Nature trip of Colombia, including the Amazon and the Pacific

Day 2 | Bogotá

Accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit the historic centre of Bogotá, known as ‘La Candelaria’. As you drive through the old neighbourhoods, you’ll see the typical stately houses with Spanish colonial influences. During your trip of the city, you’ll pass all the major landmarks. Your guide will tell you about the history that has unfolded here and, if you wish, you can visit some impressive museums that showcase the city’s past. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Good to know: The Museo del Oro is closed on Mondays and the Museo Botero is closed on Tuesdays.
Overnight stay: Hotel Bioxury | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Bogotá

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Chicaque, a beautiful cloud forest south of Bogotá. It is about an hour’s drive before you arrive at the cloud forest, which covers 244 hectares and features over 16 kilometres of nature trails winding alongside rivers, clear springs, oak forests and other native vegetation. Together with your guide, you’ll take an impressive walk through the park. You’ll walk through the mountains, along the rivers and stop at various viewpoints such as Pico del Águila and Roquedal, which offer beautiful views of the landscapes and various indigenous villages. You’ll pass the butterfly farm and a lagoon. You will then walk with your guide to El Refugio, where lunch will be waiting for you. Take a moment to relax here in one of the hammocks before continuing your walk to the oak forest. Your guide can tell you more about the forest’s origins and the different ages of the oak trees. At the end of the afternoon, you’ll be taken back to Bogotá.
​Overnight stay: Hotel Bioxury | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Leticia

Today you will be taken to the Mundo Amazonico Ecological Reserve. A nature reserve developed by Aná Maria Prado and her husband. When she moved from the department of Santander to Leticia, she was struck by the region’s immense natural and cultural wealth. They immediately recognised the importance of the Amazon rainforest and the knowledge that the indigenous cultures possess about it. To preserve and share this knowledge, Aná Maria Prado and her husband founded the Reserva Ecológico Mundo Amazonico in 1976. The park is a vast botanical garden where you can enjoy various themed walks. Today, you’ll go on a culinary walk, accompanied by a guide from one of the Amazon’s indigenous communities, to learn more about the fruits and plants. Along the way, ingredients will be selected which you will later use to prepare a traditional local dish. At the end of the day, you will be taken back to your hotel where dinner will be waiting for you.
Overnight stay: Hotel Decalodge Ticuna | half board

Day 6 | Leticia – Natamú

After breakfast, you’ll set off by boat from the Leticia jetty to the Natamú Nature Reserve in Peru. You’ll travel for about 30 minutes along the Amazon until you reach Peruvian territory. Many indigenous cultures live in this region. This is also why there are no passport checks when you cross the border here. For the indigenous communities, these borders simply do not exist. As soon as you enter the reserve, you’ll take a walk of just under 1.5 hours through the landscape, which is home to ancient trees and medicinal plants. Take a good look around, as you might spot various monkeys, frogs and insects. Once you arrive at your accommodation, you can choose from activities such as kayaking and wildlife spotting. Lunch will be waiting for you in the afternoon, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
Good to know: Natamú Reserve offers basic accommodation and does not have hot water.
Overnight stay: Natamú Reserve | full board

Day 8 | Natamú – Calanoa

It’s time to leave Natamú. You’ll board a boat and, together with fellow travellers from around the world, sail for about 1.5 hours to your next destination: Calanoa. In the afternoon, you can go for a walk through the jungle, returning by canoe. In the evening, you can enjoy a dinner made with local produce.
Overnight stay: Calanoa Lodge | half board

Day 9 | Calanoa

After breakfast, you’ll board a boat again and be taken to Puerto Nariño. This small settlement is the second most important place in the Amazon after Leticia, though it’s really little more than a hamlet. It’s a pleasant spot on the banks of the Amazon River, where you won’t see any cars or mopeds. There are two tractors in the village, used to transport heavy loads. Apart from that, everything is done on foot or by bicycle. The riverbank is considered the heart of the village – a grassy area with a sports field where the locals gather to chat, play sport or simply relax in the sun. After a typical local lunch, you’ll take a boat trip to nearby Lake Tarapoto. Here you’ll have the chance to spot both pink and grey dolphins. You’ll then be taken back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Calanoa Lodge | half board

