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13 Day itinerary in Colombia, South America

Nature and Indigenous communities

Discover the insights of Colombia by visiting communities and exceptionnal and diverse nature.

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Emma

By Emma

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Bogotá

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Nature & Wildlife

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Discover the Amazonian amazing biodiversity

2

Taste the best coffee of Colombia

3

Meet the Kogi community

4

Enjoy the Caribbean gastronomy

Itinerary

Mid-range: 3* hotels expand_more

Day 1

place Bienvenido a Colombia!

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Welcome to Bogotá! Located at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) in the Andes, it is the cultural, economic, and political center of Colombia. With 8 million of inhabitants, Bogotá is a dynamic and modern metropole with numerous attractions, cultural events, and a thriving nightlife. The historic district can be found at La Candelaria, a pleasant quarter of cafés, churches, and museums.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Hotel Casa Deco
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel de la Opera
Day 2

place Discovering Bogotá’s treasures

After breakfast at your hotel, you will have a whole day to explore some of the most attractive places of Bogotá. Visit Bogotá’s largest food market: Paloquemao! This typical market serves as the supplier for most of the city's best restaurants, being a real labyrinth of odors and flavors. Continue exploring La Candelaria, the heart of the historical center and first neighborhood of the city. This is a lovely historic quarter full of churches, renowned museums, and cafés. In the afternoon, visit the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays) to see the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects. Next stop is the Botero Museum (closed on Tuesdays) where, paintings and sculptures of Colombia's most celebrated artist are exhibited with a private collection of Picasso and Braque. Optional: Graffiti workshop with a local artist. Share his passion and do your own graffiti to take away! Optional: Empanadas workshop. Make a typical Colombian dish accompanied by a young Colombian chef (closed on weekends and holidays).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Hotel Casa Deco
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel de la Opera
Day 3

place Welcome in the Amazon jungle

Transfer to the airport. Flight Bogotá – Leticia. Upon arrival at Leticia airport, you will be welcomed by your local guide and you will take a small boat to go to Calanoa nature reserve through the majestic Amazon river. At the lodge, you will enjoy a wonderful garden with palm trees, heliconia butterflies, and fruit trees. At the end of the day, your guide will take you on a walk in the jungle under the light of the moon. This activity will introduce you to the Amazon by learning more about the fauna and flora of this luxuriant area. Note: fee at Leticia Airport (around 30 000 COP/pers) to pay with the local currency. Note: the last public boat leaves Leticia at 2 p.m. Taking a private boat from Leticia is possible. Optional: english-speaking guide for the day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Calanoa
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Calanoa
Day 4

place A one of a kind biodiversity!

During this day, enjoy the diversity of the Amazon. You can choose, out of the variety of activities, 2 of them during your stay, 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. Some activities may have an additional cost to be paid directly on site. *Meeting the Tikuna indigenous communities: you will be warmly welcomed by the community and discover their daily life, their traditions, and their close link to the environment (the primal forest). *Hike in the forest of Calanoa reserve: go on a peaceful hike to discover the jungle. Your guide will show you the secret of some plants used for healing or eating purpose. You will have the chance to observe monkey, parrots, armadillos, animals, and birds tracks. This hike ends by canoeing back to the lodge passing through Matamata waterfall at the edge of Amayacu Park. *Walk on Mocagua island: In front of the reserve stands Mocagua island with its intern lake and unique fauna and flora. Visit the canals of the Amazon river in the Peruvian cost to see the beautiful Vicotria Amazónica, the biggest lotus in the world. *Meet the pink river dolphins: you will take the boat looking for the pink river dolphins and enjoy the sunset, which is different everyday with all the colors of the universe. *Go to Vista Alegre by boat: on the edge of Peru, hike in the forest and try canoe in the rain forest. *Local fishing: learn the secrets and techniques of local fishing in the river. OTHER ACTIVITES AVAILABLE AT THE LODGE: *Visit in a day Puerto Nariño: from the lodge, you can visit Puerto Nariño and Tarapoto lake. The lunch and the entrance fee at the port (around 8US$ / pers to pay in the local currency upon arrival) are not included. *Visit Maicúchica foundation – Half day: you can visit this center of orphan monkeys close to Calanoa. The entrance fees are not included (around 25 US$/pers to pay on site in the local currency). *Plants and mud bat

