The Unknown South of Colombia

Day 3 | Bogotá – Neiva – San Agustín

After breakfast, you will be collected and taken to Bogotá airport for your flight to Neiva. On arrival in Neiva, one of our local staff will be waiting for you and will take you north of Neiva to visit the Tatacoa Desert. This desert is criss-crossed by red gorges, carved out by wind and water. During the Tertiary period, the Tatacoa Desert was a valley teeming with flora, fauna and water, but climate change caused all species to disappear and the soil to dry out completely, leaving room only for cacti and animals capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures. After your visit to the Tatacoa Desert, you will travel to San Agustín, where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Akawanka Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | San Agustín

You will be collected by your guide and set off for the village of Isnos to visit the Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de las Piedras archaeological parks. Here you will find a number of well-preserved tombs, some of which still feature original paintings. You’ll also find one of the largest stone figures discovered to date. Meanwhile, don’t forget to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Macizo Colombiano and the ‘Salto del Mortiño’, a waterfall some 200 metres high! The waterfall takes its name from a local plant called Mortiño and was formed by the River La Chorrera, which plunges majestically in free fall over the rocks of the Mortiño Canyon. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional coffee farm in San Agustín where you can experience the entire organic coffee-making process. You’ll walk through all the stages of the coffee plantation and production, with the chance to get involved in the harvesting process and learn what the perfect condition of a coffee bean is. After a stroll through the small but beautiful farm, you can enjoy a cup of freshly ground coffee with the owner!
Accommodation: Akawanka Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | San Agustín – Mocoa

Today you’ll travel on to Mocoa, but not before visiting the San Agustín Archaeological Park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Here you’ll see the enormous stone statues up close and discover how each raised plateau was man-made and specifically created for the stone monuments. You’ll walk to the ceremonial Fuente de Lavapatas before heading up the hill to the Lavapatas terrace, from where you can enjoy a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. Be sure to visit the small Museo Arqueológico too. You’ll then be transferred to Mocoa, where you’ll check in at your hotel.
Overnight: Posada Dantayaco | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Mocoa – La Cocha Lagoon

Today, after breakfast, you will be taken to Sibundoy, where you will take a trip of the intercultural park to view wood carvings. This is a very typical craft in the Putumayo region. You will also visit the Cabildo House to learn more about the traditions and customs of the indigenous Kametsa people. At the House of Culture, you will learn more about ‘besknaté’, also known as the Carnival of Forgiveness, the traditional festival held every February. Next, visit a woodcarving workshop, where masks are carved, veneered and coated. Through art, these creations offer a glimpse into the history and traditions of the indigenous people. Afterwards, experience a relaxation therapy called “Ecos: Sounds and Silences”. Round off the trip with a harmonisation session, a truly special moment to connect with ancestral wisdom and nature. After your visit to Sibundoy, you will be taken to La Cocha Lagoon for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Chalet Guamuez | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | La Cocha Lagoon – Pasto

In the morning, you’ll visit La Cocha Lagoon/Lake Guamuez. This is a place full of charm, magic, energy and natural beauty, situated about 40 minutes from Pasto. La Cocha, which means ‘lake’ in the Quechua language, is the second most important body of water in the country, after the Laguna de Tota in Boyacá, and boasts an ecosystem home to the world’s lowest-altitude peat bogs. These peat bogs are found only at altitudes above 3,000 metres. You’ll arrive on the El Puerto trail, characterised by its picturesque little bridges and houses built of wood, with balconies decorated with flowers. You will visit a typical Nariño farmhouse, where the owners will give you a guided trip and invite you to enjoy a local drink. Farming families in the region have moved away from indiscriminate deforestation and are now protecting the environment and nature by converting their land into a nature reserve. You’ll continue on to Isla Larga, where you’ll find floating trout farms and have the opportunity to have lunch. Take a boat trip around the Laguna de la Cocha and visit the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary on the island of La Corota, the smallest nature reserve in the National Parks system, which is home to an invaluable array of animal and plant species. In the afternoon, you’ll travel on to the city of Pasto.
Overnight stay: Hotel V1501 Pasto | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Pasto

San Juan de Pasto is known as the ‘City of Surprises in Colombia’ and is famous for its impressive religious architecture from the colonial and republican eras. It is also home to important artists and craftspeople. In the morning, you will visit a craftsmen’s workshop with your guide, where carved wooden utensils are coated with a resin obtained from the fruit of a shrub found in the Andean forest, known as Mopa-Mopa. The technique they use is unique in the world; it originated with the indigenous people of this region and dates back to the pre-Spanish period, known as ‘Barniz de Pasto’. In the afternoon, you will set off for Ipiales. On the way, enjoy the beautiful and characteristic landscape of the Andean region of Nariño, known as ‘Tapiz de retaz’ (the patchwork tapestry) or ‘the greenery of all colours’. Seven kilometres from Ipiales lies the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Las Lajas, situated at an altitude of 2,612 metres above sea level. It is truly a jewel of the country’s architecture and religious heritage. It is classified as Colombia’s second wonder, and in 2015 the British newspaper *The Telegraph* declared it the most beautiful church in the world. You will descend by cable car to the sanctuary, visit the museum and, of course, explore the church itself. In the evening, you can enjoy a spectacle as the sanctuary’s lights are switched on. You will then be taken back to your hotel in Pasto.
Overnight stay: Hotel V1501 Pasto | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Pasto – Popayán

It’s time to move on again. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to your next destination, Popayán. Popayán is famous for its colonial houses and is known as the ‘white city’. Many Colombian presidents were born in Popayán. The city has played an important role in Colombian history. Popayán was the seat of power during Spanish rule, which is why you’ll find several architectural gems here. You will be staying at the Hotel Dann Monasterio, which is housed in a former monastery dating back to the 16th century. The hotel’s location is perfect for exploring the city: in the heart of the historic centre, just a stone’s throw from sights, squares and churches.
Accommodation: Hotel Dann Monasterio | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Popayán – Silvia – Cali

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the town of Silvia, situated in a mountainous area near Popayán. Silvia consists of picturesque houses surrounded by sugarcane plantations. The indigenous Guambiano community has a population of around 12,000 and lives scattered across small mountain villages in the surrounding area.
Every Tuesday is market day, and Silvia is transformed into a colourful, bustling and picturesque place! The Guambiano people come dressed in their traditional ‘anacos’ – blue, knee-length, skirt-like shawls – to sell vegetables, fruit and handicrafts. After your visit to Silvia and the colourful traditional market, you’ll travel on to Cali. Salsa music is an integral part of life on the streets of Cali, and it is not without reason that the city is known as the capital of salsa. Thanks to its pleasant, spring-like climate, Santiago de Cali is a lovely city to visit all year round. The city is also known for its friendly, open and hospitable residents.
Overnight stay: Hotel Movich Casa del Alferez | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Cali – Cartagena

You will be collected today and taken to Cali Airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to Cartagena. On arrival, you will be met by one of our local staff members, who will accompany you to your accommodation in Cartagena.
Overnight stay: Hotel Bantú | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Cartagena

Today you have a day at leisure. Cartagena de Indias is a beautiful colonial town on the Caribbean coast. The historic centre features a maze of small, picturesque streets, with brightly coloured colonial buildings and romantic squares. Outside 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: Hotel Bantú | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Cartagena – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your trip is coming to an end. Today you will be taken to Cartagena airport, where you will catch a flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive there the following day.

Day 15 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.