Colombian Cultural and Natural Immersion 13-Day Tour

Duration

13 days, 12 nights

Tour Type

Private Tour

Pricing

$$$$

Languages

Español, Inglés

Overview

Join us in this immersive and fulfilling trip around some of the top-notch Colombian destinations. You will start in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá. You will spend one day discovering the city and the other exploring its surroundings by going to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Then you will fly to Pereira to enjoy the coffee triangle by visiting the Cocora Valley and the coffee farms on one day and Santa Rosa’s hot springs on the other. The third city will be Medellín. You will spend one day discovering Comuna 13 and Medellín’s downtown and the other by going to Guatape and its breathtaking Piedra del Peñol. You will visit Cartagena; you will have one day to wander around the Walled City and its colorful spots and one last day to relax in a small island near the city. Lastly, you will get to your last destination: Santa Marta and its Caribbean coast and you will be finishing your trip by visiting the Old City and hiking to the breathtaking Tayrona Park.

Why you should do this 13-day trip to Bogotá, Coffee Region, Medellín, Cartagena and Santa Marta?

Colombia is more than a country to cross it of a trip list. It is a whole world worth-diving to really seize its diversity. Come with us for 13 days and discover why. Food, history, and lots of fun by the hand of our welcoming locals.

Itinerary

The day begins with a tour of La Candelaria, in the historic center of Bogota. You will visit the Plaza de Bolivar, Casa de Nariño, Chorro de Quevedo and two of the most important museums in the area: the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum. You will enjoy local gastronomic experiences and a delicious traditional lunch. You will also take the cable car up to Monserrate to observe the city from the top, visit the basilica and its natural areas. The rest of the afternoon will be free.

On this day you will visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, one of the wonders of Colombia and the Guatavita Lagoon, where the Legend of El Dorado is said to take place. For this, you will head north of the city, first to the town of Zipaquirá. You will go through the tunnels and roads of the salt mine, to see the only subway Catholic church in the world and its history. Then, you will go to the town of Guatavita and walk to the natural park of Guatavita and learn about its legends. You will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch and at the end of the day you will return to Bogotá.

On this day you will visit the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal where you will hike to the hot springs, rich in minerals and known for their medicinal properties. You will walk through the beautiful landscapes of this place, with its waterfalls and mountainous areas and enjoy its natural pools. You will also taste some typical dishes and a traditional lunch before returning to your hotel.

In Salento you will start the morning with a hike to the Cocora Valley, the natural sanctuary of the wax palms, Colombia's national tree. You will learn about Colombian farmer traditions, and you will take pictures of the breathtaking scenery at the viewpoints and enjoy a typical homemade lunch. You will also enjoy a tour of a coffee farm to learn about the entire coffee process, from planting, harvesting, picking and roasting. You will be able to pick cherries with local guides and participate in a coffee tasting with the baristas.

On this day you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Medellín and from there to your hotel. You will have the day at leisure.

The day will begin heading downtown Medellín, where you will find sculptures by the famous artist Fernando Botero, and other attractions in the area. You will visit important parks such as San Antonio and have various gastronomic experiences, and a delicious traditional lunch. Besides you will take the Metrocable and head to Comuna 13 where you will take its famous graffiti tour and learn how art has transformed a territory marked by conflict into an artistic district. After exploring this colorful and vibrant place you will go back to your hotel.

On this day you will visit one of the most beautiful places in Colombia: El Peñol Rock and Guatapé. You will travel from Medellín to the town and from there to the first stop: the stairs that will take you to the Piedra del Peñol viewpoint, where you will have views of the dam. Then you will tour the town of Guatapé, have a boat trip around the lagoon and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch.

You will visit the Walled City and the historic center of Cartagena on a private city tour. You will visit San Felipe Castle, the Clock Tower, the most important squares and colonial houses in the area. You will explore the iconic and colorful areas of the city and learn the history behind them. During the tour you will have gastronomic experiences with the most typical products of the city, as well as a delicious local lunch.