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Calanoa
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Calanoa
Day 5

place Another day in the Amazon

During this day, enjoy the diversity of the Amazon. You can choose, out of the variety of activities, 2 of them during your stay, 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. Some activities may have an additional cost to be paid directly on site. *Meeting the Tikuna indigenous communities: you will be warmly welcomed by the community and discover their daily life, their traditions, and their close link to the environment (the primal forest). *Hike in the forest of Calanoa reserve: go on a peaceful hike to discover the jungle. Your guide will show you the secret of some plants used for healing or eating purpose. You will have the chance to observe monkey, parrots, armadillos, animals, and birds tracks. This hike ends by canoeing back to the lodge passing through Matamata waterfall at the edge of Amayacu Park. *Walk on Mocagua island: In front of the reserve stands Mocagua island with its intern lake and unique fauna and flora. Visit the canals of the Amazon river in the Peruvian cost to see the beautiful Vicotria Amazónica, the biggest lotus in the world. *Meet the pink river dolphins: you will take the boat looking for the pink river dolphins and enjoy the sunset, which is different everyday with all the colors of the universe. *Go to Vista Alegre by boat: on the edge of Peru, hike in the forest and try canoe in the rain forest. *Local fishing: learn the secrets and techniques of local fishing in the river. OTHER ACTIVITES AVAILABLE AT THE LODGE: *Visit in a day Puerto Nariño: from the lodge, you can visit Puerto Nariño and Tarapoto lake. The lunch and the entrance fee at the port (around 8US$ / pers to pay in the local currency upon arrival) are not included. *Visit Maicúchica foundation – Half day: you can visit this center of orphan monkeys close to Calanoa. The entrance fees are not included (around 25 US$/pers to pay on site in the local currency). *Plants and mud bat

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Calanoa
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Calanoa
Day 6

place Onto the Coffee Triangle!

Early in the morning, you will leave by pirogue back to Leticia. Flight Leticia – Pereira with connection in Bogotá. Transfer and installation to your hotel. The Coffee Region is very attractive for its historic and colonial cities, farms, coffee plantations, beautiful nature reserves and for the beauty of its landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: La Finca Turística La Holanda
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Day 7

place The highest palm trees of the world!

Today, you will discover the Cocora Valley. First, take a beautiful walk along the Quindío River that will allow you to discover the cloudy rainforest and admire the wax palms, the Colombian national tree, impressive by its height that can reach 70 meters. Head to the village of Salento to enjoy its colonial architecture with its colorful balconies. Continue with the small village of Filandia known for its colorful houses and its square surrounded by coffee shops. Optional: Hop on a Jeep Willys to go to the Cocora Valley (private or shared). The Jeep Willys were imported to Colombia after the war to allow farmers to get around in this mountainous region. It still occupies this function but is also used as a tourist way of transportation. Optional: Visit a private natural reserve. Plant your own « Palma de Cera » and contribute to preserve this unique panorama. You can also horseback ride in the reserve.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: La Finca Turística La Holanda
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Day 8

place Discover the coffee heritage

Transfer in the morning from your hotel to a traditional coffee plantation. You will receive a warm welcome in this family business in the heart of the beautiful landscape and discover the history but also the whole process of coffee. This didactic immersion will allow you to discover the methods of collection and selection of the beans but also the process from drying to roasting. End the visit with a good cup of coffee! Free afternoon. Participate in an additional activity (consult us). Optional: - Zip lining - Visit a “guadua” forest, the local bamboo - Discover the “trapiche”, a sugar cane-based panela factory - Visit an ecological and agricultural farm - Descent a river in “balsaje”, a typical bamboo raft from the region

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: La Finca Turística La Holanda
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel Boutique Sazagua
Day 9

place Welcome to the Caribbean coast!

