Colombia: Bogotá, Santa Marta, Beaches and National Parks

Visit the Paloquemao market before your afternoon flight to Armenia in Colombia’s coffee region. Visit this historic and bustling market in Bogota. Frequented by home and professional chefs alike, Paloquemao offers everything from novel ingredients to classic Colombian foods. Get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the food stalls, flower shops, boutiques and cafes, and figure out the best route through the market to see the city’s best deals. Spend two nights in a traditional hacienda around Armenia.

Activities included:
– Visit to Paloquemao Market

Accommodation: Hotel Mi Monaco (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Enjoy a tour of a coffee farm in the Calarcá region, where you’ll learn about the local coffee culture. With a visit to a local coffee farm, you’ll learn about how this important crop is processed, from planting to your cup of coffee, and of course, get a delicious taste of this famous export.

Activities included:
– Guided tour of a coffee farm

Accommodation: Hotel Mi Monaco (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Travel to Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local native guide. Experience nature on a hike in this beautiful park. Learn about Tayrona’s biodiversity and explore the beautiful landscape with a local guide. Spend the night surrounded by nature in a lodge near the park. This is the perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn more about the indigenous culture of northern Colombia. Stay in a lodge in the park.

Please note that Tayrona National Park is generally closed in February and a few other periods of the year. The Indigenous groups in the area believe that Mother Nature needs a month’s rest and the maintenance of the park is done during that time. If your trip is in February, visit Taironaka Park to learn more about the local Kogi and their cultural practices.

Activities included:
– Excursion to Tayrona National Park

Walking time: approx. 3-4 hours Driving
time: approx. 1 hour

Accommodation: Posada Villa Margarita (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Journey through breathtaking landscapes to Medellín. Optionally, you can explore the city in the evening.

Driving time: approx. 9 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Poblado Boutique (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Enjoy a tour of the city’s neighborhoods and learn the fascinating story of its recent transformation. Free time to explore this vibrant city. Get to know Colombia’s second-largest city on this tour. Medellín struggled in the 80’s and 90’s but has reinvented itself since then and is now one of the most innovative cities in South America with a very vibrant arts scene. Explore the different barrios full of shops, green parks, museums, churches, markets and delicious specialties.

Optional Activities:
– Visit to Cerro Nutibara
Visit Cerro Nutibara and enjoy the fresh air 80m above Medellin. You can take one of the colorful buses or a taxi to the top of the mountain, or walk up the paths that meander through the vegetation. Whatever you choose, you can enjoy great views of the city from the top. You’ll also find Pueblito Paisa, a recreation of a traditional Antioquian town with all the charm of white houses, brightly painted doors and sloping roofs. Taste some local specialties here or go shopping for souvenirs.

– Paragliding
45-60 USD per person. Get ready for an exciting ride! Take off from one of the surrounding hills and enjoy spectacular views of the city below and the scenic green mountains as you soar through the air.

– Explora Park
24500-37500COP per person. A symbol of transformation in the northern part of Medellín, the park is a large piece of modern architecture housing a variety of scientific exhibits. Learn about the flora, fauna, and astronomy of Colombia while exploring the Amazon-specific terrarium, planetarium, or one of the many interactive exhibits.

– Museum of Modern Art
10000COP per person. Enjoy a tour of the Museum of Modern Art and see the works of Colombian artists in different media. Be sure to visit the permanent exhibition by Débra Arango.

Activities included:
– City tour of Medellín

Accommodation: Hotel Poblado Boutique (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Another day at leisure you can visit the nearby small town of Guatapé with its colorful houses and the famous rock. You can also ride the municipal cable car in Medellín and enjoy the views over the city and the surrounding mountains.

Optional Activities:
– Visit to El Peñol Rock
Formed about 70 million years ago, El Peñol de Guatapé, also known as El Peñol, is a giant monolith rising 2,135 m above sea level. Climb the 649 steps carved into one side of this famous rock and enjoy breathtaking views of the Guatapé Dam and the surrounding area from the top.

– Paragliding
45-60 USD per person. Get ready for an exciting ride! Take off from one of the surrounding hills and enjoy spectacular views of the city below and the scenic green mountains as you soar through the air.

– Visit to Cerro Nutibara
Visit Cerro Nutibara and enjoy the fresh air 80m above Medellin. You can take one of the colorful buses or a taxi to the top of the mountain, or walk up the paths that meander through the vegetation. Whatever you choose, you can enjoy great views of the city from the top. You’ll also find Pueblito Paisa, a recreation of a traditional Antioquian town with all the charm of white houses, brightly painted doors and sloping roofs. Taste some local specialties here or go shopping for souvenirs.

– Museum of Modern Art
10000COP per person. Enjoy a tour of the Museum of Modern Art and see the works of Colombian artists in different media. Be sure to visit the permanent exhibition by Débra Arango.

– Explora Park
24500-37500COP per person. A symbol of transformation in the northern part of Medellín, the park is a large piece of modern architecture housing a variety of scientific exhibits. Learn about the flora, fauna, and astronomy of Colombia while exploring the Amazon-specific terrarium, planetarium, or one of the many interactive exhibits.

Accommodation: Hotel Poblado Boutique (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Morning flight to Cartagena, where you can explore the fortified old town in the afternoon. Optional dinner and evening in this dynamic city.

