In the heart of Colombia, a story of contrasts and colors is woven through its cities. It begins in Bogotá, where the past and present meet on the cobblestone streets of La Candelaria, and the Andes Mountains whisper stories of centuries past. From the top of Monserrate, the city stretches out like a vast canvas, inviting you to explore every corner.
The journey continues south to Cali, where the warmth of the sun is accompanied by human warmth and the unmistakable rhythm of salsa flowing in the air, infusing energy and passion into the city’s nightlife. Cali is a tribute to the joy of living, a constant celebration that captivates anyone who visits it. Going deeper into the mountains, the Coffee Belt reveals a world where green is more than just a color: it is the aroma of freshly ground coffee, the freshness of the morning breeze and the backdrop to unforgettable adventures among valleys and plantations. Here, nature becomes the guide, leading the traveler along paths of discovery and flavor.
To the north, Medellín stands out as a phenomenon, a city that has transformed its history into a future of innovation and culture. Eternal spring bathes its gardens and parks, while the Metrocable offers panoramic views of a metropolis that reinvents itself every day, celebrating life with festivals and art.
Finally, the journey takes you to Cartagena, where time seems to stand still within the walls of its ancient city. Each stone tells a story of pirates and conquistadors, while the Caribbean Sea kisses its beaches, offering an oasis of tranquility and beauty. The gastronomy, rich in flavours, is a reflection of the cultural diversity that makes Cartagena an unforgettable destination.
This journey through Colombia is a story of transformation and beauty, an encounter with history, nature and the culture that is experienced in each city, inviting you to discover the essence of a country full of life.
DAY 01: BOGOTA
Reception at El Dorado International Airport and transfer to the selected hotel.
DAY 02: BOGOTA-TOUR TO ZIPAQUIRÁ AND SAL CATHEDRAL
One of One of the great works of Colombian engineering is the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, which has been positioned nationally as the first Wonder of Colombia and internationally occupies an excellent ranking in its category.
The majesty of this mine lies in its construction, which was carried out by taking advantage of its tunnels, which represent the fourteen stations of the cross, the Narthex, the choir and the beautiful central nave, among others.
The tour begins heading north of the city where we will pass through the towns of Chía and Cajicá where we will delight in the beautiful rural landscape of the Cundiboyacense plateau.
From there we will arrive at Zipaquirá, where we will visit the park of this tourist municipality and finally, we will visit the main attraction of this place, the Salt Cathedral, where beyond a religious tour, you will enjoy a path that brings together culture and the adventure of going into the depths surrounded by salt.
DAY 03: BOGOTA- CITY TOUR-CALI
Bogotá is one of the most important cities in Latin America, also known as the Athens of South America.
The objective of this beautiful tour is to focus on the history of this beautiful city. This tour begins in the historic center of Bogotá also called “La Candelaria”, where you will visit the Gold Museum where you will see about 34,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold and more than 25,000 pre-Columbian objects. Later, you will visit the Casa de la Moneda and Donación Botero where works by the master Fernando Botero are exhibited, an internationally recognized Colombian in different artistic techniques such as painting, drawing and sculpture.
The tour will end with a panoramic tour of the Plaza de Bolívar (La Marco) Primada Cathedral, the House of Nariño, the Lievano Palace and the Palace of Justice).
Ascent to Monserrate
Located at 3,152 meters above sea level in the Eastern Hills, Monserrate is the most visited sacred place in Bogotá, responsible for guarding the city.
It can be reached on foot, by cable car or by funicular. Its Sanctuary of the Fallen Lord, of great religious value, is visited by thousands of Catholic pilgrims.
It has excellent restaurants, offers its visitors the opportunity to purchase beautiful handicrafts and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the entire city and its surroundings.
Grades:
- The order of the route depending on the place of departure.
- Gold Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 7 PM, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 05:00 PM and closed on Mondays. A pre-reservation is required at least 10 days in advance
- Closed Sunday 24th and Sunday 31st December.
