11 Day Classic Columbia from $1,499

Travel Team > South/Central America Vacations > 11 Day Classic Columbia from $1,499

DAY 1, Friday – Depart for Columbia

Depart for Colombia, a country of great diversity, culture, and natural beauty. Arrive in the cosmopolitan capital city of Bogotá; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city independently, with its more than 60 galleries and museums
Overnight: Bogota

DAY 2, Saturday – Bogota City Tour

After breakfast, visit the colorful Paloquemao market. Your knowledgeable Tour Manager will provide insight into the delicious and often overlooked Colombian cuisine. Hot tamales are a favorite staple here, stuffed with chicken and corn in a banana leaf. You may also have a chance to sip freshly pressed Amazonian fruit juice. Continue to the colonial section of La Candelaria, stopping at Plaza de Bolivar, the city’s main square surrounded by the Cathedral, Palace of Congress, the Cardinal’s Palace and the colonial church of El Sagrario. On to the astonishing Gold Museum with its impressive collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold crafts and to the Fernando Botero Museum, housing some of the major paintings and sculptures of this contemporary Colombian artist. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore the city or, join the optional Funicular Train that takes you up to Monserrate Mountain. At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, see outstanding views of downtown Bogota and visit the 17th-century church and El Señor Caído Shrine. Tonight, enjoy a light dinner with your fellow travelers and a briefing by your Tour Manager on the delightful journey of Colombia that awaits you
Optional: Monserrate Funicular Train Ride (PM)
Overnight: Bogota
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday – Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

Depart this morning for Zipaquira. Upon arrival, visit the amazing Salt Cathedral built within the tunnels of a salt mine. Then, stop to watch an energetic local game of Tejo, the national sport of Colombia. Originally, gameplay consisted of hurling golden discs into a hole, at a distance of about 20 meters. However, the Conquistadors did make their own subtle improvement to the game – they added explosives. Today, the game is played with metal disks in fields across the country. Learn how to play and try your hand at throwing the disk. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, perhaps dine at one of the restaurants offering delectable Colombian cuisine or walk through the trendy Zona Rosa district, known for its lively pub scene

Overnight: Bogota

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4, Monday – Flight to Pereira, Tour the Cocora Valley and Salento Tour

Depart Bogota on a flight to Pereira in the center of Colombia’s Zona Cafetera (Coffee Zone), a region of great natural beauty, charming colonial towns and welcoming people. Upon arrival, drive to the lush Cocora Valley, one of the most striking landscapes in Colombia, part of Los Nevados National Park. Here you can see flocks of hummingbirds and endemic yellow-eared parrots that made the park their home. Time for a hike in the valley before heading into the cloud forest to enjoy the biodiversity of the flora and fauna. Cross the Quindio River, walking along an ecological pathway through the tallest wax palms in the world, reaching up to 200 feet tall. Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant and sample smoked trout – a local favorite before heading towards Salento with its beautiful traditional architecture. At Bolivar Square, see the colorful balconies and rows of handicraft shops. Before continuing to Manizales, linger at the Cocora Viewpoint to see the breathtaking panoramic views of the valleys below

Overnight: Manizales

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday – Tour a Coffee Plantation

This morning, explore the lovely city of Manizales with its beautiful parks, mountain views, and running rivers. Walk to the Plaza Bolivar in the city center, highlighted by the massive Cathedral of Manizales, famous for its elaborate gold canopy and beautiful, large stained-glass windows. Be sure to stop at a local café to try some of the regional favorites. Afterward, visit the Hacienda Venecia coffee plantation to understand the complicated process of producing the world’s finest coffee. The highlight of the tour is a genuine coffee tasting experience – you’ll analyze the aroma, flavor, and body of a great cup of coffee. After all, coffee is Colombia’s main export!

