Experience Colombia

2 nts Bogota, 3 nts Medellin, 3 nts Jardin, 2 nts Cartagena, 4 nts Tayrona

Overview

This 15 day itinerary allows you to experience five diverse regions of Colombia. Starting in Bogota you will explore the capital of Colombia including the La Candelaria neighbourhood, Monserrate church, the gold museum and even the Hummingbird Gardens in Monserrate Hill.

Flying to Medellin and transferring to a charming boutique retreat. The bustling city of Medellin, also known as the City of Eternal Spring, is rich in history, art and architecture. You will have a chance to learn how much this country has changed in the last 40 years.

You will then experience another side of Colombia, in one of the country's most picturesque town Jardin. Jardin is a beautifully preserved heritage town nestled in the green hills of Colombia's Andes Mountains. The town sits at the foot of the Western Andes, surrounded by coffee plantations, waterfalls, and cloud forests the perfect spot for keen birdwatchers, hikers, and nature lovers. During your stay, you will get to experience a guided hike to visit some waterfalls in the area as well as visiting the "Reserva Natural Jardin de Rocas" where you can observe an Andean Cock of the Rock lek.

Flying on to the Caribbean Coast, the city of Cartagena offers colourful cobblestone streets and a walled city. Here you will learn about the rich history of the city and spot local migratory birds in natural reserves outside the city.

Finish your trip in Tayrona, visiting the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta area renowned for its indigenous communities, beautiful beaches and abundance of birds. You will take a guided hike in the Tayrona National Park with a naturlist guide and view the sacred lands of the indigenous people. You will also have the opportunity to meet the indigenous Kogui people and understand their spiritual connection with the land. This itinerary can be tailored to your specific interests and timings and aims to give ideas of how the cities and culture of this warm and friendly country can be combined with incredibly diverse nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Price Guide

14 nights from £3,875 per person based on Double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average flight prices vary depending on time of year and can be considerably more expensive at peak times (Christmas, Easter, Summer). Flight routes vary, please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Call for specialist advice

020 8274 8510

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

On arrival in Medellin airport you will be met and transferred to the Hotel de la Opera which is located in the Candelaria region in the heart of Bogota. La Candelaria is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood known for its colonial architecture, colourful buildings, cobbled streets, and rich cultural heritage. Overnight Hotel de la Opera.

Day 2

In the morning, you will visit Montserrate by cable car, this mountain is an iconic attraction of Bogota, the Hummingbird Gardens, a long trail designed to watch and photograph birds. In the afternoon you will have a guided walking city tour of Bogota, you will explore the La Candelaria neighbourhood, Monserrate church, the gold museum and more. Overnight stay at Hotel de la Opera (B).

Day 3

Today you will be transferred to Bogota International airport, where you will depart on a domestic flight to Medellin. On arrival you will be transferred in a private air conditioned vehicle from the airport to Patio del Mundo Hotel. Patio de Mundo is a concept of two charming villas in the heart of Medellin, the villas have been lovingly restored by a French family. With a lush tropical garden and an enchanting view, it offers a unique setting for you to enjoy your stay. Overnight stay at Patio del Mundo (B).

Day 4

Today you will have a full day guided tour of some of the most famous spots of the city such as Botero Plaza, Pueblito Paisa, the Lights square. Lunch is included at one of the great restaurants of the city where you will taste the local food. You will also have a guided visit to Antioquia Museum and will have the chance to get to know how this city left its violent past and is now known as the most innovative city nationwide. Overnight stay at Patio del Mundo (BL).

Day 5

Today you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle a few hours from Medellin to the well preserved heritage town called Guatape, known for it's colourful buildings, street art and narrow cobblestone streets. You will have a private guided visit of the town followed by a visit to the Guatape Rock, that you can climb 740 steps and get breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the dam. You can also navigate Lake Guatape on a boat, there you will see the country's celebrity vacation homes, and the ruins of Pablo Escobar's old house. Overnight stay at Patio del Mundo (BL).

Day 6

Today you will be transferred in an air conditioned vehicle to your hotel in the town of Jardin. The drive is very scenic as you wind through the mountains. Your hotel will be Casa Passiflora, inspired by the beautiful tropical flower Passiflora Jardinensis. The hotel has traditional colonial architecture and decoration with modern amenities and is located only a block and a half from the main square with its bars and restaurants, and the cathedral. Overnight stay at Casa Passiflora.

