Classical Colombia

Day 1 BOGOTA

Upon arrival in Bogota, transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Day 2 BOGOTA (B)

Get to know Bogota’s most famous food market. In the heart of the city you will find in the early morning a beautiful flower market. Enter the marketplace and smell the aromas, surprise yourself with the different kind of fruits, vegetables, herbs, fish, seafood, chicken and meat. Take a break at one of the simple but delicious food stands and try one of the typical meals of the region. Visit La Candelaria which is a historic neighbourhood in downtown Bogotá. It is the equivalent to the Old City in other cities. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. Walk across the main square Simon Bolivar, along the governments buildings and reach the famous Gold Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold art. Visit also the Fernando Botero Museum, the well-known Colombian painter and sculptor.

Your afternoon is at your disposal.

Day 3 BOGOTA (B)

Drive from Bogota via the fertile plateau to Zipaquirá. You visit the famous underground salt cathedral, 120 m (394 ft) long and more than 8.500 square metres. First there is the light of day, then darkness. Little by little, a multi-coloured phosphorescent light appears and illuminates the walls of the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, a monumental architectural masterpiece built by the miners’ own hands. Inside you find monumental crosses, angels and the Madonna statue. In addition to the main cathedral, there are small chapels and Stations of the Cross; its 14 stations are interconnected through labyrinthine tunnels. Go on to a little village for a stop on the main square. Drive up to over 3.000 m (9.840 ft) to the entrance of the legendary lagoon of Guatavita. From here, you walk for half and hour to the lagoon. According to the legend, every young ruler of the Muisca (a Chibcha tribe) brought a sacrifice to the sun god of the lagoon. The naked body of the prince was coated with a paste made of gold dust. The prince went on a raft in the middle of the lake and jumped in the water where the gold dust dropped into the lake together with emeralds and gold which were given to the priest. The gold is located today in the Gold Museum. From here you drive into the mountains, on an unpaved road, until you reach the house of local farmers where you have lunch and a chat with the family. You can walk around and experience the life of a farmer. In the afternoon take the road again back to Bogotá, on the way stop to taste typical arepas (corn bread).

Day 4 BOGOTA – ARMENIA (B)

Take your internal flight via Bogota to Armenia (not included). Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

In the afternoon get an experiential immersion into the world of coffee. Through seven stations one has to pass, smelling, feeling, trying and plucking the beans, learning about the drying and roasting. An accompanying specialist in coffee meanwhile will provide all the necessary information. At the end a personally mixed coffee is waiting for you.

Day 5 COFFEE TRIANGLE (B)

Today you will drive through the enchanting scenery of the coffee area in the Cocora Valley.

After lunch (not included), visit Salento, an idyllic village with its typical architecture. Finally, you go to Filandia. This place is situated on a hill and with its view point offers magnificent views of the Cordillera. On a clear day you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Nevados National Park in the distance.

Day 6 ARMENIA – CARTAGENA (B)

Transfer to Armenia Airport to board your flights to Cartagena through Bogota (not included). Reception at the airport of Cartagena and transfer to your hotel. At leisure.

Day 7 CARTAGENA (B)

Today you get to know Cartagena. First to the monastery of La Popa, which is situated on the highest mountain in the city. You also enjoy a magnificent view over the town as well as the bay. Next you will drive for a photo – stop to Fort San Felipe, whose mighty fortress dominates the city’s image. From there continue into the colonial old town of Cartagena. You take a stroll through the city and its magnificent see mansions, narrow alleys and churches. Finally, you will visit the Jesuit church and its monastery of San Pedro Claver.

Day 8 CARTAGENA (B)

Transfer to Cartagena airport and return flight to Bogota to connect your international flights.

Food Code = (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner.

LHSTBOG002 *Please note, prices based on twin share, per person, low season, 3 star rates. Optional tours not included and are at extra cost. The itinerary & pricing can change at any time due to availability & of activities. Please check our website for full terms and conditions*

More information about Colombia:

Colombia – coffee and culture, a diverse country – the green hills of the Andean foothills, the Caribbean coastal lowlands with their bordering mountains, the Pacific with its lava beaches and the regions of the Amazon and Orinoco.

More information about your tour visited destinations:

Bogotá – The Colombian Capital was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo de Quesada Jiménez under the name of Santa Fe. Here you see both the dilapidated colonial grandeur, and the seething vitality of a modern metropolis. The constant air, fresh morning, warm noon and cool evening makes you forget the fact that there are no seasons. In addition to the vast southern slums ancient buildings are located in quiet, old districts.

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. For a long time Cartagena was the hub of goods and also slaves. In 1822, Cartagena became independent. Today Cartagena’s old town is a historic gem, outside the old town, the modern age has developed. Upstream island chains and beaches around the city make it a popular tourist destination.

Visa requirements for Colombia:

Australian citizens are not required to hold a visa for a stay of up to 180 days.

Note(s): Visitors travelling as tourists are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination. If the visitors, travelling as a tourist, are not holding return / onward tickets, the entry to the country could be refused.

San Andres: Any visitor over 6 years of age travelling to San Andres Island is required to purchase a tourist card – Fee: USD 25.00*

*Fees can change without prior notice.

For more information about Colombia contact your local embassy / consulate.