Colombia Enchanting Towns & Paradisiacal Beaches

PM: PM: Upon your arrival in the vibrant Colombian capital of Bogota, you will be welcomed by your bilingual travel guide and accompanied to the 5-star Tequendama Hotel, where you will stay for the next two nights.

AM: AM: This morning we will head out on a half-day city tour of Colombia’s capital city. You will begin with a walk around Bogota’s main square (Bolivar Plaza), and the government buildings around it (including the Presidential Palace) before entering the nearby Candelaria District, the colonial historic district of the city. Next, we will visit the impressive San Francisco and La Tercera churches and the world-famous Museo del Oro, which contains more than 30,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts.

PM: PM: The highlight of the day will be a cable-car trip to the summit of Monserrate Hill, Bogota’s best-known landmark, from where you can take in an inspiring view of the whole city and the savannah beyond. [As an alternative, this afternoon you can visit the typical “Paloquemao” marketplace, where you will see traditional vendors and typical fruits, vegetables and other food products of the region. This can help give you an authentic insight into the everyday life of Colombians.]

AM: AM/PM: After breakfast, we will head for the airport and fly from Bogota (with one stop in Medellin) to the village of Nuqui, on the Pacific coast. After a short walk, we will board a small motorboat to make the one-hour trip south along the coast to Coqui Cove, which is a spectacular seaside setting of the El Cantil Cabañas, where you will stay for the next three nights. At the El Cantil Cabañas, you can go on daily walks to the sea and explore the surrounding tropical forest. [During whale season, the boat trip to the sea to observe these visitors is USD $128 per person]

AM: AM/ PM: The combination of coast and jungle provided by the El Cantil site represents one of the most interesting and diverse jungle programs in all South America. El Cantil consists of more than eight rustic cabañas, all equipped with shower-baths, hammocks, mosquito nets and oil lamps in the rooms (electricity is available only in the restaurant). Each cabaña also has a view of the sea. And the meals? ...excellent! There are opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Both the guide (who is also an expert on the natural phenomena of the area) and the diving instructor are excellent. Something new is programmed for each day of your stay, with different excursions planned for exploring the jungle, the various beaches, and/or the sea.

AM: AM/ PM: The combination of coast and jungle provided by the El Cantil site represents one of the most interesting and diverse jungle programs in all South America. El Cantil consists of more than eight rustic cabañas, all equipped with shower-baths, hammocks, mosquito nets and oil lamps in the rooms (electricity is available only in the restaurant). Each cabaña also has a view of the sea. And the meals? ...excellent! There are opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Both the guide (who is also an expert on the natural phenomena of the area) and the diving instructor are excellent. Something new is programmed for each day of your stay, with different excursions planned for exploring the jungle, the various beaches, and/or the sea.

AM: AM: After breakfast, we will return by motorboat to Nuqui and from there drive to the airport, from where you will fly to Pereira, the capital of Colombia’s Risaralda Province. There, you will spend two nights at a typical Colombian coffee plantation.

PM: PM: In the afternoon you’ll visit of a special coffee-growing farm, where you will get a technical and practical introduction to the entire coffee cultivation and production process, as well as visit a botanical garden with an impressive butterfly breeding center.

AM: AM: After breakfast, we will visit the picturesque village of Salento, where you can see the impressive “Palma de Cera,” Colombia's national tree and one of the tallest varieties of palms in the world.

PM: PM: We will continue on to the Cocora Valley to discover breathtaking landscapes that we will explore on horseback or by trekking.

[Additional fee for a visit to the Jesus Martin coffee house for coffee tasting: $12 USD per person; Additional fee for lunch at the Juan B. Restaurant, $26 USD per person]

AM: AM: After breakfast, we will drive to the airport and fly to the city of Neiva (with a stopover in Bogota). After reaching Neiva, we will go on a 4-5 hour overland trip through the mountainous landscape of the Magdalena River area to the town of San Agustin.

PM: PM: Upon reaching the village, we will proceed to the Yalconia Hotel, where you will spend the next three nights.

AM: AM: In the morning, you will go on an extensive tour of the San Agustin Archaeological Park (the largest collection of religious monuments in Latin America), visiting “Mesitas A, B, C and D,” the Fuente Ceremonial de Lavapatas and the Archaeological Museum.

PM: PM: In the afternoon, we will travel by horseback to the “El Tablón” and the “La Chaquira” archaeological parks, or – alternatively – visit the nearby Straits of the Magdalena, a beautiful spot that’s really worth seeing.

AM: AM: After breakfast, we will visit the nearby village of San José de Isnos to see the treasures of its archaeological park, which consists of the Alto de los Ídolos, Alto de las Piedras and two waterfalls (“Salto del Mortiño” and “Salto de Bordones”).

PM: PM: In the afternoon, we will return to San Agustin, with free time for exploring this quaint village.

AM: AM: In the morning, we will take an overland trip back to the airport in Neiva. With one stopover in Bogota, you’ll fly to the city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, where you will be welcomed by the local travel guide. You will be accompanied to the first-class Caribe Hotel, located in Cartagena´s Bocagrande district, which directly overlooks the Caribbean beach.

PM: PM: The remainder of the day will be at your discretion.

AM: AM: After breakfast, you will go on a half-day trip around Cartagena, one of the most impressive urban centers in Latin America. It’s a historic city was constructed in the Spanish colonial style and remains surrounded by high defensive walls. But don’t be surprised if your own defenses are lowered and you find yourself falling in love with Cartagena’s heady mix of history and Caribbean charm. The tour takes you around all the historic buildings and plazas of the old city, including the La Popa Convent and San Felipe Castle.

PM: PM: The afternoon will be at your discretion for either exploring the streets of the old city at your leisure or taking a dip in the Caribbean Sea.

AM: AM: This morning you will go on a day-trip to the Islas del Rosario national marine park, including lunch. You will take a tour of San Martín Island’s natural aquarium to see performing dolphins and sharks. From there, you will head to the privately owned Pirate’s Island, where there will be time to relax, sunbathe and take a dip in the Caribbean.

PM: PM: Returning to Cartagena in the afternoon, that night you will have dinner in one of the “Old City’s” picturesque restaurants.

AM: AM: In the morning you will be accompanied to the Cartagena airport, where you can catch your international flight home – reflecting on you rich and intense Colombian experience.