Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Bogota
Touch down in Bogota and clear customs where your transport will be waiting at international arrivals. They'll take you to your hotel. Depending on when you land, you can either walk around and get a feel for the city or just rest up given the elevation sits over 8,000 feet.
- Start point
- International Arrivals Aeropuerto El Dorado, Bogotá, 110911, Colombia (Main Entrance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tequendama)
Optional Activities
- Explore areas of Bogota on your own
- Day 2
Bogota City Tour
Spend the full day getting to know Bogota by bike through La Candelaria, the old town area, where you'll see Plaza Bolivar, Catedral de Bogota, and Casa Narino plus historic sites. The tour also includes a stop at the coffee factory, fruit market, and a graffiti tour. Later, take the cable car up Monserrate Hill for views over the city's 11 million residents. Head back to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tequendama)
Included Activities
- Bike tour around La Candelaria (Bogota's old town)
- Visit Plaza Bolivar
- Visit Catedral de Bogota
- Visit Casa Narino
- Calle 7 exploration
- San Francisco Church visit
- Parque los Periodistas
- Coffee Factory visit
- Fruit Market
- Graffiti tour
- Monserrate Hill cable car and city views
Optional Activities
- Walking tour instead of bike tour (notify in advance)
Landmarks Plaza Bolivar Catedral de Bogota Casa Narino San Francisco Church Monserrate Hill 
- Day 3
Guatavita Lagoon and Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
Leave early for Guatavita, about an hour away, to hike around the sacred lagoon and take in the Andean landscapes. After that, check out Zipaquira town, the birthplace of writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, where you can grab some local food. The main event is the Salt Cathedral, 300 feet underground in one of South America's oldest salt mines, with a self-guided tour covering 22 different stations. You'll have the afternoon free back in Bogota.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tequendama)
Included Activities
- Hike at Guatavita sacred lagoon (1 hour)
- Explore Zipaquira town
- Visit Zipaquira Salt Cathedral (self-guided multi-language tour with 22 stations)
Optional Activities
- Local food and drinks in Zipaquira town
Landmarks Guatavita Lagoon Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Zipaquira 
- Day 4
Bogota to Leticia
Get an early transfer to Bogota Airport for a 2-hour flight down to Leticia in the Colombian Amazon, where Colombia, Peru, and Brazil all meet. Once you arrive, transfer to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Leticia town on your own
Landmarks Leticia - Day 5
Amazon River and Three Borders Exploration
Spend the full day on the Amazon with a boat tour exploring the Three Borders area. You'll stop at Benjamin and Islandia villages, then head down the Yavari River for piranha fishing and a chance to swim in hot and cold waters. Lunch is traditional Peruvian food at Sacambu Reserve, and from there you'll look for macaws, toucans, and monkeys. The boat gets you back to Leticia by 5 pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Peruvian lunch at Sacambu Reserve)
Included Activities
- Boat tour on Amazon River
- Visit Benjamin village
- Visit Islandia village
- Sailing on Yavari River (25 minutes)
- Piranha fishing at Sacambu Reserve
- Hot and cold water lagoon dip
- Wildlife viewing (macaws, toucans, monkeys)
Landmarks Benjamin Village Islandia Village Yavari River Sacambu Reserve Amazon River - Day 6
Amazon Rainforest Hiking and Wildlife
Travel by minibus into the rainforest for an eight-hour exploration day. After a safety briefing, you'll hike trails through the jungle at your chosen difficulty level, spotting exotic birds, insects, caimans, and other wildlife. The route includes jungle canals and local fishing spots. You'll stop for a picnic lunch in the middle of everything and return to Leticia by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in the Amazon jungle)
Included Activities
- Minibus transfer to Amazon rainforest
- Guided rainforest hiking (difficulty level selection)
- Wildlife viewing (birds, insects, caimans, etc.)
