Tourstops: Bogotá – Villa De Leyva – Monguí – Casanare – Tatacoa – Tierradentro – San Agustín – Cartagena – Santa Marta
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN BOGOTÁ
Arrival in Bogotá, reception by a bilingual guide and transfer to hotel in the colonial heart of Bogotá. 2 nights including breakfast.
Highlights:
• Strolling through the surroundings of the hotel
Our Insider Tip:
The popular sweet wafers with Arequipe, which also Mick Jagger seems to like a lot (available during day time).
DAY 2: BOGOTÁ
Guided visit to the Colombian capital. Includes the Plaza de Bolívar (the city’s main square) and government buildings situated around it, La Candelaria (the old colonial part of town), the San Francisco Church, the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays), a trip in funicular railway or cable car to the top of Monserrate hill and a visit to the fruit and vegetable market place of Paloquemao.
Highlights:
• Historic Centre La Candelaria
• View from Monserrate
• Historic artefarcts at the Gold Museum
• Versatile, gastronomic offer
Our Insider Tip:
Looking closely, one can see on the Avenida Jimenez how they trade emeralds in small paper bags.
DAY 3: BOGOTÁ – VILLA DE LEYVA
Early morning departure from Bogotá northwards. On the way to the final destination visit the Zipaquirá´s Salt Cathedral. A unique building constructed approximately 120 meters underground in a former salt mine. Then arrive at one of the most significant national monuments in Colombia: the “Boyacá Bridge”. On this bridge Simón Bolívar won his most decisive battle against Spanish settlers. Upon arrival in Villa de Leyva, visit the main square and enjoy the magic of this beautifully preserved colonial town. 2 Nights in Villa de Leyva with breakfast Included.
Highlights:
• Underground Salt-cathedral of Zipaquirá
• Puente de Boyaca
• Colonial architecture of Villa de Leyva
Our Insider Tip:
The restaurant Colfrance, located at the shores of the lagoon Fúquene, is the perfect lunch-stop.
DAY 4: VILLA DE LEYVA
In the morning start visiting 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. Also visit an ancient astronomic observatory of the precolombian people of this region and a house all made with clay.
Highlights:
• Ecce Homo
• Great fossils in El Fosil
• Observatory
• Casa Terracotta
Our Insider Tip:
There are plenty of little art shops and galleries to discover in Villa de Leyva.
DAY 5: VILLA DE LEYVA – MONGUÍ
After breakfast transfer to Monguí town, one of the loveliest towns of Colombia. At arrival walking tour around the town visiting a business of good quality handcrafted football balls. The balls business is very important for the local economy and is part of the culture. 2 nights in Monguí including breakfast.
Highlights:
• Scenic drive to Monguí
• Handcrafted footballs
Our Insider Tip:
There are still some hand-sewn footballs!
DAY 6: MONGUÍ
After breakfast full day hike with box lunch included through the well preserved “Ocetá páramo”. The “páramo” is a marvelous and fragile ecosystem only found in the upper part of some of the tropical mountains of the world, and is determinant to “produce” the water of the Colombian Andean region.
Highlights:
• Hike in the Paramp Ocetá
Our Insider Tip:
Various layers of clothes due to the rapidly changing climate in the Paramo.
DAY 7: MONGUÍ – YOPAL (CASANARE)
After breakfast transfer to Yopal, the capital city of Casanare department in the “llanos” (flat lands) area of Colombia. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in the surroundings. Afternoon free. 1 night in Yopal including breakfast.
Highlights:
• Drive through changing landscapes and climatezones
Our Insider Tip:
The typical sandals “cotizas” make a pretty and unique souvenir.
DAY 8: YOPAL – HATO LA AURORA
Very early in the morning pick up in a 4-wheel drive car for a 4 hours transfer to Hotel Juan Solito in the “Hato” La Aurora , a cattle farm in the middle of the most amazing nature to stay 2 nights; fullboard included. After lunch, boat ride along the river to enjoy the nature plenty of fauna and flora with full opportunities to take pictures. Time to appreciate the beautiful sunset.
Highlights:
• Culture llanera up close
• Boat ride on the river
• Impressive local flora and fauna
Our Insider Tip:
Keeo your eyes open at all time for rare bird species.
DAY 9: HATO LA AURORA
Full day to explore the Hato in a 4-wheel drive safari. Time to enjoy the land nature with different animals than the ones in the river. The driver can stop depending on the interest of the photographers. In the night, enjoy a folkloric night full of music and legends.
Highlights:
• Impressive local flora and fauna
• Unique sunsets
Our Insider Tip:
Dance to the rhythm of the local Joropo.
DAY 10: HATO LA AURORA – YOPAL
In the morning, transfer back to Yopal. Afternoon to rest and enjoy the place. 1 night in Yopal including breakfast.
Highlights:
• The tranquil city center of Yopal
Our Insider Tip:
Visit a local hat-workshop and take one of these cowboy hats back home.
DAY 11: YOPAL – BOGOTÁ
After breakfast transfer to Bogotá. 1 Night in Bogotá including breakfast.
Highlights:
• Contrast Los Llanos and the metropole Bogotá
• Versatile gastronomic offer
Our Insider Tip:
Dinner at the restaurant Donostia.
DAY 12: BOGOTÁ – NEIVA
In the mid-morning transfer to the airport for a local flight to Neiva. At arrival transfer to the hotel to spend 1 night with breakfast included.
Highlights:
• Contrast Bogotá and the arid, warm region around Neiva
Our Insider Tip:
Stroll along the esplanade Malecón del Rio Magdalena and see the statue “La Gaitana”.