You will have a rest day in Playa Tranquila and visit the Aquarium, both places located in Rosario Islands. You will take a boat to get there and enjoy the Caribbean climate, the traditional fresh food and the scenery. At the end of the day, you will take the boat back to Cartagena and the hotel and finish the tour.

On this day you will be transferred by car, from your hotel in Cartagena to Santa Marta and you will have free time to enjoy on your own.

Once in Santa Marta, you will have a full day to visit the main attractions of this welcoming city. You will stroll around the old city and its streets as you learn its history. You will also visit Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, death place of Simón Bolivar, and you will end your day with one of the best views of the Caribbean in Taganga Bay. All of this along with delicious and local food.

You will get the chance to visit one of Colombia’s marvels: Tayrona Park. You will be picked-up in Santa Marta and transferred outside the city to the entrance of the park. You will start hiking across the coastal rainforest with astonishing views of the Caribbean Sea as well as the lush vegetation. You will make stops in the two main spots: Arrecifes and San Juan’s Cape and you will have time to have a delicious lunch as you enjoy the beach before heading back to Santa Marta.

On the last day of the trip, after checking out at the hotel, you will have some free time before taking your flight back to Bogotá. We are sure you will end up wanting to discover more of our diverse country. A home that welcomes everyone.

Highlights

Getting to know the must-visit places in Colombia: Bogotá, Coffee Region, Medellín, Cartagena and Santa Marta.
Combining city and nature by visiting the cities downtowns on one day and the top-notch natural destinations on the other.
Learning about our diversity through our history.
Diving into Colombian culture through its typical food, music, and landscapes.
A chance to get in touch with locals.

Included/Excluded

Gran Colombia Tours private guide per destination
Transfers in private transportation
All entrance fees according to itinerary
Domestic flight tickets
Double or twin standard accommodation in scheduled hotels (or similar), according to chosen category: 12 nights
12 breakfasts (at the hotel)
10 lunches
Travel insurance

Dinners
International tickets. Arrival at the city where the tour begins and return to the country of origin are at the traveler's expense
Additional nights, as well as other facilities acquired outside the itinerary of Gran Colombia Tours
Extra purchases

Know before you book

You can add as many nights as you need before or after your trip. Keep in mind that the accommodation is in double standard rooms per night and per 2 people
Flight tickets include hold baggage of 23 kg
In Bogotá, the Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum on Tuesdays
You can start and finish the journey in any of the five cities
The last day of the tour includes a domestic flight back to the city of origin
Policy cancellation up to 8 days before departing for a 50% refund.
Please, take into account that most of the experiences and tours of this trip are done by foot
Keep in mind that lunches are daily menus at traditional restaurants

Frequently asked questions

On this 13-day tour to Colombia, you will see various locations in Bogotá, Medellín, the Coffee Region, Cartagena and Santa Marta. Some of the most important spots you will visit are La Candelaria neighborhood, Monserrate Hill, Gold and Botero museums, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, and Guatavita Lake in Bogotá. Comuna 13, Medellín’s downtown, El peñol Rock and Guatapé in Medellín. You will enjoy Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs, the Cocora Valley and a complete experience in a coffee farm of the Coffee Region. In Cartagena, you will see the Walled City and visit San Felipe Castle, Playa Tranquila, and the aquarium. And in Santa Marta you will visit the old town, Quinta de San Pedro AlejandrinoTaganga Bay and the Tayrona National Park.

No, international flights are not included. We only include domestic flights on our multi-city trips across Colombia. In this case, we include domestic flights between Bogotá, Medellín, the Coffee Region, Cartagena, and Santa Marta.

No, you can choose the city where you want to start the tour. For this 13-day adventure in Colombia, you can choose to start either in Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Medellín or the Coffee Region.

No, the last day of the tour includes a domestic flight back to the city of origin; however, you can change it to a national destination with a similar rate.

You can choose to stay in 3-star or 5-star hotels. Depending on your choice, the price may vary. The accommodation will be either double or twin standard rooms.