Colombia Complete
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Highlights:
There is a lot to see in Colombia and it takes two weeks to do it all justice. If you have the time, it will be well spent as you discover the wide variety of experiences available. Admire the Gold Museum in Bogota before heading off to Cali, home of Salsa with a beat all on its own. Learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of some of the world’s best coffee and then be amazed at the transformation of Medellin from war zone to culture zone.
Head to the Caribbean coast and the charming fortress city of Cartagena and finish in an eco-lodge on a pristine beach on the Caribbean Coast. Ideal for a couple or two to three couples who have a sense of adventure but a requirement of superb food and elegant accommodations.
There is a lot to see in Colombia and it takes two weeks to do it all justice. If you have the time, it will be well spent as you discover the wide variety of experiences available. Admire the Gold Museum in Bogota before heading off to Cali, home of Salsa with a beat all on its own. Learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of some of the world’s best coffee and then be amazed at the transformation of Medellin from war zone to culture zone.
Head to the Caribbean coast and the charming fortress city of Cartagena and finish in an eco-lodge on a pristine beach on the Caribbean Coast. Ideal for a couple or two to three couples who have a sense of adventure but a requirement of superb food and elegant accommodations.
SKU:
Explore: Diverse colombia
Customizable Itinerary - 13 Days (from $6,581 per person)
Day 1: USA-Colombia
Today you board an aircraft bound for Bogota, the colonial capital of Colombia. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where the rest of the evening is left open.
Day 2: Pre-Columbian to Contemporary Art in Bogota
After breakfast you meet your guide for a private tour of the city highlights with a focus on the historic centre known as La Candelaria. Visit the main square, Plaza de Bolivar where a statue of Simon Bolivar dominates. In the past the plaza has served many proposes including a marketplace, a bullring and a place where executions were held. Your next visit will be the Cathedral which houses important religious artifacts. You will also pass by many government buildings as you make your way to Botero Museum exhibiting some of the works of Fernando Botero along with pieces from his personal collection including works by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. From there you visit the Gold Museum which is considered to be one of the most important museums of its type with a vast display of Gold jewelry dating back prior to the conquistadors. Finish your tour by riding a cable car or funicular to the 1,500 feet summit where you find the Santuario de Monserrate plus incredible views of the city and the surrounding Andes. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Santiago de Cali, home of Salsa
Today you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Santiago de Cali third largest city in Colombia and the capital of the Valle del Cauca region. You arrive in Cali which enjoys a warm climate as well as being known for its exciting salsa and warm hospitality from its citizens. After checking in to your hotel you will join your guide for a tour of the city. You will visit the Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura, built in the 19th Century and known for being a creole yet classic design with an audience capacity of 1,200. You will see various other museums and buildings before arriving in the San Antonio district which offers breathtaking views of the city. Her you will find the Iglesia San Antonio which houses some well-preserved artwork. Finish the day with dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Sugar goes with Coffee
In addition to be being a major source of superior coffee Colombia is a major source of sugar. The countryside around Cali is the largest sugar cane producing region in Colombia. Along with your guide you will visit a traditional sugar cane producing plant which is located on a perfectly preserved ranch comprised of old and traditional gardens as well as the original furniture within the house. It houses the “Casa Museo de la Cana” (Sugar Cane Museum) which shows the natural, scientific and cultural histories behind the process. You then proceed to Hacienda Paraiso where the Novella “Maria” was filmed based on the novel by Jorge Isaacs. After enjoying a traditional lunch you return to Cali where the evening is at leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Cali to Armenia
After breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you into the Andes Mountains and the coffee growing area of Armenia. Upon arrival take time to relax by the pool or enjoy the mountain scenery. Dinner with a view is on the menu each night of your stay.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Land of Wax Palms and Hummingbirds
After breakfast you leave with your guide for the Valle de Cocora which is located in the central mountains of the Parque Nacional de los Nevados. Here you will find the “Quidian Wax Palm”, the national tree of Colombia which reaches a height of over 180 feet. Birds inhabit the trees including several types of hummingbirds and the palm parrot. Upon arrival you head into the cloud forest either on foot or on horseback to enjoy the biodiversity of flora and fauna. On the return journey you cross the River Quindío while walking along an ecological pathway. Stop for lunch and then drive to the town of Salento with its colorful balconies, the Calle Real, the handicraft shops and the Cocora Valley viewpoint. Finish up the day with a visit to Filandia to enjoy some time soaking up the regional atmosphere and perhaps some local spirits before returning to the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Coffee, from Beans to Cup
After breakfast your guide will take you to Hacienda San Alberto one of the coffee estates typical of the region and located in the steep hills typical of this area. View the green carpet of coffee plants that spread out as far as the horizon. The tour begins with an introductory talk about coffee, its preparation, toasting, the characteristics of quality and the properties that allow for such a variety of coffees in the world. The route continues through the plantations, appreciating the work of the coffee pickers as well as understanding the famous humid coffee that is characteristic of Colombian coffee. Learn about the harvest, the drying in the sun and the roasting at the end enjoy a coffee tasting session with an expert “taster.”