- Casa de la Moneda and Botero Museum are closed on Tuesdays. A reservation must be made at least 8 days in advance
Transfer to the airport to take a flight to the city of Salsa, Cali. In Cali, transfer from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport – Cali to the selected hotel.
DAY 04: CALI-CITY TOUR WITH SALSA CLASS
We begin the tour by immersing ourselves in music with a visit to the Monument to Grupo Niche, a
tribute to the legendary musical group. Then, we will walk along the charming Boulevard del Río, a place that offers impressive views of the mountains, where you can feel the pulse of urban life and appreciate the architecture offered by the La Ermita church and the Ortiz Bridge, until we reach the La Merced church, where Cali was born, a place full of history and meaning.
Afterwards, we will enter the charming Colonial Quarter of San Antonio, home to the second oldest church in the city, built in 1747. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. We continue to the famous Gato del Río and the picturesque Parque las Novias del Gato, a place full of charm and mystery, with an intriguing history, before stopping at La Palabra Cali. We head to a cozy handicraft store, where you can buy special souvenirs and enjoy a delicious snack typical of the region.
We finish the experience with a one-hour salsa class in Cali, where you can learn the characteristics and influences that have made this genre unique and significant for Cali culture.
Operation: Monday to Saturday.
Note: Due to the renovation of Cristo Rey, it has not yet been confirmed whether there will be a cost for entry (if a cost is confirmed, the passenger must assume it). Passengers staying in hotels located in the southern area will be charged a surcharge
DAY 05: CALI-BUGA-COFFEE REGION
We begin the tour with a visit to the Centenary Basilica of Señor de Los Milagros and the Museo del Milagroso. Then, we continue with a panoramic tour of Buga. During the day, passengers will have time to attend a mass, explore the Camarín, make confessions or buy religious articles if they wish.
To round off the experience, we enjoyed an exquisite lunch at a prestigious hotel that boasts recognition as an architectural heritage site in the Department of Valle. This establishment is distinguished by its charming Californian colonial-style architecture.
Buga offers a picturesque and peaceful atmosphere, with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture that make it an ideal place to explore and experience Colombian culture.
Note: On the 14th of each month the Healing Mass is celebrated at 10:00 and 15:00
Note: For passengers staying in the south, a surcharge
Land transfer from Buga to the Coffee Region.
DAY 06: FULL DAY COFFE REGION- FILANDIA, COCORA VALLEY AND SALENTO. QUINDÍO
The Cocora Valley is a natural landscape located in a mountain valley of the Central Andes mountain range of Colombia, specifically in the department of Quindío, forming part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. It is the main home of the national tree of Colombia, the Quindío Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), as well as a great variety of flora and fauna, much of it in danger of extinction and protected under the status of National Natural Park. The Valley, as well as the nearby towns of Salento and Filandia, typical coffee-growing towns with beautiful architecture, are among the main tourist destinations in Colombia.
Assistance at the place of origin by the Spanish-speaking guide and transfer in a private transport unit to the typical town of Filandia. There we will walk through its colonial streets, visit the Quindío viewpoint (includes entrance, note: closed every Monday or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday in Colombia), stop at a basketry workshop and gastronomic experience of drink and dessert in a local restaurant. Then, transfer to the Cocora Valley appreciating the beautiful landscape of the place. If you go to Cocora in Willys, we enter the town of Salento beforehand.
Once you arrive at the Valley, we will have a welcome cocktail (canelazo) and assistance from a specialized Cocora eco-guide who will introduce you to the Cocora Natural Reserve. Walking, transfer to the cloud forest where we will be able to appreciate the biodiversity of fauna and flora of the place where we will take the ecological path of the tallest wax palm in the world and national flagship tree where we will do the ritual of the wax palm of Quindío, which consists of learning the history of how the aborigines worshiped this palm, then continue with the planting of palm seedlings. In the Valley you can do optional activities such as ecological horseback riding, walks to exclusive and very special places in the Valley, have a
delicious typical lunch at a restaurant in the Cocora Valley and have a barista show of coffee origin in the town of Salento at Café Jesús Martín. Transfer to the typical town of Salento where we will have a walking tour visiting its colonial streets.
