Family holiday in Colombia

Day 2 | Bogotá

Today you’ll set out to get to know the bustling Colombian capital better. Your guide will collect you from your hotel. This won’t be a dull trip with an overload of information, but an active cycle trip. Bogotá has a network of over 300 kilometres of cycle paths, making it the cycling capital of Latin America. The historic centre is of great architectural and cultural significance and consists of old stately homes and imposing Spanish colonial buildings with beautiful but hidden courtyard gardens. During the cycle trip, you’ll cycle past various buildings, each with its own story to tell. From the historic centre, the guide will take you to La Merced, another neighbourhood in the city. You will then be taken to the foot of Monserrate. A cable car will take you up to an altitude of 3,140 metres, where you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city on one side and the Andes on the other. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Cité | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Bogotá – Zipaquirá – Villa de Leyva

After breakfast, you will be picked up by a guide who will take you to Villa de Leyva. On the way, you will stop off at Zipaquirá. This town is famous for its impressive salt cathedral – a true architectural masterpiece. The cathedral’s name refers to Zipa, the leader of the Muisca tribe and chief of the salt mines. You’ll walk through the enormous cave that serves as the cathedral. In the central nave stands the high altar, surmounted by a cross 16 metres high and 10 metres wide, carved entirely from salt. You’ll get back in the car and be driven to Villa de Leyva in about two hours. You’ll spend the night in this town. Villa de Leyva is a historic town characterised by its 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.
Accommodation: La Posada de San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Villa de Leyva – Barichara

In the morning, your guide will collect you for a new adventure. From Villa de Leyva, you’ll head out into the countryside on mountain bikes. You’ll cycle along unpaved country lanes with little traffic, whilst enjoying the beautiful natural landscapes. The route is 15 km long in total. You’ll visit several points of interest along the way, such as Pozos Azules, the Terracotta House and the Palaeontological Research Centre. In the afternoon, you’ll be taken to your next destination, Barichara. This is a 4.5-hour drive. On the way, you can relax after your active morning and enjoy the scenic route. You’ll arrive in Barichara at the end of the afternoon, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation: La Nube Posada | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Barichara

Today, adventure is on the agenda! After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the banks of the Fonce River. After a short walk and a briefing, the adventure can begin. You’ll be going rafting down the Fonce River. The descent takes about 1.5 hours in a raft. It’s a manageable trip for anyone who’s in reasonably good shape and isn’t afraid of getting wet. Throughout the trip, you’ll pass through riverside forests and landscapes typical of the Santander region. After this adventure, you’ll be taken back to the hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
Overnight stay: La Nube Posada | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Barichara – Palomino

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Bucaramanga Airport, a journey of approximately 4 hours. Much of the route runs alongside the breathtakingly beautiful Chicamocha Gorge. From here, you’ll take a domestic flight to Santa Marta and be transferred to your hotel in Palomino. Palomino is a small hamlet on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, not far from Tayrona National Park. You’ll be staying at the Aité Eco Hotel, which is situated right on the beach.
Overnight stay: Aité Eco Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Palomino

Today is a free day. From the hotel, you can visit Tayrona National Park, the village of Palomino, or simply relax on the beach. The latter might be a good idea, as you’ll soon be setting off on a unique multi-day trek.
Accommodation: Aité Eco Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Palomino – Santa Marta

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Santa Marta. Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest city. From the coast, you can see the ‘Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’ with its two snow-capped peaks – the highest coastal mountain range in the world: the Simón Bolívar and the Cristóbal Colón. Santa Marta is of immense historical significance; for example, there is the “Hacienda Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino” museum, where the independence fighter and first president of Gran Colombia, Simón Bolívar, died on 17 December 1830. The hacienda is now a museum where you can learn a great deal about Bolívar and the struggle for independence. His mausoleum is also located on the hacienda’s grounds.
Accommodation: La Casa de Leda | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Santa Marta – Ciudad Perdida trek

