Highlights of Colombia: 10-Nights
$4599 per person
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*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing – this pricing is based on a private tour for 2 people. Private driver and guides.
Bogota | Coffee Region | Medellin | Cartagena
What’s Included: All sightseeing as per itinerary, accommodations, transportation, arrival and departure transfers, private driver and private guides throughout, all taxes and 3 domestic flights within Colombia
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 Ext 1
Departure Dates
Operates year round January through December 31st
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Destination
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Arrival City
Bogota, Colombia -
Departure City
Cartagena, Colombia -
Activity Level
This tour includes moderate physical activity -
Passenger Limit
Minimum 2 passengers
1
Bogotá
Arrival to El Dorado airport in Bogotá on an intercontinental
flight. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: The Artisan DC Hotel, Bogota (Superior)
Meals Provided: On own
2
Bogotá - Half Day City Tour
After breakfast, half day visit to the historic centre known as La
Candelaria. This antiquated barrio is of great architectural and
cultural heritage and is made up of old “stately homes” or large
Spanish colonial buildings with iron windows, thick and sturdy
wooden doors, balconies and internal patios with beautiful yet
hidden gardens. Visit the Plaza de Bolívar, where a statue of the
great liberator Simon Bolívar is located. This Plaza, originally
called the Plaza Mayor, was used for civil and military purposes,
as a marketplace, and at one time as a bullring and a gallows.
The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza, is constructed
on the remains of the first church built in Bogotá in 1539 and
houses an important collection of religious artefacts such as
textiles and artwork that has been collected over four centuries. The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows its renaissance
and neoclassical influences with its carved stonework and tall
columns and, it is the first republican piece of civil architecture.
Around the Plaza de Bolívar are the Palacio de Justicia, the
Mayor of Bogotá’s offices called the Edificio Liévano, the oldest
school in the county called San Bartolomé and the Casa de los
Comuneros named after those who participated in the XV II
Century in some of the first movements towards independence
from Spain and the formation of the Republic.
The visit continues with the Museo Botero, a colonial house
filled with works of art done by and donated by Fernando
Botero in addition to artwork from his own personal collection
that includes pieces by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet
and Giacometti. Next is the Museo del Oro which has a
permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold..
Overnight stay.
Accommodation: The Artisan DC Hotel, Bogota (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
3
Bogotá - Pereira - Buenavista - San Alberto Plantation and Coffee Processing - Pereira
Transfer to the airport and flight to Pereira. Arrival, transfer and hotel check-in. Half day visiting the coffee plantations along the steep hills typical of this area. On a secondary pathway view the green carpet of coffee plants that spread out as far as the horizon interrupted only by fincas and heliconia flowers Visit to Hacienda San Alberto one of the coffee estates typical of the region and located near the town of Buenavista Quindío. The tour begins with an introductory talk about coffee, its preparation, toasting, the characteristics of quality and the properties that allows 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. Walk through the coffee plantations and learn about the production system in minute detail, including the harvest, the drying to the sun and treatment in this land of volcanic terrain along the Central Andes Mountain Range which has been declared a world Heritage site by UNESCO and that offers the perfect climatic conditions for coffee growing. The harvest in Colombia takes around a year, although the main period is between October and May/June. Most of the plantations in Colombia produce Arabica beans which produce a delicate and light tasting coffee which is widely recognized and consumed. The process begins from when the bean is planted and takes approximately 75 days to germination. The seedling is then placed in a plastic bag and placed in partial sunlight until its base dries. Two years after plantation the tree bears its first fruit which is harvested when the bean is red in color and dry and ripe. Once the fruit has been picked, the pulp is stripped away, and the bean is cleaned and dried in the sun (the big haciendas now use a special machinery to strip and dry the beans in a short period of time). The beans are exported or dried in preparation for sale, before being ground up and made ready for human consumption. Free remainder of the afternoon for individual activities. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Casa San Carlos Lodge, Pereira (Medium/Comfortable)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
4
Pereira - Valle del Cocora & Filandia - Pereira
After breakfast, leave for the Valle de Cocora which is located
in the central mountains of the department of Quindío. This
makes part of the Parque Nacional de los Nevados and is the
ideal place to marvel at the “Quindian wax palm” (Ceroxylon
quincense), the national tree of Colombia. This tree can reach a
staggering height of 60m. Around here a great number of species
of birds live, in particular some types of hummingbird and the
orejíamarillo or the palm parrot (Ognorhynchus icteroti) which
is endangered.
Upon arrival in the valley, either hiking or on horseback (not
included), head into the cloud forest to enjoy the biodiversity of
flora and fauna. On the return journey, cross the River Quindío
while walking along an ecological pathway which takes one past
the tallest wax palms in the world. Learn why the indigenous
people here worshipped this tree. Then you can have a typical lunch (not included) and enjoy some free time here.
In the afternoon, continue 10km towards the traditional town
of Salento to enjoy a city tour that visits the Plaza de Bolívar
with its colorful balconies, the Calle Real, the handicrafts shops
and the Cocora viewpoint.
