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Colombia Encompassed

17 days

Take in the best that Colombia has to offer on this fantastic 17 day tour. Uncover the secrets of the country’s ancient history as you visit its many towns and cities, plus numerous archaeological spots - including UNESCO-listed San Agustin. Then feast on the finest Colombian cuisine in Popayan and wander through the market town of Silvia.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

17 days

Starts

Bogota

Ends

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for included sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max N/A

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

3 - 4 star (superior hotels available on request)

Countries

Colombia

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 16, Lunch: 6
Per Person From

Tour Highlights

Popayan - Wander through the city, taking in its beautiful colonial architecture and sampling its varied gastronomy
San Agustin - Explore ancient tombs and structures in this UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to pre-Colombian times
Silvia - Browse the weekly market in this small but vibrant town, selling everything from chillies and wool to fresh fish
Bogota –Enjoy a tour of Colombia’s capital city, taking in Paloquemao’s Market, the colonial quarter of La Candelaria and the prominent Plaza de Bolivar. Also visit the Museo del Oro and Museo de Botero
Zipaquira – Marvel at the spectacular Salt Cathedral and Stations of the Cross, all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains
Sutatausa – Admire the excellently preserved paintings in the town’s colonial church, dating back to the 17th century
Raquira – Visit this artist town, famous for its pottery colourful buildings and colony of artisans. Nearby is the Monasterio La Candelaria, the first convent built in Latin America
Villa de Leyva – Explore this colonial town and its beautiful architectural features, from wooden baloncies and arches to heavy wooden and brass laden doors
Filandia – Overlook the city from the Colinda Illuminada view point
Cocora Valley – Sample the local cocktail of canelazo and plant a wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest variety of palm tree in the world
Salento – Visit this charming town with its preserved colonial bahareque architecture and streets lined with restaurants, bars and shops
Hacienda Combia – Join a shared tour of this coffee farm, allowing you the opportunity to learn about the elements, conditions and the technical processes needed to go Colombian coffee
Botanical & Butterfly Garden – Stroll through this garden home to over 1500 butterflies and a variety of local flora and bird species
Cartagena – Join a walking tour including stops at the Convento de la Popa, the Castillo de San Felipe and a stroll through the markets of La Bovedas
Food Tour – Join a culinary tour of Cartagena, stopping off at seven authentic food stops to sample the local cuisine

Included

16 breakfasts and 6 lunches
16 nights 3-4 star hotels - upgrade to superior accommodation available on request
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 17
Services of local English-speaking specialist guides
Entrance fees to all sites and activities as described in the itinerary
All relevant transfers and transportation
Private services for all included activities (excluding tour of Hacienda Combia, which may be on a shared basis)

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
Domestic flights – South American airpasses are available with LATAM and other airline carriers when booked in conjunction with international flights, offering significant savings on domestic flights. Please ask a member of the team for more information.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Bogota

Bienvenidos a Colombia! Today is the start of what is sure to be the journey of a lifetime through this magical country. You will be met at the El Dorado International airport and transferred your hotel.

Overnight: Bogota

Days 2-3 - Bogota City Tours

Today you will get acquainted with Colombia’s capital city, Bogota. The day starts early with a trip to the Paloquemao market, one of the largest and most important of its kind in the country. After meandering through the stalls and trying a few traditional Colombian snacks, you will head to La Candelaria, the old colonial quarter, where you will be able to admire the beautiful architecture of the cathedral and palaces. Next stop is the Cerro de Montserrate, a mountain with a white church located at the top, which commands spectacular views of the city. The day winds up with a visit to two of Bogota’s best museums, the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) and the Botero Museum.

The following day you will embark on a different kind of tour, which will certainly give you a taste for the city. Starting at the National Museum, you will then be taken to four different restaurants in order to sample a handful of Colombia’s newest culinary trends. You will get the chance to meet some of the chefs and learn what inspired their gastronomic projects.

Overnight: Bogota
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2

Day 4 - Zipaquira & Raquira

Bogota - Zipaquira - Villa de Leyva. Leaving Bogota, you will be driven out towards the small, quaint town of Zipaquira, home of the magnificent Salt Cathedral. Marvel at the numerous sculptures that have been built into the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains before being taken to Sutatausa to explore a beautiful colonial church. After lunch in a traditional Andean restaurant, the next stop is Raquira, a quaint town known for its beautiful pottery, where you will get the chance to visit a clay pot factory and learn all about its production process. To wind up the day you will be taken to an old monastery, Monasterio La Candelaria, which boasts a spectacular collection of artwork within.

Overnight: Villa de Leyva
Meals: Breakfast

Days 5-6 - Villa de Leyva

A hearty American breakfast kicks off the day before you are taken into the heart of Villa de Leyva for a walking tour, during which you will learn all about the town’s colonial past. After this, prepareto be blown away as you witness the exhibits of the Fossil Museum, one of which being the complete 120 million year old Kronosaurus Queenslandicus fossil. In the afternoon, a trip to a monastery is followed by a guided tour of the Marques de Villa de Leyva wine yard, complete with a tasting or two.