- Picnic lunch in the Amazon jungle
Landmarks Amazon Rainforest - Day 7
Leticia to Bogota
Have breakfast and then transfer to Leticia Airport for your local flight back to Bogota. When you arrive, transfer takes you to the hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore Bogota on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tequendama)
Optional Activities
- Explore Bogota on your own in the afternoon
- Day 8
Bogota to Tatacoa Desert
Early 6 am pickup for a van heading to the Tatacoa Desert, Colombia's second largest arid zone. The drive south takes about 5 hours through Tolima with rice fields where you can try local food like Lechona or Tamal. Stop at the Villavieja paleontology museum and then explore the desert with a guide, checking out the red rocks near Cuzco and gray rocks near Los Hoyos while watching for birds, snakes, spiders, and ocelots. Sleep in Villavieja.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tatacoa Star)
Included Activities
- Van transfer to Tatacoa Desert
- Villavieja paleontology museum visit
- Guided desert exploration
Optional Activities
- Try local specialties Lechona or Tamal in Tolima
Landmarks Tatacoa Desert Villavieja - Day 9
Tatacoa to Salento
After breakfast around 9 am, take a 1-hour boat tour on the Magdalena River, Colombia's longest river. Then collect your luggage and drive back to Bogota, a 6-hour journey depending on traffic, arriving around 7 pm. Grab a local flight to Pereira and then a 1-hour bus ride to Salento in the coffee region for overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Beta Town )
Included Activities
- Boat tour along Magdalena River (1 hour)
Landmarks Magdalena River - Day 10
Coffee Farm and Cocora Valley
Spend the day focused on coffee at Buenos Aires farm near Salento, which has been operating for over 100 years. Your guide takes you through the entire operation to learn about Colombia's coffee industry, and you'll enjoy multiple cups of quality coffee at the end. Lunch is on the farm with valley views. Later, head to Cocora Valley to hike and see the scenic landscape before returning to Salento.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at the coffee farm with valley views)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Beta Town )
Included Activities
- Buenos Aires coffee farm tour and guide
- Quality coffee tasting (multiple cups)
- Farm lunch with valley views
- Cocora Valley hiking and sightseeing
Landmarks Buenos Aires Coffee Farm Cocora Valley 
- Day 11
Salento to Medellin
Take an early local flight from Pereira to Medellin. Upon arrival, you'll have a guided tour including Comuna 13 to learn about the neighborhood's history, a cable car ride for city views from above, Botero sculptures, Parque Lleras, and other highlights. Transfer to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Art Boutique )
Included Activities
- Guided Medellin city tour
- Comuna 13 visit and history
- Cable car ride with city views
- Botero sculptures viewing
- Parque Lleras visit
Landmarks Comuna 13 Parque Lleras Botero Museum - Day 12
Medellin to Cartagena
Drive out to Marinilla town for a typical Paisa breakfast, then head to Guatape Lake for a motorboat tour with views of former Escobar properties and wealthy family residences. Visit La Replica village for photos and shopping, then climb El Penon de Guatape, a 220-meter natural rock formation from 80 million years ago with 720 steps up and fantastic valley views. Grab lunch on your own and explore Guatape town independently before an evening flight from Medellin Airport to Cartagena.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Typical Paisa breakfast in Marinilla)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Marbella)
Included Activities
- Typical Paisa breakfast in Marinilla
- Motorboat tour of Guatape Lake with scenic views
- La Replica village visit
- El Penon de Guatape climbing (720 steps, 220 meters high)
Optional Activities
- Typical lunch in Guatape town (on your own)
- Shopping for souvenirs in Guatape town
Landmarks Marinilla Guatape Lake La Replica El Penon de Guatape Guatape 
- Day 13
Cartagena City Tour
Take it easy this morning, then join a guided tour of Cartagena with an expert showing you Castillo de San Felipe, Getsemani neighborhood, commercial areas, and the historic district dating back to the 16th century. Afterward, head back to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon watching the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Marbella)
Included Activities
- Guided Cartagena city tour
- Castillo de San Felipe visit
- Getsemani neighborhood exploration
- Downtown historic district tour (from 16th century)
Landmarks Castillo de San Felipe Getsemani 
- Day 14
Isla del Rosario and Caribbean Islands