Important Note: Since this destination has a large influx of local and foreign visitors on Sundays and Mondays, holidays, we recommend booking this tour on different days for a better experience. This also applies to Easter, the end of the year and the beginning of the year.
DAY 07: COFFEE PROCESS – COFFEE FARM
Finca del Café is located in the municipality of Santa Rosa de Cabal and has an average altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level on volcanic soils of the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. In this beautiful place, it is said that a coffee tastes much better when you live the experience of the farm.
Assistance at the place of origin by the Spanish-speaking guide and transfer in a private transport unit to the department of Risaralda to the municipality of Santa Rosa de Cabal. Once you arrive at the Finca del Café, the tour begins in the company of a local expert taking tourists through beautiful specialty coffee plantations, explaining how the coffee process is from planting, selective manual harvesting and pulping. After this, we will roast specialty coffee beans on a wood stove in the kitchen of the typical peasant house where we can have an authentic coffee experience.
Along the route there are several stations with viewpoints made of bamboo where we can appreciate the beautiful landscape and natural surroundings of the place while enjoying a cup of coffee. Finally, we move on to the innovative process of drying the coffee beans and then to the processing plant, ending at the main house where we are bid farewell with a delicious coffee lemonade. At the agreed time, assistance and transfer to the place of origin or connection with another tourist activity in the region.
Schedule: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 Weekends upon prior validation. Recommendations: Sun protection, comfortable clothing, camera and raincoat.
In the afternoon hours SANTA ROSA DE CABAL HOT SPRINGS. (3-4 HOURS + TRANSFERS) – IN PRIVATE SERVICE
It is a unique place for recreation and relaxation. It offers its visitors mountains and waterfalls of thermal and cold water. Its thermal waters spring from the earth at a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius and descend through a beautiful 80-meter drop until reaching the pools at a temperature of 40 degrees, suitable for bathers.
Assistance at the place of origin by the Spanish-speaking guide and transfer in a private transport unit to the hot springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal. Entrance to the spa and free time to enjoy the facilities of the place and take a comforting thermal bath. At the agreed time, assistance and transfer to the place of origin or connection with another tourist activity in the region.
DAY 08: LAND TRANSFER COFFE REGION-MEDELLIN
Land transfer from between the Coffee Region and Medellín.
DAY 09: MEDELLIN- FULL DAY CITY TOUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
I spent a great day getting to know the places that have been icons in different parts of Medellin, to understand how the city went from a village to a city, after a period marked by social exclusion, it became the most dangerous city in the world and after understanding our mistakes we were considered the most innovative city in the world.
After picking you up at the hotel, the first visit begins by arriving at Pueblito Paisa, from there, in addition to geographically recognizing the Aburra Valley and seeing a replica of a typical town in the region, you will learn how the territory was inhabited before the arrival of the Spanish.
The city center is the next stop where you can see the growth and transformation of the city. There, you can take a panoramic tour passing by San Antonio Park, the traditional Avenida La Playa and one of the symbols of the Paisa’s strength (El Edificio Coltejer), the mansions and houses of the Prado neighborhood.
The tour continues through the renovated and transformed Zona Norte, where you pass by Parque de los Deseos, Parque Explora, Universidad de Antioquia, and the Botanical Garden, and then continue to the west of the city, passing by Punto Cero, Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot where most of the sports practiced in the city take place, in addition to the La Macarena Convention Center, the former Bullring.
The last stop is at the Plaza Mayor Convention Center and the Exhibition Palace, the main tourist attractions of the city. From there, you can walk to the Metropolitan Theater, the Intelligent Building of Public Companies of Medellín, Parques del Rio and El Parque de los Pies Descalzos.
