Bogota, the Amazon, Medellin and the delights of Cartagena & Tayrona National Park

Day 1

Fly to Bogota 

Depart the UK on early morning flight to Bogota, arriving in the evening. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you with expert local advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have. Bogota is a vibrant capital steeped in history, with colonial churches and squares, surrounded by the peaks of the Andes.

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Day 2

Guided city tour

Today, our guide will take you on a half-day tour of Bogota. We firstly drive through the colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria, stopping at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square and heart of Bogota. We also visit the library of Luis Angel Arango, the Cathedral, Congress Palace, Cardinal's Palace, colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall.

We continue to the famous Gold Museum, which houses the world greatest collection of pre-hispanic Indian gold crafts and visit the Fernando Botero Museum which contains around 120 pieces of paintings and sculptures of this famous contemporary Colombian artist.

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Day 3

Zipaquira & Underground Salt Cathedral

Today enjoy a fascinating half-day tour to Zipaquira famous for its salt mine and underground salt cathedral.The cathedral was carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago, under the Halite Mountains. Here you will find 14 small chapels that represent the Stations of the Cross and Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Afterwards continue to explore the town which was founded on 1600 and still conserves its colonial heritage.

Day 4

Travel to the Amazon rainforest

This morning, take a domestic flight from Bogota to Leticia. On arrival, enjoy a tour of Leticia, the capital of the department of Amazonas and Colombia's southernmost point. We visit Orellana Park, the market, the Botanical gardens and Santander Park, where the main attraction are thousands of parrots and other species of migratory birds that gather here. 

We then transfer by boat to Calanoa Jungle Lodge for a 3-night stay on a full board basis. You will stay in a  bungalow constructed using traditional techniques and materials, with each having a woven palm roof and minimal walls to improve air circulation. The cabins are built on stilts connected by raised wooden walkways, with an observation platform for watching birds and monkeys.

rest of the day is at leisure and take in the sounds and unique atmosphere of the jungle.

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Day 5

Exploring the rainforest

Calanoa Jungle Lodge has a wide range of optional activities to enjoy, from visiting local communities, guided walks in the rainforest, fishing and birdwatching.

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Day 6

Exploring the rainforest by canoe

Today enjoy a guided canoe adventure through Matamatá creek, plus a choice of optional walking tours in the rainforest with local guides.

Day 7

Travel to Medellin

This morning we return by boat to Leticia and fly to Medellin arriving in the evening, you will be met by one of our representatives and taken to the Intercontinental Hotel for a 4-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Rest of the day at leisure.

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Day 8

City tour of Medellin

Our guided tour takes you to the most important touristic sights of the “City of Eternal Spring”. Explore downtown Medellín and the historical centre. Listen to local musicians and the traditional “Guasca” music while visiting the Parque Berrío. Stroll through the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellin to the famous Botero Plaza with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose sculptures have become a landmark of the city.

Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area of gang violence in Medellín. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts. While enjoying the spectacular view you learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with possibly the friendliest and warmest people in the world.

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Day 9

Santa Helena flower tour

Medellin is rightly famous for the rich variety of horticulture in the towns and villages that surround the city. The best, most colourful is Santa Helena where we visit on a half-day tour. Here, you will meet a Silletero (flower farmer) who will show you how flowers are farmed, talk about the history and techniques of flower growing including roses, carnations and beautiful orchids.

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Day 10

Guatape And Peñol

Day 11

Fly to Cartagena

Today we take a domestic flight to Cartagena, transferring to our hotel located in the historical district for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Cartagena de Indias, with its beautiful walled-city, is one of the most historically important cities in the Caribbean. Founded by the Spanish in 1533 as a port from which to export the gold found in the New World back to Spain, it came under near-constant attack from pirates and marauders, and was taken a number of times including by Sir Francis Drake. This necessitated the building of the defensive walls which still surround the colonial city, as well as a number of forts all around the bay. The largest of these, the San Felipe Fort, towers over the city and can still be visited for beautiful views over the historical skyline and the bay.

The walled city has been completely restored to its former glory, with monuments in leafy squares, cobbled streets, colourful houses with exotic flowers draped from wooden balconies. Many town houses have been converted into boutique hotels.

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Day 12

City tour of Cartagena

Today enjoy a half-day guided tour of Cartagena visiting Bocagrande, a modern residential district and the Convent of La Popa, built at the beginning of the XVII century on the hill of the same name. From here a beautiful view of the city and the bay can be admired. We continue to San Felipe's Fort, built in the XVII century to protect the city. After a careful look to the construction, continue to the walled colonial city and stop at the handicraft stores of Las Bovedas. We walk along the streets admiring the old houses and beautiful balconies and visit the Convent of San Pedro Claver.

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Day 13

At leisure in Cartagena

Today is free for you to explore Cartagena at your own pace. Our local guides can offer additional optional excursions, depending on your interests.

Day 14

Travel to Tayrona National Park

Depart Cartagena on a private transfer by road to Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean Sea. This area of Colombia, with a beautiful protected coastline of stunning white sandy beaches and coastal forest in the foothills of Sierra Nevada Santa Marta. There are many trails into the mountains leading to archeological sites from the Tayrona civilisation. We stay for 4-nights at an eco lodge on a bed and breakfast basis in a typical cabaña in the style of Tayrona culture.

 

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Day 15

Treks, horse riding and local communities 

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Day 16

Tayrona National Park

Explore Tayrona National Park in the company of an expert local guide..

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Day 17

Last day in Tayrona National Park

Today is your last day in Tayrona National Park and a chance to relax on Canaveral Beach prior to your journey home. 

Day 18

Return to the UK

Transfer to Santa Marta airport and take a domestic flight to Bogota for your onward overnight international flight to the UK. 

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Day 19

Arrive in the UK

Arrive back in the UK in the morning.