ITINERARY

The country of Eldorado is undoubtedly a beautiful synthesis of South America: beautiful Andean landscapes, cities rich colonial history, remarkable memories of pre-Columbian cultures, scenic coffee and a friendly population and proud their ancestral traditions. While Colombia invites you to travel starting with Cartagena, the beloved city of Gabriel Garcia Marques, the most extraordinary historical sites of our planet.

Day 1: London - Bogota

Day 2: Arrival to Bogota (D)

Arrival at El Dorado International Airport. Reception by a member of our team and transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Bogota (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Paloquemao`s market, one of the largest and most important markets in the country.
Panoramic visit to Historic Center of the City.
The course begins with the church of El Carmen, a small church built in the mid 17th century and rebuilt in 1926 in larger, to accommodate the growing number of faithful to the Virgin del Carmen. On the way to the Plaza Bolívar, enjoy the palace "Nariño", home of the President of Colombia, and gardens in the heart of which is an astronomical observatory. The austere facade of the church Santa Clara today contains a museum of Colonial Art. Around the Bolivar Square is located the National Capitol, the Courthouse, the City of Bogotá, but also the Cathedral "Primada", the Chapel "del Sagrario" and the Archbishop's Palace. This place has great importance in the history of the country and brings together the main political and religious powers, not to mention the House of Flowers where the independence movement is gone.
Then we will visit Monserrate, a magnificent vantage point of the town and valley from a height of 3200 meters above sea level, it is accessible by cable car or funicular. In 1650, a Spanish cleric and a bachelor, built atop this hill a chapel dedicated to Santa Maria de la Cruz de Monserrate.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we will continue to Botero Museum (Closed Tuesdays)
Art collection donated in 2000 by Fernando Botero, the Colombian artist recognized internationally and is exposed permanently. Currently on display 123 works of Botero in various techniques such as painting, drawing, and sculpture; also on display are 85 works covering the major international art movements of the late nineteenth century.
Then we visit Gold Museum (Closed Mondays). This Museum is part of the Bank of the Republic; it was created at the initiative of Julio Caro and Luis Angel Arango to avoid the disappearance of many pre-Columbian treasures. Since the museum was created in 1939, the Bank of the Republic has purchased authentic items directly to private collectors as well as from “guaqueros”, grave robbers. Today there are about 36000 pieces of gold and splendid emeralds. It is the largest collection ever assembled of pre-Columbian gold items. Dinner at the restaurant Andres D.C.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Bogota / Zipaquirá / Villa de Leyva (4 hours drive approximately) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We will depart towards Zipaquirá (1 hour approximately).
We will visit the Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic Church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in a Halite mountain. Here we will find the salt mines from which a monumental Cathedral was excavated.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
On the way, we will stop in Sutatausa. We will continue to Raquira, a village of quaint and colorful little houses, its market is famous for its handicrafts. There are terra cotta pieces, baskets, clothing, hammocks, silver, etc. This is the place to shop.
Continues towards Villa de Leyva (3 hours approximately). It is a magical town steeped in a colonial atmosphere and surrounded by very different landscapes.
Arrival in Villa de Leyva and we will be transferred to the hotel.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Villa de Leyva (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Panoramic visit of Villa de Leyva.
The course begins with the place Ricaurte, also known as Plaza San Agustín and continues to the house of Antonio Nariño; a journalist, political and military, who has played an important role in the country's independence. The tour continues to the Place "Mayor", its 14,000 m2 makes it the largest square “plaza” of Colombia.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then we will visit El Fossil, where an impressive and complete 120 million-year-old Kronosaurus queenslandicus fossil is exhibited, and the Ecce Homo Monastery.
We continue to Marques de la Villa, wine yard for tasting one of their experimental wines and doing a guided tour through the yard and installations.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Villa de Leyva / Bogota / Medellin (approximately 1h flight) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Then we depart towards Bogota and transfer to the “Puente Aereo” to take the flight towards Medellin.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Arrival in Medellin.
Reception by a member of our team, transfer, and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Medellin (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
We will start our city tour with San Antonio Place, Botero Place, Antioquia Museum. We will take the cable metro to the España Library and discover Pueblito Paisa with the dining experience. Visit of the three vestiges of Pablo Escobar Gaviria: “Edificio Monaco”, “Virgen Rosa mistica” and the funeral tomb in the central cemetery. We can learn about the social problem generated by the Medellin cartel.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Medellin (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