Transfer to Pereira airport in the morning. Flight Pereira – Santa Marta with connection in Bogotá. Transfer from Santa Marta airport to your hotel in the Tayrona Park area. Free afternoon to discover your hotel, its surroundings, and services.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Hotel Finca Barlovento Cabaña & Maloka
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Casa Tayrona los Naranjos
Day 10

place Meet the Kogi

Transfer from the hotel to the Sierra Nevada. You will live an authentic experience, discover the Kogi culture, their way of living and their sacred ceremonial centers: you will also have the chance to see the “kioskos” of several Kogis families on the stone patios with different shapes like the turtle, the jaguar, or the armadillo. Learn the different types of medicinal plants and the basis of the indigenous gastronomy in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. You will also discover the archeological remains and sacred spaces of a relatively new village, having roots for more than a hundred years. Understand the way of life and the activities of these people, meet the Kogis! *This experience is organized by a community tourism agency (based in La Guajira) aiming to offer to the travelers unforgettable experiences through the nature and the culture of this area. Their goal is the promotion and the development of the local economy to avoid the dependence to mining.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Hotel Finca Barlovento Cabaña & Maloka
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Casa Tayrona los Naranjos
Day 11

place On the road to the Pearl of the Caribbean

Transfer to Cartagena in the morning. Free afternoon. Optional: Join a private or group salsa class. (1h, water included). Optional: Sunset cruise in the bay of Cartagena by collective boat (semi-public yacht with open bar: cocktails, lemonade, soda, water (from Wednesday to Sunday only).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Alfiz Hotel
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel Quadrifolio
Day 12

place The fantastic Cartagena

In the morning, go back in time and relive some of the highlights of the city’s history with a walking tour. Cartagena has suffered repeated attacks from pirates, like the notably Captain Francis Drake. Discover the church and the monastery San Pedro Claver, the Cathedral also called Minor Basilica and the colonial houses which border the alleys of the historical center. End the visit with a homemade ice cream. Free afternoon. Optional: Visit the Boquilla community. A fishing village of Afro-Colombian culture located 20 minutes away from Cartagena on the beach and surrounded by mangroves. After visiting the community, observe different types of native and migratory birds aboard a local boat through the mangroves. Optional: Visit the Popa convent and San Felipe fort, a masterpiece of military architecture, erected in 1536 to defend the city of many pirates and corsairs. The convent of Popa offers a panoramic view of the city and its many popular neighborhoods. Optional: Excursion to the Rosario Islands (roundtrip collective boat and lunch included, port taxes to pay at arrival). The Rosario Archipelago is one of the 56 natural parks of Colombia, located only 35km from Cartagena and is composed of 27 coral islands.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-range: 3* hotels: Alfiz Hotel
  • High-end: 4* hotels: Hotel Quadrifolio
Day 13

place ¡Hasta pronto!

In the morning, visit the Bazurto Market (from Monday to Saturday). During this culinary journey, you will be visiting the colorful, authentic, and hectic alleyways of the market to discover the gastronomic and cultural tradition of the city. Enjoy breakfast with your guide at a restaurant in Getsemani. Cartagena’s cuisine is one of the richest and most varied in Colombia and one of the most original in America thanks to its history and the fusion of three communities: indigenous, Spanish and African. Each of them brought its products and its eating habits. The result is marvelous. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport. National and international flights (not included). ¡Hasta luego!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hotel Casa Deco
  • Calanoa
  • La Finca Turística La Holanda
  • Hotel Finca Barlovento Cabaña & Maloka
  • Alfiz Hotel
  • Hotel de la Opera
  • Calanoa
  • Hotel Boutique Sazagua
  • Casa Tayrona los Naranjos
  • Hotel Quadrifolio

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (11)
  • Dinner (2)
  • Lunch (2)

Transport expand_less

  • The private ground transfers mentioned in the program with a Spanish-speaking driver
  • Domestic flights mentioned in the program (prices estimated to date and subject to change).

Activities expand_less

  • Visits and excursions mentioned in the program with an English/Spanish speaking guide

Extras expand_less

  • English-speaking support on arrival at Bogotá airport.
  • 24 hours assistance during the trip – English-speaking telephone hotline

Not Included expand_less

  • International flights.
  • Optional activities.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Additional luggage on domestic flights.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Assistance and repatriation insurance.
  • Voluntary tips for guides or drivers.
  • Anything not mentioned in "THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES".
  • Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program.

About Emma

TEAM LEAD

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I am in love with Colombia and its incredible diversity. It's incredible to be able to share this passion with other travelers and I joined the tourism industry to be able to keep discovering and make other people dreams come true.

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