In Summary
Why this trip ?
This tour allows you to discover all that makes up the richness of a country. Its heritage, visit archaeological sites in the middle of an exceptional natural landscape. An immersion in an unreal world located in the heart of a luxuriant nature. Learn about Afro-Caribbean history and culture in Cartagena and thrill your taste buds with typical lunches and a cooking workshop around cocoa.
*Domestic flights not included, count 80-100 euros per flight/person. (This tour includes 2 domestic flights)
Your Itinerary
- Day1 : Welcome to Colombia
- Day2 : Walking tour Bogota
- Day3 : Bogota – Neiva – Tatacoa desert
- Day4 : Neiva – Tierradentro
- Day5 : Hiking to Aguacate and museum
- Day6 : San Agustin Archaeological Park
- Day7 : Tour in the Isnos region
- Day8 : Popayan
- Day9 : Purace Natural National Park
- Day10 : Cali
- Day11 : Walking tour Cartagena
- Day12 : Palenque or history of slavery
- Day13 : Gastronomic discovery
- Day14 : End of the adventure
Popayán
Considered the religious capital of Colombia, the city of Popayan has the largest number of churches per capita, built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located in the…
Tatacoa Desert
The Tatacoa Desert is located in the North of the Huila department. It is the second most arid area in Colombia.The region has a lot of erosion and dry canyons….
Bogotá
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is located in the department of Cundinamarca, right in the center of the country, at an altitude of 2600m. It extends through a mountain range…
San Agustin
San Agustin is a very welcoming traditional village right in the middle of the great Andes, South Colombia. The biggest archaeological zone of the country can be found there, with…
Tierradentro
Located in the heart of the Andes, 6 hours from Popayan, Tierradentro is a sacred place where the descendants of the indigenous Paeces people survive. This region is located at…
Cali
Cali is the capital city of the Cauca Valley (the Cauca is the second largest river in the country), on the west bank of the river. This town lies at…
At glance
Highlights of this Trip
1
The Archaeological Park of Tierradentro, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major site composed of numerous hypogeums.
2
San Agustín, the archaeological capital of Colombia.
3
Popayán, known as the white city and religious capital of Colombia, classified as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Day by day
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Colombia
Arrival at the airport of Bogota, the Andean capital, and transport to your hotel.
Day 2
Walking tour Bogota
Let’s discover the centre of Bogotá as the “rolos” (nickname of the inhabitants of Bogotá). The walking tour of the capital takes us to the most authentic and historical places of the city.
La Candelaria, the historical centre of the city, is a charming place with its brightly coloured houses, carved wooden balconies and flowery patios.
Day 3
Bogota – Neiva – Tatacoa desert
Private transport from your hotel to Bogota airport. Flight and transfer to Neiva.
Located 35 km from the city of Neiva, the village of Villavieja is the gateway to the Tatacoa Desert. This desert, which is actually a dry tropical forest, consists of magnificent candelabra cacti and sandy formations of different colors. The natural scenery in this place is truly stunning. During this excursion, you will explore El Cuzco (red desert) and Los Hoyos (white desert) where you can swim in a spring-fed pool, a nice refreshing break! Let yourself be amazed by the second largest desert in Colombia and one of the most attractive natural settings in the country. In the evening, you will go to the astronomical observatory. A desert is an ideal place for stargazing, close to the equator, and away from any visual pollution.
Day 4
Neiva – Tierradentro
Private transport from Neiva to Tierradentro.
A few kilometres before reaching Inza, a short walk of about 20 minutes begins to reach the site of the pyramid. After enjoying the spectacular view of the Tierradentro area, we can also venture into the tunnels dug under this large rock formation if we wish. Return to Tierradentro.
Day 5
Hiking to Aguacate and museum
Accompanied by our local guide, we leave the village of San Andrés de Pisimbalá for a beautiful hike that takes us to the summit of the Aguacate. We then follow a ridge dotted with hypogea. Our efforts on the way up will be amply rewarded by an incredible panorama of the whole region. We descend on a fairly steep path to the Tierradendro park facilities.
