Colombia’s Green Side

Jour 1 : Bogota

Arrival at Bogota El Dorado International airport.

Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and enjoy some free time to explore Colombia´s capital city at your own pace. Here you’ll find modern districts, the historic center, lush green parks and urban architecture.

Overnight at Casa de la Vega hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 2 : Bogota

Full day to explore the capital city of Bogota, known for its colonial architecture and authentic atmosphere.

– Take in panoramic views of the city and it’s surroundings at Cerro de Monserrate, the 3152m high peak that flanks the eastern side of the city. At the top, there is a white church (accessible by cable car or by funicular railway), a sanctuary for pilgrimages and particularly crowded on holy days.

-The Candelaria district: Bogota’s historical center. You’ll take a walk along cobblestoned streets, discover colorful colonial mansions, carved wooden balconies as well and baroque style churches.

– The Gold museum displays one of the most dazzling collections in South America, bringing together around 34.000 pieces of goldsmith work and considered the world’s largest pre-Colombian collection of its kind. The artifacts come from different civilizations: Quimbayas, Taironas, Muiscas and Tolimas.

– Botero Museum dedicated to famous Colombian artist, Fernando Botero. The Museum features both his works (around a hundred of drawings, paintings and sculptures) as well as his private collection which includes 85 masterpieces from well known artists such as Dali, Renoir, Chagall, Picasso, Miro and more.

– Bolivar Square (la Plaza Bolivar) surrounded by Bogota’s most impressive buildings, including the Town Hall, the Palace of Justice, Primatial Cathedral, Congress Building…

*Note 1: Walking tour in the Candelaria colonial center (3 to 4 hour walk). Transporation is included for the visit of Montserrate.*

*Note 2: the order of visits may be modified depending on the weekday. (The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays. The Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays).*

*Note 3 : Montserrate is a very popular destination on Sundays.*

Overnight at Casa de la Vega hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 3 : La Vega

You will head toward Hotel La Nuit.

On the way you might stop at the small authentic village of San Francisco, where you can visit the tiny Garden of Colibri (Jardin Encantado) and observe more than 30 especies of hummingbirds.

Head to the boutique eco-Hotel La Nuit.

*Note 1 : 3 hours Drive

*Note 2 : Entrance to the Hummingbird Garden not included – 12.000 COP / person. * Overnight at La Nuit boutique hotel in a standard room

Jour 4 : Honda

On the road to Honda.

Take a break in Guaduas, one of the most beautiful historical centers of Colombia and the birth place of national independance hero Policarpe Salavarrieta.

On the road stop at the Pierra Capilar viewpoint. From here you are able to see three summits of the Los Nevados, weather permitting.

Arrive in Honda.

*Note : Around 3 hours drive.* Hike to an exclusive hacienda: Hacienda El Triunfo where you’ll enjoy beautiful landscapes and may see some wildlife and foliage along the way*

*Note : Around a 3 hour walk.* Overnight at Posada Las Trampas hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 5 : Honda

Road toward Pereira.

On the way you might stop at the Vivero Tierra Negra, plant nursery (one of the largest plant nurseries Colombia) or stop at the Medina waterfalls.

*Note : Between 5 and 6 hour drive.*

*Note 2 : Entrance to the waterfall not included.* Overnight at Sazagua hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 6 : Pereira

Discover the Risaralda Valley on horseback. Enjoy the peace and clam as you admire the scenery.

A gourmet picnic will be served half-way through.

*Duration: 2h Horseback ride* Night at the Lumbre Glamping site in a Standard tent.

Jour 7 : Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary

Day dedicated to the natural attractions of Colombia’s coffee region. Visit the Sanctuary Otún Quimbaya, a natural site dedicated to the protection of the local flora and fauna.

Hit the trails and discover the nature reserve: wax palms, orchids, waterfalls, howler monkeys … The sanctuary is a popular destination for bird watchers. Spanish speaking guide available. Night at the Lumbre Glamping in a Standard tent.

Jour 8 : Cocora Valley

Discover local villages and landscapes of the region.

Today’s itinerary includes:

– A local Jeep tour through the heart of the green Cocora Valley

– A hike to see the impressive Quindian Wax Palms (national tree)

*Note : around 3 hours walking*

Transfer to Pereira airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to Santa Marta. Arrival at Santa Marta airport.

Transfer to your hotel near Tayrona National Park. Free time at the end of the day. Experience both the jungle and Caribbean sea and the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada. Overnight at Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a cabin room.

Jour 9 : Tayrona surroundings

Departure for the Sierra Nevada.

Boat ride up the Don Diego river to reach the Tayronaka reserve. Tayronaka is the lost city of the Tayrona Indigenous people. A mythical city, it’s here that Robert de Niro filmed the movie The Mission. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll retrace the history of this ancient civilization.

After a short visit of the natural reserve, you’ll go tubing down the Don Diego river! Look for howler monkeys and exotic birds on the way. Arriving at the ocean is breathtaking!

A boat will take you back to the reserve to have lunch in the heart of the jungle.

*Note 1: 1 hour ride down the river to the ocean*

*Note 2: Don’tforget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and sun hat*
Overnight at Ecohabs Los Naranjos hotel in a cabin room.

Jour 10 : Tayrona surroundings

Departure to Santa Marta.

*Note: 45 minute ride.*

On the way to Santa Marta, stop off at local farm community, located in a village of the Atlantico and Bolivar regions. This project is supported by Terra Colombia. Your visit contributes to the project’s development. When you arrive in the village of Los Limites you’ll be welcomed by project volunteers. The association’s goal is to promote forestry and to generate new sources of income for local populations.

Locals are provided with farming jobs. They also benefit from the harvests to feed their families. You’ll have opportunity to visit these plots of land and learn more about the project. The ground is also home to a nature preserve jungle. Keep your eyes open for howler monkeys. You’ll also meet a local woman who produces her jams from fruits harvested on the land.

Lunch on site.

Note 1: Around one hour from Cartagena.
Note 2: Possibility of spending the whole day on site if desired. Excursion upgrade: Overnight at Casa Pizarro hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 11 : Cartagena de Indias

Today, you’ll visit the “Fundacion pescador de letras” a non-profit organization founded in 2017 with the purpose of providing quality education to the children of La Boquilla, a fishing village just outside of the City of Cartagena.

In addition to education, the foundation focused on skills development, improving quality of life for the children and preparing them for life after school.

Your visit will contribute to the foundation’s development. Half day dedicated to a visit of the historic center and the main sites of Cartagena. With your guide you walk through the past and present of Cartagena with vists to the most beautiful monuments of the city such as the Clock Tower and Don Pedro de Heredia.

During the visit you’ll notice the different influences that have shaped Cartagena – Romanesque, Moorish, Colonial, Military, Arab, Spanish and North American.

You’ll also discover the Palace of the Inquisition, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, and the San Pedro Claver sanctuary, formerly dedicated to Spanish priests and missionaries.

Overnight at Casa Pizarro hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 12 : Cartagena de Indias

Transfer to the Cartagena de Indias airport for your international flight.