As we continue along the route, we also pass through the Alpujarra, where the government offices of the mayor of Medellín and the Governor of Antioquia are located, as well as the Plaza de la Libertad, the Parque de las Luces and the Library of Public Companies of Medellín.
The tour also includes a visit to the Poblado area, where we will see the Poblado Park, the Lleras Park and the Golden Mile, the financial and hotel heart of the city.
WALKING TOUR – GRAFFITOUR (COMUNA 13)
The tour continues until entering the Las Independencias neighborhood of commune 13. The tour is conducted by local guides with whom you can have a better experience by being directly with someone who lived through the entire transformation of the sector and thus understand the history of commune 13 to learn about the problems and how the territory was able to be transformed, thanks to a resilient and entrepreneurial community that has become a world reference and inspires many communities from different parts of the world.
Continue observing some iconic graffiti that tell part of the story, we go on to enjoy artistic shows by groups formed by the same locals and in addition to being able to interact with them, we will taste a bit of the local gastronomy with a typical mango ice cream that has managed to win awards and recognition at the city and country level.
After this, you go to see the escalators, an innovative project that has helped the community a lot in terms of mobility and later becomes a tourist attraction helping to grow the community’s economy in a great way, so many local businesses are born, in this way the great base of the economy is tourism, within the neighborhood you go to see many particular places with ideas, innovative themes made by local artists, finally you visit the viewpoints in the upper area to enjoy the incredible view that commune 13 has, to then begin the descent to the point where the tour began having the option of doing it by escalators or entering the heart of the neighborhood and knowing
the alleys that were the only access in the past to reach the starting point of the route.
DAY 10: MEDELLIN- FULL DAY VISIT TO GUATAPE AND PEÑOL
The Municipality of Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol are 2 of the most important tourist places in the surroundings of Medellin, located approximately 3 hours from the city, they become one of the most visited places by tourists with their fantastic country landscape, which contrasts with a high stone (297 meters) in the middle of a dam that generates a large amount of energy.
electrical power plant in the country and one of the most picturesque towns in the country.
After a journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will pass through the new town of Peñol, a fundamental starting point to learn about the past, present and future of this beautiful area. You will continue with a visit to the majestic Piedra del Peñol, where you will have a panoramic view of the Guatapé – Peñol reservoir and those who wish can climb to the top of the Piedra del Peñol on a route of more than 600 steps (ascent not included).
The visit continues to the town of Guatapé, famous for the details of the Zócalos of its houses, where a tour is made by Mototaxi through its streets. In Guatapé you can also have time to take a tour in a typical boat (not included) and simply enjoy the craft stalls and the life of the Guatapé boardwalk.
Schedule: Every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm On weekends or high seasons it is recommended to start the tour at 6:30 am to avoid the high traffic flow that usually occurs on the highway that connects Medellín with the municipality of Guatapé
DAY 11. MEDELLIN- FULL DAY TOUR SILLETERO -CARTAGENA
The silletera tradition dates back to the colonial-era cargo ships that were adapted to carry flowers that were later to be sold in Medellín.
The profession of silletero is an art that is passed down from generation to generation. We will see how a traditional family prepares itself two days before presenting itself on the day of the silleteros. We will learn about the history surrounding the parade and share their stories with the protagonists, what the parade means to them and the beginning and conceptualization of their silleta.
After this we will enjoy a delicious lunch and then return to the city.
Note: From mid-May to July, the Silletera estate is beautified with a beautiful flower garden as part of the preparations for the Flower Fair. During the rest of the year, although some flowers can be seen on the estate, their presence is more limited compared to the period before the fair.
Transfer to the airport to board a flight to Cartagena. In Cartagena, transfer from Rafael Núñez International Airport to the selected hotel.
