10-Day Colombia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Colombia tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffColombia travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Colombia Itinerary, incl. Bogotá and Cartagena

  10-day Colombian odyssey covering 4 major cities: Bogota's Gold Museum, Medellin's Botero Plaza, Santa Marta's historic churches, and Cartagena's UNESCO heritage sites. Features 2 domestic flights, daily breakfast, and guided tours of Tayrona National Park.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Bogotá

    Begin your trip in Colombia's capital at 2,600 meters above sea level. Take it slow on your first day since the altitude can cause mild headaches. Spend your first full day in La Candelaria, the historic district. Visit the Gold Museum right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid the crowds. You can join the free English tours at 11 AM. A previous visitor noted: "The Gold Museum was incredible, but bring a jacket—the air conditioning is quite strong and Bogotá's weather can be chilly." Plan to visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá on day 3. Leave Bogotá around 8 AM to avoid traffic on the 50km trip north. Pack a light jacket since the cathedral stays cool all year.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Medellín

    Take a morning flight to Medellín. Plan for a 45-60 minute airport transfer depending on traffic. Visit Botero Plaza and the Botanical Garden on your first day. Start the El Peñol rock climb early on day two. The 740 steps are much easier to handle before it gets hot. A recent visitor said: "The Guatapé boat ride after climbing El Peñol was perfect timing. Book it for around 2 PM when the sun isn't too intense."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Santa Marta & Tayrona

    After flying to Santa Marta spend the afternoon walking through the historic center and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. Get to Tayrona National Park's El Zaino entrance by 8 AM the next day. The park has visitor limits and often fills up. The hike to Cabo San Juan takes about 2.5 hours. Wear good hiking shoes since the trail gets slippery in the rain.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Cartagena

    Drive from Santa Marta to Cartagena early in the morning. It takes about 4 hours. Walk the walled city later in the day when it's cooler. If you take the Mercado de Bazurto cooking class wear comfortable shoes and bring small bills for the market. One traveler shared: "The market can be overwhelming, but the cooking class was a highlight. The coconut rice recipe alone was worth it!"

    

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• Colombian Explorer: Medellín Nights & Tayrona National Park

  Colombian landscapes and culture shine across 10 days from Cartagena to Medellín. Trek Marinka Waterfalls, roam Tayrona National Park's trails, and visit Santa Marta's Parque de los Novios. Includes 9 nights in hotels with 8 breakfasts and 1 lunch.

  

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  • Cartagena Colombia

    108 mi

  • Minca Colombia

    38 mi

  • Palomino Colombia

    35 mi

  • Tayrona National Park Colombia

    10 mi

  • Santa Marta Colombia

  • Santa Marta Colombia

    358 mi

  • Medellin Colombia

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• 10 Day Colombia Itinerary, incl. Bogota and Cartagena

  Mountains to coast tour spans 10 days across 7 cities, with 3 nights in Bogota, 2 in Villa de Leyva, 3 in Medellin, and 2 in Cartagena. Visit the Salt Cathedral, Comuna 13, and Islas del Rosario's coral reefs.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Bogota

    Begin your Colombia journey in the capital at 8,660 feet above sea level. Take day one slow to adjust to the altitude. Spend time in the lively 93rd Street Park area, where you'll find plenty of local restaurants and cafes to explore at night. On day two, visit Mount Monserrate in the early morning. Take the cable car up to avoid altitude strain and enjoy city views. A visitor shared: "The morning light over Bogota from Monserrate is incredible, but bring a warm layer—it's chilly at that elevation."

    
  • Days 3-4

    Villa de Leyva

    Make your first stop at the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. It sits 200 meters underground and is worth seeing. Leave Bogota early to avoid traffic on the 1.5-hour drive. From there it's another 3 hours to Villa de Leyva. Spend two days exploring colonial architecture and visiting unique sites like the Vineyard Aim Karim, where you can see tropical wine production. Watch your step in Plaza Mayor. The large cobblestones can be tricky to walk on, so good shoes are important.

    
  • Day 5

    Medellin Transfer

    Visit Laguna de Guatavita on your way to catch your flight. This lake inspired the El Dorado legend. The trail gets slippery when wet, so pack rain gear and hiking boots. When you arrive in Medellin, you'll notice the perfect spring weather. The city sits at 4,905 feet, earning its nickname "City of Eternal Spring."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Medellin Region

    Spend a full day in Comuna 13, known for its street art and outdoor escalators. Take the MetroCable to Parque Arví if you want to hike, but go early since afternoon storms are common. The next day, drive 1.5 hours to Guatape. Climbing El Peñol rock means tackling 740 steps. Take water and climb at your own pace. Visit the town in the morning to photograph the colorful zocalos (painted house bases) in the best light.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Cartagena

    Prepare for hot weather in Cartagena. Temperatures hit 90°F with high humidity. The best times to walk the walled city are early morning or late afternoon. If you're heading to the Rosario Islands, bring reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling. Consider motion sickness pills for the boat ride.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    Schedule an afternoon flight so you can take one last morning walk on the historic walls. The airport is close, just 15 minutes from old town. Add extra time if cruise ships are in port.

    

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