3-week trip of Colombia

Day 2 | Bogotá

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a cycle trip of Bogotá. The trip starts in Candelaria, the historic heart of the city, where you’ll see various parks, squares and monuments. You’ll learn more about Bogotá’s turbulent history and visit places most tourists don’t get to see. During the trip, you’ll gain an insight into Colombia’s political and social development.
Overnight stay: B.O.G. Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Bogotá – Villa de Leyva

(approx. 200 km | 4-hour drive)
In the morning, your rental car will be delivered to your hotel (Chevrolet Tracker or a similar model). You will then drive to your next destination, Villa de Leyva. On the way, you’ll drive through the Sabana de Bogotá, where the cultivation of carnations and roses is a major source of income. You can visit the impressive Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, a true architectural masterpiece. Inside this salt cathedral, you’ll find the enormous cross carved from salt and the three scenes depicting the birth, life and death of Christ. After visiting Zipaquirá, you’ll continue on 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.
Accommodation: La Posada de San Antonio | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Villa de Leyva – Barichara

(approx. 190 km | 4-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey to Barichara. Barichara is considered the most beautiful village in Colombia thanks to its charming whitewashed houses, built in the so-called bahareque style, in which wooden frames are covered with clay and a layer of white plaster. It is a place where you feel as though you have travelled back to times long past, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It is here that the chirping of birds and the scent of bougainvillea in bloom will delight your senses. Although the beauty of this little town is recognised throughout the country, relatively few tourists have yet found their way to Barichara.
Accommodation: Casa Onri Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Barichara – Bogotá

(approx. 350 km | 7-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive back to Bogotá from the charming little town of Barichara. Here you’ll return your rental car and stay once again at the B.O.G. Hotel.
Accommodation: B.O.G. Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Bogotá – Armenia

In the afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Bogotá airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Armenia. You will be staying at Hacienda Bambusa. This charming hacienda is surrounded by banana plantations and overlooks the impressive peaks of the Andes. In the surrounding area, you can go horse-riding through the beautiful landscape of hills and rivers. You can go on an exciting canopy trip, walk along the riverbed and go birdwatching. Enjoy this wonderful place!!
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa | half-board

Day 8 | Armenia

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and set off for the Cocora Valley, 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’. During your walk through the valley, 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 visit the historic towns of Salento and Finlandia, where you can stroll amongst the colonial houses, visit craft markets and stop at a beautiful viewpoint.
Overnight stay: Hacienda Bambusa | half board

Day 9 | Armenia

This day is free to spend as you wish. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of your accommodation.
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa | half-board

Day 10 | Armenia – Medellín

Today, you’ll swap the lush greenery around you for the lively bustle of the city. A private transfer will take you to Medellín, the city of eternal spring. Depending on traffic, the journey will take around 6 hours. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, featuring artworks, sculptures, fashion designs and literature, amongst other things. Medellín has also developed into an industrial and commercial centre for textiles and cut flowers. The world-famous artist Fernando Botero, known for his paintings and sculptures of voluptuous people and figures, hails from Medellín.
Accommodation: Hotel Patio del Mundo | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Medellín

Today you will be taken to the Comuna 9 neighbourhood. A community project for social transformation has been set up here, dedicated to teaching the local, impoverished population how to eat healthily whilst keeping costs down. They are taught not only how to cook these dishes, but also about entrepreneurship so they can earn money using this knowledge. Today, you’ll start with an introduction to the neighbourhood’s transformation, after which you’ll have time to explore the various districts. Visit regeneration projects, works of art, and educational and recreational spaces. Afterwards, you’ll take part in a cookery workshop where you’ll prepare one of the project’s dishes yourself. Finally, you’ll be taken on a trip of the innovative public transport system – comprising state-of-the-art monorails, trams and cable cars – which has vastly improved mobility for the local population.
Overnight stay | Hotel Patio del Mundo | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | 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 because of its strategic position. Santa Marta is a pleasant city with a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. It boasts a historic centre and an unpretentious seafront promenade, and is still relatively unspoilt by tourists.
Overnight stay at Boutique Hotel Don Pepe | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Santa Marta

You have the day free to spend as you wish. 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.
Overnight stay at Boutique Hotel Don Pepe | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Santa Marta – Tayrona

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to your accommodation near Tayrona National Park. The many bays, beautiful beaches, white coral reefs, green mangroves, mountains and lush vegetation give every visitor that ultimate holiday feeling. This park is home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. You’ll be staying at the charming Cayena Beach Villa.
Overnight stay: Cayena Beach Villa | half-board

Days 15 and 16 | Tayrona

In the morning, you’ll set off for Tayrona National Park. Tayrona National Park lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and boasts pearly-white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coral reefs. During your walk, you’ll encounter various microclimates, an abundance of birds and all sorts of animals, such as monkeys and squirrels playing in the trees. After about 45 minutes’ walk, you’ll reach Arrecifes, one of the park’s most beautiful areas. You’ll continue along the coast to La Piscina and El Cabo de San Juan de Guía, which is famous for its enormous rock formations. Here you can enjoy some free time on the beach, after which you’ll be taken back to your hotel.

The following day is a day off, so you can take your time and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Accommodation: Cayena Beach Villa | half-board

Day 17 | Tayrona – Cartagena

After breakfast, you’ll be taken by road to the city of Cartagena. 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 Sophia | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Cartagena

Today is yours to spend as you wish. Enjoy your last day in this special place. The town has a vibrant Caribbean atmosphere. Round off your special trip with a delicious cocktail at Café del Mar on the old city ramparts as the sun dips into the sea on the horizon, then stroll through the city centre in search of a good restaurant on one of the many beautiful squares.
Overnight stay: Hotel Sophia | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Cartagena – Amsterdam

Your 3-week trip of Colombia has already come to an end. 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 21 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.