Enchanting Colombia

Day 2 | Bogotá – La Macarena

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Bogotá airport, from where you will fly to La Macarena. On arrival, a local representative will be on hand to welcome you and take you to your hotel. After checking in, your first excursion begins: a boat trip along the Guayabero River. It’s a fantastic spot for spotting wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled! You will then visit El Mirador, from where you can admire the stunning landscape and the Caño Cristalitos area. This is a small natural formation similar to Caño Cristales. At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel in La Macarena.
Overnight stay: La Manigua Lodge | full board

Day 3 | La Macarena

After breakfast, you will be collected and taken to the port of Rio Guayabero to board the boat for the journey along the Guayabero River. A transfer will then be waiting to take you to the Cajuche spring, where the eco-walk to Caño Cristales begins.
This river is situated in the Serranía de la Macarena. The Caño Cristales River is also known as ‘the river of five colours’, ‘the water rainbow’ and even ‘the most beautiful river in the world’. This is due to its striking colours, such as yellow, green, blue, black and, in particular, the red colour of the Macarenia clavigera plant on the riverbed. The river’s water displays these unique colours for only a few months a year (from July to November). This is the period between the rainy season and the dry season. During this time, the water level is just right, allowing the plant species responsible for the stunning reddish hues to thrive. The red colour blends with the yellow and green patches of sand, the blue water and all the shades that emerge. During the rainy season, the water flows too fast and is too deep, preventing the plants from growing and leaving them with too little sunlight to develop their red colour. During the dry season, there is not enough water to keep the plants alive. Caño Cristales was closed to tourists for many years due to guerrilla activity in the region. Since 2009, it has once again been possible for tourists to visit this magnificent phenomenon. After your visit to Caño Cristales, you will return to your hotel. In the evening, you can enjoy music, dance and the region’s cuisine at a ‘Parrando llanero’ celebration, where you will be served veal ‘a la llanera’, accompanied by the joropo dance and llanera music.
Overnight stay: La Manigua Lodge | full board

Day 4 | La Macarena – Bogotá

In the morning, you’ll visit Bajo Losada (or another area for which Cormacarena has granted permits). Bajo Losada is characterised by the point where the Guayabero River flows into the Losada River. Enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna; with a bit of luck, you might spot the pink dolphin, a frequent visitor to this spot. At the end of the morning, you’ll return to La Macarena for your flight to Bogotá. You will be met at Bogotá airport and taken to your hotel in the city.
Overnight: B.O.G. Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Bogotá

You will be collected from your hotel in the morning for a city trip of the historic part of Bogotá, known as ‘La Candelaria’, where you will see various parks, squares and monuments. As you drive through the old neighbourhoods, you’ll see the typical stately houses with Spanish colonial influences. Right in the centre, on Plaza Bolívar, stands the statue of the great liberator Simón Bolívar. Nearby is the cathedral, built on the foundations of the first church constructed in 1539. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find an important collection of religious artefacts, such as textiles and works of art, gathered over four centuries. You’ll also visit the Capilla del Sagrario – the city’s architectural gem – and the Capitolio. You’ll pass Colombia’s oldest school, San Bartolomé, and the Casa de los Comuneros. You’ll round off the city trip with a visit to the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum.
Your accommodation: B.O.G. Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Bogotá – Cali

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Cali. Upon arrival in Cali, you will be welcomed and taken to your hotel.
Your accommodation: Hotel Cosmos Cali | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Cali

Today you have a day at leisure. 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. In the time of Sebastián de Belalcázar, in 1536, Cali was particularly important for its cotton and sugar cane industries, and today there are still a few plantations worth visiting. In addition, a visit to Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia’s most important religious pilgrimage site, is definitely worth it!
Your accommodation: Hotel Cosmos Cali | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Cali – Popayán

You will be collected from your hotel and taken by private transfer to your hotel in Popayán. Popayán is renowned 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.
Your accommodation: Hotel Dann Monasterio | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Popayán

Your private guide will collect you for a city trip of Popayán. The trip begins with a visit to Parque de Caldas, where you will see the Torre del Reloj, the clock tower, designed by Francisco José de Caldas, after whom the park is named. Caldas was a lawyer, a military engineer, a scientist and one of the first advocates of an independent New Granada, now known as Colombia. You will then continue on to the ‘Puente del Humilladero’ footbridge, a long bridge over a river, built in the ancient Roman style. You will also visit the Iglesia La Ermita and Santo Domingo, as well as the Guillermo Valencia Theatre. You will actually go inside the Iglesia de San Francisco. This church is considered the most beautiful Baroque church in the city. You may also wish to visit the Museum of Religious Art and/or the Casa Museo Mosquera. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the city at your leisure.
Your accommodation: Hotel Dann Monasterio | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Popayán – Silvia – San Agustín

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 sugar cane 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 wraps – to sell vegetables, fruit and handicrafts. After your visit to Silvia and the colourful traditional market, you’ll travel on to San Agustín.
Your accommodation: Terrazas de San Agustín | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | San Agustín