The following day you will be able to enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the quiet streets and beautiful surroundings of Villa de Leyva. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the airport in Bogota to catch a flight to the Zona Cafetera.

Overnight: Villa de Leyva (1), Zone Cafetera (1)
Meals: Breakfast x2

Days 7-9 - Zona Cafetera

Villa de Leyva - Zona Cafetera. On day 7 you will spend the whole day at the Finca Romelia, a beautiful farm that enjoys breathtaking mountain landscapes and a whole host of different hummingbirds and butterflies. You will get to spend the day strolling through the peaceful gardens, admiring the orchids and sipping on the farm’s coffee, which is considered one of the best in the world.

The following day you will be taken to Filandia, a traditional village with colonial streets and abundance of fondas (restaurant-bars), then on to Quindio’s Viewpoint to look out over the Coffee Triangle. The rest of the day includes learning about wax palms and witnessing the Ritual de la Palma, a way to preserve the trees, in the Cocora Valley and exploring the quaint colonial town of Salento.

The final day in the stunning Zona Cafetera region involves a tour of Hacienda Combia, a coffee farm that teaches its guests all about the essential elements in coffee production, including environmental conditions and technical processes. You will be able to engage in a hands-on fully immersive coffee experience before being whisked away to Quindio’s Botanical and Butterfly garden for a dose of natural beauty.

Overnight: Zona Cafetera
Meals: Breakfast x3, Lunch x3

Day 10 - San Agustin

Zona Cafetera - San Agustin. In the morning you will be transferred from your hotel to either Armenia or Pereira airport to catch a flight to Neiva. From there you will be driven to San Agustin through the winding Magdalena Valley, stopping regularly to explore and observe tobacco, rice and cacao plantations. Be sure to take in the sublime mountainous landscape as you go.

Overnight: San Agustin
Meals: Breakfast

Days 11-12 - San Agustin Tours

On the first day in San Agustin, you will be taken to the world famous San Agustin Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to pre-Colombian times. Here you will be able to explore the ancient tombs and structures of Mesitas sites A, B and C, visit the Forest of statues and wander through the Archaeological Museum.

Day 12 offers you a choice of nature-based activities, including a horse riding tour to different archaeological points (la Chaquira, La Pelota, El Purutal); a tour of Isnos, Alto de los Idolos and the Magdalena Straight in a Chiva – an old fashioned Colombian bus; or a gentle hike of La Chaquira for some amazing views of the Magdalena River.

Overnight: San Agustin
Meals: Breakfast x2

Day 13 -

San Agustin - Popayan. After a hearty breakfast you will embark on a six hour journey through stunning, rugged scenery to Popayan. Upon arrival you are free to wander through the city, taking in its beautiful colonial architecture and sampling its varied and sumptuous gastronomy.

Overnight: Popayan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 - Silvia

Popayan - Silvia - Cartegena. Today you will be transported to Silvia, a small but vibrant town that hosts a weekly market each Tuesday, frequented by the Guambiano community and brimming with chillies, wool, fish and more. After exploring the market, you will be taken to Popayan’s airport to catch a flight to Cartagena. At the Rafael Nunez airport our representative will take you to your hotel and assist you with check in. In the evening, why not have a wander through Cartagena’s colourful streets, absorbing the city’s magical charm.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast

Days 15-16 - Cartagena

Starting at La Boquilla, an old fishing village and former slave colony, you will board a traditional wooden canoe and be steered through the mangrove swamps, home to a range of exotic flora and fauna. Following this experience, you will set off on a walking tour through Getsemani and have the chance to learn all about its colonial architecture and be dazzled by its charm. The afternoon involves even more cultural enrichment as you are guided through Cartagena on yet another tour. This time you will start at the Convento de la Popa, the highest point in the city, and the spot with the best views, before heading towards Castillo San Felipe on San Lazaro Hill. The day concludes with an exploration of the gorgeous jewellery and handicrafts on sale in Las Bovedas and an admiration of the aesthetically pleasing, inner walled section of the city.

Day 16 doesn’t kick off until the afternoon when you will be guided through Cartagena on a delicious food tour, stopping at seven eateries along the way. Sample some of the most authentic gastronomic delights that the city has to offer and interact with the locals who frequent these food spots on a daily basis.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch

Day 17 - Cartagena

Today marks the end of your Colombian adventure. You will be transferred from the hotel to Cartagena’s airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. PLEASE NOTE: International and domestic flights are NOT included in the price.

Prices are based upon travel in low season, staying in 'Standard' accommodation. An upgrade to 'Superior' and 'Deluxe' accommodation is available upon request. Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability, as well as time of travel. High season supplements will apply for travel during any special events, Easter, Christmas, New Year and the following holiday periods: 15 July - 15 August, 08 October - 19 October, 15 December - 20 January. Please note that discounts will apply if there are 4 or more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

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