Romantic getaway tour in Colombia

Arrive at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, at an altitude of 2,640 m. Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the Colombian capital’s mix of modern neighborhoods and historic center, urban architecture and verdant parks. Overnight at the Hotel De La Opera in a Standard room.

Road from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva *Note: approx. 4 hrs drive* Half-day tour of Villa de Leyva and surrounding area, starting with a visit to the Santo Ecce Homo Convent, founded in 1620 by Dominican monks. The monastery buildings feature numerous fossils scattered throughout the stonework. The original chapel boasts an impressive gilded altar, while religious objects and works of art dating from the 16th to 19th centuries are on display.

Then a walking tour of Villa de Leyva’s historic and cultural center, taking in the cobbled streets of the town, including: – the homes of the heroes of Colombia’s Independence (Casa Antonio Nariño and Casa Antonio Ricaurte) – the El Carmen church, which houses a small (but remarkable) museum of religious art, with fine pieces of silverware from the colonial era.

– The Plaza Mayor, with a surface area of 14,000m2, is one of the largest paved squares in America *Note 1: approx. 2-hour walk* *Note 2: non-exhaustive list, some sites may be closed on the day of the visit * Overnight at Hotel Casa Terra in Junior Suite room.

Depart for a half-day hike through the heart of the canyon of the Cebada River, towards the beautiful waterfalls. You’ll be surrounded by tropical vegetation, with bromeliads, orchids, oak forests, guaque (a tree native to Colombia) and other Andean trees. This nature hike offers magnificent views of the Iguaque massif, the Saquenpiza valley and the surrounding area of Villa de Leyva *Note 1: Hiking on uneven terrain; 2-hour round trip; 250-meter vertical drop.*

*Note 2: bring walking shoes; temperate climate; rain is possible; bring a raincoat * Free afternoon to stroll through the cobbled streets of Villa de Leyva, discovering beautiful facades with whitewashed walls and chiselled wooden balconies. Art galleries and craft stores punctuate the visit to churches and colonial mansions with their rich historical past. Overnight at Hotel Casa Terra in Junior Suite.

Departure for the Santander department, with its impressive landscapes and powerful rivers. Leaving Villa de Leyva, after a 1h40-minute drive, we pass the village of Barbosa, renowned for its production of bocadillos (local fruit jellies). Just before arriving in Barichara, we stop at the pretty colonial village of El Socorro. Check-in at the hotel in Barichara, considered one of Colombia’s prettiest towns *Note: 4 to 5 hours drive* Visit to Barichara, considered one of Colombia’s prettiest towns. Stroll through the cobbled streets, visit the churches (Immaculate Conception and Santa Barbara Cathedrals), discover local workshops (stone-cutters, cigar-making) and take part in a workshop on the local specialty, « hormigas culonas » (roasted ants).

On the program: explanation and history of this tradition, preparation, cooking and tasting of the ants accompanied by a corn specialty (such as a delicious arepa santandereana) and a fresh fruit juice.

The walk ends at the mirador, which offers a splendid panorama from the Rio Suarez to the Cordillera de los Cobardes *Note 1: visit to the town of Barichara: 3 hours, on foot* *Note 2: the ant workshop lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour* *Note 3: the season for fresh ants is from April to September. From October to March, depending on the quantities collected, there may be few or none left * Overnight at Hotel Terra Barichara in Suite Jacuzzi room.

Hike between cactus and bucolic landscapes along the paths of the Camino Real. In pre-Columbian times, this ancient paved road was the main thoroughfare for the Guane people. Arriving in the village of the same name, you’ll have the chance to explore the colonial houses and visit a museum housing numerous fossils dating back 60 million years, as well as a mummified princess.

Then it’s on to the Finca San Pedro, where you’ll enjoy a visit to the property and its vegetable garden *Note 1: approx. 3-hour walk* *Note 2: 30-minute round-trip drive* *Note 3: the Guane museum is closed on Wednesdays* Time for crafts! In this 50-minute terracotta class, you’ll be able to create a colored clay frame. Note: approx. 50 min* Overnight at Hotel Terra Barichara in Jacuzzi Suite room.