This morning, your guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to the San Agustín Archaeological Park. In this rugged mountainous region, where the Magdalena River, Colombia’s most important river, has its source, sculptors from an indigenous Andean culture – which flourished in the northern Andes region from the first to the eighth century – carved life-size statues and megalithic funerary monuments from volcanic rock. Given the number of statues and the area over which this city of the dead extends, it is considered the largest pre-Columbian necropolis in Latin America. In 1995, this park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monumental statues guard the graves of the deceased from this ancient Andean culture. The statues depict a wide variety of figures, such as pumas, snakes, eagles devouring snakes and warriors, and reveal much about the people who created them, although many questions about this culture remain unanswered. See these enormous stone statues up close and witness these man-made stone monuments for yourself at this special site. Walk to the Lavapatas ceremonial spring before heading up the mountain, where you can enjoy a magnificent view from the Lavapatas terrace. You’ll also visit the Magdalena River. Before being taken back to your hotel, you’ll take a stroll through this stunning area.
Your accommodation: Terrazas de San Agustín | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | San Agustín – Villavieja

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Villavieja, which is situated in the heart of the impressive Tatacoa Desert. It attracts travellers with its surreal landscape and warm climate. This area is ideal for exploring intriguing canyons and admiring the starry sky at night.
Your accommodation: Hotel Infinito La Casona | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Villavieja

Today you will be taken to the bizarre landscape of the Tatacoa Desert, or as it used to be known, the ‘Valle de la Tristeza’. In this area, where the Doche Indians once lived, black ‘Cascabel’ (a type of rattlesnake), wolves, vipers, spiders and bats used to be found. At first, the Tatacoa Desert was rich in flora and fauna, but as the climate changed, the soil dried out and now only cacti remain, along with animals that can withstand the high temperatures. Today, you will take a walk through this desert, exploring the Laberintos de Cuzco and Las Ventanas. The desert is transformed into a truly unique place of interaction and movement by the orange colour of the earth, which has been shaped by strong winds over the centuries. After your walk, you’ll visit Los Hoyos, a natural swimming pool in the desert, where you can cool off from the heat and relax. In the evening, you’ll visit the Astronomical Observatory, where you’ll be offered an observation session. You’ll then be taken back to your accommodation.
Your accommodation: Hotel Infinito La Casona | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Villavieja – Neiva – Bucaramanga – Barichara

You will be collected today and taken to Neiva Airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to Bucaramanga. On arrival, you will be met by one of our local staff members, who will accompany you to your accommodation in Barichara. Barichara is considered the most beautiful village in Colombia because of 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. In 1978, Barichara was declared a national monument due to its architectural heritage dating back to the Spanish colonial period. Although the town’s beauty is recognised throughout the country, relatively few tourists have yet found their way to Barichara. Barichara lies at an altitude of around 1,300 metres and therefore enjoys a very pleasant climate, meaning it never gets extremely hot or extremely cold. Temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees.
Your accommodation: La Nube Posada | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Barichara – Bucaramanga – Medellín

Your journey continues today to beautiful Medellín. You will be taken to Bucaramanga Airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Medellín. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. You will be staying at the Park 10 Hotel. There are various restaurants and cosy bars in the vicinity of the hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Medellín

Today you will visit the places that represent the social transformation Medellín has undergone. During the trip, you will visit the city’s iconic areas that reflect the changes from the 1980s to the present day. 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 in infrastructure and education here. Today, it is the city of eternal spring and one of the most innovative metropolises in 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. 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 Comuna 13, you’ll see how large escalators connect the upper and lower parts of the neighbourhood, and you’ll come across stunning graffiti murals. You’ll round off 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. Your accommodation: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Medellín

Today you have a free day in the city of eternal spring. Why not visit San Antonio Park, also known as La Plazoleta? This park features 23 sculptures by Fernando Botero, which the artist donated to his hometown in 2000. You can also visit the Antioquia Museum. This museum houses an impressive art collection spanning the pre-Columbian and colonial periods, as well as contemporary artworks. The Plazuela de San Ignacio is one of the most historic parts of Medellín and is certainly worth a visit. You can also take a ride on a traditional tram or cable car. This mode of transport is ideal for easily reaching the mountainous outskirts of the city. From here, you’ll have a sweeping view of the city of Medellín.
Your accommodation: Hotel Park 10 | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Medellín – Cartagena

You will be collected today and taken to Medellín 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.
Your accommodation: Hotel Quadrifolio | bed and breakfast

Day 21 | Cartagena

Today you will be taken on a trip of the city. Your trip begins with a visit to the Monasterio and the Iglesia de La Popa. You will then visit the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, which was built on San Lázaro Hill to defend the city against pirate attacks. During the guided trip, you’ll learn all about the structural and architectural details of the fort. You’ll then visit the historic city centre, where you’ll be taken past all the main sights, including the monastery and the church of San Pedro Claver. Finally, you’ll visit the craft centre in Las Bóvedas.
Your accommodation: Hotel Quadrifolio | bed and breakfast

Day 22 | 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.
Your accommodation: Hotel Quadrifolio | bed and breakfast

Day 23 | 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 24 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.