Discover Colombia

Tailor made tours

SUMMARY

15 Days

Colombia

With all the charm of Latin America, Colombia is one of the last frontiers for travel on this continent. Now open for wayfaring escapades, it has something and somewhere for everyone. Trek snow-capped peaks, seek wild adventures and hike remote trails. Explore dense rainforests, unspoiled coastlines, and vast plains. Uncover ancient civilisations, lost cities, and archaeological ruins. Laze on soft golden beaches, snorkel over colourful reefs and dive with abundant aquatic life. Watch exotic fauna and appreciate flora, as well as life itself. Wander cobbled streetscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and famous museums. Connect with local folk, listen to their stories, and embrace their lifestyles. Learn about their fascinating history and vibrant culture. Dance to syncretic rhythms. And, of course, indulge in amazing food and drink!

So, from this rich palette of Colombia, here’s our suggested Discover Colombia tour of essential highlights. Start high up in the Andes with Colombia’s frenetic capital and beating heart – Bogotá, an eclectic mix of contrasts. Here, the past and present come together in a profusion of modern reflections and colonial colours. Here, shopping malls compete with flea markets, and fine museums blend into pulsating neighbourhoods. Visit historic La Candelaria, the most beautiful district. Then, stroll through the coffee plantations, haciendas, and villages of the Coffee Triangle. Then, Arrr, matey … it’s off to loot the walled fortress of Cartagena! This fairy-tale city exudes romance, pirate legends, and sheer beauty. Later, Santa Marta offers old-town magic amid a coastal jungle nestled between dappled waters and soaring mountains.

Our Latin American experts created the Discover Colombia tour to inspire you. With Contours Travel, you can alter this itinerary to suit your timeframe and budget. Additionally, you can change any location, excursion, or accommodation to suit your interest.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore Bogota, the capital and largest city in Colombia.
Streets paved in stone, and white walls greet travellers arriving in Villa de Leyva, a Boyaca town part of the Colombian National Network Of Heritage Towns.
In 2000, Fernando Botero donated an art collection of 208 pieces to Banco de la República. One hundred twenty-three were his artwork, and 85 were from his private collection of renowned international artists.
The predominant colours in Bogota are the green of the city’s many parks and the eastern mountains overlooking the sanctuaries of Monserrate and Guadalupe and the vibrant red of its many brick buildings.
Cartagena de Indias exhibits all the charm of its history and the legacy of its ancestors, ensuring its greatness and turning it into one of the country’s most important tourism destinations.
The historic centre enclosed by Cartagena’s walls is the city’s soul that inspired Gabriel García Márquez, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.
Visit the local coffee farms in the Triangle of Coffee region.
Climb up Piedra del Peñol, a giant granite rock southwest of town, with sweeping views.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Bogota

Welcome to Bogota! On arrival at the airport, you will be met by one of our local representatives and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 Bogota

After breakfast, you will visit the famous historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. You will see Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogota surrounded by the Cathedral, Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice, and the City Hall.
You will also visit the 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. End with a cable car ride! You will see all of Bogota.

Day 3 Bogota/Villa de Leyva

Depart Bogota, travelling north to Zipaquira, where we visit the famous and unique underground Salt Cathedral. Travel through the Bogota Savannah, and as you travel by, glance at the many flower crops along the way. Flower production is an important industry for the hundreds of people in the region. Arrive at the pretty colonial village of Villa de Leyva, where you will stay overnight.

Day 4 Villa de Leyva/Bogota

On the way back to Bogota we’ll visit the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, founded in 1620. Afternoon at leisure in Bogota.

Day 5 Bogota/Armenia

Fly to Pereira and transfer to your traditional hacienda accommodation. Enjoy an afternoon tour of a coffee plantation.

Day 6 Armenia

City tour of Filandia. Continue to Cocora Valley Natural Reserve for trekking or horseback riding amongst the iconic Quindio wax palm, Colombia’s national tree. After lunch, transfer to Salento, the oldest town in the region, and visit a traditional handcraft factory.

Day 7 Armenia

Today, you will have the chance to visit the Jardin Botánico del Quindío, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in South America. The trip starts in an enchanting natural forest of 13 hectares, where there is a vast diversity of flora on display, including more than 600 species of plants, more than 70 species of birds, and more than 2000 species of butterflies.

Day 8 Armenia/Medellin

Fly to Medellin and transfer to your hotel. Once synonymous with crime and cartels, Medellin has rapidly transformed and is now one of Colombia’s most liveable cities.

Day 9 Medellin

Depart with your guide on a half-day tour showcasing Medellin’s social transformation. Visit Poblado, where Pablo Escobar once lived, and see the dramatic changes that saw Medellin dubbed the most innovative city in the world in 2013.

Day 10 Medellin

Full-day tour to the picturesque town of Guatape, where the houses are intricately painted in pretty designs. You’ll also visit the enormous El Peñol rock, considered part of a meteorite due to its size. Climb to the top for stunning views over the human-made Guatape Lake.

Day 11 Medellin/Cartagena

Fly to Cartagena and transfer to your hotel in the old city. This afternoon discover this beautiful city on foot! Half-day visit to the city’s colonial district, starting in Bolivar Park, shaded by large trees and with four fountains. The park has a statue of the great Liberator at the centre. Around the square is the Gold Museum, which exhibits a fine collection of archaeological objects dating back to the pre-hispanic period, and the Inquisition Palace, recognised for its large baroque-style door.

Day 12 Cartagena

Day at leisure to relax and explore. Consider an optional excursion to the Rosario Islands or a visit to the markets with a local chef to learn about the astonishing variety of local produce and sample some of Colombia’s exotic fruits.

Day 13 Cartagena

You have another day at leisure, so you can consider a day trip. San Basilio de Palenque is a community of the descendants of fugitive and escaped enslaved people from the colonial period of the XVII century, which has survived intact in San Basilio with their practices, customs, and traditions.

Day 14 Cartagena/Santa Marta

Travel overland to Santa Marta and enjoy an afternoon tour of the historic centre, including the imposing Cathedral and the nearby Bay of Taganga.

Day 15 Santa Marta

Today, you will have a full-day tour of the spectacular Tayrona National Park. This park is at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and has dreamlike white sandy beaches lapped by turquoise blue waters, coral reefs, densely rich jungle, and mangroves. Take a gentle hike through the forest, and you’ll have time to swim before returning to your hotel.