DAY 12: CARTAGENA- CITY TOUR WITH POPA AND SAN FELIPE CASTLE
Cartagena is one of Colombia’s tourist gems. The aim of this tour is for tourists to take home with them some of the magic that is part of this treasure.
After picking up the tourists at the hotel where the visitors are staying, the tour begins by going through the modern city bordering one of the most beautiful and safe bays in America (Cartagena Bay), continuing with a tour of the Manga sector, where beautiful republican-style houses can be seen; from there, the Cerro de la Popa is visited (sometimes due to the fact that it is an area that presents landslides, it is closed for the protection of tourists, in these cases it is changed for another attraction).
We continue with the monument to the old shoes, until we reach the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, one of the most important historical military fortifications in the city. We also take advantage of the time to go to the Vaults and have some time to shop and finally we take a walk through the walled town, strolling through its main streets and squares, accompanied by our professional tour guide.
At the end, visitors will be dropped off at the pick-up location or a location preferred by them.
Includes: Transportation in a tourist vehicle, accompanying guide, entrance to Monasterio de la Popa (or another attraction in case you cannot go up), entrance to San Felipe de Barajas Castle, hydration and assistance card (for it to be valid it is essential to have the full names of all the pax. And their identification or passport numbers, otherwise it cannot be activated).
Hours: 09:00 to 13:00 or 14:30 to 18:30
Note: The order of the tour depends on the departure point.
Passengers located in hotels within the urban perimeter are picked up.
DAY 13: CATAGENA- ROSARIO ISLANDS TOUR MAJAGUA SILVER LOW SEASON
The Rosario Islands are a beautiful archipelago 35 km from the Bay of Cartagena, where you can see another face of Cartagena.
Leaving from the La Bodeguita dock, you can take the boat that will take you to the Rosario Islands and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of this site. After having another view of the Bay of Cartagena, you can admire the forts of San Fernando and San José.
Afterwards, you will sail along the coast of Barú Island to reach the facilities of San Pedro de Majagua. Here you will have free time to enjoy the sea and the facilities. If you wish, you can go scuba diving or snorkelling (additional cost) or visit the Oceanarium.
Includes: Shared boat transportation Cartagena- San Pedro de Majagua –Cartagena, subject to the schedule established by the Hotel at 08:30 am at the La Bodeguita dock, Welcome cocktail, assistance card (for it to be valid it is essential to have the full names of all pax. And their identification or passport numbers, otherwise it cannot be activated) and lunch according to the chosen plan, which includes:
- Entrance: Green plantain chips with whey or hogao criollo.
- Strong: Selected protein, according to the plan, accompanied by rice with titoté coconut, patacones, and green house salad.
- Drink:Water or soda or juice, natural lemonade or national beer.
- Dessert:Typical sweet from Cartagena (choice of one sweet, between: coconut, papaya or corozo).
- Colombian coffee or tea.
Schedules: From 08:00 to 16:00 hours.
Passengers must arrive at the dock at 08:00 hours, the return to Cartagena is between 14:30 -15:00 hours.
Note:
- Children under 2 years old are free on boat transportation when traveling with their parents (they pay food according to consumption, departure-park-boat insurance taxes and extra expenses).
- Children over 9 years old are considered adults.
- Transportation to San Pedro de Majagua is provided by the Hotel in speedboats with two outboard motors or similar vessels, with capacity for up to 41 and 49 people.
- The estimated travel time is 50 to 60 minutes.
- The boat makes a stop at the Harbor Master’s Office as required by local governments to verify the safety of the boat and its passengers.
Validity:
Low season: Jan 19 – Dec 14 except high season.
High season: Jan 02 – Jan 18, Apr 13 – Apr 20, Jul 15 – Aug 18, Dec 15 – Dec 31.
DAY 14: CARTAGENA-OUT
Transfer from the hotel to Rafael Núñez International Airport to take the return flight to your country of origin. END OF SERVICES!
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