Accompanied by our guide, we begin this excursion by visiting the archaeological museum and then the ethnographic museum. We then climb up to the Alto de Segovia and Alto del Duende, where there are numerous hypogeums. We then reach the Tablón site, decorated with statues with human representations. We descend to our hotel.
Day 6
San Agustin Archaeological Park
Depart from the hotel accompanied by our local guide to visit the San Agustín Archaeological Park, a major UNESCO World Heritage site. We start with a visit to the archaeological museum followed by a walk through the park to discover the gigantic statues and sacred tombs, amidst the forest and tropical flowers. Visit to Mesitas A, B, C, the ceremonial source of Lavapatas, the Alto de Lavapatas and finally the Bosque de las Estatuas.
Day 7
Tour in the Isnos region
Morning departure for San José de Isnos to see the salto de mortiño, a waterfall about 170 meters high. We continue our route through the sugar cane fields and visit a trapiche (depending on the activity of the day of the visit), a place where the panela (cane sugar) is handcrafted. We head for the Alto de las Piedras Park to observe statues and funerary monuments. After lunch, back to San Agustin, we visit the Obando Museum before heading to the “Estrecho” of the Magdalena River. Walk to the Pelota site to observe the last colourful statues of San Agustín. Then visit La Chaquira, a magical place with a surprising view of the canyon of the Magdalena River.
Day 8
Popayan
Accompanied by our local guide, we set off on foot to discover the town of Popayán. This guided tour is an opportunity for us to discover the historical centre of Popayan and to visit the monuments, churches and museums.
Day 9
Purace Natural National Park
In the morning, depart by car with our local guide for a day-trip to the Puracé National Natural Park. Once we reach the village of Puracé, we will visit sites such as the San Juan thermal waters and its surprising colored sulfurous waters, the waterfall of the Bedón River, Laguna San Rafael, San Nicolas waterfall, and the Piedra del Condor that we may have the chance to spot. Return to Popayan in the late afternoon.
Day 10
Cali
Private transport from Popayan to Cali, with a stop in Silvia.
Today we discover Cali in private transportation. A visit to the Cristo Rey will give us the opportunity to enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the city. During the tour, we also visit the traditional neighborhoods of San Antonio, El Peñón, the Gato de Tajada’s Park, the Modern Art Museum La Tertulia, the archaeological Museum La Merced, the River’s Boulevard, La Ermita Cathedral, the Poets’ Park, the Caycedo Square, the San Francisco’s Church, and the Municipal Theater Enrique Buenaventura.
Day 11
Walking tour Cartagena
Transfer and flight to Cartagena.
We will then follow in the footsteps of the famous pirates and let us be surprised by the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, a city with a mixed and exotic heritage whose cultural richness can only surprise us. This excursion along the streets of the beautiful city of Cartagena takes us back to colonial times, with its colourful houses and lively parks. It is therefore an opportunity, during this walk, to go back in time and relive some of the highlights of the history of the city, the second Spanish stronghold established on the South American continent. Cartagena has suffered repeated attacks from pirates, the most famous of whom was Captain Francis Drake! We discover its beauty and witness to times gone by.
Day 12
Palenque or history of slavery
San Basilio of Palenque, 55 kilometers inland from Cartagena, was one of the first villages on the continent to achieve freedom and the birthplace of renowned boxers like Antonio Cervantes “Kid Pambelé.”
During this visit, we will be immersed in local customs and discover life during the era of slavery. After enjoying a typical lunch, appreciate folk dances and learn about the Afro-Caribbean culture.
Day 13
Gastronomic discovery
A moment of culinary relaxation during the Choco Museo workshop, we learn all the steps of chocolate making from the cocoa tree in the Colombian jungle as well as the origins and history of chocolate. We can also make our own chocolates (150g) with milk or dark chocolate. During the workshop we will prepare three drinks: chocolate tea, Maya hot chocolate and European hot chocolate. We then leave with our own chocolates personalized to our taste.
Day 14
End of the adventure
It’s time to go home and tell your loved ones about your wonderful experience. Transport from your hotel to Cartagena Airport.
LODGING
Hotels during your stay
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