Highlights of Colombia from the Andes to the Caribbean

Arrival at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, at an altitude of 2,640 m. Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and end of the day free to enjoy the Colombian capital at your leisure, with its mix of modern and historic districts, urban architecture and green parks. Overnight in a Bogotá hotel.

Transfer to Bogota airport for your domestic flight to Bucaramanga, then on to Barichara, following the Chicamocha Canyon. Arrival at the village of Barichara, perched on a cliff overlooking the Rio Suarez. Late afternoon free to enjoy the region at your leisure. Overnight in a hotel in Barichara.

Hike between cacti and bucolic landscapes along the Camino Real. Upon arrival in the village of the same name, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the colonial houses and visit a museum housing numerous fossils dating back 60 million years, as well as a mummified princess. Afternoon 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 (stonecutters, cigar makers) and take part in a « hormigas culonas » (roasted ants) workshop, the local specialty.

on the program: explanation and history of this tradition, preparation, cooking and tasting of the ants accompanied by a corn speciality (such as a delicious arepa santandereana) and a fresh fruit juice. The walk ends at the mirador offering a splendid panorama from the Rio Suarez to the Cordillera de los Cobardes. Overnight in a hotel in Barichara.

Barichara and the Santander region, in addition to offering some of the best coffee in Colombia, are home to the country’s largest tobacco plantations. This morning, you’ll set off to discover tobacco at the heart of a typical farm in the region, in the company of a person who is passionate about his region, his land and his profession. Walking tour of the plantations with a full explanation (from seed to harvested leaf). The tobacco leaves are then dried and processed, ready for export. A delicious meal prepared with quality local products will be served in a rural setting, followed by a drive to Villa de Leyva, a beautiful colonial town in the Boyaca department. Leaving Barichara, we stop at the pretty colonial village of El Socorro. Back on the road, we pass the village of Barbosa, renowned for its bocadillos (local fruit jellies), before arriving at Villa de Leyva. Overnight in a Villa de Leyva hotel.

A day dedicated to visiting Villa de Leyva and its surroundings: – Visit to the Convent del Santo Ecce Homo , 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.

walking tour of Villa de Leyva’s historic and cultural center, taking in the narrow cobbled streets, including: – The homes of the heroes of Colombia’s independence (Casa Antonio Nariño and Casa Antonio Ricaurte) – El Carmen church, home to a small (but remarkable) museum of religious art, with beautiful pieces of goldsmith’s and silversmith’s work from the colonial era.

– The Plaza Mayor, with a surface area of 14,000m2, is one of the largest paved squares in America. Overnight in a hotel in Villa de Leyva.

Depart Villa de Leyva for Bogota airport and connect to your domestic flight. Domestic flight to Pitalito (optional, please contact us). Pick-up at Pitalito airport and drive to San Agustin. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in a hotel in San Agustin.

A day dedicated to a visit to the San Agustin Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit revolves around the main sites: – « Las Mesitas », artificial esplanades housing crypts, figurines and funerary dolmens; – « Bosque de la Estatuas », populated by statues representing mostly anthropomorphic male figures, sometimes with feline features; – « Fuente de Lavapatas », a religious monument carved into the bed of a river, considered a sacred site reserved for religious ceremonies.

– « Alto de Lavapatas »: San Agustin’s oldest site (3300 BC), guarded by impressive statues (referring to the Double Self), with a unique view over the entire valley and the various archaeological sites; – Optional horseback ride to the sites of La Chaquira and El Tablon, enjoying the enchanting Andes landscapes. Overnight in a hotel in San Agustin.

A day devoted to visiting natural and archaeological sites in the San Agustin area, on an all-terrain vehicle excursion punctuated by several stops:

– the Alto de los Ídolo archaeological park, characterized by the presence of numerous funerary complexes with dolmen-shaped slabs, sarcophagi and statues guarding the entrance;

– the Estrecho del Rio Magdalena (a rocky gorge 2.20 metres wide through which Colombia’s longest river cuts a path with unimaginable force) – a visit to a sugarcane farm – the Mortiño waterfall (180 metres high) or the Salto Bordones .

at the end of the day, return to the hotel in San Agustin. Night in a hotel in San Agustin.

Departure for Popayán, nicknamed the « white city » because of its whitewashed buildings and wrought-iron balconies. Check-in at the hotel and free for the rest of the day. Visit the city and its splendid colonial and architectural heritage. The historic center can be explored on foot, with its typical narrow streets, religious buildings and monuments testifying to Colombia’s past.

Highlights include the Parc Caldas (starting point for Holy Week processions), the churches of La Ermita (the city’s oldest) and Santo Domingo (remarkable stone carvings) and the Cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Overnight in a hotel in central Popayan.