Spend the full day on an island excursion to La Isla del Rosario and nearby islands in the Caribbean Sea. You'll explore the island environment, swim, and experience the tropical landscape before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Marbella)
Included Activities
- Island tour to La Isla del Rosario
- Multiple island visits nearby
- Caribbean Sea recreation and swimming
Landmarks La Isla del Rosario - Day 15
Totumo Volcano and Pink Sea
After breakfast, head to Totumo Volcano for a relaxing mud bath experience. Then check out the Pink Sea with its distinctive pink waters from special algae, best seen December through April. Lunch is optional and costs extra. Later, take a 2.5-hour scenic drive past La Cienega swamps with great views before arriving in Santa Marta for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bonita Bay )
Included Activities
- Totumo Volcano mud bath experience
- Pink Sea visit (Galerazamba salt marshes)
Optional Activities
- Lunch in the area (extra cost)
Landmarks Totumo Volcano Pink Sea Galerazamba Salt Marshes La Cienega Swamps - Day 16
Tayrona Park Hiking
Hike at Tayrona Park, 45 minutes from Santa Marta, for a challenging but scenic 2-hour walk to Cabo San Juan covering 6 km with stops at Arrecife, Arenillas, La Piscina, and San Juan. You'll have time for photos and beach time after arrival. Lunch at a local restaurant costs around USD 10, or you can hike back to start. Horse return transport is available for USD 15 each way. Drive 1 hour to Palomino town by the beach for overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Cabo San Juan (6 km, 2 hours)
- Arrecife visit
- Arenillas visit
- La Piscina visit
- San Juan visit
- Beach time at Tayrona Park
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant (extra cost, approximately USD 10)
- Horse return transport (extra cost, approximately USD 15 each way)
Landmarks Tayrona Park Cabo San Juan - Day 17
Palomino to Riohacha
Relax on Palomino beach in the morning. In the afternoon, travel 2 hours to Riohacha in Guajira, Colombia's northernmost point, for overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Palomino beach time
Landmarks Palomino Beach Riohacha - Day 18
Manaure Salt Mines and Wayuu Culture
Get picked up for about a 1-hour journey to Manaure town and enjoy a delicious breakfast of patacones with cheese and egg or arepa with salpicon. Then visit the famous Manaure salt mines, called the 'white bride of Colombia' and one of the country's most important salt operations. You'll walk among immense salt mounds reflected in water while learning about the industry. Optional lunch at a local restaurant costs extra with beef, fish, chicken, or salad options. After spending 7 hours here, visit a Wayuu ranch to experience the indigenous culture and traditions before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Patacones (fried green plantains) with cheese and egg or arepa (cornmeal bread) with salpicom (shredded beef))
Included Activities
- Transfer to Manaure
- Breakfast (patacones with cheese and egg or arepa with salpicom)
- Manaure salt mines tour and guide
- Wayuu ranch visit and cultural experience
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant (extra cost) - beef, fish, chicken, or salad options
Landmarks Manaure Salt Mines Wayuu Ranch - Day 19
Guajira Beaches
Explore beaches in the Guajira region for a full 12-hour day. First stop is Ojo de Agua beach for strolling, sunbathing, swimming in warm Caribbean waters, or just enjoying the landscape. Continue to Rainbow Beach to see this natural wonder. Optional lunch at a restaurant costs extra with fish, seafood, chicken, meat, or salad options. The afternoon includes a visit to Pilon de Azucar, a hilltop with spectacular views, or you can stay on the beach to relax. A minibus returns you to Riohacha by day's end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ojo de Agua beach visit and beach activities
- Rainbow Beach visit
- Pilon de Azucar visit with hilltop views
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurant (extra cost) - fish, seafood, chicken, meat, or salad options
- Stay on beach at Pilon de Azucar instead of climbing to hilltop
Landmarks Ojo de Agua Beach Rainbow Beach Pilon de Azucar - Day 20
Departure
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Riohacha Airport for your flight back to Bogota. Tour services end upon arrival. The tour operator can help you extend your stay in Bogota or continue exploring South America if you'd like.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Almirante Padilla (RCH), Cra 15, Riohacha, La Guajira 440002, Colombia (Departures )
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Add one more night in Bogota City
- Extend stay in South America with free advice
