A vibrant country, Colombia is a paradise for the adventurous explorer. Climb the epic Andes, explore lush mountains, coffee plantations, cosmopolitan cities and famous museums. Explore ancient, walled cities, discover lost civilisations and interact with exotic wildlife in the dense Amazon rainforest. Learn about the vibrant culture, hear about the fascinating history and enjoy the incredible food.
From the bustling cities of Cartagena to the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean coast, Colombia has something for everyone.
Being the second most biodiverse country in the world, Colombia does seem to have it all - Colonial villages, sun-kissed deserts, paradise beaches, dense jungles and epic mountain landscapes. With such a diverse landscape it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here’s our pick of the best places to visit in Colombia.
Arrival to Bogota (depending on time of flight), transfer 20-25 minutes to scenic and historical zone of Bogota. We stay in the ‘La Candelaria’ district of Bogota, close to the centre where there’s plenty of options for walking tours cafes as well as a trendy student feel and lots of street art.
Overnight 4 star Bicentenario. Downtown Bogota
We start on foot covering the main squares (Plaza Bolivar) and parks (Santander & Writers park) then continue uphill to Monserrate hill - a major landmark on the edge of downtown Bogota. We can take the steep train ascent to the top 3132m for the best panoramic shots of the city as well as view some lovely gardens and the main church on top. We take an afternoon flight from Bogota to Pereira (around 1 hour) departing at 4.45pm and arriving to Pereira at 5.40pm. From the airport, we take a 1 hour transfer into the heart of the Coffee region (la zona cafetera) where the pretty town of Salento is located. It’s a fantastic place to relax and you can enjoy some lovely surroundings.
Today we will travel out to one of many Coffee plantations to experience an interactive tour (harvesting, roasting and milling the beans). There are 6 coffee farms to choose from including one of the oldest in Colombia but prefer to opt for the farm ‘Arzacia’ as it is one of the only ones that produces the beans 100% organically. We will finish the tour by tasting the coffee. In the afternoon people may want to relax back in town, visit the shops, rest at the accommodation, take a mountain bike tour, hike, hire a horse or a quadbike and go to the Santa Rita waterfalls.
About 45 minutes away lies the start of the Cocora Valley, full of 100’s of Wax-palms. We take transport by local Jeeps. We visit the Cocora valley, worlds tallest Palm trees Once at the entrance, we can take one of several circuits on foot. The hike is considered easy-moderate and would take around 2/3 hours depending on the pace to do the regular/short loop. There is also the option of horses for rent.
In the morning we return back to Pereira airport and fly 1 hour to Medellin (Colombia’s second large city). Upon arrival to Medellin airport you will be met by a local guide and go directly to lunch in the city. Then followed by an introduction to Medellin city centre, before returning back to the hotel in the neighbourhood of El Poblado, sometime in the late afternoon.
Overnight Ecohub hotel Medellin or similar
Comuna 13 is one of the 16 districts based in the city of Medellín. It began to be populated in the 1930s and 40s. By the 1970´s a large number that arrived there, were fleeing the violence of different sectors of Colombia. In past times, the area became one of the most dangerous in the country, since the armed groups that took over control of the sector were predominant and extremely powerful, and they completely ran the territory. For example: FARC, ELN, PARAMILITARES, CAP. Historically it created massive conflicts and a lot of suffering through their recruitments, their murders, extortions, kidnappings and military operations, in which many injustices were committed, including deaths, disappearances and innocent people being put in jail. But LA COMUNA 13 continued forward, and through clever social work projects by different groups, artistic groups, and individuals.This community holds about 160,000 inhabitants and recently became the most touristic sector of Medellín as well as an international reference in Colombia. Now people can safely enjoy the Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour and gain an important background to their visit, covering both its history and the street culture.
Orientation walk in the old city. Today we depart after breakfast around 40 minutes to the airport. The flight leaves around mid-day and arrives to Cartagena around 1 hour and 10 minutes later. We then transfer to the hotel in the old-town in just 15-20 minutes. Time to go for lunch then a stroll around the old city and walls for sunset. We can do a small walking orientation of the old town, including walking on the old wall with ocean views.
Accommodation at 4* Casa Gloria Boutique in Cartagenas historical centre or similar
Around 10am, we take the 5 hour bus ride along the Caribbean coast to the high jungle forests of Minca. From this small village, we then transfer to 4x4 Jeeps to take us the last part by dirt track in order to get to the lodge. Once we have settled in to our lodge we can enjoy dinner, a lovely sunset and beautiful setting.
Overnight Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge or similar
Today, we can start the day by a trip to a Cacao farm. A guided tour on the chocolate farm takes more or less 1,5 hours. The friendly owners will explain the whole cacao-making procedure, from sapling to chocolate treat. Learn how they plant, pick, clean, dry, and craft their organic home- made cacao. You can also buy chocolate and support the local economy. A delicious experience!
In the afternoon, there is the chance to take an optional trek to waterfalls known as ‘Marinka’ or natural pools. Here there are a few options depending on fitness, or willingness to trek a little to a lot. More can be decided at the time. Otherwise you may just want to relax back at the lodge and enjoy the infinity pool!
Overnight Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge or similar
Today, we leave early while still cool, and take the jeeps down to the village in 10-15 minutes. Then we continue by bus to Tayrona national reserve park entrance in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. We then have a 1 hour walk to get to some of the nicest beaches in Colombia. The most iconic spot is at Cabo San Juan.
TAYRONA NATIONAL RESERVE
The park has an area of 150 square kilometers and is UNESCO heritage accredited. It is located in the jurisdiction of
the Santa Marta municipality, in the Department of Magdalena, and spread over the north coast of Colombia which
borders on the Caribbean Sea.
Several trails inside the park can be done to get to the interconnecting the beaches and the entry/exit points.
Our journey back is the same way or can be done by taking optional horses in around 45 minutes.
When we reconvene at the park entrance, we will then have another 10 minute drive to our beach lodge located just
outside of the reserve.
Overnight near Tayrona: Senda Maloko ecolodge
Relax in Lodge or optional day trip to Kogui tribe village + river tubing
The Kogui or (Cogui or Kagaba), which means “Jaguar” in the Kogui language, are an indigenous ethnic group that lives in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Their civilization has continued since pre-Columbian times. The Kogui are descendants of the Tayrona culture, which flourished before the time of the Spanish conquest. The Tayrona were an advanced civilization that built many stone structures and jungle paths. They made many golden objects that would hang from trees and around their necks. They lived not unlike the Kogi of today. We will likely meet a ‘Mamo’ or kogui chief who will givew an explanation of their culture and maybe offer a small ritual.Afterwards, we have the opportunity to ‘river-tube’ down to the Carribean sea.
Relax in Lodge/Los Naranjos beach or optional day trip
This day can be left to relax or we can offer an optional excursion if prefered to the day before
Overnight near Tayrona: Senda Maloko ecolodge
After lunch, we will go back to the airport (1.5 hour drive) and fly around 4.30pm back to Bogota for a final evening in the same hotel as the first night.
Overnight 4* BH Bicentenario, La Candelaria, Bogota
Free time or optional trips, return to airport for departure to Europe
You have some free time on your last day if your flight is later in the day. One option is to visit the Gold museum, which is renowned to be the best and biggest museum of its kind in Latin America with over 50,000 artefacts. Another option if you have more than 4-5 hours is to visit the Salt Cathedral in the village of Zipaquiera just more than a 1 hour drive outside of Bogota
