DAY 1: CARTAGENA ARRIVAL
Arrival in Cartagena in the morning and transfer to your hotel located in Cartagena’s old town or “walled city”. In the afternoon you go on a a fascinating tour in Cartagena starting at the Convent of “La Popa” (highest point of the city). It continues to the Castillo de San Felipe, a vast fort filled with history and mysteries hidden in its stonewalled tunnels. We then visit the monument of Zapatos Viejos, the “Old Shoes”. The impressive defensive wall that surrounds the old city, and overlooks the sea and its well-preserved colonial architecture will amaze you. During the rest of the visit, you see the city’s churches, museums, plazas, restaurants, shops and jewellery stores. This combination makes Cartagena deserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site title and you will never forget this wonderful destination.
Highlights:
• Historic city centre with its romantic alleys
• View from the city wall (especially at sunset)
• Castillo San Felipe
• La Popa Convent
• Great variety of culinary delights
Our Insider Tip:
Dinner at the restaurant Interno, a project of a local womens’ prison.
DAY 2: CARTAGENA – ROSARIO INSELN
After breakfast our guide will bring you to the peer. Transfer by boat to the island part of the “Rosario” archipelago. 1 night’s lodging including full board. The rest of the day and the following morning are free to relax and enjoy the beauty and calmness on this island.
Highlights:
• White, caribbean beaches
• Crystal clear water
Our Insider Tip:
Grab your snorkel and explore the caribbean underwater world.
DAY 3: ROSARIO INSELN– CARTAGENA
Around midday we return by boat to Cartagena and then transferred to hotel for another night including breakfast. The rest of the day is at the disposal of the visitor, although we would definitely recommend a walk through the cobbled streets of old Cartagena, and having a drink in the unique colonial atmosphere of the town, with its grand churches and squares, and colorful houses where flowering plants like bougainvillea trail from first floor balconies.
Highlights:
• The tranquility of this caribbean island
• Colonial architecture of Cartagena
Our Insider Tip:
Enjoy the last sunset of this trip from the city wall or a rooftop bar.
DAY 4: CARTAGENA DEPARTUREE
Transfer from hotel to the airport.
Highlights:
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Islas del Rosario: Hotel Isla Pirata www.hotelislapirata.com
• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm
DAY 1: ARMENIA ARRIVAL
Early arrival, welcome by the local guide and departure to an idyllic coffee farm. In the afternoon, visit to a special coffee growing farm (Recuca) which includes a technical and practical introduction to the whole coffee cultivation and production process. 2 Nights in Hacienda Combia, including breakfast.
Highlights:
• Lush green landscapes of the coffee region
• Mild climate
Our Insider Tip:
Discover the local flora and fauna that can be found on the grounds of the finca.
DAY 2: ARMENIA
After breakfast we head on to the Cocora Valley and its breathtaking landscapes will be explored by a horse riding or walking trip: This is one of the most beautiful places in Colombia! Here we will find the impressive “Palma de Cera”, the Colombian national tree and one of the tallest varieties of palm in the world. On the way back to Armenia, we visit Salento, a picturesque village in the middle of the coffee region. Overnight at Hacienda Combia.
Highlights:
• Waxpalms
• Green Andean landscapes
• Colourfull village Salento
Our Insider Tip:
A tasty Canelazo (typical hot beverage).
DAY 3: ARMENIA DEPARTURE
During the day, transfer to the airport or bus terminal.
Highlights:
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• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local guide
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm
DAY 1: NEIVA – SAN AGUSTÍN
Early in the morning flight Bogotá – Neiva (not included). After arrival in Neiva, the capital of the Huila department, 4-5 hour trip to San Agustín, following the Magdalena river. San Agustin is one of the most important archeological sites in South America, located in a beautiful countryside. Transfer to the hotel and in the afternoon visit of the Archeological park. It includes the “Mesitas” A, B, C, D, the ceremonial fountain “Lavapatas” and the Archeological museum. Overnight at Hotel Monasterio de San Agustin or Akawanka Lodge, 2 nights accommodation, including Breakfast.
