Family Fun in Colombia

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 De La Opera 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 De La Opera hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 3 : Bogota

Half day to explore Colombia’ss capital city of Bogota by bike, known for its authentic atmosphere.

Discover the latest phenomenon in Bogotá: graffiti. In recent years the walls of the city have been transformed into canvases: limitless playground for street-artists. During this tour, pass by stunning and sometimes huge works of art and learn the strong social message behind the graffiti. Some artists are paid by the city for their work, such as Toxicomano, DJ LU and Lesivo among others.

On Sundays you can join the Colombians on the famous “Bogotanos Ciclovía” a path reserved for cyclists only.

*Note: The day’s itinerary is suggested and may change according to the day of the week*

Transfer to Bogota airport for your domestic flight Pereira. Welcome to the Coffee Triangle comprised up of the departments of Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío, which together make up the heart of the Zona Cafetera, or the Eje Cafetero.

This area is famous for growing and producing the majority of the Colombia’s coffee, considered by many to be the best coffee in the world.

Transfer to your hotel in Salento. Overnight at Terasu hotel in Superior room with a mountain view.

Jour 4 : Salento

Today is dedicated to discovering the villages and the landscapes of the coffee region.

Start the day with a Jeep ride through the green valley of Cocora, then hike among the wax palm trees (Colombia’s national tree).

Take a walk among the avocado trees! Learn more about how the avocado is grown and sample different varieties of avocados.

Lunch break.

– Coffee plantation visit. Coffee plantation visit. Discover a typical “finca”, where you’ll learn all about about coffee. The coffee production process is as complex and sophisticated as wine! Walk among the coffee trees and learn about the process of harvesting and roasting, before enjoying the a coffee produced on site.

– Visit the village of Salento : discover the local architecture and traditional bamboo buildings (guadua). Overnight at Terasu hotel in Superior room with a mountain view.

Jour 5 : Cocora Valley

Head to the Vieja river where you’ll board a bamboo raft for an adventure in the heart of nature!

This 12-km trip will have you discover the local flora and fauna in a unique way! Today is dedicated to adventure: zip-line ride through the green canopy!

Admire the beautiful landscape from 40 meters high above the coffee fields. Overnight at Terasu hotel in Superior room a mountain view.

Jour 6 : Cocora Valley

Trip from Baños to Oriente. Follow the Ruta de Cascadas along the deep and vertical gorges of the Rio Pasteza. Arrive at the Shell airport. Departure for an authentic hacienda nearby Salento, the starting point of a horseback ride through the Cocora Valley, where you can enjoy of the lush landscapes of the Coffee Region. 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, nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean sea. End of the day free to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Sierra Nevada. Overnight at Blue Mango hotel in a King room.

Jour 7 : Tayrona National Park

In the morning, your driver will take you to a pier located at the entrance of Tayrona Park where a small coffee break awaits you on this picturesque fishing beach.

Embark on a small lancha (motor boat) that will take you to one of the park’s beautiful beaches. You’ll cross a wild bay where turtles like to congregate: with a little luck you’ll catch a glimpse of them!

Spend the day in Playa del Amor, a white sand beach with turquoise waters. You’ll find beach chairs, snorkeling equipment and a cooler filled with refreshments at your disposal.

Possible walks with your guide on the trails along the bays, the view is spectacular.

Then traditional lunch on the beach, catch of the day, coconut rice and plantain.

A guided walk along the trails surrounding the bay is possible. And the view is spectacular!

A traditional lunch on the beach: catch of the day, coconut rice and plantains.

Afternoon on the beach. Arrive back at the hotel at the end of the day.

Note 1 : Your passport is required to enter the National Park.

Note 2 : Recommended equipment: walking shoes, tropical friendly clothing, swim suit and towel, sun screen, insect repellent and a backpack to carry your food and water

Note 3 : Dending on your hotel’s location, transportation (vehicle + boat) can take between 1 hour and 1 hour 15.

Overnight at Blue Mango hotel in a King room.

Jour 8 : Tayrona surroundings

Departure for the Sierra Nevada.

Board a lancha, a small motorboat, to travel down the Don Diego river until you reach the Tayronaka reserve. Tayronaka is the lost city of the Tayrona indigenous people. A mythical city, it is here Robert de Niro filmed the movie The Mission. Accompanied by a guide, you will 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* Free afternoon to enjoy the Tayrona area between the Sierra Nevada and Caribbean sea taking a walk through the jungle or relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches…

*Note: Swimming can be hazardous on some beaches due to strong currents and undertows. We strongly discourage.* Overnight at Blue Mango hotel in a King room.

Jour 9 : Santa Marta

In the morning departure to Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean Coast. Transfer to your hotel.

*Note : 4 to 5 hour ride.*

Half-day dedicated to a pirate themed walking tour of the historic center and the main sites of Cartagena.

Cartagena is known as a city full of legends and history. This tour of the city surprises both young and old with pirates and treasure!

Accompanied by a “real” pirate, you’ll discover the charming streets of Cartagena and and it’s treasures. X Marks the Spot! End your visit with the discovery of pirate galleon!

Overnight at Casa Pizarro hotel in a Standard room.

Jour 10 : Cartagena de Indias

Free morning to enjoy Cartagena at your own pace. Transfer to the Cartagena de Indias airport for your international flight. Domestic flight to Bogota. Arrival at Bogota El Dorado airport and connection to your international flight.