Then, transfer to the traditional village of Filandia to enjoy a
city tour that includes the viewpoint, the colonial homes, the
Plaza de Bolívar and the coffee shops. Here, enjoy some time
soaking up the regional atmosphere and perhaps some local
spirits before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Casa San Carlos Lodge, Pereira (Medium/Comfortable)
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
5
Pereira - Orchids Farm La Romelia- Medellín
After breakfast, transfer to the city of Medellín, which is 6
hours from Pereira. On the route visit Finca Romelia, just
outside of La Cabaña –close to Manizales– to observe their
wonderful collection of orchids. The owners, José and Maria
have dedicated the vast majority of their lives to the agriculture,
collection and preservation of orchids (amongst other plants),
coupled with the conservation and preservation of the flora
and fauna of the region. They have over 6,000 orchids and
832 different species as well as a variety of carnivorous plants,
bonsais and have seen 165 different species of wild birds on the
grounds.
The tour begins with a walk around the grounds of the Finca
where visitors can observe cultivation of avocados and citrus
plants and enjoy the native forests of this beautiful part of the
coffee region. Guests are then taken around the orchid nursery
and farmhouse where the cultivation process is explained as well
as an explanation of the Finca’s contribution to preservation
projects. Visitors will then have a chance to try some of the
produce grown on the farm. Continue towards Medellín. Upon
arrival, transfer and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Park 10, Medellin (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
6
Medellín - Half Day Medellín’s Social Transformation Tour
After breakfast, half day tour to visit those places that best represent the social transformation that has taken place in Medellín. The tour will show the symbolic areas of Medellín from the 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world, up to today many projects that fostered the city’s change. Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellín and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. 20 years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellín’s drug cartel was at its peak. Thus, the reign of “El Patrón” came to its end. Until the turn of the millennium the struggles about Escobar’s successor continued, but since 2002 Medellín 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 metropolises in the world. Visit the barrio San Javier, which used to be one of the most unsafe suburbs of Medellín Located some 7km from the city centre, it is a clear example of the social transformation that has taken place in the last few years. Arrive here by the metrocable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre, which has been life changing to many of the inhabitants of Medellín. Learn more about the city’s transformation after the death of Pablo Escobar and also get to know the innovative transportsystem in the poorer neighborhoods at first hand. Explore Medellín’s newest invention: the electric stairways of the district Comuna 13, discover stories about its past by visiting the most important places marked by historical events and see some graffiti that symbolizes a form of expression of the community. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. Then, go on to La Plazoleta located in the city centre, in an area that fell into decline in the 1980s and today houses 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero, donated by this famous local artist in year 2000. Since that time, the city has undergone a social and cultural transformation around these works placed in a public space. Back to the hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Park 10, Medellin (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
7
Medellín - Full Day El Peñol Rock and Guatapé - Medellín
Leaving Medellín and heading to the town of Guatapé in order
to visit the enormous rock. Guatapé is located in the outskirts
of Medellín and has a reservoir created by the Colombian
government for a hydro-electric dam, in the middle of the
reservoir it is the Peñol Rock. The Peñol Rock is possibly a
meteorite due to its size.
From the top by foot up the stairs if you are full of energy (there
are 654 steps to get to the top), the whole Guatapé reservation
can be seen, this is an optional activity. Visit the picturesque
village of Guatapé where all of the houses are painted in quaint
pastel colours.
The way to El Peñol takes around two hours, during which
passengers can appreciate the outstanding landscape of
Antioquia. After lunch, visit to the Guatapé reservoir, which
tour of 30 minutes is made by boat. Return to Medellín.
Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Park 10, Medellin (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
8
Medellín - Cartagena
After breakfast, transfer to Medellín airport for departure by
direct flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer and hotel
check-in. Overnight stay.
Continuing to the San Felipe fortress. It was built on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around the fortress and learn about how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground passageways. Then, go on to the Old Walled City to visit the Convent and Church of the San Pedro Claver
compound which was built in the middle of the XV II century. Lastly, follow
to the handicrafts zone of the Bóvedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison. Free afternoon for individual activities. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Ananda Hotel Boutique, Cartagena (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
9
Cartagena - Half Day Panoramic City Tour
Start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and
Iglesia de La Popa. Formerly known as the “Popa del Galeon”
and famous for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed
in 1606 this church and monastery are located at a height of
140masl from where one can enjoy 360º views of the city and
the sea as well as the port zone, one of the most important in
the Caribbean. Continuing to the San Felipe fortress, erected in
honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López, made
famous for his sonnet “A mi ciudad nativa”. It was built on San
Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around
the fortress and learn about how the castle was constructed,
the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and
passageways. Then, go on to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit
the Convent and Church of the San Pedro Claver compound
which was built in the middle of the XV II century and owes
its name to the “apóstol de los esclavos”. Lastly, follow to the
handicrafts zone of the Bóvedas, a collection of archways built
into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end
of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in
the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan center to appreciate local handcraft. Free afternoon for individual activities.
Overnight stay
Accommodation: Ananda Hotel Boutique, Cartagena (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
10
Cartagena
Free day for individual activities. A full day tour to the Archipiélago del Rosario is recommended. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Ananda Hotel Boutique, Cartagena (Superior)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
11
Cartagena - Bogotá
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for flight to Bogotá.
Accommodation: Depart home
Meals Provided: Breakfast
12