Colombia In Depth
Going beyond the must-see destinations of Bogotá, the Coffee Triangle and Cartagena, Colombia In Depth introduces travellers to the country’s hidden pre-Hispanic and colonial past.
Featuring all of Colombia’s highlights combined with a tour of the attractions of the forgotten south and the charming colonial streets of Barichara, this three-week in-depth journey will capture the imagination of culture and nature lovers alike. Beginning with a stay in the capital of Bogotá, you will then move on to Barichara, a dusty town in the Santander department which is widely described as Colombia’s most beautiful traditional town. Following two days of cultural exploration in the mountains of Santander, you will fly to the Coffee Region and enjoy a hot air balloon flight over this UNESCO protected landscape. Venturing further south, you’ll step off the beaten track and explore the pre-Hispanic ruins of San Agustín and the arid plains of the Tatacoa Desert. Finishing with a little seaside relaxation, your trip concludes in Cartagena and Santa Marta where the verdant vegetation of the Tayrona National Park and the Caribbean Sea breezes make for the perfect retreat.
Trip highlights
2 nights in Bogotá at the Sofitel Victoria Regia with a full day tour of the capital.
3 nights in the charming town of Barichara with two full days of local activities.
3 nights in the Coffee Region at Hacienda Bambusa with a full day tour of the local attractions.
1 night in Popoyán at the Hotel Dann Monasterio with a tour of the historic city centre.
3 nights in San Agustín at Akawanka Lodge with two full days of historical tours.
2 nights in the Tatacoa Desert at the Bethel Bio-Luxury Hotel with a desert tour and stargazing.
3 nights in Cartagena at the Sofitel Santa Clara with a private your of the city.
3 nights in Santa Marta at Cayena Beach Villa with a private tour of the Tayrona National Park.
Map of your holiday
Day by Day itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive into Bogotá
Arrive in Bogotá and check in to your luxury hotel for the next two nights.
Suggested accommodation – Sofitel Victoria Regia
DAY 2
Explore the capital city
Enjoy a private full day tour of Bogotá, exploring the city markets, colonial La Candelaria neighbourhood and the fantastic Gold Museum.
DAY 3
Travel to Barichara
Today you will fly to Bucaramanga and transfer to the quaint little town of Barichara, often described as the most beautiful in all of Colombia.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel Casa Barichara
DAY 4
Visit Guane
Enjoy a half day walking tour of Barichara and in the afternoon, visit the pretty nearby town of Guane.
DAY 5
Experience a cooking class and a ceramics workshop
Today you can get under the skin of this traditional region and enjoy a cooking class with a local chef, learning how to prepare delicious Colombian specialities. Later in the day, you will visit a ceramics workshop to try your hand at imitating the local handicrafts.
DAY 6
Fly to the Coffee Region
Fly to the Coffee Region and transfer to your charming hotel for the next three nights.
Suggested accommodation – Hacienda Bambusa
DAY 7
Explore Filandia, Salento and the Cocora Valley
Explore the highlights of the Coffee Region with your local guide. You will visit the rural towns of Filandia and Salento, where the buildings are constructed in a traditional style before enjoying an afternoon trek through the green hills of the Cocora Valley.
DAY 8
Take a hot air balloon over the Coffee Region
For a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experience, this morning you will enjoy a hot air balloon flight over the patchwork farms of the UNESCO-protected Coffee Cultural Landscape.
DAY 9
Travel to Popayán
Leaving the Coffee Region behind, you will transfer through stunning scenery to Popayán and enjoy a tour of the historic city centre before checking into your hotel for the night.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel Dann Monasterio
DAY 10
Continue your journey to San Agustín
The next day you will continue on to San Agustín, one of the most important pre-Hispanic archaeological sites in Colombia. You will spend the next three nights here.
Suggested accommodation – Akawanka Lodge
DAY 11
Discover the historical surroundings of San Agustín
Today you will enjoy a private tour of the San Agustín archaeological park, the Obando tombs and the Magdelena Strait.
DAY 12
Visit more archaelogical sites
Enjoy a private tour of the Alto de los Ídolos and the Alta de las Piedras archaeological sites.
DAY 13
Drive to Tatacoa Desert
This morning you will transfer to your hotel for the next two nights in amongst the lunar landscapes of the Tatacoa Desert. Upon arrival at your hotel, you’ll enjoy a stargazing activity under the region’s crystal-clear skies.
Suggested accommodation – Bethel Bio-Luxury Hotel
DAY 14
Take in the desert landscapes
Enjoy a half day tour of the surreal desert landscapes with your local guide.
DAY 15
Fly to Cartagena
Today you will fly to Cartagena on Colombia’s northern Caribbean Coast for the next three nights.
Suggested accommodation – Sofitel Santa Clara
DAY 16
Wander around Cartagena
Explore the highlights of the walled city with your expert local guide. Soak up the history of each colonial cobblestoned street and make the most of Cartagena’s photogenic buildings.
DAY 17
Free time in the coastal city
Day at leisure to explore Cartagena independently.
DAY 18
Transfer to Santa Marta
Today you will transfer along the coast to the region of Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Park where you will spend the final three nights of your trip relaxing by the sea.
Suggested accommodation – Cayena Beach Villa
DAY 19
Explore the trails of the Tayrona National Park
Enjoy a full day tour of the lush green nature trails of the Tayrona National Park with your naturalist guide.
DAY 20
Free time to relax
Day at leisure to relax by the ocean.
DAY 21
Fly home
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
The price for this itinerary is GBP £7,620. (US Dollar pricing also available)
This is a per person price, based on 2 people travelling and sharing a room.
What’s included
20 nights in luxury accommodation as listed above
Private transfers and tours with an English speaking guide and driver
All internal flights in economy class seating
What’s not included
International flights (discuss your specific requirements with us)
Travel insurance
Any visas you may require
This is a guide price. Please enquire and we will provide a full personalised quote for you. All our itineraries are tailor-made to your own requirements so can be modified however you wish.
FEATURED HOTELS
Sofitel Victoria Regia
A delicate mix of contemporary and classic design, this 5-star hotel offers guests an exceptional stay in the heart of Bogota.
Hacienda Bambusa
This traditional hacienda, boast a stunning location in a sweeping valley, is an unspoilt paradise. Hidden away in the southern coffee region, Hacienda Bambusa is accessible only via narrow winding roads, bordered by verdant hillsides and fields of pineapple, manioc and bamboo.
Akawanka Lodge
This charming traditional hotel with just 24 rooms is in an excellent location for exploring the sights of the National Park and surrounding area.
Bethel Bio Luxury Hotel
Made from recycled materials on the base of a 100-year-old building, this unique boutique hotel is in an excellent location for exploring the nearby Tatacoa desert.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Vintage meets contemporary, the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel is a luxurious combination of age-old tradition, local hospitality and French luxury in a 17th-century convent.
Cayena Beach Villa
Hidden among the lush green trees of the Caribbean coastline, and just metres away from a idyllic beach, Cayena Beach Villa is the perfect property for sheer relaxation.