Colombian Loop

La Candelaria: Walking tour around La Candelaria and its 400 years old streets. Visit of museums such as the Botero Museum, which exhibits a large collection of paintings and sculptures and the Museum of Gold, displaying the largest collection of pre-Columbian goldsmithing in the world. Cerro Monserrate: you will reach Bogota’s highest viewpoint, Monserrate Hill, where you will observe the vastness of the Colombian capital.

Cathedral of Zipaquira: This famous cathedral is located inside a former salt mine in the small town of Zipaquira. You will visit this architectural prowess showing some amazing artistic sculptures made of salt and marble in the tunnels leading to the heart of the mine and its central nave.

Villa de Leyva: This small colonial town, is commonly known for the richness of its architecture dating back to the 17th century, its churches and its convents, such as Nuestra Señora del Rosario. It is also the home of the heroes of the nation, Antonio Ricaurte, Antonio Nariño, and Simon Bolivar, who used to live in the town during the war of independence. Around Villa de Leyva: Three major sites are located on the outskirts of the village. First, you will visit the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, a 17th century Dominican Convent. Then you will reach Infiernito, a Pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Muisca indigenous tribe. And finally, you will admire the Casa Terracota, an impressive house entirely made of clay and built by a local.

Ráquira is a small village where pottery is the main industry. While visiting this charming town, you will be able to make a stop in one of the ceramic workshops and practice your skills with a local craftsman.

Guane (Camino Real): Early in the morning, you will start a 2-hour hike toward the small village of Guane, a town located downhill. You’ll follow the Camino Real trail and discover the beautiful landscapes of the Santander region. Barichara: Listed as a national monument, Barichara is a quiet and authentic town known for its colonial architectural heritage. Going down the empty streets of Barichara, you will admire amazing churches and a cathedral as well as several artisanal workshops.

The Chicamocha Canyon is an impressive natural site located less than 2 hours from Barichara. You will make a quick stop on the edge of this natural marvel, before continuing toward the Bucaramanga Airport. You will then board a flight bound for the city of Neiva, capital of the Huila department, where you will stop for the night.

In the morning, a transport will pick you up and take you to one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia, the Tatacoa desert. You will visit the stunning red desert and its eroded mounds, and the moon-like grey desert where the natural formations look like bedsheet ghosts. In the afternoon, you will take the road to San Agustin.

On the hills surrounding the town of San Agustin, monumental statues have been dug up over the course of the last century. Some of these statues show humans, others show animals, but most of them represent both humans and animals. During this day, you will discover archaeological sites such as the San Agustin Archaeological Park, as well as a museum showing pre-Columbian and colonial artefacts, retracing the way of life of both civilizations in the region.

On the hills surrounding the village, you will find several archeological sites such as the Alto de Los Idolos, and Alto de las Piedras. At both sites you will admire the intricacy of the carved stones and the antique tombs shaped like animals. On your way back, you will also make a stop at some of the region’s most impressive waterfalls, Salto de Bordones and Salto del Mortiño. Finally, you will reach Estrecho del Magdalena, the narrowest part of Colombia’s main river originating in the region.

Early in the morning, a car will take you to Popayan, one of the outstanding colonial towns in Colombia. After a few hours drive on a rough terrain, you will reach Popayan, also known as the Jerusalem of America. Arriving around mid-day, you will have a free afternoon to stroll around the city and its colonial architecture of white endless streets. The processions of the Holy Week and the Festival of Gastronomy, taking place in March and September, respectively, have both been declared Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. The rest of the year, Popayan offers many museums, churches, and colonial houses to visit.

In the Morning, a transport will take you to Cali. You will be transferred to your hotel in the oldest part of town, Barrio San Antonio. In the afternoon, a car will pick you up at your hotel. Your chauffeur will show you around by bringing you to different landmarks situated downtown or on the outskirts of Cali. After the visit, he will bring you back to Barrio San Antonio, where you will be able to complete this tour by visiting the Church of San Antonio, located near your hotel.

On this day, you will reach one of the most iconic regions of Colombia. The famous coffee growing axis is a perfect destination for those who want to mix colonial villages and rich natural landscapes. The mild climate of this mountainous region allows nice hikes all around the year and the tranquility of the villages will offer you relaxing moments drinking coffee in typical Colombian towns.

During this day, you will visit the famous Cocora Valley, an amazing area composed of various 80-meter-high palm trees. On your way back, you will visit the charming towns of Salento and Filandia before heading back to your hotel.

In the morning, you will visit a typical coffee plantation applying the techniques of permaculture. More than just a Finca de Café where you can observe the entire production process, the owners of this coffee farm also grow different species of plants and fruits for environmental sustainability. In the afternoon, you will discover the diversity of Colombia’s natural heritage by visiting the Quindío Botanical Garden. A place gathering many different species of plants from all around the country and hundreds of colorful butterflies.

You will leave the Coffee Region and take the road toward Medellin. The “Paisa City” is one of the most famous cities in Colombia and a point of national pride for its innovative architecture and urbanism. Transfer to your hotel located in the most attractive neighborhood of the “city of everlasting spring”, El Poblado.

You will walk through the busy streets downtown and reach the city´s Plaza Mayor and the Park of Lights, where huge poles enlighten the place during the night. From here, you will enter an area composed of some of the city's most modern buildings and visit the Barefoot Park, a nice and quiet place where people come to relax and wet their feet in a water stream surrounded by bamboo trees. You will then visit Pueblito Paisa, a hill within the city. From this high ground, you will have a 360° view on Medellin.

You will take the road to a small village located 2-hours away from Medellin. On your way, you will make a stop to the Rock of Peñol, a 220-meter-high rock and its 725 stairs. From the top of this gigantic megalith, you can enjoy “the most beautiful view in the world”, a 360° landscape over Lake Guatapé. You will then visit Guatapé where every single building shows different patterns. The owner of each house originally decorated his wall, turning the city into an open-air art gallery.

In the morning, a private transport will take you to the José Maria Cordova Airport of Medellin. You will then board a plane bound for Cartagena, the Jewel of the Caribbean and one of the most essentials place to visit in Colombia. Upon arrival, a second transport will transfer you to your hotel in the walled city.

On your second day in the stunning Cartagena, you will discover the historical and architectural heritage of this centuries old city. Cartagena is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The city was a major hub at the time of the Spanish conquest and many riches left for Europe from its port. In the morning, you will visit the walled city’s landmarks, its churches, colonial official buildings and splendid squares. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit different sites located outside the walls and dating back to the era of piracy.

A day of complete freedom to visit the beautiful Cartagena and around as you wish. This 3-week journey can end here or you can follow us to a few more amazing venues…

From here on, optional extra week in the Caribbean...

Home of the Tayrona ethnicity, you will hike the forest of this hilly park which home to members of the Kogui indigenous tribe, a community descending from the ancient Tayrona ethnicity. You will then spend the rest of the day relaxing on the shores of the Caribbean coast where you will have the chance to swim in a natural pool and discover a coral reef while snorkeling.

During the last days of your trip across Colombia, you will spend time on one of the beaches situated on the coast near the Tayrona Park. You will relax for a few nights in one of the hotels close to the Caribbean Sea before heading back home.

On the last day of you journey, a private transport will pick you up and transfer you to the Santa Marta Simon Bolivar airport. You will board a plane to Bogota where upon arrival you will be able to check your luggage for your international flight. This last step of the tour will mark the end of your trip around Colombia, the country of Magical Realism.