-Day Tour

Points of Interest : Bogota D.C.

Welcome to Colombia’s capital. At the airport you are greeted by your German-speaking local guide and accompanied on the transfer to your hotel, located in the colonial quarter of La Candelaria.

Bogotá is a cosmopolitan metropolis that has preserved its character and charm in the old town, visible especially in its colonial architecture. After settling into your room, you set out on a short walk to get to know the surroundings of your hotel. In the evening you meet your fellow travelers over a shared welcome dinner.

• Meals included : Dinner (typically included as a group welcome meal)
• Accommodation : Hotel Casa de la Vega, Bogotá

Points of Interest : Bogotá

Today’s city tour takes you to Bogotá’s most famous flower and fruit market, where you can experience the lively local atmosphere. Taste a variety of exotic fruits, freshly pressed juices and typical snacks.

After the market visit you ride the cable car up Cerro Monserrate, Bogotá’s landmark mountain, to enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the city and surrounding plateau. You then explore the historic center on foot and have time to try an “Ajiaco”, Bogotá’s most beloved hearty soup. The tour continues with a visit to the renowned Gold Museum, home to one of the world’s largest pre-Hispanic gold collections.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Casa de la Vega, Bogotá

Points of Interest : Zipaquirá, Villa de Leyva

Together with your guide you leave Bogotá heading north in a private transfer to Zipaquirá, where you stop to visit the famous underground Salt Cathedral, one of the region’s highlights. Carved deep inside a salt mine, this impressive complex includes a network of tunnels, chambers and an underground chapel illuminated in atmospheric light.

In the afternoon you continue by road to the picturesque colonial town of Villa de Leyva. With its whitewashed houses and vast cobblestoned Plaza Mayor, it is considered a Colombian national monument. After arrival you have free time to stroll through the charming streets at your own pace.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Campanario de la Villa, Villa de Leyva

Points of Interest : Villa de Leyva, Ráquira

In the morning you set off with your local guide on a walking tour through historic Villa de Leyva, learning about its colonial past and role in Colombia’s history. Afterwards you drive into the rolling countryside surrounding the town.

You visit the Ecce Homo Monastery, the mysterious pre-Columbian archaeological site of “El Infiernito” and the whimsical Casa Terracota, an entire house sculpted from baked clay by a local artist. At the El Fosil Museum you see the fossil of a large prehistoric marine reptile discovered in the area.

The excursion also takes you to the craft village of Ráquira, renowned for its colorful ceramics and handicrafts, where you can even create a small piece of your own as a souvenir.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Campanario de la Villa, Villa de Leyva

Points of Interest : Salento

Early in the morning you travel back to Bogotá’s airport for your domestic flight to Pereira, in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Region. This area lies on the central Andean range of volcanic origin, offering ideal conditions to grow some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee.

Your hotel is in the small town of Salento, whose brightly painted wooden facades embody the typical charm of the region. Numerous cafés invite you to sit down for a coffee break and watch everyday life unfold on the streets and around the main square.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Salento Real, Salento

Points of Interest : Salento

Today you visit the Cocora Valley, home to Colombia’s national tree, the towering wax palm. From Salento’s main square you hop into a traditional Willys Jeep and drive into the lush valley.

On an ecological trail surrounded by emerald-green pastures dotted with grazing cattle, you walk beneath wax palms that can reach heights of up to 60 meters. After time to enjoy the scenery and a lunch break, you visit a traditional coffee finca nestled in the hills around Salento. Here you learn about every step of coffee cultivation and processing, from seed to cup, and taste the finished product.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Salento Real, Salento

Points of Interest : Salento, Quindío Department

With your local guide you head south within the Coffee Triangle to discover the traditional villages of Buenavista, Pijao and Córdoba. Along the way you learn about the culture and history of the “Cafeteros” and experience life far away from the main tourist routes.

Between stops you enjoy fantastic views over the rolling coffee-covered hills and lush valleys. Local snacks and a typical regional lunch are included. The entire tour is carried out in a classic Willys Jeep, an emblematic vehicle of the Coffee Region.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : Hotel Salento Real, Salento

Points of Interest : Medellín

Today you continue your journey north by road to Medellín. The scenic drive crosses the central Andean cordillera, offering spectacular vistas of mountains, deep valleys and rural landscapes.