We will start our excursion to El Nuevo Peñol and Guatape.
Then we will continue to the oriental part of the department and visit the typical villages of “El Nuevo Peñol” and “Guatapé”. Visit of the huge monolith “La Piedra del Peñol” and its 750 stairs to reach the top from where the visitors can appreciate the amazing view of the reservoir that surrounds it.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Medellin / Armenia (B/-/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart towards Armenia by road.
Lunch included on the way.
Stop in Jardín, Antioquia.
Continue the trip through the Coffee Cultural Landscape, between tintos and aguardientes.
Arrival in Armenia.
Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Armenia / Salento / Cocora Valley / Armenia (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
We will start our tour to Filandia. Then we continue to Valley Cocora located in the Colombian Andes by Jeep Willis (4 persons per vehicle) Travel through the Cocora Valley located in the department of Quindío; on the way we can appreciate the beautiful landscape. Once we reach the Valley, we will receive a welcome cocktail and assistance by an expert guide from Cocora; take a walk into the cloud forest where we can appreciate the biodiversity of fauna and flora.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit Salento, city tour in the famous town of Salento, we will visit the Plaza de Bolivar to know their typical colorful balconies, the main street, craft workshops and the viewpoint of Cocora.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Armenia / Cartagena (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
We will start our Route of the Coffee Culture.
The Route of the Coffee Culture is a tour that allows visitors to share the experience of peasants working in coffee farms in a fun and educational way. It is also an opportunity to explore the mythical and fantastic history of coffee growing in Colombia. During this activity, you will have the opportunity to learn all about the coffee plant, as well as the harvesting, processing, and preparation of coffee. Join us for a tour around the hacienda where you will visit the plantation sites and the processing plant where the coffee is washed, dried, packed and stored. Afterwards, you will enjoy a coffee tasting where you will learn about the different characteristics and properties of the Arabica coffee, this fresh cup of coffee will delight your palate with its delicious flavors and aroma.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Transfer to the Airport and assistance to take the flight to Cartagena.
Arrival in Cartagena.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Cartagena (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Cerro de La Popa.
The “Cerro de la Popa” is the perfect place to be able to enjoy Cartagena as well as the sea, the island of Tierrabomba, the tourism sector, the historical center and “La Boquilla”. Cartagena City Council found it necessary to found a convent on the summit of “Cerro de la Popa” for the faithful of the region who themselves participated in the cleanup of the area. Fray Alonso de la Cruz Paredes, who received the divine message commanding him to build a monastery on the closest amount to Cartagena, was appointed superior of the monastery.
Visit San Felipe Castle
The castle of San Felipe, initially called Castillo de San Lázaro, the largest Spanish military building of the New World; the original construction dates of 1536 and was enlarged as required until 1657. The visit of the castle leads from the Place d'Armes to the residence of the Lord through the kitchens and other sites of interest. He was a loyal defender of the city until it falls into the hands of the Baron de Pointes.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
We will start our walking tour through the inner walled section of the colonial city. Featuring six authentic food stops with different delicious tastings, we get to escape the crowds and taste the best of what the city has to offer.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Cartagena/ Rosario Island / Cartagena (1 hour by boat) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the pier to embark for a day at Rosario Islands (1 hour in boat approximately).
Full day to the Rosario Islands.
The Rosario Islands are located 45 kilometers southwest of the Bay of Cartagena and about an hour by boat. It’s an archipelago of coral formation including 27 islands with crystal clear waters and the only underwater park in Colombia.
Lunch in the restaurant of Cocoliso Resort hotel.
In the late afternoon, we will return to Cartagena.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at one of the city’s trendiest restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Cartagena - Bogota - London (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
We will be transferred to the airport to take our flight back to London.

*End of the services*

Price Details
TOUR PRICE (FROM) PER PERSON IN £ STERLING

Rates per person in £ based on 2 person sharing

QUOTE INCLUDES:

International and domestic flights
Transportation airport / hotel / airport
12 Nights of accommodation in single/double rooms
Entrance fees and activities as described in the program
Meals as described in the program. Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel taxes.
Private services with escorting tour manager from the UK and local English-speaking guides.
Permanent assistance by our offices in each city.

QUOTE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary
Early check-in, late check-out, services and non-mentioned meals in the itinerary
Personal expenses
Drinks during meals, hotel extras, and personal spending
Activities not described in the program
Meals not described in the program