The Best of Colombia

Day 4 | Bogotá – Chicaque – Bogotá

Today you’ll be taken to a beautiful cloud forest south of Bogotá. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Chicaque. It’s about an hour’s drive before you arrive at the cloud forest, which covers 244 hectares and features over 16 km of nature trails alongside rivers, clear springs, oak forests and other native vegetation. Together with your guide, you’ll go on 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 on your way to the oak forest. Your guide can tell you more about the origins of the forest and the ancient oak trees. At the end of the afternoon, you’ll return to the park entrance and be taken back to Bogotá.
Overnight stay: Bioxury Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Bogotá – Villa de Leyva

In the morning, you’ll be picked up by one of our local staff and set off northwards towards Zipaquirá. On the way, you’ll travel through the Sabana de Bogotá, where carnations and roses are a major source of income. After just over an hour, you’ll arrive at the impressive Salt Cathedral, a true architectural masterpiece. Following your visit to Zipaquirá, you’ll be taken to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva. A visit to Villa de Leyva is like a romantic journey back in time. The town consists of narrow cobbled streets, small squares and whitewashed colonial buildings. In particular, the enormous central square, covering 14,000 m², and the 17th-century church are an absolute must-see.
Overnight stay: La Posada de San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Villa de Leyva – Bogotá – Pereira

After breakfast, you will be taken to Bogotá airport. On the way, you will visit the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo, a beautiful Dominican monastery dating from 1620. On arrival at the airport, you will board your domestic flight to Pereira. Once there, you will be taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hacienda Sazagua | bed and breakfast

Days 8 and 9 | Pereira

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and set off for the Valle del Cocora, situated in the mountains of the Quindío region. The valley forms part of Los Nevados National Park and is home to the 60-metre-tall ‘Quindian wax palms’. You’ll arrive in the valley where your hike through the cloud forest begins. During your walk, you can enjoy the rich biodiversity and the variety of plant and animal species. On the way back, you’ll cross the Quindío River, where the world’s largest wax palms grow. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the towns of Salento and Filandia, where you can stroll amongst the colonial houses, visit a craft market and stop at a beautiful viewpoint. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.

The following day is yours to spend as you wish. The beautiful hacienda where you are staying is surrounded by a stunning estate. It offers all the luxuries of a hotel, including a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and a spa offering massages and anti-stress treatments.
Accommodation: Hacienda Sazagua | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Pereira – Medellín

Today, you’ll swap the lush greenery around you for the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Medellín. Medellín is situated in the mountainous Aburrá Valley. Because Medellín is situated high in the mountains, the city enjoys a spring-like climate all year round, with an average temperature of20°C. Upon arrival in Medellín, you will be taken to your hotel in the city.
Overnight stay: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Medellín

Today you will visit a number of places that represent the social transformation Medellín has undergone. You’ll gain an insight into Medellín’s past and present. Twenty years ago, this was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. In recent years, there has been significant investment here in infrastructure, education, art and culture. Today, it is one of the most innovative cities in the world. For example, its ultra-modern public transport system, featuring monorails connected to trams and cable cars, serves as a model for urban planners from all over the world. You will visit the San Javier neighbourhood, which was once one of the city’s most dangerous areas, situated approximately 7 km from the city centre. This neighbourhood is a fine example of the transformation the city has undergone. In Comuna 13, as San Javier is popularly known, escalators connect the upper and lower parts of the neighbourhood. Throughout Comuna 13, you’ll see beautiful graffiti murals, which are the result of one of the many socio-cultural projects launched in the city. You’ll end your trip at La Plazoleta, situated right in the city centre, where you can admire the 23 sculptures by Colombia’s most famous artist, Botero, before being taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Medellín – Santa Marta

Today you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Medellín airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, one of our local staff will take you to your hotel. Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest city and, because of its harbour, was also known as the gateway to the New World. The city was founded on 29 July 1525 by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, who chose this location for its strategic position. Santa Marta has a historic centre and a pleasant promenade, yet it remains unpretentious. There is a lovely atmosphere, and yet the city is still relatively unspoilt by tourists. We highly recommend a visit here to get a taste of Colombian life on the Caribbean coast.
Overnight stay at Don Pepe Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Santa Marta – Tayrona

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to your accommodation near Tayrona National Park. A few kilometres from Santa Marta lies Tayrona National Park, situated on Colombia’s Atlantic coast. The park’s boundaries stretch from Taganga Bay to the mouth of the Piedras River. In this area, temperatures can rise to well over 30ºC. The many bays, beautiful beaches, white coral reefs, green mangroves, mountains and lush vegetation give every visitor the ultimate holiday feeling. This park is home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles.
Accommodation: Cayena Beach Villa | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Tayrona

In the morning, you’ll be taken to Tayrona National Park. The national park lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and boasts pearly white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coral reefs. After passing through the first entrance to Tayrona National Park, you’ll continue through the dense tropical forest. You will then visit a viewpoint at Playa de Siete Olas. Next, you’ll descend to Playa de Neguanje, where you’ll board a local fishing boat and sail to Playa Cristal. This beach is renowned for its beauty and is the ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Afterwards, you’ll return by boat to Bahía Gayraca and be taken back by bus to your hotel in Santa Marta.
Overnight stay: Cayena Beach Villa | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Tayrona – Cartagena

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to your hotel in Cartagena. Beautifully situated on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indias is considered one of the most beautiful historic cities in Latin America. 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.
Accommodation: Casa Lola | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Cartagena

You will be collected from your hotel in the late afternoon for a special culinary trip, during which you will visit key locations from the life of Gabriel García Márquez. This writer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982, is to Colombians what Johan Cruijff is to the Dutch. His stories are set in fictional places, which are, however, based on real locations. For example, the action in one of his most famous novels, *Love in the Time of Cholera*, takes place in a city modelled on Cartagena de Indias. During the walk, you’ll sample typical local dishes, in which influences from both Spanish and African cuisines can be recognised – dishes that inspired the writer Gabo. You’ll visit nine of the writer’s favourite places. At six different stops, you’ll sample traditional Caribbean dishes that will bring his books to life. You’ll hear stories from people who know Gabo and his work. You’ll round off the trip with a visit to the 17th-century building that served as the setting for the story of the impossible love between Sierva María de Todo los Ángeles and Cayetano Delaura. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel. Overnight stay: Casa Lola | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Cartagena (Rosario Archipelago)

Today you’ll travel by boat to the Rosario Archipelago, situated about an hour from Cartagena. The area consists of 16 islands covered in tropical dry forest, set in an azure-blue sea, where various coral reefs can be found beneath the surface. Underwater, you’ll find a highly diverse range of plant and animal life, whilst the islands are a paradise for birds. Today you can go snorkelling and enjoy the stunning surroundings. In the evening, you’ll sail back to the coast and be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Casa Lola | bed and breakfast

Day 21 | 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 22 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.