Rental Car

DAY 1: BOGOTÁ

Upon arrival in Bogotá reception by a local guide and transfer to your hotel.

Highlights:

• Stroll 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

City tour. In the morning transfer to the historical center for a guided tour to visit the Colombian capital starting in the Plaza de Bolívar (the city’s main square), which is surrounded by federal government buildings, and continues into the old colonial part of the city better known as “La Candelaria”, the San Francisco Church and the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). After that, trip in a cable car to the top of the Monserrate Hill, which offers a spectacular view of the city. Then transport to the typical market place “Paloquemao” to see typical fruits, vegetables and other food products of the region with an authentic insight in the everyday life of Colombians.

Highlights:

• Historic Centre La Candelaria
• View from Monserrate
• Historic artefarcts at the Gold Museum
• Public market Paloquemao
• Versatile, gastronomic offer

Our Insider Tip:

Looking closely, on Avenida Jimenez, one can see people trading emeralds in small paper bags.

3 DAY: BOGOTÁ – HONDA

After breakfast, meeting with a local guide that will assist you at the rental car office and give you a briefing about the whole tour. The trip starts descending from the eastern Andean Colombian range to arrive to Honda city at 225 meters above sea level. Overnight in a nice hotel with breakfast included.

Distance: 156 km
Duration: approx. 3- 4 hours net driving time
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• Scenic drive through changing landscapes and climate zones
• Charming village Honda

Our Insider Tip:

From the bridge Navarro one can see the snowcapped mountain Nevado Ruiz.

DAY 4: HONDA – RIO CLARO

After breakfast self-drive transport to “Cañón de Rio Claro” reserve. Cañón de Rio Claro is a private initiative of nature conservation with a tropical rainforest in excellent conditions. In this place are available outdoor activities for the whole family: swiming the river, hiking, cave touring, rafting, canopy, via ferrata (the fare of these activities is not included). To spend the night the reserve has a very nice and ecofriendly lodge.

Distance: 123 kmts
Duration: approx. 1 ½ – 2 hours net driving time
Recommendations: If the clients have children 10 years old and below, a stop at Hacienda Nápoles www.haciendanapoles.com is advisable.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Highlights:

• Drive along the River Magdalena
• Mild climate
• Outdoor activities in Rio Claro

Unser Insidertipp:

Take various stops to fully enjoy the amazing views.

DAY 5: RIO CLARO – GUATAPÉ

At the time of the day chosen, self-drive transport to a lodge located in front of a lake in Guatapé town. In this location it is possible to do several activities such as walking up to the Peñol Boulder where a breathtaking view can be enjoyed, explore the lake on a boat ride or do some sport water activities.

Distance: 136 km
Duration: approx. 2 ½ – 3 hours net driving time
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• View from the top of the rock El Peñol
• Colourfull village Guatapé
• Water sports and/or boat tour on lake Guatapé

Our Insider Tip:

Various famous people have a house at the shores of the lake.

DAY 6: GUATAPÉ – CAUCA VIEJO</h3
In the mid-day, self-drive transport to a nice hotel designed with all the characteristics of the typical architecture of the region. The hotel is located in a private condominium (Cauca Viejo) that replicates a typical traditional town. The hotel has available several tourist attractions for the family, for example horseback riding, boat trip, etc (not included).

Distance: 172 kmts
Duration: approx. 4-5 hours net driving time
Recommendations: Near Cauca Viejo it is possible to visit Jericó, a typical town where a traditional handcrafted bag (carriel) is produced. The “carriel” is one of the most representative handcraft items of the region.
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• Views over the river Cauca
• Outdoor activities in and around river Cauca

Unser Insidertipp:

Try the different local snacks offered along the road.

DAY 7: CAUCA VIEJO – FINCA CASA DELIRIO (COFFEE REGION)

At the time of the day chosen, self-drive transport to “Finca Casa Delirio” a beautiful farm house converted in a countryside hotel in the coffee region. This hotel is strategically located as the center of activities for the travels around the coffee region during the next days. The coffee region has been declared by Unesco as a zone with cultural heritage value for the humanity.

Distance: 249 kmts
Duration: approx. 5-6 hours net driving time
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• Georgeous finca in the coffee region

Our Insider Tip:

Be mesmerized by the lovely, detailed decor of the finca.

DAY 8: COFFEE REGION

This day will be free to choose among several possibilities in the same area initiating from Finca Casa Delirio.

Recommendations: The coffee region has different attractions for the whole family, all of them very near the ones to the others. We recommend Recuca to understand the region, Parque del café (Coffee park) with several mechanical attractions for the whole family, Salento and Filandia typical towns, Valle del Cocora, where you can do a hike with breathtaking landscapes, the Botanical garden and a Butterfly park near the city of Armenia.
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• All about coffee
• Visit of Parque del Café
• Colourfull vilages Salento and Filandia
• Lushgreen Cocora Valley with its trails and waxpalms

Our Insider Tip:

A tasty Canelazo (typical hot beverage).

DAY 9: COFFEE REGION

This day will be also free to choose among the possibilities initiated from Finca Casa Delirio.

Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• Explore the nicest corners of the coffee region at your own pace

Our Insider Tip:

Many places can be visited by bike or horses.

DAY 10: COFFEE REGION – CARTAGENA

During the day, a person from the car agency will contact the group for making the arrangements to receive at the Armenia airport the rented vehicle. After that, a self-drive transport to the Armenia airport to deliver the car and take a flight to Cartagena. At arrival reception by a travel guide and transfer to a hotel in the old town.

Distance: 24 kmts
Duration: approx. 45 minutes net driving time
Meals included: Breakfast

Highlights:

• Contrast coffee region and Caribbean coast
• Charming little alleys of Villa de Leyva and Cartagena

Our Insider Tip:

Watch the sunset from the city wall or a rooftop bar.

DAY 11: CARTAGENA

In the morning city tour in Cartagena starting with the visit of the most important monuments of Cartagena. We start at the Convent of La Popa (the highest point of the city) and continue to the Castillo de San Felipe, an immense fort filled with history and mysteries hidden in its stonewalled tunnels. Leaving the castle, we visit the monument of Zapatos Viejos, the “Old Shoes”. Certainly the most impressive monument is the gigantic defensive wall that surrounds the old city, and overlooks the sea and its well-preserved colonial architecture. During the rest of the visit you will see the city’s churches, museums, plazas, restaurants, shops and jewelry stores. This combination of treasures makes Cartagena deserving of the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site: You will never forget this wonderful destination. In the late afternoon walking tour in 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:

Dinner at the restaurant Interno, a project of a local womens’ prison.

DAY 12: CARTAGENA

Day at leisure or optional tour

Highlights:

• Exploring all the pretty corners of Cartagena and its surroundings
• e.g. excursion to Vulcano Totumo
• e.g. Fishing with the local fishermen in La Boquilla
• e.g. Excursion to the Islas del Rosario with its white beaches and turquiose water
• e.g. Sunset-sailing tour through the bay of Cartagena

Our Insider Tip:

Try the different sweet delicacies the sell in the streets, like cocadas or enyucado.

DAY 13: CARTAGENA

Transfer to the airport and flight back home.

Highlights:

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