Highlights of Colombia Tour
COLOMBIA TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Join other Solo Travellers on this amazing 15-day adventure through South America’s most alluring colonial kingdom, and discover why Colombia has been chosen as the place to be this year. Begin your trip in the country’s colonial-come-cosmopolitan capital, Bogotá, home to many brilliant museums. Travel north to the picturesque village of Villa de Leyva, Colombia’s most famous colonial town. Marvel at the stunning Cocora Valley, famous for its giant wax palm trees. Wander the streets of lively Medellín, one of South America’s most exciting cities. Explore the Tayrona National Park or relax on the unspoilt Caribbean beaches of Palomino. And finally, finish your Colombia tour in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town of Cartagena, where a perfectly preserved colonial town gives you a glimpse into the country’s colourful past. So, what are you waiting for?
Terrific art, culture and views in Bogotá
Enjoy the lively nightlife in Medellín
Take a hike in the Cocora Valley amongst the giant wax palm trees
Relax on the beautiful beaches of Palomino
Discover the colourful old town of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast
Day 1 – Arrive Bogotá
When you arrive in Bogotá, make your way to the hotel for check-in, which will be from 2pm onwards. Today is an arrival day so there are no planned activities. If you arrive in time, you can join your guide and the rest of the group for dinner to get to know your fellow travellers! Overnight in Bogotá.
Day 2 – Bogotá City Tour
After breakfast, begin your city tour of Colombia’s cosmopolitan capital, Bogotá. Today, your guide will show you the impressive Botero Museum, home to one of Latin America’s most important international art collections, and the city’s main square, Plaza de Bolivar. You will also visit the Gold Museum and Monserrate Hill, where you can enjoy great views of the city. Depending on what time you finish your city tour, you will have some free time in the late afternoon to explore the city further. Overnight in Bogotá.
Day 3 – Bogotá / Villa de Leyva
Leaving early, you will be transferred to Villa de Leyva, roughly a 4-hour drive from Bogotá, with a 1-hour stop in the artisan village of Raquira. Upon arrival in Villa de Leyva, Colombia’s most beautiful colonial town, you will be given a short walking tour to learn about the area’s rich history. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
Day 4 – Villa de Leyva / Bogotá Airport / Armenia
After breakfast, you will have the morning to further explore the beautiful town of Villa de Leyva, before being transferred to Bogotá Airport for evening flights to the city of Armenia. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a rural hotel in the local coffee area.
Day 5 – Hacienda Combia / Santa Rosa de Cabal
After breakfast, you will be given a tour at Hacienda Combia, one of the local coffee plantations; from bean to cup, the whole process will be explained! In the afternoon, you will visit the natural hot springs at Santa Rosa de Cabal, stopping for dinner on your way home.
Day 6 – Salento / Valle de Cocora
Today you will visit the typical paisa town of Salento. Founded in 1850, it is one of the oldest towns in the Quindio region. In the afternoon, you will visit the stunning Cocora Valley, famous for its wax palm trees that can grow up to more than 60m tall, making this one of the most special landscapes in the country. You will need to take hiking boots or trainers with you as there will be a 3-mile hike involved and the ground can sometimes be wet and muddy due its location in the hills. There is also a shorter, easier route for those who choose not to partake in the hike.
Day 7 – Salento / Medellín
After breakfast today we will be making the 6-hour journey to the beautiful city of Medellín. Best known for being Pablo Escobar’s stomping ground in the 1980’s, the city is now one of South America’s most exciting places to be. Upon arrival you will have a short orientation tour and then the rest of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight in Medellín.
Day 8 – Medellín City Tour
After breakfast you will be given a 4-hour city tour of Medellín. The tour will be a mixture of walking and taking local transport. After lunch you will have the rest of the day free to further explore. The city is known for its nightlife, so perhaps this evening you want to salsa the night away in one of the local bars!
Day 9 – La Piedra & Guatape / Medellín
After breakfast today we will be heading to Guatape, one of Colombia’s most popular holiday towns and home of La Piedra del Peñol, a giant rock surrounded by water and islands that will reward climbers with spectacular panoramic views. Guatape is roughly 2-hours from Medellín, so we’ll head back to the city in time for dinner. Overnight in Medellín.
Day 10 – Medellin / Santa Marta / Palomino
Today you will be transferred to Medellín Airport for flights to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Palomino area, a place known for its perfect beaches, as well as a base for exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Palomino is roughly a 2-hour drive from Santa Marta. Overnight in Palomino.
