Cultural tour in Colombia:
Cartagena, Mompox and Santa Marta

Welcome to Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast. Transfer to your hotel in the historic center and end of the day free to discover the unrivalled charm of this superb colonial city, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Overnight at the Casa Quero hotel in a Junior Suite room.

Accompanied by a specialist guide, you will wander through the narrow streets of beautiful Cartagena de Indias in search of clues to « Gabo’s » past: the writer’s childhood home, now converted into a museum, the university where he was a professor, the headquarters of the newspaper he once founded, and his architecturally beautiful second home. Continue on foot to discover the main sites of Cartagena’s colonial center. We suggest you explore the districts of Getsemani, San Diego and Santo Domingo, witness to the city’s past. Then in the afternoon, visit with a specialist guide of the San Felipe castle. Overnight at Hotel Casa Quero in a Junior Suite room.

Early in the morning, departure by road to Mompox, then continuation by ferry across the Magdalena River. Check-in at the hotel and end of the day free to enjoy the historic city. Note: approx. 6-hour journey Overnight at Hotel Bioma in Standard room.

Spend the day visiting Santa Cruz de Mompox, including a trip to the market to sample local specialties, a tour of the Baroque churches (Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Santo Domingo, Concepción…) and a chance to admire the colonial architecture of the historic center (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO).

After lunch, visit a goldsmith’s workshop renowned for its fine gold and silver filigree jewelry (filigrana momposina). Free time to stroll the typical streets and enjoy a tropical fruit juice as night falls. Overnight at Hotel Bioma in a Standard room.

In the morning, you’ll explore La Cienaga de Pijio (marshlands) aboard a traditional boat. Along the way, you’ll enjoy picturesque landscapes and observe wildlife (egrets, herons, iguanas, monkeys, etc.) and abundant flora (mangroves). Lunch on the banks of the Rio Magdalena. Overnight at Hotel Bioma in a Standard room.

Depart Mompox for the Caribbean coast, stopping off at the village of Aracataca. It was in the tropical atmosphere of this village in northern Colombia, surrounded by banana plantations, that Gabriel García Márquez drew much of his fruitful inspiration throughout his life, including his major work: One Hundred Years of Solitude. Note: approx. 6-hour journey Overnight stay at hotel Casa de Leda in Superior Doble room.

In the morning, drive to Neguanje beach in Tayrona Park. Board small lanchas (motorboats), which will take you to a magnificent beach in the park. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy a spectacular coral reef (lobsters, parrot fish, moray eels, rays, etc.) and long stretches of sand for a relaxing day by the sea.

There are plenty of activities on offer: snorkeling to admire the magnificent coral reef, walks to meet howler and capuchin monkeys or to discover small waterfalls and freshwater pools in the heart of the forest, or simply relaxing in the hammocks and deckchairs available on the terraces! At lunchtime, you’ll be served a gourmet picnic. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Note 1: your passport will be required at the park entrance Note 2: bring comfortable clothing and a bathing suit. Hiking shoes are mandatory if you wish to do the jungle walk Note 3: depending on the location of your hotel, transportation may vary between 45min and 1H30. Transfer to Santa Marta. Overnight at hotel Casa de Leda in Superior Doble room.

We’ll start the day with a trip to the Santa Marta market to buy all the ingredients we’ll need to prepare our recipe for the day. Afterwards, we’ll head off to Piedad’s, a Colombian mother who will welcome us into her home to teach us all the secrets of Caribbean cuisine. Lunch on the terrace and tasting of tinto coffee, probably with a few neighbors as is the custom. Overnight at Hotel Casa de Leda in Superior Doble room.

Transfer to Santa Marta airport.