Day 7

Today you will visit some waterfalls in the area, where you can enjoy the pristine nature of this unspoiled destination. Different hikes can be arranged based on the level of fitness and decided with your guide. You will also visit the 'Reserva Natural Jardin de Rocas' where with some luck you can observe the Andean cock-of-the-rock. A small nature reserve, just 10 minutes walk from the centre of town, has been created to protect the natural environment of the lek and to allow controlled sightings of this bird which is the most famous in the area. At around 3pm in the afternoon the spectacular, colourful scarlet Andean Cock of the Rock come to lek socialise every day, long before the reserve was built. Overnight stay at Casa Passiflora (B).

Day 8

Today you will embark on a full day tour to visit the Cueva del Splendor. The cave is magnificent, and the waterfall is stunning. It's a unique site that offers something a bit different than your average cave or waterfall. It requires 4x4 transportation and a challenging hike to discover this waterfall hidden in the mountain. During the journey you will observe different landscapes in a wooded area with flowers, birds and crystalline ravines. Overnight stay at Casa Passiflora (B).

Day 9

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Medellin Airport. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes. Depart on a domestic flight from Medellin to Cartagena. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Bantu by Faranda Boutique hotel. The hotel is located in the San Diego neighbourhood of Cartagenas walled city, it is a boutique hotel that offers a tranquil retreat amid 18th century architecture, open air terraces, and patio surrounded by lush greenery. In the afternoon you will have a guided half day city tour within the walled city of Cartagena, you will explore its cobblestone streets, enjoy the colourful balconies and discover the secrets of this famous colonial city that used to be a Spanish fortress. Overnight stay at Bantu by Faranda Boutique hotel (B).

Day 10

Today you will will enjoy the Palenque Cultural tour. Palenque is called 'The African corner in Colombia', being the first free town of colonial America, founded in 1603 by black slaves and which has still preserved a local language: the Palenquero. This small town was declare world cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2005, having a fascinating history in a place with several Palenque you will do a city tour visiting the main spots o the town, you will get to know about the music, language, gastronomy and other cultural local expressions. Overnight stay at Bantu by Faranda Boutique Hotel (B).

Day 11

Today you will transfer in a private air conditioned vehicle from Cartagena to Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos which is close to the entrance of the sacred Tayrona National Park. This boutique hotel is nestled in natural surroundings between the river and ocean and with a backdrop of the Santa Marta mountain range. The hotel has ocean front facilities, a pool and restaurant. Due to its location it offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. *Due to riptides it is not safe to swim on at the beach. Overnight stay at Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos (B).

Day 12

Today you will embark on a tour that starts with a visit to Tayronaka, which is an archeological site with a museum of the ancient civilization that inhabited the area. In the afternoon you can choose between floating in an inner tube or kayaking down the Don Diego River, where you can relax and see wildlife such as howler monkeys and reptiles, before the river meets the Caribbean sea. Overnight stay at Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos (B).

Day 13

Today you will start early to enter the Tayrona National Park, enabling a greater chance to see more birds and mainland wildlife in this protected area which is home to 59 species of mammals, more than 300 species of birds, different reptiles and amphibians. Your naturalist guide will aim to avoid the busiest trails and reach areas earlier than other visitors. You may have a chance to see the Colombian white faced capuchin monkey, red howler monkeys and the shy cotton top tamarin, as well as a variety of birds including the lance tailed manakin, military macaw, bicoloured wren and the rufous tailed jacamar. At the end of the hotel you can enjoy a swim at the beaches before returning. Overnight stay at Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos (B).

Day 14

Today you will adventure on a 5 hour visit to a special indigenou community that inhabits the mountains of Santa Marta and is located close to the main entrance of the Tayrona National Park. Your guide will lead you along a 3km hike to reach this Kogui indigenous community. Along the way, you can observe a variety of birds, plants and occasionally monkeys. Upon arrival at the indigenous community you will interact with them and learn about how they consider the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta a sacred place that is guarded by the ancestral wisdom of the elder brothers, who maintain a close relationship with mother earth through ongoing spiritual work and the care of the sacred sites. During this visit, we may meet the Mamo, who is the highest elder in this community. Overnight stay at Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos (B).