Day 1 to 1 – Arrive Cartagena
Cartagena is one of the most interesting colonial towns on the continent and where the film Romancing the Stone was based. Wander the fascinating narrow streets adorned with wooden balconies and hanging plants. There are several interesting sites to see such as a visit to Castillo San Felipe and the fortress on San Lazaro hill. Beneath this fortress is a maze of tunnels and there are still cannons in place along the battlements. Also worthwhile is a trip up La Popa hill to visit the colourful convent with great views over the city. The Boca Grande area of Cartagena is where Colombians come for their beach holidays and it is full of shops, nightclubs and bars. Near Cartagena is the Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, a mud volcano where you can relax and wallow in the mud, which is believed to be a good treatment for the skin.
Optional Excursions
City tour – US$50 including entrance fees to San Felipe Castle, La Popa and the Gold Museum • Totumo Volcano – US$26 • Chiva party (3 hours), includes drinks on the bus – US$20
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Villa Colonial or similar
Day 2 to 3 – Medellín
Departing Cartagena, we fly to Medellín, where we have the chance to explore the second largest city in Colombia. Famous for its pleasant weather, it earns the nickname “the City of Eternal Spring”. Here we enjoy an orientation tour using local transport including metro and cable-car. Visit The Metropolitan Cathedral in Boliva Park which holds the record for most clay bricks of any building in the world with over 1.1 million.
Included Excursions
Orientation tour using local transport in Medellín
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Natura Express or similar
Meals
2 Breakfast(s)
Day 4 to 4 – Coffee Plantation
Staying the night in a Hacienda we can enjoy a coffee tour where you will receive a comprehensive account of the coffee making process. The itinerary will include learning about the culture, history and varieties of coffee, witnessing the roasting process, flavour experimentaion, a walk through the plantation, and visiting the wet mill where packaging takes place. You can also discover the 100 year history of the estate (Main House) which is a symbol of the typical architecture you can find in this region.
Please note: In some instances depending on group size, some rooms may have to share a bathroom.
Included Excursions
Overnight excursion to a working coffee plantation & guided tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hacienda Venecia or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es),
Day 5 to 6 – Salento
Nestled in the Zona Cafetera region of Colombia, Salento is a coffee addicts heaven. We visit the Cocora Valley by jeep where Colombia’s national symbol is grown, the wax palms. The valley’s beauty is breathtaking, lush and green and you might have time to hike through the hills and enjoy the sights. In the evenings, make sure you try the regions speciality, trucha a fish normally served with rice but cooked many different ways.
Included Excursions
Cocora Valley
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Salento Real or similar
Meals
2 Breakfast(s)
Day 7 to 7 – Bogotá
We fly to Bogotá, formerly called Santa Fe de Bogotá. It is the capital and the largest city of Colombia with a population of seven million. We will be staying in the Candelaria district an excellent location within walking distance of many of the main sights including the main square – Plaza Bolívar, the Cathedral and Simón Bolívar’s house. You may like to take the funicular to Monserrate for the incredible city views, or visit the world famous gold museum.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Casa Platypus or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 8 – Depart Bogotá
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Optional Excursions
Gold Museum – US$2 • Cerro de Monserrat, the cable car to Monserrat for views of the city – US$9 • Botero Museum- Free • Graffiti Tour- Free but donations welcomed
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
What’s Included
Excursions & Activities
- Orientation tour using local transport in Medellín
- Overnight excursion to a working coffee plantation & guided tour
- Cocora Valley
Accommodation
7 night(s) in hotels
Transportation
Travel by 2 flight(s), Public Bus, Private Vehicle, 4WD
Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es),
Other
Travel tour leader
What’s Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions – On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone’s taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask your tour leader.
- Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