Departure from Barichara for the northern part of the Santander department Check-in at Hotel Refugio de la Roca *Note: 3-hour drive* Yoga class at Hotel Refugio la Roca Overnight at Hotel El Refugio la Roca in La Nube room

El Refugio de la Roca is located 50 meters from Colombia’s largest natural rock-climbing park, in the heart of the Chicamocha Canyon. The scenery is magnificent and the climbing is suitable for all levels. The local guides are qualified and provide all the security you need for an incredible experience. Overnight at Hotel El Refugio la Roca in La Nube room

Transport between Refugio de la Roca and Bucaramanga. *Duration: approx. 1h30 drive* Domestic flight to Santa Marta. Arrival in Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast. Pick-up at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Minca. Overnight at the Casa Oropendola hotel

You leave very early in the morning for a day dedicated to tropical birdwatching in the Minca area with a specialized guide. You then return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, you’ll head off for a 2h00 walk to enjoy Minca’s lush natural surroundings, discover the Marinka waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip. You’ll have lunch on site, before returning to the hotel. Note: remember to bring swimwear, mosquito repellent and walking shoes.* Overnight at Hotel Casa Oropendola

Day at leisure in Minca. Take advantage of the many trails to explore the superb natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada, or enjoy a quiet day in the village. Overnight at Hotel Casa Oropendola

Transport between Minca and Santa Marta. Departure for Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast. Transfer to the hotel and end of the day free to discover the unrivalled charm of this superb colonial city, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. *Note: 4 to 5 hours’ drive Did you know? Rum is Colombia’s favorite local drink. Let us take you into this world with an unusual tasting session. Head for a small bar in the Getsemani district, where the owner is waiting to show you his collection of Colombian rums – and only Colombian rums – the largest in the country! You’ll discover a wide range of flavors, from bottles sold only in certain parts of the country to others sold only abroad! An original way to discover the history of Colombian rum! *Note: after the tasting, you can buy bottles of rum (limited collection or not). To be seen on site. The bottles will be delivered to your hotel the following day.* Overnight at the Ananda Hotel in a Superior room.

Half-day tour of Cartagena’s historic center and main sights. We invite you to discover Cartagena’s past and present on foot, visiting the city’s most beautiful monuments such as the Clock Tower or Don Pedro de Heredia. During the tour, you’ll notice the different influences – Romanesque, Moorish, colonial, military, Arab, Spanish and North American – that have shaped Cartagena.

You’ll also discover the Palais de l’Inquisition, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, or the sanctuary San Pedro Claver, formerly dedicated to Spanish priests and missionaries. The Caribbean coast is rich in brightly colored and deliciously flavored exotic fruits, and you’ll spend an hour discovering and tasting a wide variety of fruits, from the most common to the most exotic. All your senses will be put to the test during this gentle and refreshing experience *Note: approx. one hour* Dinner at the El Carmen restaurant in Calle del Santissimo. Overnight at the Hotel Ananda in a Superior room.

Head for the Bazurto market. Far from the walls of Cartagena’s chic colonial center, the people’s market, unaccustomed to tourists, welcomes you with its thousand colors and flavors to a backdrop of Caribbean music. After shopping for fresh produce with your chef, head to the kitchen for a cooking class to learn all the secrets of Caribbean cuisine. You can then enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared, with a choice of empanadas or ceviche, coconut rice, fish, salad and patacon; dessert and fresh fruit juice. Duration: 5 hours Overnight at the Ananda Hotel in a Superior room.

Transfer from your hotel to Cartagena port, then by boat to San Bernardo Archipelago and check into your hotel on Tintipan Island, a tranquil paradise in the heart of the Caribbean Sea.

Note: on arrival at the port of Cartagena, you will be required to pay the port tax (19,500 COP to date)* *Note: approx. 2 hours sailing time* Overnight at the Cabaña sal si puedes hotel in a Deluxe room.

A day in the heart of the San Bernardo Archipelago, a heavenly setting bordered by stretches of white sand, where everything invites you to relax: swimming in warm, clear Caribbean waters, water sports, nature walks along the hotel’s trails, lazing around and relaxing, panoramic tours of the surrounding islands, scuba diving… Overnight at the Cabaña sal si puedes hotel in a Deluxe room.

Spend the day in the heart of the San Bernardo archipelago, and at night, don’t miss one of the archipelago’s most astonishing sights: a swim in the midst of bioluminescent plankton! This amazing phenomenon, periodic according to the seasons and the cycles of the Moon, illuminates the sea with a fascinating glow. Overnight at the Cabaña sal si puedes hotel in a Deluxe room.

Transfer from the port of Cartagena de Indias to your hotel. In the late morning, return to Cartagena de Indias by boat *Note: approx. 2 hours sailing time* Free afternoon to enjoy Cartagena’s many attractions. What could be better than a relaxing stopover for two at your hotel’s SPA? Overnight at Hotel Ananda in a Superior room.

Transfer to Carthagena de Indias airport for your international flight.