Picturesque Colombia

OVERVIEW

DAY 1: Arrival in Colombia.

DAY 2: Go fruit tasting at the fruit and flower market in Bogotá.

DAY 3: Visit Honda, a key city of the Spanish colony.

DAY 4: Horseback riding in the Magdalena River Valley.

DAY 5: Transfer to the region of the best coffee in the world.

DAY 6: Filandia and the trapiche.

DAY 7: Visit of Salamina and the forest of Samaria.

DAY 8: Discovery of the village of Jardin.

DAY 9: Exchange with the inhabitants of Medellin.

DAY 10: Arrival in Cartagena de Indias.

DAY 11: Cooking workshop with the mangroves of the Virgin’s marsh.

DAY 1: DEPARTURE FOR COLOMBIA

DAY 2 : THE BIGGEST FRUIT MARKET IN COLOMBIA

The Paloquemao Market is one of the most emblematic places in Bogota and the most important food market in the city.

• After breakfast and accompanied by your guide, visit the pleasant local market pf Paloquemao.
• Go fruit tasting at the market sales points.
• The granadilla, el lulo, the corosol, the magoustin, the chirimoya, the gulupa or the carambol, you will not have to choose, you can taste them all!
• Some fruits are best when in a fruit juice, other are better eaten whole!. Your guide will explain all there is to know about this delicious adventure.
• Spend your afternoon at leisure.
• Overnight in Bogotá.

DAY 3: HONDA, KEY TOWN OF THE SPANISH COLONY

Honda was very important river post during the colonial era. It was here where ships bound for Cartagena and then Spain were loaded with gold from Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

• Transfer by private car to Honda.
• Arrival and installation in a colonial boutique hotel.
• Visit the Navarro Bridge, built in the 19th century, which crosses the Magdalena River, was the first iron bridge in South America.
• Stroll around the food Market, an enclosed space that was once a convent. It’s surrounded by colourful columns and arches.
• Overnight in Honda.

DAY 4: THE MAGDALENA VALLEY

The Magdalena River is the longest in Colombia, it crosses almost the entire country, from south to north.

• Go horseback riding (4h) in a nearby private natural reserve.
• Admire the beauty of the tropical dry forest and its endemic animals (Colombia -for example- has 1,876 species of birds), as well as mammals, amphibiens, etc.
• In the afternoon, transfer to the coffee region.
• Arrival and installation in a beautiful glamping to be close to nature in an exceptional setting.
• Overnight in Manizales.

DAY 5: THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF ORCHIDS

As Colombia is the richest country in orchid species in the world, this tour is a tribute to the flower emblem of Colombia.

• Visit one of the largest and most varied private orchid collections in the country, with over 800 species.
• Enjoy a delicious home made lunch with local ingredients.
• Explore of a nearby coffee farm.
• Discover the entire coffee preparation process, from the plant to your cup.
• Pick coffee beans from the farm’s plantation, learn about the process of sorting, drying, and then tasting different types of coffee and different levels of roasting.
• Overnight in Manizales.

DAY 6: SALAMINA AND THE SAMARIA FOREST

The wax palm is the national tree in Colombia. It seems to defy the sky with a height of more than 60 meters. It is possible to see it in the Cocora valley but also in the forest of Samaria.

• Transfer to Salamina, the charming village of the golden age of coffee and included in the heritage list of Colombia.
• Visit the village, its magnificent alleys take you back in time.
• Discover the fantastic San Félix and the Valle de las Samaria and stroll about the magnificent wax palm trees.
• Return to Salamina and check-in the best hotel boutique in the village.
• Overnight in Salamina.

DAY 7 : JARDIN

Located in the southwest of Antioquia, Jardín is considered the most beautiful village in the region and is ranked as a heritage village of Colombia.

• Morning transfer to Jardin, Antioquia.
• Arrival and check-in the best hotel boutique in the village.
• Spend your afternoon at lesiure.
• Overnight in Jardin.

DAY 8: THE TRANSFORMATION OF MEDELLIN

Since 2002, the local gouvernement has invested heavily in education and transportation within the city. Thus, in 2013, the city received the prize for “the most innovative city” from the Wall Street Journal.

• Transfer to Medellin by private car.
• Chec-in a charming boutique hotel located in the most exclusive and lively area of ​​the city.
• Spend your afternoon at leisure.
• You could visit the most emblematic places of the city such as Plaza Botero and the Pueblito Paisa.
• Overnight in Medellin.

DAY 9: LA PIEDRA DEL PEÑOL AND GUATAPÉ

La Piedra del Peñol o the Stone of El Peñol is a 220-meter monolith located on the edge of the magnificent Guatapé Dam. Dozens of islets in this artificial lake make for a spectacular landscape.