You’ll start the day with a four-day trek to the hidden city of La Ciudad Perdida, also known as Teyuna. This hidden city lies in the jungle at the foot of Pico Cristóbal Colón, which, at over 5,700 metres, is Colombia’s highest mountain. The city was founded by the Tayrona people, around 800 years after the start of the Common Era. During its heyday, between 1,500 and 3,000 people lived there. The area where the city is situated boasts lush flora and abundant fauna, with many plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Petra completed the Ciudad Perdida trek and wrote about it on our blog. Read her story here. From your hotel in Santa Marta, you’ll be taken by shuttle to Machete Pelao. The trek starts from here. Today, you’ll walk just under 7 kilometres in 4 hours. Along the way, you’ll have lunch at a country estate. Tonight, you’ll sleep at the first camp on the banks of the Buritaca River. During these days, you’ll sleep in a hammock or bunk bed (subject to availability on arrival) at the camp.
Accommodation: Campsite | in a hammock or bunk bed | full board

Day 11 | Ciudad Perdida trek

Today’s itinerary includes a walk of around 8 hours, covering nearly 15 kilometres. You’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking guide from the region. You’ll walk through the Buritaca Valley, stopping at the Kogui village of Mutanyi, amongst other places, and pass through the Koskunguena community, from where you’ll have spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada. From here, you’ll cross the Buritaca River to a farm belonging to the Kogui chief. Lunch will be served here, and you can take a refreshing dip in the river. You’ll have dinner and spend the night in a hammock or bunk bed at Mamo Kogui’s farm.
Accommodation: Campsite | in a hammock or bunk bed | full board

Day 12 | Ciudad Perdida trek

Today is a special day as you arrive at the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida). You’ll start your day with a trek to the entrance of the city. Here, you’ll have to climb a flight of 1,200 steps before you reach the archaeological site. Walk around the site, visiting the many terraces and ceremonial sites in the heart of the jungle. Lunch on the banks of a waterfall which, according to legend, possesses miraculous properties. After lunch, you’ll continue on to the next camp, already on your way back to the starting point of the trek.
Accommodation: Campsite | in a hammock or bunk bed | full board

Day 13 | Ciudad Perdida trek – Tayrona

The final day of your trek has arrived. Early in the morning, you’ll set off on the final leg, with around 15 km to cover. It’s about a seven-hour walk, and you’ll arrive at your destination around lunchtime. After lunch, you’ll be taken to your accommodation near Tayrona National Park.
Overnight stay: Villa Maria | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Tayrona

Enjoy your day off near Tayrona National Park. The park’s boundaries stretch from Taganga Bay to the mouth of the Piedras River. Temperatures in this area can reach up to 30°C. The many bays, beautiful beaches, lush mangroves, mountains and lush vegetation give every visitor that ultimate holiday feeling. This park is home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. In the surrounding area, you can visit the beautiful beaches of Arrecifes, La Piscina, Cabo de San Juan del Guía and Castilletes. Some boast crystal-clear blue waters, whilst others feature diverse vegetation. Each of these beaches gives you the feeling that you’re in a different world every time. As well as admiring the stunning surroundings, you can go on short walks, go birdwatching, kayaking and cycling. All within easy reach!

Day 15 | Tayrona – Cartagena

After breakfast, you will be taken to Cartagena. You will be staying at the Hotel Santa Catalina, in the historic centre of Cartagena, near the famous Torre del Reloj, one of the city’s main attractions.
Accommodation: Santa Catalina Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Cartagena

In the morning, you’ll hop back on your bike to explore the city of Cartagena. Your guide will take you round the city’s highlights. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of time to stop for photos and to listen to your guide’s stories. The colonial heart of the city, with its impressive city walls, has been perfectly preserved. The old town 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. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: Santa Catalina Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Cartagena

Your final day in Cartagena and the last day of your unique and unforgettable trip of Colombia. 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. The city exudes a vibrant Caribbean atmosphere. In the afternoon, as the temperature drops, the city comes to life. Start with a delicious cocktail at Café del Mar on the old city ramparts whilst the sun dips below the horizon into the sea, then stroll through the centre, looking for a good restaurant on one of the many beautiful squares.
Overnight: Santa Catalina Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | 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 19 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.