Day 10 | Calanoa – Leticia – Medellín

After breakfast, you’ll travel via Leticia to Medellín. You’ll be staying at the Hotel Park 10, situated in the central district of El Poblado near the famous Parque Lleras. No visit to Medellín is complete without a look around this ‘park’ with its many open-air restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Designed and furnished in an old English style, the hotel has a classic feel with its wooden floors and marble tables. All rooms in the hotel offer views over Medellín city centre. The hotel is home to La Terraza restaurant, which serves an international menu, and La Fragata restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious fish specialities. After a day out in the city, you can also relax in the hotel’s spa.
Accommodation: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Medellín

Today you’ll delve into the history of Medellín and witness the fascinating transformation the city has undergone in recent years. Twenty years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Today, it is the city of eternal spring and one of the most innovative cities in the world. You’ll visit Mount Nutibara, from where you’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city. You’ll then visit Berrio Park and the famous Botero Square. From here, you’ll travel on the city’s innovative transport system. This system is seen as a model by many cities. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll take the metro to the San Javier neighbourhood. Once one of the city’s most dangerous neighbourhoods, it is situated approximately 7 km from the centre. This neighbourhood is a fine example of the transformation the city has undergone. You’ll arrive here via the cable car that connects the north-east of the city with the city centre; for many, a life-changing experience. In Comunna 13, you’ll see how large escalators connect the upper and lower parts of the neighbourhood, and you’ll admire some stunning graffiti art. From here, you’ll return to the city centre and be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Medellín – Bahía Solano

Today you’ll leave the bustling city of Medellín and travel by domestic flight to Bahía Solano.
On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by a member of staff from El Almejal. El Almejal is a private nature reserve, run according to sustainable and environmentally friendly principles, and grows the vegetables and herbs used in the restaurant.
Good to know: El Almejal offers basic accommodation and does not have hot water or electricity.
Overnight stay: El Almejal Rainforest Beach Lodge | half board

Day 13 | Bahía Solano

You’ll be up early today to go on a boat trip to spot the whales and enjoy the spectacle they offer as they break the surface. You’ll then be taken back to your hotel, where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach and relax.
Accommodation: El Almejal Rainforest Beach Lodge | half board

Day 14 | Bahía Solano

In the morning, you’ll go for a walk through the El Almejal Reserve, which is about one kilometre long and takes around two hours. You’ll enjoy stunning views over vast stretches of jungle and the ocean. You’ll have the opportunity to climb trees, abseil and go on educational walks through this tropical rainforest, accompanied by a guide. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: El Almejal Rainforest Beach Lodge | half board

Day 15 | Bahía Solano – Medellín

After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge and taken to Bahía Solano Airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to Medellín. Once you arrive, you will be taken to your hotel. You will stay here for one night before travelling on to Cartagena the following day.
Accommodation: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Medellín – Cartagena

After breakfast, you’ll take a domestic flight and be transferred to your hotel in Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias is a beautiful colonial town on the Caribbean coast. The old town features a maze of small, picturesque streets, with brightly coloured colonial buildings and romantic squares. Beyond the old city walls, the city has since expanded to include modern, attractive neighbourhoods. From the city ramparts near the old town, you can take in both the charming colonial city centre and the impressive skyline of Boca Grande at a single glance. You’ll be staying at Casa Lola, close to Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad. This little square is the heart of the Getsemani neighbourhood. Once an old red-light district, today it’s a charming neighbourhood where you can still experience Colombian life. In the evening, the neighbourhood’s residents gather in the square, where you’ll also find food stalls and a lively atmosphere.
Accommodation: Casa Lola | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Cartagena – Amsterdam

In the afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Cartagena airport, where you will board your intercontinental overnight flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive the following day.

Day 19 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.