• Departure for an excursion to the Stone of El Peñol Boulder de Guatapé.
• Enjoy the amazing view of the Guatapé dam from the top of El Peñol. You must climb the stairs to reach the top of the rock, there is no elevator!
• Transfer to the colourful village of Guatapé and enjoy a walk through its colourful streets.
• Possibility of taking a boat trip on the lake.
• Return to the hotel in Medellin.
• Overnight in Medellin.

DAY 10: THE PEARL OF THE CARIBBEAN

You will leave this beautiful region in the heart of the Andes cordillera to discover the Fantastic, the Pearl of the Caribbean: Cartagena de Indias.

• Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cartagena.
• Welcome by your driver and check-in a magnificent colonial boutoqiue hotel located in the old town of Cartagena.
• Spend your afternoon at leisure.
• Stroll around this beautiful city and enjoy its unique energy.
• Overnight in Cartagena.

DAY 11: THE HISTORY OF CARTAGENA DE INDIAS

Cartagena de Indias has important buildings and one of the most complete systems of military fortifications in South America. The city of Cartagena de Indias and its fortress are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Start your day with a guided walking tour to get an overview of the most important monuments of the walled city such as the Palace of the Inquisition, Plaza Santo Domingo, the Street of the Martyrs and the Clock Tower.
• Visit to the Castle of San Felipe, the largest fortress built by the Spaniards during their colonial period and the Convent of La Popa.
• Take one-hour salsa lesson with a private teacher.
• Overnight in Cartagena.

DAY 12 : THE DIVERSITY OF THE CARIBBEAN IN COLOMBIA

Leave this beautiful city to discover the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal massif in the world with a summit culminating at 5,775 meters above sea level and located only 42 km from the sea:

• Transfer to your hotel in los Naranjos, located next to the Tayrona National Natural Park.
• Spend your afternoon at leisure either enjoying your hotel or strolling on the beach.
• Overnight in Los Naranjos.

DAY 13 : THE KOGI COMMUNITY

There are currently around 30,000 indigenous people among the Kogis, Arhuacos, Kankuamos and Wiwas tribes living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta area.

• Cross for about 1 hour the exuberant forest of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta by car.
• Arrival at a Wiwa-Kogi village where a native host will show you the refuge and its surroundings.
• Discussion with the Mamo, spiritual leader and authority of the community.
• Reception of the aseguranza, the protection of the Sierra symbolized by a bracelet.
• Walk around and visit the sacred waterfall.
• Typical lunch with the hosts, cooked by the women of the village.
• Explanation on the extraction of the maguey fibers and the weaving of mochilas as well as their importance for the Kogi culture.
• Return to your hotel.
• Overnight in Los Naranjos.

DAY 14: DON DIEGO RIVER

Live the amazing experience of descending the crystal clear waters of the Don Diego River until its spectacular arrival in the sea (activity suitable for all ages).

• Discover the magnificent landscape of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the Tayronaka nature reserve.
• Walk in the forest.
• Typical lunch.
• Descent of the crystal clear waters of the Don Diego River until its spectacular arrival in the sea in a buoy.
• Bird and howler monkeys watching along the way.
• Return to the hotel.
• Overnight in Los Naranjos.

DAY 15: THE MAGNIFICENT GUAJIRA DESERT

In 1499, Captain Alonso de Ojeda arrived at Cabo de la Vela. Nowdays travellers will discover lodges built by the Wayúu natives, many of which are made with mud and yotojoro (the heart of the cactus).

• Departure early in the morning to discover the Guajira desert.
• Visit Uribia, considered the capital of indigenous culture in Colombia.
• Explore of the Salinas de Manaure, the ponds where, in an artisanal way, salt is extracted and processed.
• Continue to Cabo de la Vela crossing the Guajira desert.
• Typical lunch of lobster or other seafood and spend some time at leisure.
• Visit of the most emblematic places of this magnificent municipality: the lighthouse, the sacred mountain and the golden beach.
• Enjoy an incredible sunset.
• Typical dinner.
• Overnight at Cabo de la Vela.

DAY 16 : THE WAYÚU COMMUNITY

On the isolated and dry peninsula of la Guajira in the north of Colombia, there is a people who have kept their authenticity throughout their history: the Wayúu community.

• Start of the day by crossing once more the largest desert in Colombia.
• Meet with a Wayúu family to share a privileged moment.
• Discover their rituals, their customs and their gastronomic varieties.
• The Wayúu have a colourful and magical tradition, do not hesitate to ask them your questions.
• Return to Riohacha.
• Overnight in Riohacha.

DAY 17 : RETURN HOME

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to your country of origin.

THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

TOURS NOT TO BE MISSED

Voyage à Cartagena : 6 visites originales

San Agustin en Colombie : l’incroyable site archéologique