DAY 1: BOGOTÁ
Arrive at El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá. Met and greeted by tour guide and transferred to the selected hotel for checking-in.
Bogotá is a modern fast-growing city and one of Latin America's urban highlights with a thriving nightlife, dining and al fresco café and bar culture; yet none of the traditions are lost from its graceful churches, excellent museums to its plazas and urban parks.
DAY 2: CITY TOUR – ZIPAQUIRÁ + LUNCH
Breakfast and transfer to the well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. There will be an opportunity for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogotá. The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall are located here.
After, visit the famous and 'must see' Gold Museum where the world's greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold crafts is displayed. Next visit the FERNANDO BOTERO Museum which contains paintings and sculptures by this famous contemporary Colombian artist.
Later, driven through the northern residential area of the city and through the fertile plateau to the small colonial town of Cajicá, where there's a short stop at the main plaza. Lunch included. After a hearty lunch the tour continues to the town of Zipaquirá famous for its underground salt cathedral. Experience the sights extraordinary architecture where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. Though a popular tourist destination, it is still a place of pilgrimage for the local community.
Arrive at El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá. Met and greeted by tour guide and transferred to the selected hotel for checking-in.
Bogotá is a modern fast-growing city and one of Latin America's urban highlights with a thriving nightlife, dining and al fresco café and bar culture; yet none of the traditions are lost from its graceful churches, excellent museums to its plazas and urban parks.
DAY 3: CITY TOUR – ZIPAQUIRÁ + LUNCH
Breakfast and transfer to the well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. There will be an opportunity for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogotá. The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall are located here.
After, visit the famous and 'must see' Gold Museum where the world's greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold crafts is displayed. Next visit the FERNANDO BOTERO Museum which contains paintings and sculptures by this famous contemporary Colombian artist.
Later, driven through the northern residential area of the city and through the fertile plateau to the small colonial town of Cajicá, where there's a short stop at the main plaza. Lunch included. After a hearty lunch the tour continues to the town of Zipaquirá famous for its underground salt cathedral. Experience the sights extraordinary architecture where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. Though a popular tourist destination, it is still a place of pilgrimage for the local community.
Return and overnight in Bogotá.
DAY 4: BOGOTÁ – PEREIRA / HACIENDA VENECIA/ COFFEE TASTING
Breakfast and transfer to El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá to take the flight to Pereira. Arrival in Pereira, meet the guide and transfer to HACIENDA SAN JOSÉ. Overnight.
Pereira is located in a small valley under the shadow of the Andes; Pereira is the capital city of the department of Risaralda. Its prime location in the heart of the coffee gold triangle presents an opportunity to explore the lush coffee plantations of the region.
In the afternoon, transport to HACIENDA VENECIA, (lunch included). The farm is surrounded by abundant coffee plantations where the procedure of coffee culture and why the area is such a magnet for the connoisseur of this rich drink are explained. There is also a coffee tasting session included in the tour to savour the aromatic smooth coffee of the region. Return to the hacienda and overnight in Pereira.
DAY 5: SALENTO & COCORA NATIONAL PARK - BOTANICAL GARDEN/BUTTERFLY PARK
Breakfast and full day tour, first to the town of Salento, one of many typical 'Paisa' towns in the Coffee Region where some of the best examples of bahareque architecture in the area can be found. Observe Antioquian life and their environment. Continue on to the COCORA National park. This is where the protected national tree of Colombia, the wax palm, and the tallest palm in the world can be seen. Continue to the Botanical Garden and Butterfly Park to see the abundance of flora and fauna especially the variety of hummingbirds and species of butterflies. Overnight in Pereira.
DAY 6: PEREIRA – CARTAGENA
Breakfast and early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cartagena. Met and greeted by the guide and transfer to the selected hotel.
Cartagena is truly a highlight of Colombia. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site the city has a wealth of character that will capture any traveller's senses, from its well preserved colonial architecture, romantic atmosphere, vibrant flora, balmy temperature, excellent cuisine and amazing sunsets over the Caribbean to its warm and inviting people. It was this alluring setting that fueled the imaginative powers of Gabriel García Márquez to write 'Love in a time of Cholera.
An afternoon tour to the most important monuments of the city will follow lunch. Firstly driven to the Convent of La Popa built at the beginning of the 17th century on the hill of the same name. From there a magnificent view of the city and the bay can be seen. The tour will then continue on to San Felipe's Fort, built in the 17th century to protect the city from marauding invaders. After a tour looking at the construction of this impregnable fortress, there will be a stroll to the walled colonial city and stop at the colourful handicraft stores of Las Bóvedas where the local artisans display their ware. From there, transported to the Convent of San Pedro Claver, named in honour of the Spanish born monk who was known as the 'Apostles of Blacks'. The tree filled courtyard of the convent houses religious and pre-Columbian artefacts.
Return and overnight in Bogotá.
DAY 7: CARTAGENA - ROSARIO ISLANDS - CARTAGENA
Breakfast and morning transfer to the tourist pier and departure by motorboat to the beautiful Islas del Rosario archipelago, located an hour and a half south of the Bay of Cartagena. These islands have been declared a National Natural Park as it has one of the most important coral reefs of the Caribbean Colombian coast. Populated with a great variety of reef fauna; white sandy beaches and beautiful crystal clear waters all harmonise to make this impressive scenery. There will be opportunity to swim or snorkel, or laze in a hammock and let the imagination drift as one soaks in the heady atmosphere of this sensual city.
Lunch included, return and overnight in Cartagena.
DAY 8: CARTAGENA - BOGOTÁ
Breakfast, and at the appropriate time, transfer to airport for flight to Bogotá and connection to next destination.