Medellín, known as the city of eternal spring for its year-round mild climate, is one of Colombia’s most dynamic cities, combining a complex history with innovative urban development. Your hotel is located in lively El Poblado, a neighborhood full of restaurants, cafés and nightlife options. After checking in, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the area or venture into the city on your own.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : DIX Hotel, Medellín

Points of Interest : Medellín

Today’s tour starts with a ride on Colombia’s only metro system up to Comuna 13, a hillside neighborhood once known for violence that has transformed into a hub of street art and community initiatives. Colorful graffiti murals tell the story of the area’s turbulent past and hopeful future.

Guided by a local woman who is socially active in the community, you learn about daily life here and share a home-cooked lunch with a family. Back in the city center you visit the cathedral and Plaza Botero, where you can admire the whimsical bronze sculptures by renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

To round off the day, you step into a traditional tango bar, soaking up the music and ambiance that reflect Medellín’s strong tango culture.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : DIX Hotel, Medellín

Points of Interest : Medellín, Guatapé

In about two hours you reach the lakeside town of Guatapé. Set on the shores of a large reservoir that winds through the hills, the village is famous for its vividly painted houses decorated with bas-relief panels called “zócalos”. These colorful scenes depict local life, customs and legends.

The highlight of the day is the climb up the Piedra del Peñol, a massive freestanding rock rising above the landscape. After more than 700 steps, you are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views over the labyrinth of emerald waters and islands below.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : DIX Hotel, Medellín

Points of Interest : Guachaca

Your journey continues as you take a direct flight from Medellín to Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. From there, a road transfer brings you in about an hour to your hotel near Tayrona National Natural Park.

Here you find a long palm-fringed sandy beach where the Caribbean shows its rustic yet idyllic side. It is an ideal place for leisurely walks along the shore with hardly any crowds and serves as a perfect base for exploring the region’s natural and cultural attractions.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : La Brisa Tranquila, near Tayrona

Points of Interest : Parque Tayrona

Today you head down to the coast to visit Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia’s most famous coastal reserve. A hike through dense tropical forest towards the sea leads you to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

You walk along a string of coves and stretches of sand until you reach the stunning bay of Cabo San Juan. Here you have time to relax, swim in the warm Caribbean waters and enjoy a freshly prepared Caribbean fish dish for lunch in a simple beachside restaurant.

After your visit you hike back along the trail and your transfer takes you onward to Santa Marta, where you spend the night, or you may choose the option to stay inside the national park instead.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation : La Brisa Tranquila or similar near Tayrona / Santa Marta area

Points of Interest : Guachaca

After the eventful past days, there is no scheduled program today and you are free to unwind on the beach. Swing in a hammock, listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore or take long, peaceful walks along the largely deserted coastline.

If you prefer to stay active, optional excursions can be arranged, such as a visit to an archaeological site combined with tubing down a jungle river, or a trip to the nature paradise around the village of Minca in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, known for its waterfalls, birdlife and coffee farms.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : La Brisa Tranquila, near Tayrona

Points of Interest : Cartagena

Today you follow the Caribbean coastline by road, passing Santa Marta and Barranquilla on your way to Cartagena de Indias. This enchanting city combines laid-back Caribbean flair with remarkable historical and cultural wealth. Once one of the most important ports of the Spanish Empire, it boasts a beautifully preserved walled old town.

In the afternoon a guided city tour takes you on a journey back to the 16th century. You visit, among other sites, the mighty Castillo San Felipe, one of the largest fortresses built by the Spanish in the Americas, and wander through the maze of cobbled streets lined with colorful colonial mansions and flower-covered balconies.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Casa Mara, Cartagena

Points of Interest : Cartagena

You have this final full day at leisure to discover Cartagena at your own pace, venturing beyond the old town if you wish, as there is much more to explore. Your local guides are always on hand with insider tips, and a tailor-made program can be arranged if you would like to fill your day with an activity.

Options include a boat trip to the coral islands of Islas del Rosario, an immersive visit to the bustling Bazurto market, a tour of a nearby fishing village or an excursion to a traditional Afro-Colombian community. However you choose to spend it, savor your last full day on the Caribbean coast.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Casa Mara, Cartagena

Points of Interest :

Your round trip comes to an end today. Depending on your flight time, a transfer takes you from your hotel to Cartagena’s airport for your onward or international flight. If you require an additional domestic flight, it can be organized for you.

Colombia and your local team look forward to welcoming you back one day.

• Meals included : Breakfast (if compatible with your departure time)
• Last day : Transfer to Cartagena airport for your departure flight