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Colombia, 9 Days · Classic tour
Bogotá and Cartagena de Indias
A country full of surprises, lapped by two oceans and where different landscapes and climates meet
This is a very diverse country, where its geography hides many varied landscapes, from the coasts lapped by the Caribbean Sea to its Andean peaks, preserving ancient peoples who in turn look after its indigenous and colonial buildings, and where its history and cultural wealth are evident.
Departure date
December 2024
From
Dublin, Shannon, Cork...
Travel details
City of origin - Bogotá
Departure with destination Bogotá. Arrival and private transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.
Bogotá
Breakfast. Sightseeing private tour around the city, stopping at the Plaza de Bolivar and all the important buildings surrounding the square, such as the Capitolio Nacional, Casa de los Comuneros; Casa de Nariño, which is the Presidential house; and the Santa Clara Church Museum. The tour includes a visit to the Gold Museum, which exhibits about 34,000 pieces of metalwork from various Hispanic cultures and if time permits, a tour will be made to the Casa de la Moneda Museum. And finally, a cable car ride up to the Monserrate Sanctuary, from where you'll get to admire a stunning view of the city. Overnight stay.
Bogotá - Zipaquira - Bogotá
Breakfast. Today, you'll cross the Bogota savanna to reach the city of Zipaquirá. Located just a few kilometres from the capital, this is one of the main salt-mining centres in Colombia. Its name means City of Our Father in the Chibcha language, but it's also known as the City of Salt. Even in pre-Columbian times, this region's salt deposits were mined to produce salt that was then used a hard currency for trading with the Muiscas. Over the years, advances in technology led to the opening of mines and tunnels to extract larger quantities of salt. These underground tunnels are home to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, located at a depth of 180 metres. There's also a small miners' chapel in homage to Our Lady of The Rosary of Guasá ('Guasá' being the word for 'mine' in the Chibcha language). At the end of the private visit, return to your hotel in Bogota. Time at your leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight stay. Note: This tour is not recommended for persons with mobility restrictions.
Bogotá - Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast. At the prearranged time, private transfer to the airport for the flight to Cartagena de Indias, on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Welcome and regular transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay.
Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast and start of a sightseeing tour of Cartagena. During the tour, you'll pass through the modern districts of Bocagrande and Barrio de Manga, where you'll see the oldest houses dating back to the early twentieth century. Next stops will be the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, built by the Spaniards in an attempt to fend off English attacks during the seventeenth century. The tour ends by visiting the Emerald Museum. After the visit, return journey to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Cartagena de Indias - Rosario Islands - Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast. In the morning, you'll be taken to the port of Cartagena to catch a boat across the Caribbean Sea to the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park. Located about forty-five kilometres to the southwest of the Bay of Cartagena, the park was created to protect unique ecosystems such as the coral reef, seagrass, mangroves, sandy beaches, and rocky shores, which together make up a vast underwater collection of habitats and communities. These are mainly inhabited by corals that are home to a myriad of colourful fish of all shapes and sizes, crustaceans, molluscs, anemones, sea-urchins and starfish. What's more, the park features a wide range of seabirds.This is a day to enjoy a stunning cruise with the opportunity to swim, snorkel across the seabed, sunbathe and savour a typical lunch (included). After the tour, return journey to the hotel in Cartagena. Overnight stay.
Note: The Islands included on this day are Isla del Encanto or San Pedro de Majagua.
Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast. Free day to do some activities and walks locally, and enjoy the hotel facilities. This city has a host of attractions. Cartagena has museums, shopping areas, bars and restaurants along its streets and in its colonial houses in the historic centre, as well as in the hotel area. You can also take advantage of tours out of town to enjoy its nature. La Cienaga de la Virgen is a favourite spot for bird watching and also to take a boat trip through the mangroves to the fishing village of La Boquilla. The Totumo Volcano is a place where you can enjoy the thermal mud baths. The Botanical Garden is ideal to get an insight into typical flora of Cartagena and the region. At dusk the city is is full of lights and colour with its street cafes, restaurants where you can sample the varied cuisine, bars with live music and discos. One of the unique attractions is the night walk in Chiva with its typical music, offering a lively stroll accompanied by salsa and rumba rhythms.
Cartagena de Indias - City of origin
Breakfast and, at the prearranged time, regular transfer to the airport. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.
City of origin
Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Internal flight.
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Accommodation in selected hotels or similar category.
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Transfers as per itinerary.
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Visits in a guided tour that are detailed in the program and not considered as optional.
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English-speaking local guides.
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Diet: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch.
Your trip doesn't include
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Tips.
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Departure tax to Isla del Encanto in Cartagena, approximately USD 8 per person, payable at the destination in Colombian pesos.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
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Insolvency protection.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Category D
Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia
Carrera 13 No 85-80, Cundinamarca, Bogotá
93 Luxury Suites Bluedoors
Carrera 13A 93-51, Bogotá
Category C
Casa Dann Carlton Hotel & Spa
Calle 93B N° 19-44, Bogotá
Excellent
9
Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Bogotá - Parque 93
Carrera 11B 96 - 59, Bogotá
Category A
Bh Parque 93
Carrera 14, 93A-69, Bogotá
Hotel Dann Carlton Bogota
Avenida 15 No 103-60, Bogotá
Category B
Bh La Quinta- Suites
Cra 5 No 74 - 52, Bogotá
Cosmos 100 Executive
Transversal 21 98-20, Bogotá
Best Western Plus 93 Park
Calle 93 13-71, Bogotá
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in Colombia are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Colombia.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- The Gold Museum and Quinta de Bolívar are closed on Mondays; instead you will visit the Botero Museum.
- On Sundays, the visit to the Cerro de Monserrate is made on request since it is operationally difficult due to the number of parishioners who come to it this day.
- Access to the Gold Museum may be subject to availability since it has reduced its capacity, so its availability must be reconfirmed well in advance.
- Salt Cathedral is not recommended for the elderly or those with mobility restrictions.
- The Casa de la Moneda Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.