1 Arrival in Bogota - Welcome to Colombia

Welcome to Bogota, the capital of Colombia! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting for you and will take you to your accommodation in the city center. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 

2 Bogota - City tour

A guided city tour is on the morning program. You will visit the Plaza de Bolivar, the surrounding government building, the colonial old town of La Candelaria and the impressive San Francisco Church. The Gold Museum, with more than 30,000 pieces that predate the arrival of the Spaniards, and a cable car to Monserrate mountain, from where you have a spectacular panoramic view of Bogota and the highlands, are also part of the program. You have the rest of the day at leisure.

 

3 Bogota - trip to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva

After breakfast, drive north through the historic region of Boyacá. The entire region is known for its colonial buildings and the lively atmosphere of the individual places, which are characterized by a pleasantly mild climate. After a four-hour drive, you will arrive in Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Latin America. There, you will first go to your hotel and then have time to explore the town on your own. On the way to Villa de Leyva, after about 50 km, you have the opportunity to visit the historic town of Zipaquirá and the Salt Cathedral. Formerly a salt mining area, Zipaquirá is now probably the most popular day trip destination for Bogotanos. The town attracts around 200,000 visitors a year, many of whom come for the subway Salt Cathedral.

 

4 Villa de Leyva - bicycle tour

After breakfast, you will participate in a bicycle tour where you will see all the highlights of Villa de Leyva. Starting from a meeting point in town, you will learn more about the history and culture along the way, admiring the beautiful rock formations and turquoise lakes. You will also visit two museums exhibiting fossils found in the region. You will also learn about the Muisca culture and visit the famous terracotta house and the Aim Karim winery. Then you can dare the 7-kilometer climb up to the Ecce Homo Monastery. This is known for its spectacular gardens and the Colonial History Museum.

 

5 Today you leave Villa de Leyva

Embark on your return trip to Bogota. You will be taken directly to the airport and flown to the coffee region to Armenia (when choosing the Standard / Comfort Hotel category) or Pereira (when choosing the Superior Hotel category). Your driver will be waiting for you there and will take you to one of the romantic coffee haciendas. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 

6 Visit to a typical coffee farm.

Today you will experience the traditional coffee culture at a typical Colombian coffee farm, where the award-winning La Morelia coffee is produced. After a relaxed welcome round with a delicious cup of coffee, you will learn all about coffee production. Watch how the beans are harvested and learn how farmers identify ripe beans. The beans are then shelled, washed, fermented and dried before visiting the roastery to learn how the beans are roasted, ground and packaged to prepare them for distribution to customers and suppliers. Finally, a professional barista invites you to watch him prepare a fine espresso, cappuccino, macchiato and mocachina. You can enjoy the various traditional and non-traditional ways of drinking coffee from around the world.

 

7 Excursion to the Cocora Valley Wax Palm and the villages of Salento and Finlandia.

In the morning transfer to the Cocora Valley, where the wax palm, Colombia's national tree, grows. The view of the palm trees up to 60 m high, the largest of its kind, is overwhelming. Lunch, a regional dish (trout on plantain), is eaten on site. You will then visit Salento and Filandia, two typical villages of the coffee-growing zone, before returning to your accommodation.

 

8 Zona Cafetera - Drive to Medellin

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the bus station. There you will board the public bus and travel to Medellin. After approximately 6 hours of travel, you will arrive at the bus terminal in Medellin and a driver will take you to your hotel, where you will spend the next two nights.

 

9 City tour in the "City of the Eternal Spring" Medellin

Today's program includes a city tour of Medellin. The "Turibus" stops at several stations where you can get off and get on again later. Due to the always mild climate, Medellin is also known as the "City of Eternal Spring". During the tour you will visit San Antonio Park, San Ignacio Square, the traditional Avenida La Playa, the Coltejer Building and the Sculpture Park, where more than 20 sculptures by the renowned artist Fernando Botero are exhibited. Then you will visit the "Pueblito Paisa", a model replica of a typical Antioquian village. From there you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Medellin. The afternoon is free.

 

10 Medellín - Flight to Santa Marta - Tayrona National Park

At the appropriate time, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Santa Marta. There, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to the Tayrona National Park parking lot. Since vehicles are not allowed in the park, you still have to walk approximately 1.5 hours to the cabins. You can store your main luggage at the park entrance or rent a horse for transportation (not included in the price; can be booked for an additional fee).

 

11 Tayrona National Park - Free day

Today is at your leisure. Explore the national park on your own or ask at your hotel about possible excursions.

 

12 Tayrona National Park - Santa Marta - Cartagena

In the morning you will be picked up by a driver at the parking lot of Tayrona National Park. He will take you to Santa Marta, where you will board a shared bus that will take you to your hotel in Cartagena. There is a special atmosphere in Cartagena: the colonial old town with meter-high walls also contributes to this, as does the Caribbean influence and the lively inhabitants. The city is described as the most beautiful port city in America.

 

13 Cartagena - Free day

The day is free to explore the city. Be sure to sample the delicious tropical fruits, skillfully balanced on their heads in large bowls and sold by brightly dressed women. Enjoy this free day in the beautiful city of Cartagena.

 

14 International Flight

Today brings our trip through Colombia to an end. In due time, you will be taken to the airport for your return or onward journey.