8 Days Tour
Medelin, Cartagena, Bogota
From $899 (Land only) or $1199 (Air & Land)
Highlights
• Discover Medellin in the beautiful Aburra Valley, named the "City of Eternal Spring"
• Stay in magical Cartagena, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a true cultural treasure!
• Tour Cartagena's Colonial District, view Bolivar Park, Santo Domingo Church and the Gold Museum
• Stand before the impressive collection of pre-Columbian gold pieces at the Gold Museum
• Visit La Candelaria District renowned for its perfectly preserved Colonial architecture
• View the paintings and sculptures of Fernando Botero, the famed Colombian artist
Itinerary
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Colombia
Depart for Colombia, a country of great diversity, culture, and natural beauty. Arrive in Medellín, a striking hillside metropolis, named the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year-round mild temperatures; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city independently
Overnight: Medellín
DAY 2, Saturday - Medellín City Tour
This morning, take a tour of the city. First, arrive at Botero Plaza accented by the artist's huge metal sculptures and home to the Museo de Antioquia with its outstanding collection of Botero's paintings as well as other famous international artists. Continue to Barefoot Park, a delightful zen-inspired public area that encompasses a small bamboo forest and sandy areas. Return to your hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this lovely city on your own or, join the optional tour to the Santa Elena area, near Medellin. Santa Elena is one of the most typical “Antioqueño” towns, where the “Silleteros” tradition, linked to the flower production of the area, was born. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers and an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the delightful journey of Colombia that awaits you
Optional: Half Day Santa Elena (PM)
Overnight: Medellín
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Full Day in Medellín
Spend a full day at leisure in Medellín to further explore this intriguing city or, join the full day optional Guatapé & Piedra del Peñol. Depart from Medellin this morning, on a scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands of Antioquia. Arrive at one of the area's top attractions, the Peñol Rock (La Piedra del Peñol), a 656-foot high monolith. You'll have the opportunity to climb more than 700 stairs to reach the top of this spectacular landmark and enjoy panoramic views of Guatapé Lake and the surrounding mountains. Continue with a visit to the town of Guatapé. After lunch on your own, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Guatapé, one of the country's largest lakes. Return to the hotel in Medellin
Optional: Full Day Guatapé & Piedra del Peñol
Overnight: Medellín
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Flight to Cartagena
Depart Medellín on a flight to Cartagena, a magical city nestled on the Caribbean Sea with magnificent architecture and massive fortifications. It is considered one of the country's cultural treasures with its remarkably intact historic walled city. Upon arrival, time permitting, meet children at a local school before continuing to the city center for lunch on your own. Embark on a city tour this afternoon. See expansive views of the city, sea and the port zone as you make your way to the San Felipe castle-fortress built on San Lazaro Hill, the largest in South America, to defend the city from pirate attacks. At the Walled City, walk through the multicolored houses and buildings of the Old City of Cartagena. Visit San Pedro Claver Sanctuary and Church built in the mid-17th century. Proceed to the city's colonial district beginning at Bolivar Park shaded by large trees and a statue of the great Liberator in the middle. The visit continues to Santo Domingo church, the Cathedral and ends at the Terraces. Pass by the house of the famous Nobel Prize Laureate novelist, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Then, on to ‘the Vaults', archways built within the walled city that were used to store armaments and later as a prison. Today, this entire area is a thriving artisans' center with beautiful local handicrafts
Overnight: Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Tuesday - Full Day in Cartagena
Today is at leisure to discover this charming city on your own or, participate in the optional jewelry making class. Learn the art of jewelry making from trained craftsmen at FEJOCAR, a private non-profit jewelry school. Using .925 sterling silver and raw emeralds you will create jewelry. Upon completion of the class, you will receive a diploma and one piece of jewelry that you designed. In the afternoon perhaps, participate in the optional Colombian National Aviary Tour. Visit the second biggest aviary in Latin America, and sixth in the world, that houses more than 1,750 birds, representing 135 species. During the tour, enjoy a refreshing drink or ice cream before returning to Cartagena
Optional: Jewelry Making Class (AM)
Optional: Half Day Colombian National Aviary Tour (PM)
Overnight: Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Wednesday - Flight to Bogota & City Tour
A morning flight takes you to the cosmopolitan city of Bogota. Upon arrival, transfer into the city center for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour of Bogota, an engaging and vibrant capital. Visit the colonial section of La Candelaria, the city's cultural epicenter. Stop at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square surrounded by the Cathedral, Palace of Congress, the Cardinal's Palace and the colonial church of El Sagrario. Afterward, on to the astonishing Gold Museum with its impressive collection of pre-Hispanic native gold crafts. Then, time permitting, stop to play an energetic local game of Tejo*, the national sport of Colombia. Originally, gameplay consisted of hurling golden discs into a hole, at a distance of about 65 feet. However, the Conquistadors did make their own subtle improvement to the game - they added explosives. Today, the game is played with metal disks in fields across the country. Learn how to play and try your hand at throwing the disk. Afterward, spend time at leisure. Tonight, perhaps dine at one of the restaurants offering delectable Colombian cuisine or, walk through the trendy Zona Rosa district, known for its lively pub scene or Parque 93, a commercial and recreational hub of the city
*Colombian laws prohibit all people under 18 from entering places where tejo is played
Overnight: Bogota ▲
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Thursday - Full Day in Bogota
Today is at leisure for independent activities or, take the optional Funicular Train Ride* that transports you up to Monserrate Mountain. At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, see outstanding views of downtown Bogota and visit the 17th-century church and its El Señor Caído Shrine. In the afternoon, join the optional tour to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira. Head out of Bogota to the nearby town of Zipaquira. Upon arrival, visit the amazing Salt Cathedral, “The First Wonder of Colombia”, built within the chambers of a salt mine, located more than 500 feet beneath the surface. Wander the dimly lit tunnels, along with the church’s three main sections, including the Stations of the Cross, its three naves, and its dome. After your visit stop by the Café, located in one of the underground tunnels to have a delicious Colombian coffee. Afterwards, visit "San Antonio" Cathedral, and marvel at the panoramic views of colonial Zipaquira. Tonight, a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant marks the end of a truly wonderful adventure in Colombia
*Funicular train ride may be substituted with a cable car ride without notice
Optional: Monserrate Funicular Train Ride (AM)
Optional: Half Day Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira (PM)
Overnight: Bogota
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - Depart Colombia
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast