Colombia Holidays
From Bogota to the Colombian Amazon, Medellin to colonial Cartagena and Santa Marta
16 Night Itinerary from £5,004
Encanto Tour
A comprehensive exploration of the Colombia, exploring the wildlife, culture, music and history on a fascinating tour
Select your Preferred Departure Date OR Default to Today's Date
Tour Route
- Bogota - 3 Nights
- The Colombian Amazon - 3 Nights
- Fly to Cali - 2 Nights
- Medellin - 2 Nights
- Cartagena - 3 Nights
- Santa Marta - 3 Nights
- Return to the UK - 0 Nights
Travel Highlights
- Journey from the Andes to the Caribbean coast, via the Colombian Amazon
- Explore the vibrant capital Bogota with our local expert guide
- Fly to Leticia and spend 3-nights exploring the Amazon on foot and canoe from Calanoa Lodge
- Discover the music and salsa in the city of Cali
- Explore culturally-rich Medellin with its many architectural gems
- Stroll the colourful streets of Cartagena, one of the continent's most attractive cities
- Relax on Encanto Island with its beautiful beaches and Cartagena's Caribbean vibe
- Spend time in historical Santa Marta and visit Arrecife and Canaveral
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.
Tour Itinerary
Bogota - 3 Nights
Day 1 - Fly to Bogota
Day 2 - Guided city tour and Monserrate Hill
Day 3 - Culinary Tour of Bogota
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Saturday, 30 September 2023
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. 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.
Sunday, 01 October 2023
City Tour & Monserrate Hill
Today enjoy a full day privately guided tour of Bogota. Our first stop is Drive the historical colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria. We will walk by the library of Luis Angel Arango and to the Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá, where locals and visitors mingle. Visit the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this square. We continuing to forested mountains to "Cerro de Monserrate", with its white catholic church located at the top and has been a site of worship since 1657. On a clear day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the city.
We continue to the "Museo del Oro". This museum displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold. Your tour ends with a visit to the "Museo de Botero", housed in a renovated colonial mansion. The approximately, 120 pieces of art-works on display, are all donated by Fernando Botero, Colombia's contemporary artist. His work is well-known for the 'proportionally exaggerated' fat figures.
Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.
Monday, 02 October 2023
Culinary Tour Of Bogota
Enjoy a half day tour discovering the unique Colombian gastronomy that has been influenced by Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Arab cuisine. Bogotá combines a great variety of new tropical fruits, vegetables, all types of meats, seafood, cereals, grains, legumes, tubers, and others. We begin with an early morning visit to the Paloquemao's Market where you can taste some of Colombia's exotic fruits such as granadilla, pitaya, chirimoya, ouchuva, mangostino and avocado. Sample fresh juices including lulo, curuba, carrot and passion fruit. We continue to "La Puerta Falsa", a famous bakery and a traditional cafeteria in Bogotá, where we try typical breakfasts including tamal & chocolate.
We continue to one of the city's oldest restaurant, "Las Margaritas", known for serving the traditional cuisine of Colombia and where you can sample Bogotá's famous dish ajiaco and empanadas.
Cite Hotel Bogota
Bogota - First Boutique
Cite Hotel is situated very close to the Virrey and Calle 85 and is located in the business and entertainment centre of Bogota, overlooking Virrey Park. The rooms of Hotel Cite have wooden floors and large windows with park views. They are all equipped with air conditioning, cable TV with DVD player, minibar and safe. The hotel's gourmet French Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room service is also available. Guests can make use of the free gym access, located within walking distance from the hotel. Chico is a great choice for travellers interested in nightlife, restaurants and gourmet food.
The Colombian Amazon - 3 Nights
Day 4 - Travel to Calanoa
Day 5 - Exploring Calanoa
Day 6 - Mocagua Island & pink dolphins
- Full Description
Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Travel to Calanoa
Today we take a domestic flight to Leticia, from where we travel by boat up the Amazon River to Calanoa, a natural reserve located on the banks of the Amazon River, beside the Amacayacu Natural Park and home to several indigenous communities of the Tikuna people.
We arrive at the lodge where we stay for 3 nights on a full board basis. On arrival take a guided visit to the Reserve's fruit garden and buildings, with an explanation of the Calanoa project concepts of sustainable design. After dinner, enjoy a night walk into the forest of the reserve, with local guides, to spot frogs and insects.
Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Exploring Calanoa
This morning we visit the village of Mocagua and meet the locals for a fascinating insight into their way of life.. Enjoy lunch at the lodge with local produce and traditional cuisine, Calanoa style including a tour of the kitchen.
We then explore the Reserve, with indigenous guides, crossing to the Matamata creek, at the edge of the Amacayacu National Park, observing the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals. If the water level allows, return at dusk to the lodge by boat, drifting down the creek and listening to the sounds of the forest.
Thursday, 05 October 2023
Mocagua Island & pink dolphins
Today we take a trek in Mocagua Island with expert naturalist guides. After lunch at the lodge, we cross the Amazon by canoe to the Peruvian side where to spot pink dolphins.
Fly to Cali - 2 Nights
Day 7 - Fly to Cali
Day 8 - Salsa tour of Cali
- Full Description
Friday, 06 October 2023
Fly to Cali
Today we leave the Amazon and take a domestic flight from Leticia to Cali, where we transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Saturday, 07 October 2023
Salsa tour of Cali
Today explore Cali on a guided tour themed around salsa. You will get to know the Obrero neighbourhood where dancers go to enjoy salsa. You will appreciate its history and influence on the culture of the City. Visit a music collector and take a salsa class at a renowned school. The tour ends with a rumba with salsa show that will get you on your feet.
Medellin - 2 Nights
Day 9 - Travel to Medellin
Day 10 - City tour of Medellin
- Full Description
Sunday, 08 October 2023
Travel to Medellin
Take a morning flight to Medellin, you will be met by one of our representatives and taken to the Intercontinental Hotel for a 2 night stay. Rest of the day at leisure.
Monday, 09 October 2023
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.
Cartagena - 3 Nights
Day 11 - Fly to Cartagena
Day 12 - City tour of Cartagena
Day 13 - Full day of Encanto island
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Tuesday, 10 October 2023
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.
Wednesday, 11 October 2023
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.
Thursday, 12 October 2023
Full day on Encanto Island
Today we enjoy a full day on one the beautiful islands of El Rosario, located 30 miles away by boat, south of the Bay of Cartagena. Encanto Island is a beautiful island with about 200 meters of white sand beaches and crystal clear water. These small islands have been protected by the authorities since 1977, when they were declared a National Park. The park's coral reefs, mangrove habitats and lagoons support more than 1,300 different species in nearly 500 square miles. You can relax on a beach, enjoy a walk around the island or swim. Lunch is included today and the hotel on the island has a beachfront bar and snacks can be purchased throughout the day.
Hotel Agua
Cartagena - First Hotel
Hotel AGUA a typical colonial house dating back to the XVII century,has been completely renovated and conditioned with excellent modern facilities and personalised service that will make guests feel like a home away from home. This luxury boutique hotel has only 6 rooms each decorated differently always with luxury amenities, king size or twin beds, private bathroom and bath. The Hotel has a small pool and relaxing area on the rooftop and the communal areas are very pleasant and peaceful ideal for reading or enjoying the sounds of soulful latin american music in the background. Agua has an excellent location walking distance from many art galleries and excellent restaurants. It also has a sister Hotel Agua Baru where one can spend the day relaxing by the beach or even spend a few nights combined with your stay in Cartagena.
Casa del Curato
Cartagena - Tourist Hotel
The Casa del Curato is a simple hotel, lovingly restored from a colonial townhouse within the walled city. The rooms are small but comfortable, each with air conditioning and private facilities, mostly looking into the central courtyard. Two suites have balconies looking out onto the street, and one looks over the swimming pool and the rear courtyard.
La Passion Hotel
Cartagena - Luxury Boutique
This luxury boutique hotel located in the old colonial part of Cartagena is more than a hotel, La Passion is a whole concept of services, where the greatest luxury is making you feel at home. French owner Thierry and his colombian wife will personally look after you during your stay making each and every guest feel unique with their personalise service. From the moment you enter La Passion is like taking you back in time, the hotel is maintains its old features of an old colonial house with a modern twist including modern art and certain artefacts the owners have collected during their travels in Africa & Asia. There is a stunning roof terrace from where you can admire the colonial city wiles having a delicious organic breakfast. There is a small outdoor pool ideal to relax and refresh yourself during the hottest times of the day. Each room is spacious and many have their own private balcony from where you can watch the world go by or even have your breakfast served wiles you enjoy the beauty of this fascinating colonial city.
Santa Marta - 3 Nights
Day 14 - Travel to Santa Marta
Day 15 - Arrecife and Cañaveral tour
Day 16 - At leisure in Santa Marta
- Full Description
Friday, 13 October 2023
Travel to Santa Marta
Today we travel to historical Santa Marta, arriving at our hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Arrecife and Cañaveral tour
Today we take a full day tour to Arrecife and Canaveral.
Sunday, 15 October 2023
At leisure in Santa Marta
Relax on the beach or at your hotel.
Return to the UK - 0 Nights
Day 17 - Return to the UK
Day 18 - Arrive back in the UK
- Full Description
Monday, 16 October 2023
Return to the UK
Transfer to the airport and take a domestic flight to Bogota for your onward overnight international flight to the UK.
Tuesday, 17 October 2023
Arrive in the UK
Arrive back in the UK in the morning.
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | 1 Jan - 30 June, 6 Sept - 17 Dec | 1 July - 5 Sep, 18 Dec - 31 Dec |
| Room Arrangement | First | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £5,004 | £6,359 |
Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 18 Days / 16 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Internal flights
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- 16 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
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