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

Sofitel Victoria Regia Bogota Colombia

Arrive into Bogotá

Arrive in Bogotá and check in to your luxury hotel for the next two nights.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Sofitel Victoria Regia

DAY 2

La Candelaria, Bogota - old colonial city

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

Barichara, Colombia

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.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Hotel Casa Barichara

DAY 4

Guane, Colombia

Visit Guane

Enjoy a half day walking tour of Barichara and in the afternoon, visit the pretty nearby town of Guane.

DAY 5

Cooking class, Barichara, Colombia

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

Horse riding in the Zona Cafetera

Fly to the Coffee Region

Fly to the Coffee Region and transfer to your charming hotel for the next three nights.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Hacienda Bambusa

DAY 7

The Cocora Valley in the Colombian Coffee Region

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

Hot-Air-Balloon-RSZ

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

Patio Central — Hotel Dann Monasterio (Popayan, Colombia)

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.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Hotel Dann Monasterio

DAY 10

Akawanka Lodge, San Agustin, Colombia

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.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Akawanka Lodge

DAY 11

San Agustin Archaelogical Park, Colombia

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

San Agustin Archaelogical Park, Colombia

Visit more archaelogical sites

Enjoy a private tour of the Alto de los Ídolos and the Alta de las Piedras archaeological sites.

DAY 13

Bethel Bio Luxury Hotel, Tatacoa, Colombia

 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.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Bethel Bio-Luxury Hotel

DAY 14

Tatacoa Desert, Colombia

Take in the desert landscapes

Enjoy a half day tour of the surreal desert landscapes with your local guide.

DAY 15

Exterior view of the Sofitel Santa Clara

Fly to Cartagena

Today you will fly to Cartagena on Colombia’s northern Caribbean Coast for the next three nights.

Pin Suggested accommodation – Sofitel Santa Clara

DAY 16

Cartagena, Colombia

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

Cartagena Fruit sellers, Colombia

Free time in the coastal city

Day at leisure to explore Cartagena independently.

DAY 18

Cayena Beach Villa, Colombia

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.

Pin 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

Beautiful beaches in Santa Marta / Tayrona

Free time to relax

Day at leisure to relax by the ocean.

DAY 21

Aeroplane home

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.

BOOK THIS TRIP

FEATURED HOTELS

Sofitel Victoria Regia Bogota Colombia

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.

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hacienda bambusa

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.

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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.

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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.

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Sofitel Cartagena Columbia

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.

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Cayena Beach Villa, Colombia

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.

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