Highlights:
• Drive along the river Magdalena
• History and culture up close
• Extremely well preserved archaeological artefacts
• Lush green mountainous landscapes
Our Insider Tip:
Achiras – a delicious, local, crunchy snack.
DAY 2: SAN AGUSTÍN
After breakfast visit of the narrowest point of the Magdalena river “El estrecho”. Here the river passes through a small canyon, where it is only 2 meters wide. The journey continuous to the small village of Isnos, where the archeological sites “El Alto de los Ídolos” and “Alto de las Piedras” are visited. Overnight at Hotel.
Highlights:
• River Strait of Magdalena
• archaeological excavations in Isnos
• Waterfall Salto Mortiño
Our Insider Tip:
Visit of an artisan Trapiche, where sugar cane is processed into panela.
DAY 3: SAN AGUSTÍN – NEIVA
In the morning, horseback riding and visit of the archeological sites “El Tablon” and “La Chaquira”. Afterwards ride back to Neiva, transfer to the airport and flight to Bogotá (not included).
Highlights:
• Horse Back Riding or Rafting
Our Insider Tip:
• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local guide
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm
DAY 1: BOGOTÁ – SAN GIL
Our day starts with overland transport from Bogotá to San Gil. Upon arrival at San Gil you will be transferred to a nice hotel in the Old City. Short introduction about the program of the following 4 days. Rest of the day free for your own exploration.
Highlights:
• Drive through diverse landscapes and climate zones
• Charming colonial flair
Our Insider Tip:
Stop in the pretty village Socoro and visit of the local museum.
DAY 2: SAN GIL: HÖHLENBESICHTIGUNG AND RAPPEL
What a thrill caving is! Touring through the caverns of this region is great fun. Once we reach the caverns, we will visit the lovely cavern halls with high ceilings and impressive walls of stone. We will admire the stalagmites and stalactites, stone formations created long ago by water dripping from the ceilings and walls. They form beautiful ornaments in the interior of the caverns and transform them into majestic treasures. Later on we continue to another highlight, “Abseiling in Waterfalls”. Abseiling from one of these mighty natural walls in a waterfall, surrounded by beautiful countryside, is an incredibly exciting experience and a great feeling.
Highlights:
• Exploring the caves
• Rappel down the waterfalls
Our Insider Tip:
DAY 3: SAN GIL: RAFTING UND TREKKING
Rafting is a great team activity! The Fonce River is the birthplace of rafting in Colombia. The Fonce River will carry our raft for 20 km along beautiful, mostly untouched countryside and past an abundance of flora and fauna. You can go for a swim in the river and relax from the exciting adventure. On our way, we pass through rapids of grades 1 to 4. The rafting tour will last approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon, hiking will be our theme. You will walk on trails full of history, myths and legends and you will truly get to know this beautiful countryside. You will walk for 45 minutes through almost untouched nature until you reach the waterfall. Jump into the various ponds, relax or just play around!
Highlights:
• Rafting on the river Fonce
• Hike close to the Paramó
• Refreshing dip in the waterfall
Our Insider Tip:
DAY 4: SAN GIL – BOGOTÁ
After breakfast overland transport back to Bogotá.
Highlights:
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• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local guide
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm
DAY 1: BOGOTÁ – VILLA DE LEYVA
At dawn we leave Bogotá via the Northern Expressway. After around 2 hours, we arrive at the most important monument in Colombian history: the “Boyacá Bridge”. On that bridge Simón Bolívar fought and won his most decisive battle against Spanish settlers. Our trip continues on to Tunja, capital city of the department of Boyacá. After a brief stop in Tunja we continue on to Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved colonial villages in South America. In the afternoon we will arrive at the hotel and afterwards we stroll through the village of Villa de Leyva visiting the central plaza with its churches, restaurants and handicraft shops. Check in at Hotel Posada de San Antonio in standard room with breakfast for 1 night.
Highlights:
• Puente de Boyacá
• Tunja
• Colonial architecture of Villa de Leyva
Our Insider Tip:
There are many artisan shops and art galleries to be explored in Villa de Leyva.