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: The City of Eternal Spring
Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to the City of Medellin. In the 1980’s, this city was one of the most dangerous in the world. Back in the early ‘90’s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar, the head of Medellin’s drug cartel took place the city dominated the news even in North America. Even when the reign of El Patron came to an end there was still violence as others fought to succeed him. In 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative cities in the world. On this special tour you will visit Barrio San Javier which used to be one of the most unsafe in the city. Located four miles from the city centre but technology changed all that. You will ride on the metrocable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre which has been life-changing for many inhabitants. You will also explore Medellin’s newest invention, the electric stairways of district Comuna 13. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. After your tour you check into your hotel where you have a free evening to enjoy a selection of fine restaurants close to your hotel. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Santa Fe De Antioquia
After breakfast you leave Medellin and head west crossing The River Cauca by the Puente de Occidente, one of the first suspension bridges in South America. After a journey of little more than an hour you arrive in Santa Fe de Antioquia where it seems that time has stood still since colonial times. Founded in 1541 by Jorge Robledo this was the capital of Antioquia until 1826 when the government was moved to Medellin. The narrow streets that run alongside the whitewashed buildings are still here for all to see. It is worth visiting the Santa Barbara church, the Museum of Liturgical Art, the Cathedral and the Juan del Carroll Museum. After lunch, you return to Medellin with a stop on the way to visit the quaint town of San Jerónimo with its beautiful church and fine examples of architecture from both the Colonial and Republican eras. You will also pass vendors selling pineapples, oranges, tamarind and mango before arriving back in the city.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: From the Mountains to the Sea
In the morning you will be transferred to Medellin airport for a flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival you are met and escorted to your hotel. You have time to relax by the pool or enjoy an indulgent treatment at the spa. In the evening a guide will walk you to Restaurant ‘1621’ considered one of the best in Cartagena where you will have dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: A Walking Tour through Cartagena
Today your guide will take you on a walking tour of this charming Colonial Caribbean town. Start in Bolivar Park by large trees and four fountains and the obligatory Bolivar statue. Around the square is the gold museum offering archeological objects dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. You will also visit the Inquisition Palace which is noted for its large Baroque-style door. The inquisition held its meetings here and it was also the prison and torture chambers of presumed heretics. Finish your tour at the Museum of the city’s fortifications followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You have free time to explore the city ramparts and its quaint shops. In the evening a guide will escort you to La Vitrola one of the finest restaurants in the entire walled city. It offers Cuban style inside a house typical of Cartagena. In addition to its food it is also noted for its antique chandeliers, trunks and paintings emblematic of the heritage of Cartagena de Indias.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Shopping by Day, Dancing by Night
Today is an open day for you to explore Cartagena on your own. By now you should be familiar of certain areas so this might be the perfect time to get in some shopping followed by a stay at the Spain the evening you will be picked up and taken to Club de Pesca which one of the most traditional in the city because of its location on Cartagena Bay. Casual elegance is the best term as you enjoy the freshest seafood (beef and poultry are available) and enjoy the ocean breeze and the live music. If you have ever yearned to dance the boss nova and watch the waves rolling up to a Caribbean Beach, tonight is your night.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Return to USA
Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
Breakfast
Today you board an aircraft bound for Bogota, the colonial capital of Colombia. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where the rest of the evening is left open.
Day 2: Pre-Columbian to Contemporary Art in Bogota
After breakfast you meet your guide for a private tour of the city highlights with a focus on the historic centre known as La Candelaria. Visit the main square, Plaza de Bolivar where a statue of Simon Bolivar dominates. In the past the plaza has served many proposes including a marketplace, a bullring and a place where executions were held. Your next visit will be the Cathedral which houses important religious artifacts. You will also pass by many government buildings as you make your way to Botero Museum exhibiting some of the works of Fernando Botero along with pieces from his personal collection including works by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. From there you visit the Gold Museum which is considered to be one of the most important museums of its type with a vast display of Gold jewelry dating back prior to the conquistadors. Finish your tour by riding a cable car or funicular to the 1,500 feet summit where you find the Santuario de Monserrate plus incredible views of the city and the surrounding Andes. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Santiago de Cali, home of Salsa
Today you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Santiago de Cali third largest city in Colombia and the capital of the Valle del Cauca region. You arrive in Cali which enjoys a warm climate as well as being known for its exciting salsa and warm hospitality from its citizens. After checking in to your hotel you will join your guide for a tour of the city. You will visit the Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura, built in the 19th Century and known for being a creole yet classic design with an audience capacity of 1,200. You will see various other museums and buildings before arriving in the San Antonio district which offers breathtaking views of the city. Her you will find the Iglesia San Antonio which houses some well-preserved artwork. Finish the day with dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Sugar goes with Coffee