Day 11 – Palomino Free Day
Today will be spent at your leisure to relax on the beautiful beaches of Palomino.
Day 12 – Palomino Free Day (Optional Activities)
Today will again be spent at your leisure. Optional day trips include visiting the Flamingo Park, the Valencia Waterfalls and Tayrona National Park, depending on availability. Please note that the trip to Tayrona National Park involves a lot of hiking in the heat, so might not be for everybody. Your guide will let you know which activities are available upon arrival in Palomino. Overnight in Palomino.
Day 13 – Palomino / Cartagena
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena, roughly a 6-hour drive with regular stops from Palomino. Upon arrival, you will be checked-in to your hotel, and are then free to explore the city. Overnight in Cartagena.
Day 14 – Cartagena Full Day City Tour
After breakfast, you will begin a full day city tour of UNESCO World Heritage town, Cartagena. Known for its cobbled alleyways, colonial style buildings and abundance of beautiful churches, your last days in Colombia will be spent well in this city. Today you will visit the Convent La Popa, an impressive convent with amazing views over Cartagena, Castillo San Felipe, an immense fort built by the Spanish in 1536, and the historical centre of Cartagena. Overnight in Cartagena.
Day 15 – Depart Cartagena
Today will be spent at your leisure to explore Cartagena, in the evening, transfer to Cartagena Airport for international flights home.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COLOMBIA TOUR
- Sharing a twin room at 3-star hotels with breakfast
- English-speaking guide throughout
- City tours of Bogotá, Medellín & Cartagena
- Day trip to Guatape & La Piedra del Peñol
- Guided tour of Hacienda Combia’s coffee plantation
- Excursion to the stunning Cocora Valley
- Entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation in private vehicles
- 2x Internal Flights (Bogotá – Armenia & Medellín – Santa Marta)
BOOKING PROCEDURE
- Up to six weeks before departure, a place can be reserved on the Colombia Tour on payment of a deposit of £250.00, after this date it would be the full amount of the trip.
- Click the book now button and fill in the details and tick the box confirming you accept booking conditions.
- The outstanding balance is due 6 weeks before travel.
- Please ensure you have checked visa requirements. Get in touch if you are unsure.
- Ensure you have purchased travel insurance, as this is mandatory for all trips.
- International flights are not included in the price of the Colombia Tour and will need to be arranged separately. Please do not book flights until we have given the go-ahead. If you would like help booking, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
- There are also 2 domestic flights between Bogota & Armenia, and Armenia & Santa Marta which you will need for this trip. Please get in touch for the suggested flight times.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Trip Type Discover
Group Size Maximum 14
Physical Rating Moderate
Currency & Spending Money Colombian Peso / Spending £30 and upwards per day.
Hosts One of our local guides will be your main point of contact throughout this trip, and they will be on hand to answer all your questions and offer advice for your free days.
Clothing & Climates During your trip you will visit many different areas, all with varying climates and weather conditions. Bogota and the surrounding areas are noticeably cooler than Armenia and the Caribbean coast, so we recommend taking trousers and t-shirts or jumpers, as well as a rain jacket in case of sudden downpours. But don’t let the cooler climate fool you. Bogota is located 2,600m above sea level and the sun here is still very strong, so make sure you have plenty of sun protection; hats, sun cream, sunglasses, etc. You will start to notice the temperature difference when you reach the coffee areas of Armenia; the humidity will be higher and there will be more mosquitoes, so make sure you have light, loose-fitting clothing to prevent bites. By the time you reach Palomino & Cartagena you will know for sure that you are at the Caribbean coast. Temperatures will be anywhere between 28° and 33°C, whilst humidity levels can reach 95% so it’s incredibly important to stay hydrated and keep your head covered during the day.
Health Always seek medical advice from your doctor or travel nurse a minimum of 8 weeks before departure date and make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Remember that your travel insurance may not cover you if you do not have up-to-date vaccinations. UK health authorities have classified Colombia as being at risk from the Zika virus; pregnant women are advised not to travel to such areas. Dengue Fever, Malaria and Chikungunya are also present throughout the country, so take appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Single Supplement £399
Travel Advice We highly recommend that you read the foreign travel advice for Colombia before your departure date.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN CARTAGENA & BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
Looking for some restaurant recommendations in Colombia? Look no further. We've put together a list of the best places to eat in Cartagena and Bogota, so you can forget the endless trawling of TripAdvisor and take our personal recommendations. Much better. Sant Just,...
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