Colombia is quickly emerging as one of South America's most visited countries, and our small group peels back its fascinating layers. From cultured Bogotá to the rural setting of Pereira to Caribbean Cartagena, it's an intensely diverse and breathtaking land. Richly textured colonial towns lend a historic accent to cities rich in arts and culture. Inland, coffee farmers harvest some of the world's finest beans. Seaside, a briny seafaring culture thrives. Along the way, soaring Andean hills provide the backdrop while warm-hearted Colombians play gracious hosts.
Package Includes:
- Round trip international flights Miami-Bogotá, Cartagena-Miami. Other departure cities available
- Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- Intra-flights
- 6 nights First Class accommodations
- 2 nights Bogotá
- 2 nights Pereira
- 2 nights Cartagena
- All transfers
- 15 meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners (including a lunch with local fishermen)
- Water, coffee and tea with all meals. Beer and wine included with dinner
- Services of an English-speaking Tour Manager throughout
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees per the itinerary
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
Tour Highlights:
- Delve into Colombian cuisine at the Palo Quemao food market and a cooking class at a historic colonial house.
- Cheer on a game of Tejo, a disc-throwing competition and Colombia's national pastime.
- Sample the nuances of the country's famed coffee bean during a private tour
- Tour the tranquil Botanical and Butterfly Gardens at Quindio
- Learn about Colombia's most famous author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, during an exclusive talk.
- Visit a local children's foundation in the quaint fishing town of La Boquilla.
- Savor the bounty of the Caribbean during lunch on the beach with local fishermen.
Extend Your Trip!
For only $300 more, upgrade to the 9 day Colombia at the time of booking.
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DAY 1, Saturday - Depart the USA/Arrive in Bogotá
Depart the USA for Bogotá, Colombia. This evening, arrive in the Colombian capital, known as the "Athens of South America" for its many libraries and universities. We transfer to the Hotel de la Opera, comprised of two 19th-century houses where the bodyguards of Simon Bolivar - the famed liberator of Colombia - stayed while protecting their presidente. Bolivar ruled in the early 1800s from the Palacio de San Carlos, the ornate marble building a few doors away
Overnight: Hotel de la Opera, Bogota
Meals: Light Dinner
DAY 2, Sunday - Enjoy a Day of Bogotá Culture
We pay a morning visit to the Palo Quemao market. Our Tour Manager, an expert in Colombian food, offers insight into this delicious and often overlooked cuisine. Hot tamales are a favorite staple here, stuffed with chicken and corn and wrapped in a banana leaf. You may also have the chance to sip freshly pressed Amazonian fruit juice. Later, explore the cobblestone historic streets of La Candelaria, many of its houses adorned with bright patterns and vivid colors. La Candelaria Cathedral, for which the district is named, is also worth a visit. For lunch, we stop at a restored colonial house for a fun cooking lesson, where we're sure to see some of the ingredients from the morning market put to delicious use. Naturally, we'll savor the results. Then, spend the afternoon browsing the flea market - a bustle of local vendors selling locally made clothing and crafts. We end our afternoon at a Tejo tournament, a disc-throwing competition of pre-Columbian origin, second only to soccer in popularity. Dinner tonight is in Usaquen, enjoy a typical restaurant where you might try ajiaco soup and other local specialties
Overnight: Hotel de la Opera, Bogota
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3, Monday - Fly to Pereira/Enjoy Coffee Tasting, Botanical Gardens
This morning, fly to Pereira. As part of the Colombian Coffee-Growers' Axis, Pereira is considered by many to produce the best coffee in the world. You can be the judge as we will sample some for ourselves during a visit to a coffee hacienda, as we also learn the details of the harvesting process and traditional coffee selection. After lunch, we head to Quindio, where the main attraction is the Botanical and Butterfly Gardens. These gardens are home to 15,000 species of flora and 450 species of insects native to the region. We'll have time to stroll its pathways and see some typical plants from local green trails and the Andean forest zone
Overnight: Hacienda San Jose, Pereira
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Tuesday - Explore Colombia's Countryside: Salento & Valle Cocora
We spend today amidst Colombia's beautiful countryside enjoying the region's authentic charms and unspoiled farmlands. We begin our exploration in the rural enclave of Salento, the first settlement founded in this fertile region. There was a time when this rural town lay on a main travel route to Bogotá; after that route was diverted, Salento became isolated and has therefore been able to retain its character and typical bahareque architecture. We'll take some time to stroll the Calle Real (the Royal Road) to sample its simple beauty and peaceful ambiance. We continue into the lovely Valle del Cocora, part of the Los Nevados National Park. We'll see a wide variety of plant life here, most notably the Quindio wax palm, recognized by its tall bare trunk crowned by a fan of palm fronds. This is Colombia's national tree, and the park was created in 1985 as a wildlife sanctuary to protect it
Overnight: Hacienda San Jose, Pereira
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Wednesday - Fly to Cartagena/Visit La Popa and El Fuerte/Attend Talk on Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Fly to Cartagena this morning. Its walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its finely preserved colonial architecture. Its Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is said to be the greatest fortress ever built by Spaniards on colonial soil. Our hotel rests on the Plaza de los Coches near the entrance to the old town. Outside your door, colorful calles lead to the Plaza de Bolivar. Today, we'll ascend hilltop La Popa, from where the 17th-century La Candelaria Monasterio overlooks the city and its bay. There will be time to browse this lovely church and its restored courtyard. We also stop at the nearby 16th-century Fuerte, an imposing rock fortress. Its turrets, cannons, and watch towers comprised the first security post that protected the old town from invasion by sea. Later, we learn about the "magical realism" of one of Colombia's most famous writers, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He put his country on the literary map with his brilliant novels, 100 Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera among them
Overnight: Hotel Urban Royal Puerta del Reloj, Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Thursday - Enjoy La Boquilla Fishing Village and Beach Lunch with Fishermen
We begin our day with a drive to La Boquilla, where pescadores haul in the day's catch for market. While here, we stop at a local children's foundation to witness how the Cartageneros help improve the lives of local youth. For lunch, we join a hearty group of fishermen who still make their living from the sea. The beach is our dining room, and the freshly caught fish is on the menu. It's the perfect chance to chat with locals and learn how life in Colombia has improved over the last several years. This evening, on a terrace overlooking the stunning Cartagena Bay, we enjoy a special farewell dinner - and toast this remarkable country
Overnight: Hotel Urban Royal Puerta del Reloj, Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Friday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
| 2013 Dates & Prices | LivingSocial Price |
| May 10 | $2199* |
| May 24 | $1999* |
| Jun 21, Sep 13, Sep 27 | $2199* |
| Oct 11 | $1999* |
| Nov 8, Dec 6 | $2199* |
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*Not Included:
Prices do not include optional tours, India visa fees, Nepal visa fees and gratuities for guides/tour managers.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfer, but does include flights Bogota-Pereira and Pereira-Cartagena.
Entry Requirements:
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.