DAY 2: VILLA DE LEYVA – BOGOTÁ
In the morning we start our visit at the “Ecce Homo” Dominican convent, constructed in the XVII century and continue to a fossil discovered just outside the town, which has been dated at more than 150 million years old. Later in the day we begin the return trip, first through La Ráquira, a village of quaint and colorful little houses, famous for its pottery and ceramics. On the way to Bogotá we have brief stop at a pilgrimage site, the Cathedral of Chiquinquirá. Arrival at hotel or airport.
Highlights:
• Kloster Ecce Homo
• Gigantische Fossilien im El Fosil
• Kunstvolle Töpferarbeiten in Raquirá
• Bailica de la Virgen de Chiquinquirá
• Unterirdische Salzkathedrale in Zipaquirá
Our Insider Tip:
Dinner at the restaurant Donostia.
• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local guide
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm
DAY 1: AIRPORT VALLEDUPAR / SANTA MARTA – NABUSIMAKE
Early arrival at Valledupar airport (daily direct flights from Bogotá) or from Santa Marta and drive to Pueblo Bello, a small village located on the northern side of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. From here you continue the journey by 4×4 Jeep on a dirt road for about 25 km, 2 hours. Arrival around noon in the simple Maloka (hut of the Indians). In the afternoon first short hike to explore the region.
Highlights:
• Contrast of the metropole Bogotá and the indigenous village Nabusimake
• Off the beaten track
• Authentic encounter with the local indigenous population
• Culture up close
Our Insider Tip:
This is an encounter at eye-level, pay the due respect!
DAY 2: NABUSIMAKE – VALLEDUPAR / SANTA MARTA
After breakfast a beautiful 4-hour hike to the “Cascada de Nabusimake”, passing idyllic Malokas and small settlements. Back in the Maloka you have lunch together with the Arhuacos before you return to Pueblo Bello. In the late afternoon we return to Valledupar or Santa Marta.
Highlights:
• Hike through the Sierra Nevada
• Waterfall Nabusimake
• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local travel guides
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services not mentioned in the program
DAY 1: BOGOTÁ – CHIVOR
After breakfast we start our trip departing to the north at the northern express way until Choconta. From there on we take a marvelous small road until Hacienda Baza where lunch is included. In the afternoon we continue our trip until the barrier lake at Chivor. Crossing the lake with a small ferry, we arrive the village. Time to take a walk through Chivor before dinner (included) in a small restaurant. In the evening the emerald expert will give us a first introduction about emeralds in Colombia and in Chivor and further technical explanations about the manufacturing process of emeralds. 1 Night at a small Hotel of the Village of Chivor.
Highlights:
• Contrast big city and backcountry
• Diverse landscapes
• Ferry ride on reservoir lake Chivor
• All about emeralds
• Culture and history up close
Our Insider Tip:
DAY 2: CHIVOR – BOGOTÁ
As usual for miners, we get up early. With rubberboots, helmet, hammer and a torch (all will be lend in Chivor) we take a Jeep towards the emerald mines. On our way we take a brief stop at a Granadilla Plantation, where the farmer explains us eveything we want to know about the tropical fruit. We enter the mine together with our emerald expert and get to know all the important facts about emerald underground mining and with a little bit of good luck we will be able to find some of the green gemstones. In the afternoon we travel back to Bogotá, on our way we visit a small panela (sugar cane) finca, were a simple but fantastic and authentic meal will be served. Arrival in Bogotá in the evening.
Highlights:
• Emerald mine
• Visit of a plantation of the popular, exotic fruit Granadilla
• Visit of a artisan Trapiche, where sugar cane is processed into panela
Our Insider Tip:
Panela is one of the most typical Colombian products and therefore makes the perfect souvenir.
• Overnight in the hotels mentioned or similar including breakfasts (partly American breakfast, partly buffet)
• Bilingual local travel guides
• All other services mentioned in the program: walks, excursions and meals
• Entrance tickets
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services not mentioned in the program