DAY 13: NEIVA – AIPE – VILLA VIEJA – TATACOA
After breakfast transfer to Aipe town for a boat ride in the Magdalena river crossing to the Villa Vieja town. Enough time to take pictures. At arrival walking tour through Villa Vieja and then transport to the Tatacoa desert. 2 nights in a hotel in the desert with breakfast included.
Highlights:
• Charming village Villavieja
Our Insider Tip:
Stargazing in the desert.
DAY 14: TATACOA
Free day in the desert with available guide and transport.
Highlights:
• Impressive desert landscape
Our Insider Tip:
When walking through the desert watch out for rocks lying around…Tatacoa is known for its many fossils.
DAY 15: TATACOA – TIERRADENTRO
After breakfast overland trip of approx. 7 hours to San Andrés de Pisimbalá (Tierradentro).Once there transfer to a pleasant hotel to spend 2 nights with breakfast included.
Highlights:
• Desert scenery
Our Insider Tip:
When walking through the desert watch out for rocks lying around…Tatacoa is known for its many fossils.
DAY 16: TIERRADENTRO
After breakfast visit different subterranean funeral chambers in the area with plenty opportunities to take pictures. If desirable visit the ethnologic and precolombian museums.
Highlights:
• Plenty of subterranean chambers
• History and culture up close
• Great photo opportunities
Our Insider Tip:
Visit of the ethnologic and precolombian museum.
DAY 17: TIERRADENTRO – SAN AGUSTÍN
After breakfast overland trip of approx 5 hours to San Agustín. At arrival visit La Chaquira and El Tablón and then transfer to the hotel to spend 2 nights with breakfast included.
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 18: SAN AGUSTÍN
In the morning full day availability of guide and transport to know the attractions of San Agustín. Please take into account that the archeological park is closed on Tuesday. If the park is open visit the park, the Magdalena River narrowest place called “El estrecho” and La Pelota site. If the park is closed visit La Chaquira , El Tablón, the Magdalena “ Estrecho”and El Purutal site.
Highlights:
• Various archaeological sites in astonishing settings
• River Strait of Magdalena
Our Insider Tip:
Visit of an artisan Trapiche, where sugar cane is processed into panela.
DAY 19: SAN AGUSTÍN – CARTAGENA
In the morning, transfer to Neiva airport to take a local flight to Cartagena (vía Bogotá). At arrival transfer to a pleasant hotel in the historic part of the city to spend 2 nights with breakfast included.
Highlights:
• Contrast between the southern part of Colombia and the caribbean coast
• Charming alleys in Cartagena
• Great variety of culinary delights
Our Insider Tip:
Dinner at the restaurant Interno, a project of a local womens’ prison.
DAY 20: CARTAGENA
After breakfast start a full day tour around Cartagena Colombia´s fifth largest city with the best preserved colonial architecture in the country declared a World Heritage by the Unesco in 1984. First, transfer to the convent of La Popa (the highest point of the city) and the Castillo de San Felipe, an immense fort filled with history and mysteries hidden in its stonewalled tunnels. Leaving the castle, visit the monument of Zapatos Viejos, the “Old Shoes”. In the afternoon walking tour around the old city.
Highlights:
• Historic city centre with its romantic alleys
• View from the city wall (especially at sunset)
• Castillo San Felipe
• La Popa Convent
Our Insider Tip:
Enjoy the last sunset of this trip from the city wall or a rooftop bar.
DAY 21: CARTAGENA – SANTA MARTA (Tayrona area)
In the morning overland trip to the Tayrona area in Santa Marta and transfer to a beach lodge in the Tayrona area to spend 3 nights with breakfast included.
Highlights:
• Drive through the zona bananera, the banana region
Our Insider Tip:
A stop at the volcanoe Totumo or the village Galerazamba.
DAY 22: SANTA MARTA (Tayrona area)
Full day visit to Tayrona National Park. Early departure from the beach lodge to visit this area with some of the most beautiful beaches of the Colombian Caribbean coast at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world´s highest coastal mountain range.
Highlights:
• Nationalpark Tayrona
• Unique beaches
• Outstanding tropical flora and fauna
Our Insider Tip:
Plenty of potable water.
DAY 23: SANTA MARTA (Tayrona area)
Full day visit to Don Diego River area, one of the rivers that flows down the Sierra Nevada. Very early in the morning, with the first light, transfer to the Taironaka reserve and boat ride along the river arriving to the ocean with plenty opportunities to take pictures of animals and plants. Return back to the reserve and in the afternoon hike up the mountain along the river don Dieguito to appreciate and take pictures of the nature of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
Highlights:
• Natural reserve Taironaka with ancient ruins in breathtaking scenery
• Floating down the river Don Diego
Our Insider Tip:
Patacones with suero and hogao (fried plantains with sour cream and tomato sauce).
DAY 24: SANTA MARTA
Transfer out to the airport for national flight and connections.
Highlights:
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Our Insider Tip:
Just outside the airport they sell cocadas (sweets of coconut and panela), that make a great souvenir.
Villa de Leyva: Hospedería La Roca www.villadeleyva.net/hoteles/hospederia-la-roca
Monguí: Hotel Monguí Plaza www.monguiplazahotel.com/site
Yopal: Villa Pepita – no web page –
Casanare: Hotel Juan Solito www.juansolito.com
Neiva: Hostería Matamundo www.hosteriamatamundo.com
Tatacoa Desert: Hotel Bethel www.betheltatacoaoficial.com
Tierradentro: Hotel El Refugio – no web page-
San Agustín: Hotel Anacaona www.anacaon-colombia.com
Cartagena: Hotel 3 Banderas www.3banderas.com
Santa Marta/Tayrona area: Hotel Playa La Roca www.playalarocaecohotel.com
• 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
• Informative material
• Personal expenses and tips
• Services that are not mentiones in the programm