Romantic Colonial 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 Abadia Colonial Hotel in Junior Suite.

Jour 2 : Bogota

Half 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.*.

Free afternoon to enjoy Bogota at your own pace.
Overnight at Abadia Colonial Hotel in a Junior Suite.

Jour 3 : Bogota

Discover the Bocaya department.

On the way stop at Zipaquira to visit it’s famous Salt Cathedra, built within the tunnels of a salt mine. The church we visit today is a replica of the original cathedral, which was built in 1951 and dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary. Situated 60 metres below the surface, it covers 8500 square meters.

Transfer to your hotel and free time to enjoy the colonial atmosphere of Villa de Leyva.

Note : 5 hour drive.

Overnight at Plazuela San Agustin hotel in a Suite.

Jour 4 : Villa de Leyva

Half day city tour of Villa de Leyva. Discover the main sites of this preserved colonial town:

-Casa Antonio Nariño et Casa Antonio Ricaurte,

– El Carmen Church

-Plaza Mayor

Note 1: About 2 hours walk.

Note 2: This list is non-exhaustive. Certain places may be closed during the visiting day.

Free afternoon to enjoy Villa de Leyva at your own pace.

Options inlcude (please contact us): Half-day hiking in Paso del Angel, a city tour of Raquira, horseback riding through Villa de Leyva.

Overnight at Plazuela San Agustin hotel in a suite.

Jour 5 : Villa de Leyva

Departure for the north-central department of Santander with its impressive craggy mountains and its powerful waterfalls and rivers.

Settle into your hotel in Barichara, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Colombia.

Note: Approximately 4-5 hours drive.

Walk among the cobblestone streets, visit the churches (Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and Santa Barbara Church) and discover the local workshops (stone carvers, cigar factory, and more…).

The walk will end at the watchtower which offers a panoramic view over the Rio Suarez and the Cordillera de los Cobardes.

Note : The city tour will be entirely on foot. Approximately 3 hours.

Overnight at Casa Barichara hotel in a Deluxe room.

Jour 6 : Barichara

Early in the morning, departure for another day in the Santander region. You will enjoy the impressive landscapes of Chicamocha Canyon .

Transfer to Bucaramanga airport for your domestic flight to Pereira .

Note: Baggage is limited to 10kg on this flight.

Welcome to the Coffee Triangle, comprised 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 best coffee in the world.

Transfer to a Hacienda, a large traditional Colombian estate. Overnight at Sazagua hotel in a Suite.

Jour 7 : 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).

Lunch break.

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 Salento village where you’ll discover the local architecture and traditional buildings made of bamboo (guadua).

Transport between your hotel and Salento. Overnight at Sazagua hotel in a Suite.

Jour 8 : Armenia

Departure for the surroundings of Filandia. Visit a “trapiche” (a sugar cane plantation farm) to discover the process Colombian “panela” process.

Explore the small and colorful village of Filandia, where you’ll discover the “guadua”- the large, green bamboo native to the region – and how it is used in local construction and handicrafts.

Domestic flight to Cartagena . Arrival in Cartagena de Indias, the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a city of romance, legends and superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across the plazas.

Transfer to your hotel in the historical center. Free time to enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. Overnight at Casa Pestagua hotel in a Superior room.

Jour 9 : Cartagena de Indias

Half day dedicated to visiting the historic center and the main sites of Cartagena. Walk along the cobbled streets and discover the past and present of Cartagena by visiting the most beautiful monuments of the city such as the Clock Tower or Don Pedro de Heredia.

Notice the different architectural influences – Romanesque, Moorish, Colonial, Military, Arab, Spanish and North American – that have shaped Cartagena.

Discover the Palace of the Inquisition, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, or the San Pedro Claver sanctuary, formerly dedicated to Spanish priests and missionaries. Free afternoon to enjoy the city at your own pace. Overnight at the Bantu Hotel in Premium Oroko room. Overnight at Casa Pestagua hotel in a Superior room.

Jour 10 : Cartagena de Indias

Free morning to enjoy Cartagena at your own pace.

In the afternoon, depart for an adventure in the Getsemani district, a stone’s throw from the walled city… You’ll take walking tour of the streets of this Bohemian district to discover local Colombian food… authentic dishes that Cartageneros love!

Whether you are looking for a snack or something slightly more filling, a healthy appetizer or a sweet dessert, the streets of Cartagena offer everything! This is one of the best ways to get insight into daily life and local culture.

Experience the hospitality of Colombia’s street vendors as you get in touch with authentic Cartagena. Sample tropical fruits, arepas, buñuelos, chicharrones, limonada and more. Note: About 2 hours.

Overnight at Casa Pestagua hotel in a Superior room.

Jour 11 : Cartagena de Indias

Transfer between your hotel and the port of Cartagena. Free day of relaxation in the heart of the beautiful Rosario archipelago .

Today’s itinerary includes relaxing on the beaches, swimming in the heart of the Caribbean sea, exploring the mangroves, exploring the deep seas and tasting local fish and coconut rice dishes…

Note 1: At the Cartagena port, you’ll have to pay a small tax (19 500 COP to date).

Note 2 : 2 hour boat ride. Transfer between the port and your hotel in Cartagena . Overnight at Casa Pestagua hotel in a Superior room.

Jour 12 : Cartagena de Indias

Transfer to Cartagena airport for your flight to Bogota. Connection to your international flight.

IMPORTANT : Depending on your flight schedule, make sure you have the time for connection. Otherwise, choose to stay overnight in Bogota the day before departure. Domestic flight to Bogota . Arrival at Bogota El Dorado airport and connection for your international flight.