Overnight: Manizales

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Wednesday – Medellin

Drive to Medellin and discover the beautiful Aburra Valley, surrounded on four sides by lush green mountains and rugged peaks. Named the “City of Eternal Spring” because of its year-round mild temperatures, the city bustles with non-stop activity. Head first to Parque de Bolívar then view the Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín before arriving at Botero Plaza accented by the artist’s huge metal sculptures and home to the Museo de Antioquia with its outstanding collection of Botero’s paintings as well as other famous Latin artists. Continue to Barefoot Park, a delightful zen-inspired public area that encompasses a small bamboo forest, sandy areas, and streams. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this lovely city on your own. In the evening, try a typical Antioquian dinner or, visit the upscale and very chic El Poblado neighborhood known for its trendy restaurants and clubs

*Please note, due to construction on the roads going to Medellin, the drive from Manizales to Medellin may be replaced with a flight Pereira to Medellin

Overnight: Medellin

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Thursday – Medellin City & Santa Elena

Today, see a different side of Medellin with a visit to the barrios. Witness the transformation of the city once known for its drug violence, to a safe venue to soak up culture and nightlife. Begin with a Metrocable cable-car ride that takes you high over the barrios offering a bird’s eye view of the city. Visit the barrio of Santo Domingo and the Biblioteca España, an integral project to the city’s urban infrastructure improvement. This ultra modern library complex, on a hillside above the city consists of three buildings, covered in black stone tiles. Next, visit Santa Elena, a small colonial town near Medellin and one of the most typical “Antioqueño” towns, where the “Silleteros” tradition, linked to the flower production of the area, was born. Enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family and experience a unique opportunity to learn about the values and traditions of the Antioqueños. Afterward, continue with a visit to the town and its surroundings, including a flower production field, where you’ll learn more about the “Silltero” tradition

Overnight: Medellin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Friday – Magical Cartagena on the Sea

A flight takes you to Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias), a magical city nestled on the Caribbean Sea with magnificent architecture, massive fortifications and fabulous sea breezes. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered one of the continent’s cultural treasures with its remarkably intact historic walled city. Upon arrival, time permitting, meet children at a local school before continuing to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to start your exploration of Cartagena either in the Old City with its maze of cobbled alleys, or at one of the magnificent beaches. Restaurants and open-air cafes abound with superb cuisine and fish fresh from the sea

Overnight: Cartagena

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Saturday – Cartagena

This morning, see expansive views of the city, sea and the port zone as you make your way to the San Felipe castle-fortress built on San Lazaro Hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. At the Walled City, walk through the multicolored houses and buildings of the Old City of Cartagena. Visit San Pedro Claver Convent and Church built in the mid-17th century. Proceed to the city’s colonial district beginning at Bolivar Park shaded by large trees, four fountains with a statue of the great Liberator in the middle. Surrounding the square is the Gold Museum, which exhibits its fine collection of archaeological objects dating back to the pre-Colombian period. The visit continues to Santo Domingo church, the Cathedral and ends at the Terraces. Pass by the house of the famous Nobel Prize Laureate novelist, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Then, on to ‘the Vaults’, archways built within the walled city that were used to store armaments and later as a prison. Today, this entire area is a thriving artisans’ center with beautiful local handicrafts. The afternoon is at leisure to discover this charming city on your own or, participate in the optional jewelry making class. Learn the art of jewelry making from trained craftsmen at FEJOCAR, a private non-profit jewelry school. Using .925 sterling silver and raw emeralds you will create jewelry. Upon completion of the class, you will receive a diploma and one piece of jewelry that you designed

Optional: Jewelry Making Class (PM)

Overnight: Cartagena

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Sunday – Full Day in Cartagena

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cartagena to further explore the city on your own or, join the optional half day La Boquilla Mangrove. Enjoy a tour of the mangrove swamps of La Boquilla, a fishing village located twenty minutes north of Cartagena. Glide through the dense growth of mangroves, on an original wooden canoe and view up-close this rich and diverse ecosystem. In the afternoon perhaps, participate in the optional Colombian National Aviary Tour. Visit the second biggest aviary in Latin America, and sixth in the world, that houses more than 1,750 birds, representing 135 species. At the end of the tour, enjoy a typical Colombian coffee before returning to Cartagena. Tonight, a festive Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers at a popular local restaurant marks the end of a truly wonderful adventure in Colombia

Optional: Half Day La Boquilla Mangrove (AM)

Optional: Half Day Colombian National Aviary Tour (PM)

Overnight: Cartagena

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday – Depart Colombia

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight

Meals: Breakfast