STYLE: Signature Package
Trip Code: COMCSIGC
DIFFICULTY RATING: 1 (easy adventure)
Start: Bogota, Colombia
Finish: Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia
Daily
8 Breakfasts (B) & 2 Lunches (L)
Economy Internal Flights as Listed, Private Arrival/Departure Transfers
Hotel
Bogota – Full-Day Museum & City Tour
Medellin - Half Day City Tour Including Plaza Botero & the Street Art in San Javier Neighbourhood, Full-Day Tour of Guatape & Peñol
Cartegena - Full-Day City Tour Including Convent of Santa Cruz de La Popa & San Felipe Castle, 2 hr Street food tour & Snorkeling on a Rosario Island Tour
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Step through time as you travel on Chimu Adventures’ Signature Colombia tour.
You’ll pass through La Candelaria, the historic old town of Colombia’s capital Bogota, and visit the fortified walls of Cartagena where you will take in its colonial architecture. In Medellin, walk in the footsteps of Pablo Escobar and see how the city has transformed since the days of the notorious drug cartel. There you will experience the colourful street art of Comuna 13 which depicts how this district was set free. Finally, enjoy some of Colombia’s spectacular scenery, such as the Andean mountain ranges, the Piedra del Penol stone monument, the Caribbean coastline and the coastal ecosystem of the Rosario Islands.
On this all-encompassing personalised itinerary, Chimu will provide travel logistics for your travel party for the duration of your journey, plus expert guides for all the major sightseeing as per itinerary. Each night you will stay in superior accommodation, handpicked by our experienced team for their creature comforts, convenient locations, and impeccable service.
Welcome to Bogota, Colombia’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, situated 2,600 metres above sea level in the Andean mountains.
In the evening, after settling into your hotel, you might choose to visit either the Chapinero or Usaquen districts and dine at one of their many restaurants which serve Colombian and South American cuisines such as arepas, ajiaco, asado, ceviche, empanadas, rondon and more.
Today you will tour Bogota’s main sights including La Candelaria, Museo del Oro, the Botero Museum and Monserrat Hill.
La Candelaria is the city’s old town, where you will find Plaza Bolivar, Bogota’s main square. There you can see Colombia’s Palace of Justice, the Capitol Building, the Cathedral of Bogota and the city mayor’s office. Nearby are buildings painted with colourful murals and street art.
Within the old city we will visit Museo del Oro, or the Gold Museum, which houses more than 55,000 pieces of gold jewellery and ornaments from Colombia’s various indigenous groups.
You will then head to the Botero Museum. It houses the works of Fernando Botero, a famous Colombian artist and sculptor, whose ‘Boterismo’ style depicts people and figures in an exaggerated manor.
We will then go to Monserrat Hill and ride a funicular (cable car) to the top to take in a panoramic view of the city.
You will fly from Bogota to Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city.
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ thanks to its excellent weather year round, Medellin is home to coffee plantations, flower farms and cloud forests.
Once a city with a notorious history, Medellin has had a complete makeover and is a safe and attractive city that now plays host to the Feria de las Flores (festival of flowers) each August.
Today you will enjoy a full day tour of Guatape. Located on a man-made reservoir, Guatape is an Andean resort town located east of Medellin that’s famous for its giant granite rock monolith known as Piedra del Penol. There you can climb its 740 steps to the top to take in spectacular views of the region.
You will then take a boat ride on the reservoir and see local’s enjoying water sports such as kayaking, fishing and sailing. Back In Guatape, we’ll wander through the village to see its churches and the colourful paintings that adorn the town’s houses.
Enjoy a half-day tour of Medellin that begins downtown with a visit to Plaza Botero. There, take a moment to admire the architecture of buildings such as the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture and the Museum of Antioquia. You will also see twenty three sculptures by Botero.
We will then take the Metrocable to its final station, La Aurora, where there’s a viewpoint of the city. From there, we’ll walk the neighbourhood to see street graffiti depicting how the area’s identity has changed.
The most colourful neighbourhood for street art in Medellin is San Javier, or Comuna 13. Thanks to Colombia’s drug cartel, in the 1980’s this was one of the most dangerous places in the world. However, in 2002 the Colombian government launched Operation Orion to overthrow the cartel, culminating in air strikes which killed and injured hundreds. The operation succeeded, freeing the district from the guerrillas and paramilitaries control and allowing the community to redevelop.
From Medellin, you will fly to Cartagena, a city situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coastline.
Cartagena is famous for its walled old town and fortress, which were both listed as a world heritage site in 1984. After your arrival you might like to spend your time exploring the cobbled streets of this district and see the Monumento Torre del Reloj, a clock tower built between 1601 and 1631.
Today you will tour Cartagena, starting at the Convent of Santa Cruz de La Popa and its nearby monastery. Situated on top of Mount la Popa, the highest point in the city, the convent site provides excellent views.
Originally a wooden chapel built in 1607, the convent has since been reconstructed. Inside, you will find the image of La Virgin de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city. While the nearby monastery no longer houses the Augustinian monks who founded the convent, it has an attractive central courtyard you can visit.
The convent is located nearby our next stop, San Felipe castle-fortress. You will take a walk through the fortress, which is situated on San Lazaro Hill, and learn about its construction and how it once defended the city from pirate attacks. Now an artisan centre, it’s a wonderful place to purchase local handicrafts.
Enjoy a a tour to discover the tastes and local street food of Cartagena. This will allow you to gain an insight into the daily lives and culture of the locals and sample some of the local delicacies on offer such as local exotic fruits, arepas, papas rellenas, Bollo de Mazorca and Raspao.
Discover a corner of Africa in South America! This town, found by Benkos Bioho, a runaway slave who accompanied by 36 other slaves, hid in the area was the first slavery free town established in the country. The town has been declared by UNESCO to have intangible cultural heritage and has its own unique dialect and language and you will learn about their traditions and rituals. Meet the local artisans, who tell their stories through their crafts and enjoy a traditional lunch and music al performance, before returning to Cartagena.
On your final day in Cartagena you might choose to wander the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego to take one more look at the colonial architecture in the city’s old town before you are collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your onward flight.
Visit Colombia’s capital, Bogota, and tour La Candelaria. Visit some of the fascinating museums and the main square.
Explore the transformed city of Medellin and learn more about the turbulent past and how the city has changed to become what it is today.
Climb Piedra del Penol monolith in Guatape and take in the view.
Enjoy the Caribbean coastal town of Cartagena and its fortified walls. You will have a walking tour and sample some delicious local eats during your time in the city.
Spend a day exploring the historic town of San Basillo de Palenque, located near Bogota and learn about the slave trading past of this region. The town was founded by escaped slaves and has a rich and diverse Afro-Caribbean history.
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service
9 Days FROM NZD 4,423 Enquire NowTried & tested upmarket properties with above average facilities and service
9 Days FROM NZD 4,910 Enquire NowLuxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
9 Days FROM NZD 6,218 Enquire NowPrices are based on per person, twin share.
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Private airport transfers
Internal flights as part of this itinerary
Accommodation with breakfast daily
Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide as detailed in itinerary
Other meals where stated
International flights
Visa & reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages
Personal expenses
Gratuities for tour guides & drivers
Any items not mentioned as included
A single supplement surcharge applies and is subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.
Seasonality and availability at time of booking.