In addition to be being a major source of superior coffee Colombia is a major source of sugar. The countryside around Cali is the largest sugar cane producing region in Colombia. Along with your guide you will visit a traditional sugar cane producing plant which is located on a perfectly preserved ranch comprised of old and traditional gardens as well as the original furniture within the house. It houses the “Casa Museo de la Cana” (Sugar Cane Museum) which shows the natural, scientific and cultural histories behind the process. You then proceed to Hacienda Paraiso where the Novella “Maria” was filmed based on the novel by Jorge Isaacs. After enjoying a traditional lunch you return to Cali where the evening is at leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Cali to Armenia
After breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you into the Andes Mountains and the coffee growing area of Armenia. Upon arrival take time to relax by the pool or enjoy the mountain scenery. Dinner with a view is on the menu each night of your stay.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Land of Wax Palms and Hummingbirds
After breakfast you leave with your guide for the Valle de Cocora which is located in the central mountains of the Parque Nacional de los Nevados. Here you will find the “Quidian Wax Palm”, the national tree of Colombia which reaches a height of over 180 feet. Birds inhabit the trees including several types of hummingbirds and the palm parrot. Upon arrival you head into the cloud forest either on foot or on horseback to enjoy the biodiversity of flora and fauna. On the return journey you cross the River Quindío while walking along an ecological pathway. Stop for lunch and then drive to the town of Salento with its colorful balconies, the Calle Real, the handicraft shops and the Cocora Valley viewpoint. Finish up the day with a visit to Filandia to enjoy some time soaking up the regional atmosphere and perhaps some local spirits before returning to the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Coffee, from Beans to Cup
After breakfast your guide will take you to Hacienda San Alberto one of the coffee estates typical of the region and located in the steep hills typical of this area. View the green carpet of coffee plants that spread out as far as the horizon. The tour begins with an introductory talk about coffee, its preparation, toasting, the characteristics of quality and the properties that allow for such a variety of coffees in the world. The route continues through the plantations, appreciating the work of the coffee pickers as well as understanding the famous humid coffee that is characteristic of Colombian coffee. Learn about the harvest, the drying in the sun and the roasting at the end enjoy a coffee tasting session with an expert “taster.”
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: The City of Eternal Spring
Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to the City of Medellin. In the 1980’s, this city was one of the most dangerous in the world. Back in the early ‘90’s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar, the head of Medellin’s drug cartel took place the city dominated the news even in North America. Even when the reign of El Patron came to an end there was still violence as others fought to succeed him. In 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative cities in the world. On this special tour you will visit Barrio San Javier which used to be one of the most unsafe in the city. Located four miles from the city centre but technology changed all that. You will ride on the metrocable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre which has been life-changing for many inhabitants. You will also explore Medellin’s newest invention, the electric stairways of district Comuna 13. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. After your tour you check into your hotel where you have a free evening to enjoy a selection of fine restaurants close to your hotel. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Santa Fe De Antioquia
After breakfast you leave Medellin and head west crossing The River Cauca by the Puente de Occidente, one of the first suspension bridges in South America. After a journey of little more than an hour you arrive in Santa Fe de Antioquia where it seems that time has stood still since colonial times. Founded in 1541 by Jorge Robledo this was the capital of Antioquia until 1826 when the government was moved to Medellin. The narrow streets that run alongside the whitewashed buildings are still here for all to see. It is worth visiting the Santa Barbara church, the Museum of Liturgical Art, the Cathedral and the Juan del Carroll Museum. After lunch, you return to Medellin with a stop on the way to visit the quaint town of San Jerónimo with its beautiful church and fine examples of architecture from both the Colonial and Republican eras. You will also pass vendors selling pineapples, oranges, tamarind and mango before arriving back in the city.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: From the Mountains to the Sea
In the morning you will be transferred to Medellin airport for a flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival you are met and escorted to your hotel. You have time to relax by the pool or enjoy an indulgent treatment at the spa. In the evening a guide will walk you to Restaurant ‘1621’ considered one of the best in Cartagena where you will have dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: A Walking Tour through Cartagena
Today your guide will take you on a walking tour of this charming Colonial Caribbean town. Start in Bolivar Park by large trees and four fountains and the obligatory Bolivar statue. Around the square is the gold museum offering archeological objects dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. You will also visit the Inquisition Palace which is noted for its large Baroque-style door. The inquisition held its meetings here and it was also the prison and torture chambers of presumed heretics. Finish your tour at the Museum of the city’s fortifications followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You have free time to explore the city ramparts and its quaint shops. In the evening a guide will escort you to La Vitrola one of the finest restaurants in the entire walled city. It offers Cuban style inside a house typical of Cartagena. In addition to its food it is also noted for its antique chandeliers, trunks and paintings emblematic of the heritage of Cartagena de Indias.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Shopping by Day, Dancing by Night
Today is an open day for you to explore Cartagena on your own. By now you should be familiar of certain areas so this might be the perfect time to get in some shopping followed by a stay at the Spain the evening you will be picked up and taken to Club de Pesca which one of the most traditional in the city because of its location on Cartagena Bay. Casual elegance is the best term as you enjoy the freshest seafood (beef and poultry are available) and enjoy the ocean breeze and the live music. If you have ever yearned to dance the boss nova and watch the waves rolling up to a Caribbean Beach, tonight is your night.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Return to USA
Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
Breakfast