Activities included:
– Orientation walk

Walking time: approx. 1 hour Driving
time: approx. 1 hour

Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Enjoy a free day to discover all that Cartagena has to offer. Opt to enjoy the beautiful coastline or explore the charming colonial town. Enjoy a tour of the colonial walled city and its defenses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Use the free time and enjoy the beach, the city and the Caribbean flair. On a guided tour of Cartagena, learn about the history of this vibrant city from your bilingual guide. Traveling by private vehicle, you’ll visit sites like the Clock Tower, Plaza Bolivar, and Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Enjoy impressive views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and a city walk from the Church of San Pedro Claver to the Church of Santo Domingo.

Please note that warm water is rarely available in the Caribbean region of Colombia. The showers during your stay in this region are therefore likely to only have cold water.

Optional Activities:
– Boat Excursion to Islas del Rosario National Park
165000COP per person. Take a boat to this long-named Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Islas del Rosario. Admire the crystal clear blue waters and natural beauty of the islands. Optionally, you can also explore the park’s animal-rich coral reefs while snorkeling.

– El Totumo mud volcano
Descend into the El Totumo mud volcano. Float in the healing mud full of invigorating minerals and enjoy pure relaxation. Don’t be surprised if you look 10 years younger afterwards!

– Visit to the Caribbean Naval Museum
6000COP per person. In the historic old town, visit this spacious museum spread over two listed buildings. Here you will find a wide variety of exhibits on the naval history of the Caribbean and you can enjoy the day on the beautiful terraces.

– Visit to the Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
5000COP per person. The collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena is housed in two historic buildings, one of which was a former armory. Stroll through this extraordinary museum and admire 1950s Latin American paintings and contemporary Colombian art.

– Visit to the Palace of the Inquisition (Museum)
30000COP per person. Visit the museum and learn more about the work of the Spanish Inquisition in Colombia. Explore this magnificent colonial and baroque style building and see the artifacts and instruments of torture on display.

– Visit to the Gold Museum
7000COP per person. In Plaza Bolivar, visit this superbly curated and informative museum. Admire the intricate gold jewelry and pottery from the pre-Columbian period of the indigenous Zenú and learn about their history and traditions. These exhibits are all located in a colonial-era house.

– Night chiva ride
45000COP per person, 50000COP per group. Get ready for a party and city tour at the same time on the Chiva bus. These brightly colored vehicles are a national symbol, and their open sides allow you to experience lively Cartagena up close as you ride. Drink, dance and enjoy Colombian music on this fun ride.

Activities included:
– City tour of Cartagena

Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Travel to the small town of Minca and enjoy free time to explore and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Driving time: approx. 4 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Minca – La Casona (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Travel to Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local native guide. This is the perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn more about the indigenous culture of northern Colombia. Experience nature on a hike in this beautiful park. Learn about Tayrona’s biodiversity and explore the beautiful landscape with a local guide. Spend the night surrounded by nature in a lodge near the park. Stay in a lodge in the park.

Please note that Tayrona National Park is normally closed in February. The indigenous groups in the area believe that Mother Nature needs a month of rest and the park will be maintained during that time. If your trip falls in February, visit Taironaka Park to learn more about the indigenous Kogi people and their cultural practices.

Activities included:
– Excursion to Tayrona National Park

Walking time: approx. 3-4 hours Driving
time: approx. 1 hour

Accommodation: Posada Villa Margarita (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Today is the day to discover the wonders of La Ciudad Perdida. Climb the 1200 ancient steps and explore the various sacred sites of the lost city. Later you hike on winding paths through the deep jungle, past banana trees and cocoa plants, to Wiwa Camp.

Activities included:
– Hike to the Lost City – Day 4

Walking time: approx. 3-4 hours.
Hiking distance: approx. 7 km

Accommodation: Camping with overnight stays in a hammock or bunk

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Spend the day at the Gotsezhi Wiwa indigenous community, where you can enjoy a supported lunch prepared by the women of the community. Learn more about Wiwa customs with a village visit. Visit Gotsezhi and enjoy a lunch prepared by the women of the community using local ingredients. Visit the nearby village where children of the four indigenous peoples of the region go to school and learn their cultural ceremonies and language. As you enter the village, a soul purification ceremony will be performed and you will learn about the traditional customs, stories and craft methods of this region. Afterwards you can refresh yourself in the river, visit the nearby waterfalls and natural swimming pools or chill in a hammock and reflect on the experience, before heading back to Santa Marta. Afterwards you can relax in a hammock by the river or visit the nearby waterfalls.

Activities Included:
– Visit to a Wiwa community and lunch

Driving time: approx. 1 hour

Accommodation: Posada Villa Margarita (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

In the afternoon you drive from Tayrona to Taganga. Orientation walk with guide upon arrival.

Activities included:
– Orientation walk in Taganga

Driving time: approx. 0.5 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Ocean Taganga Internacional (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

You have a free day to explore Taganga on foot or explore the water with a snorkel and mask. In the evening, drive to Santa Marta and join your fellow travelers for an optional night out on the town.

Driving time: approx. 0.5 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Tayromar (or similar)

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/L/-

Departure possible at any time.

Optional Activities:
– Santa Marta Gold Museum
Explore the colonial villa housing indigenous artefacts from the Tayrona area, including an impressive gold collection.

– Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino
21000COP per person. Visit Simon Bolivar’s final resting place, La Quinta, the estate where the famous libertador spent his final days. The former rum plantation now includes a restored home, museum, library and extensive gardens to explore.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
1 hour aprox.

Hiking
1 hour aprox

Flight
Go back home by plane

Meals
B/-/-