Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Bogotá
You'll fly into Bogotá and head to your hotel in the colonial old town center. Get settled in and take some time to orient yourself to Colombia's capital before dinner.
Landmarks Bogotá Old Town Center - Day 2
Bogotá
Start your morning at the Paloquemao wholesale market to see local vendors and fresh produce. From there, you'll walk through Plaza Bolívar and the historic La Candelaria neighborhood. After lunch, spend time at the Gold Museum checking out one of the world's largest collections of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts. Take a cable car up Monserrate mountain in the afternoon for views across the city. If you're interested, there's an optional salsa class that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Paloquemao wholesale market
- City tour of Bogotá
- Explore Plaza Bolívar with historic cathedral
- Explore La Candelaria old town
- Visit Gold Museum
- Cable car ride up Monserrate mountain
Optional Activities
- Private salsa class to South American rhythms
Landmarks Plaza Bolívar La Candelaria Gold Museum Monserrate - Day 3
Bogotá to Villa de Leyva
You'll drive about 165 km from Bogotá to explore the Nemocón salt mine, walking through underground chambers with hanging salt crystals. After that, head to the pottery village of Raquira where local artisans sell handmade work. Later you'll arrive in Villa de Leyva, a colonial town that's been designated a national monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Nemocón salt mine
- Visit Raquira pottery village
- Explore Villa de Leyva colonial town
Landmarks Nemocón Salt Mine Raquira Villa de Leyva - Day 4
Villa de Leyva
Spend the morning wandering Villa de Leyva's colonial streets and historic sites. Visit the Ecce Homo Dominican monastery with its peaceful courtyards filled with plants. On your return drive to Bogotá, you'll stop at the Boyacá Bridge, which marks an important site from South America's independence wars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Villa de Leyva colonial town
- Visit Dominican monastery Ecce Homo
- Visit historic Boyacá Bridge
Landmarks Ecce Homo Monastery Boyacá Bridge - Day 5
Bogotá to San Agustín
Fly south from Bogotá to Pitalito, then travel 40 km through green Andean foothills to reach San Agustín. In the afternoon, you'll visit the dramatic Rio Magdalena narrows where Colombia's largest river squeezes through a passage less than two meters wide.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit narrows of Río Magdalena
Landmarks Río Magdalena Narrows - Day 6
San Agustín
Explore San Agustín, one of South America's major archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage area. You'll see burial sites and mysterious stone sculptures throughout the archaeological park. Afternoon options include a hike to El Tablón and La Chaquira sites or free time to relax at your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit San Agustín Archaeological Park
Optional Activities
- Hike to El Tablón archaeological site
- Hike to La Chaquira archaeological site
Landmarks San Agustín Archaeological Park - Day 7
San Agustín to Popayán
After breakfast, take a half-day tour through Purucé National Park on rough roads to reach Popayán, 140 km away. This city has a mild climate and an all-white historic center. You'll walk through colonial buildings and visit local artisan workshops before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day tour through Puracé National Park
- Explore Popayán colonial center
Optional Activities
- Visit local artisan workshops
Landmarks Puracé National Park Popayán Historic Center - Day 8
Popayán to Salento
You'll travel 400 km north with a stop in Silvia to see the colorful Guambino indigenous market on Tuesday. Then continue driving into Colombia's coffee region, arriving at a traditional finca in Salento where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Guambino indigenous market in Silvia
Landmarks Silvia Market Salento - Day 9
Salento
Head to Valle de Cocora for a day in the coffee region. You'll hike through landscape dotted with Palma de Cera wax palms. Grab lunch while you're out there, then return to Salento and spend time watching local artisans at work in this coffee zone village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike in Valle de Cocora
- Explore Palma de Cera forest
Optional Activities
- Observe local artisans at work in Salento
Landmarks Valle de Cocora Palma de Cera - Day 10
Salento to Medellín
Visit local coffee plantations to learn about how coffee is grown and processed. Later you'll drive 280 km to Medellín, watching coffee region landscapes pass by during the long journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit coffee plantations and production facilities
- Day 11
Medellín
Explore Medellín's city center starting with Botero Square, which showcases work by Colombia's most famous sculptor and painter. Take a cable car to Santo Domingo district and see Comuna 13 with its open-air escalators and colorful graffiti art. You'll learn about Medellín's transformation and enjoy city views from a rooftop bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Botero Square
- Cable car to Santo Domingo district
- Visit Comuna 13
- Enjoy refreshing drink at rooftop bar
Landmarks Botero Square Santo Domingo District Comuna 13 - Day 12
Medellín to Santa Marta
Drive 150 km to Guatapé and climb El Peñol, a 200-meter monolith reached by 740 steps. The view from the top looks out over the Guatapé reservoir with its green mountains and blue water. Afterward, explore the nearby colorfully painted village of Guatapé before flying to Santa Marta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Climb El Peñol monolith (740 steps)
- Explore Guatapé village
Landmarks El Peñol Guatapé - Day 13
Tayrona National Park
You'll spend the day 30 km away in Tayrona National Park with its dense forests, palm groves, and Caribbean bays. Relax on Cañaveral beach or take a medium-difficulty hike through tropical forest to find hidden beaches. The Caribbean setting here is hard to beat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Tayrona National Park
Optional Activities
- Relax on Cañaveral beach
- Medium-difficulty hike to discover hidden beaches
Landmarks Tayrona National Park Cañaveral Beach - Day 14
Cartagena
Travel 230 km to Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Caribbean's most famous walled city. Tour the old town, visit the San Pedro de Claver Museum and the imposing San Felipe Fortress built to defend against pirates. Watch the sunset from the city walls before sharing a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- City tour of Cartagena
- Visit San Pedro de Claver Museum
- Visit San Felipe Fortress
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage old town
Optional Activities
- Explore old town alleyways and promenade
Landmarks Cartagena Old Town San Pedro de Claver Museum San Felipe Fortress - Day 15
Departure
Fly back to Europe from Cartagena through Bogotá. You also have the option to extend your trip with a beach stay on Isla Majagua if you'd like more relaxation before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach extension on Isla Majagua
Landmarks Isla Majagua - Day 16
Arrival Home
Arrive at your departure airport and head home, completing your trip through Colombia.
