Itinerary
- Day 1
Bogota
You'll arrive in Bogota and connect with your guide at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. Once you've settled in, head out on a guided tour through the colonial Candelaria district, where you'll see churches and the presidential palace. After that, check out the Botero Museum to see works by Colombia's most famous artist, then move on to the Gold Museum with over 50,000 pieces on display.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour through Candelaria colonial area
- Visit to Botero Museum
- Visit to Gold Museum
Landmarks Candelaria Botero Museum Gold Museum 
- Day 2
Bogota
This day is yours to relax and explore Bogota at your own pace, or you can join optional excursions if you prefer. One option takes you to the centuries-old Zipaquira salt mine, 200 meters underground, featuring an impressive salt cathedral. From there, continue to Guatavita Lagoon for a hike up to the crater-lake's rim with views of the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Zipaquira salt mine and salt cathedral
- Hike to Guatavita Lagoon crater-lake's rim
Landmarks Zipaquira Salt Mine Guatavita Lagoon 
- Day 3
Bogota to San Agustin
After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for a one-hour flight to Neiva. Then drive for 4 hours through emerald green hills and coffee plantations to reach San Agustin, a charming town with colonial houses, churches, cobbled streets and shady plazas. This becomes your base for the next three nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks San Agustin 
- Day 4
San Agustin
Spend the day exploring the San Agustin archaeological park, which has over 100 statues dating back to 3,300 BC. You'll see the burial houses that were used for human sacrifices and offerings. Later, hike into the surrounding area to reach Fuente de Lavapatas, a fountain carved into the rocks along the creek.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of San Agustin Archaeological Park
- Hike to Fuente de Lavapatas fountain
Landmarks San Agustin Archaeological Park Fuente de Lavapatas - Day 5
San Agustin
Head out on an excursion to Magdalena Canyon, passing through sugar plantations and steep gorges along the way. Explore the canyon to see large figures carved into the rock walls and free-standing stones shaped into animals, with the river running below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Excursion to Magdalena Canyon
Landmarks Magdalena Canyon - Day 6
San Agustin to Popayan
Drive through rugged hills and descend to Popayan, a stately colonial town known as the 'White City' because of its white-walled buildings. It was founded in 1537 and served as a crucial rest stop on the Spanish gold trade route. The evening is free for you to explore this charming town on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Popayan - Days 7 - 9
Popayan to Armenia
Drive for 5 hours to Colombia's coffee region, where you'll spend three days relaxing and walking through trails with colorful plants and wildlife. Visit a local coffee farm for a guided tour covering everything from picking to roasting. You'll also explore the charming village of Salento with its flower-adorned balconies and check out Valle de la Cocora nature reserve, home to Colombia's national tree, the wax palm that grows over 3,000 meters tall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of local coffee farm
- Visit to Salento village
- Visit to Valle de la Cocora nature reserve
Optional Activities
- Visit to Botanical Gardens at Calarca with tropical flowers and insect museum
- Horse-riding excursion in surrounding areas
Landmarks Valle de la Cocora Salento Botanical Gardens at Calarca 
- Days 10 - 11
Armenia to Santa Marta
Fly via Bogota to Santa Marta, Colombia's oldest city and the Spanish's first settlement, where liberator Simon Bolivar was born. Spend two nights here, exploring the historical center and old town at your own pace. Later, take an excursion to Tayrona National Park, once home to the Tayrona Indians. Follow tree-covered trails through tropical forest to secluded beaches where you can snorkel in reefs, visit mountain villages, or hike past ancient pre-Columbian ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Tayrona National Park
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling in the reefs
- Visit to local villages in nearby mountains
- Hike through dense rainforest
Landmarks Santa Marta Tayrona National Park 
- Days 12 - 13
Santa Marta to Mompos
Board the bus and travel to Aracataca, birthplace of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Visit his family home, now a museum, and follow the path of this iconic writer. Continue past banana and palm oil plantations to reach Mompos, a 16th century town on the Magdalena River with whitewashed colonial mansions. Later, enjoy a boat trip along the wildlife-rich Magdalena River, home to cormorants, white herons and iguanas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Gabriel Garcia Marquez museum in Aracataca
- Boat trip along Magdalena River
Landmarks Aracataca Mompos Magdalena River 
- Day 14
Mompos to Cartagena
Travel back to the Caribbean coast to Cartagena, one of the most interesting colonial towns on the continent. Spend the rest of the day wandering the streets to take in Caribbean and African influences. You can visit Castillo San Felipe with its fortress on San Lazaro hill, complete with tunnels and cannons, or head up La Popa hill's colorful convent for city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Cartagena
Optional Activities
- Visit to Castillo San Felipe fortress
- Visit to La Popa hill and convent
- Explore Boca Grande beach area
- Visit to Volcan de Lodo El Totumo mud volcano
Landmarks Cartagena Castillo San Felipe La Popa Hill Volcan de Lodo El Totumo 
- Day 15
Cartagena
Spend the morning walking through the streets of this romantic Caribbean colonial city, founded in 1533 as the main Spanish port and a frequent target for pirates. The Spanish walls still ring the town. The afternoon is free, so you can watch Cumbia dance performances in the old town square or relax at a café with a drink overlooking the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Watch Cumbia dance performances in old town square
Landmarks Cartagena Old Town 
- Day 16
Cartagena
Head to Cartagena airport for your onward flight. If you prefer, you can consider extending your stay to relax by the coast instead of departing today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay to relax by the coast
