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Colombia, 11 Days · Classic tour
Bogotá, Pereira and Cartagena de Indias
Discover the country's biggest attractions, coffee plantations and the historic city of Cartagena de Indias, on the shores of the Caribbean
This wide-ranging tour is ideal to discover the country’s geographic diversity and unique sights and places, each with its own special charm. We will travel from the bustling capital Bogota, located in the centre of the country in the Andes, to the coffee regions, where we will learn about the cultivation and tradition of a world-famous product. We will end our journey in the historic city of Cartagena de Indias on the shores of the Caribbean. Here, we'll enjoy the beaches, sail along the coast and stroll through the streets of the beautiful, well-kept colonial city.
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 at the hotel. At the agreed time, private visit Bogotá, including the Plaza de Bolivar, where the Catedral Primada, the Palacio de Justicia, the Alcaldía Mayor de Bogotá, the Casa de Nariño and the Capitolio Nacional are located. Onward to the Museo del Oro, which is famous for its exclusive collection of pre-Columbian gold. After this, there'll be a walking tour through the streets of the colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria. And finally, a cable car ride up to the Monserrate Sanctuary, from where you'll get to admire a stunning view of the city. Rest of the day free.
Bogotá - Zipaquirá - 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 - Pereira
Breakfast at the hotel. At the prearranged time, private transfer to airport and flight to Pereira. Arrival, welcome and private transfer from Pereira airport to "La Finca del Café" where you will enjoy a delicious lunch and then begin the private tour of the Coffee Process in the company of a local expert who will take us through beautiful speciality coffee plantations, explaining what the coffee process is like from planting, selective manual harvesting and pulping. Then, we will roast speciality coffee beans on a wood stove in the kitchen of the typical farm house where we will have an authentic coffee experience. On the tour there are several stations with viewpoints made in guadua where we can appreciate the beautiful landscape and natural environment of the place while enjoying a cup of coffee. Finally, we move on to the innovative drying process of the coffee bean, the beneficiary, and then we will go to the main house where they will send us off with delicious coffee lemonade. Transfer to the hotel, rest of the day at your leisure and overnight stay.
Pereira
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning meet up with one of our representatives and transfer in a private transport unit to the Cocora Valley appreciating the beautiful landscape of the place. Once in the Valley, we will have a welcome cocktail (canelazo) and assistance from a specialised eco-guide who will make the introduction to the Cocora Nature Reserve. We will transfer on foot to the cloud forest where we can appreciate the biodiversity of fauna and flora and where we will take the ecological path of the wax palm, the highest in the world and the national flagship tree of Colombia to do the ritual of the Quindío wax palm, which consists of knowing the history of how the aborigines adored this palm. Then we will sow palm seedlings. Afterwards, transfer to the typical village of Salento where we will have a walking tour visiting its colonial streets, craft workshops and the Cocora viewpoint. Lunch and transfer back to the hotel at the prearranged time. Rest of the day free and accommodation.
Pereira - Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel. At the prearranged time, private transfer to the airport and flight to Cartagena de Indias via Bogotá. Arrival and regular transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. The city was founded in 1533 on the shores of the Caribbean, ultimately becoming one of the biggest ports in America throughout the Spanish Empire. It was also often raided by pirates and buccaneers, which explains why it became South America’s most heavily-fortified city. Its delightful colonial architecture can still be seen in the well-conserved historic quarter.
Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel. At the prearranged time, meet one of our representatives at the hotel where you are staying to begin a panoramic tour of Cartagena de Indias. During the tour you will pass through the modern quarters of Bocagrande and Manga, where you will see the oldest houses dating back to the early twentieth century. Next stop will be the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, built by the Spaniards in an attempt to fend off English attacks during the seventeenth century.
We continue with a short walk through the historic quarter of this beautiful city, finishing the tour by visiting the Emerald Museum. The tour will end at your hotel, rest of the day at your leisure and overnight stay.
Cartagena - Rosario Islands - Cartagena
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 airport transfer. 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 flights.
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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: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches.
Your trip doesn't include
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Tips.
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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
Cosmos 100 Hotel & Centro de Convenciones
Calle 100 #19a 83, Bogotá
Excellent
10
Bh La Quinta- Suites
Cra 5 No 74 - 52, 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 is closed on Mondays; instead you will visit the Botero Museum and Casa de la Moneda.
- 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.
- On the day of arrival in Pereira, you must arrive before 1:00 p.m., otherwise the coffee tour will not be possible.
- In the Rosario Islands, the departure tax is not included, approx. USD 7 per person, entrance to the aquarium, diving or snorkelling goggles, or other additional water activities.
- 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.