Transport from Popayan to Pereira, with a stopover in Silvia, a village famous for its picturesque weekly market and its Guambianos, originally from Ecuador. Visit the village, and discover the local culture (traditions, crafts…) Overnight in a hotel in Pereira.

A day dedicated to discovering the villages and landscapes typical of the coffee region. On the program, a Willys tour through the verdant Cocora Valley and a hike among the wax palms (Colombia’s national tree). Then you’ll head off to discover the avocado plantations of the Cocora Valley. We’ll explain everything you ever wanted to know about avocados. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of their best selection. Lunch break in a magnificent traditional hacienda. In the afternoon, visit the village of Salento: panoramic tour, discovery of local architecture and typical bamboo constructions (guadua). Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon. Night in a hotel in Pereira.

Lilia, Gabriel, Karen and Gelen open the doors of their small traditional finca perched in the coffee hills between Manizales and Pereira. On site, you’ll have the opportunity to walk among the coffee trees, be introduced to the harvesting and roasting processes, before tasting the beverage produced on site. An authentic and convivial experience shared with a family of local farmers, passionate about their craft and their history. A typical lunch will be served at the end of the tour. Transport between the Risaralda region and Medellin. Overnight in a hotel in Medellin.

Spend the day visiting Medellin, taking a stroll through the pedestrian streets of the Carabobo district to discover the different styles of architecture, from the Palacio Nacional to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, before reaching the Plaza Botero, where bronze statues of the famous artist are on display. You’ll also visit the Botero Museum, and take the metro-cable (cable car) to the heights of Medellin for a panoramic view of the city from Arvi Park, before heading for comuna 13, known as a hotbed of urban violence in Medellin. The arrival of the Metrocable, the construction of a designer library and a hospital, among others, show the revival of this district. Many graffiti are now part of the landscape of these communes, and you’ll discover their meanings. The Casa Kolacho artists’ collective will explain how they were able to save hundreds of young people from armed conflict through culture. Overnight in a hotel in Medellin.

Departure for a day in the heart of Antiquity’s bucolic countryside. You’ll stop off at El Peñol, an impressive granite monolith on the shores of an artificial lake, to discover the dam. After climbing the 659 steps, you’ll reach the top of the Peñol with a 360-degree view of the lake and village, before discovering the colorful village of Guatapé . Guatapé is famous for its « zócalos », the traditional Spanish decorative friezes that adorn many of its buildings. Overnight in a hotel in Medellin.

Transfer to Medellin airport . Domestic flight to Cartagena de Indias . 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 . Did you know? Rum is Colombia’s favorite local drink. Let us take you into this world with an unusual tasting session. Go to a small bar in the Getsemani district, where the owner will be 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! Overnight in a hotel in Cartagena’s historic center.

Spend the morning visiting Cartagena’s historic center and main sights, exploring on foot the Getsemani, San Diego and Santo Domingo districts, witnesses to the city’s past. Afternoon free to enjoy Cartagena’s many attractions. Overnight in a hotel in Cartagena’s historic center.

Transfer to Cartagena airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to San Andres. Domestic flight to Providencia Island. Welcome in Providencia and transfer to hotel. Night in a hotel on Providencia Island.

Today, departure by boat for a spectacular tour of the island to explore Providencia by sea. You’ll pass by Morgan’s Rock, Santa Catalina Island, McBean Lagoon National Park with a stop at Cayo Cancrejo to admire the 7 shades of blue sea and go snorkeling. You’ll take a lunch break on one of the southern beaches of the island. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon and end the afternoon at leisure. Night in a hotel on Providencia Island.

Half-day hike to the island’s highest peak, El Pico (or The Peak). After passing through lush vegetation, you’ll reach an altitude of 360 meters, with a splendid view of the whole island, including its immense coral reef. Afternoon free to enjoy Providencia Island at your leisure. Night in a hotel on Providencia Island.

Morning snorkeling to discover Providencia’s rich underwater life. You’ll take a boat out to McBean Lagoon, the best place on the island to observe underwater life. Various stops are planned to swim with fish, crustaceans and even turtles. Afternoon free to enjoy Providencia Island at your leisure. Overnight in a hotel on Providencia Island.

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight. Domestic flight to San Andres. Domestic flight to Bogotá. Arrival at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, at an altitude of 2,640 m. Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and end of the day at leisure to enjoy the Colombian capital, where modern districts blend with the historic center, urban architecture and verdant parks. Overnight in a hotel in Bogotá’s historic center.

Visit Bogotá’s historic and cultural center, which has preserved its authentic colonial atmosphere; along the cobbled streets, you’ll discover colorful facades, beautifully carved wooden balconies and Baroque churches. Transfer to the airport and check-in for your international flight.