Secrets of Colombia

Fly overnight from London to Bogotá. Regional connections available.

(N)

Arrive early in the morning and transfer by road to Villa de Leyva, located about 25 miles west of Tunja. On the way, you will stop at Tunja and Boyacá bridge, which may seem small and unassuming at first but is actually a symbol of South America’s struggle for independence, as it was pivotal in the decisive Battle of Boyacá in 1819.

Stay 2 nights at the Posada de San Antonio. Afternoon at leisure.

(B)

Enjoy a full-day tour of Villa de Leyva. The city retains much of its colonial past through its architecture, and it features many rural landscapes that extend from the desert to the moor. You will also visit the 120-million-year-old kronosaurus fossil, one of the world’s largest known marine reptiles. And you will visit the Dominican convent, which was built in 1967 and is home ot over 100 Sister residents.

(B)

Return to Bogotá by road. Stop by Zipaquirá on the way, which is home to the Salt Cathedral, a unique religious sanctuary site built in an underground salt mine. Stay at the Novotel Bogotá Parque 93 for 2 nights.

(B)

Take a morning walking tour of the Le Candelaria district. The district is home to the Gold Museum, which has the largest collection of prehispanic gold work in the world, and the Botero Museum, which has more than one hundred works by Maestro Fernando Botero.

Enjoy afternoon leisure. Alternatively, take an optional cable car ride to Monserrat hill.

(B)

Fly to Pereira in the coffee region. In 2011, UNESCO declared Pereira a World Heritage Site. It is home to a local coffee farm, where you will learn about their growing practices and production of world-class coffee beans. Then enjoy afternoon leisure.

Stay 2 nights at the Hacienda San José, an old colonial-style house.

(B)

Explore the Cocora Valley. This region is famous for having the tallest wax palm trees in the world. You can also explore the area in a Jeep, walk into the mystical cloud forest, and visit the villages of Filandia and Salento. There, you will enjoy stunning mountain views and excellent food, topped off with scenic views of the glorious sunset.

(B, L)

Travel by road to Medellín for about 7 hours. Along the way, enjoy a scenic look at the Cauca River. The river flows between the Corilleras Occidental and Oriental mountains for 838 miles, making it the second longest river in Colombia.

Upon arrival, stay for 2 nights at the Hotel Poblado Plaza

(B)

Enjoy a full-day tour of Medellín. Here you will learn a lot about the cultural and transformation of the city. It was originally founded as a mining town, but few colonial buildings survive to this day. It also has a strong industrial presences which covers food processing, woodworking, automobiles, chemicals, and rubber products.

On your day tour, you will visit the Comuna 13 hillside to see street art and outdoor escalators. Then have lunch with a live cooking demonstration at Las Berracas, a community-run organization for empowering women. From there, proceed to the city center and check out carved sculptures by local artist slike Fernando Botero. To finish off the day, visit the Cerro Nutibara hill for gorgeous, panoramic views of the city and mountains.

(B, L)

Transfer to the airport. Fly to the city of Cartagena, one of the major ports on the north coast of Colombia. Stay at the Hotel Santa Catalina for 2 nights.

Here you will learn about the old town, with an engaging and informative walking tour. Along the way, visit the Spanish fort, the largest Spanish fortification on mainland South America. Then explore the charming neighborhood of Getsemani, followed by a visit to the San Pedro Claver Church. The church is one of Cartagena’s most well-preserved colonial buildings, built between 1580 and 1654 and lovingly restored over the years. In 1995 it was formally declared a national landmark.

(B)

Enjoy morning leisure. Or take an optional visit to the National Aviary. Then fly overnight back to London via Bogotá.

(B) (N)