Colombia highlights: archeology, coffee and the Caribbean coast!

Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Your guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to a beautiful colonial hotel in the historic part of Bogota "Candelaria".

Overnight at the hotel in Bogota

1st highlight: Mount Monserrate
The first day of our Colombia tour starts with breakfast before we take the cable car up to the Montserrate mountain. From there we have a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains. We enjoy the view and then head back into town by foot.

2nd highlight: city tour of Bogota
After our little morning walk, we start with the city tour, during which we have the opportunity to marvel at the most famous sights of the place, such as the colonial old town, the fantastic Bolicar Square and the impressive gold museum. On the way we can try Colombian dishes in one of the local cafés.

Overnight in Bogota

1st highlight: Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira
After a delicious breakfast in the hotel, we head to one of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia: Villa De Leyva. On our way we stop in Zipaquira and have the opportunity to visit the fantastic salt cathedral, which lies 120 m below the ground.

2nd highlight: Villa de Levya
We reach Villa de Levya in the early afternoon. After the optional lunch break, we will take a tour of this beautiful colonial town surrounded by hills.

Overnight in the hotel in Villa de Leyva

1st highlight: Casa Terracota
After breakfast we start our day in the area around Villa de Leyvas. We first drive to the impressive Casa Terracota. This is a pottery house in which you can marvel at the numerous works of art in the region with mountains in the background.

2nd highlight: Visit of the Dominican monastery Ecce Homo and the astronomical center of the Muisca Indians
We continue with a visit to the beautiful Dominican monastery Ecce-Homo dating back to the 17th century and a visit to a fossil that is probably over 150 million years old. In the archaeological park El Infiernito we get to know the astronomical center of the Muisca Indians and learn how they were able to predict the dry and rainy seasons.
We spend the rest of the afternoon in Villa de Leyva and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this city.

Overnight in Villa de Leyva

Highlight: Puente de Boyaca and flight to Medellin - full day
In the morning we go back to Bogota on the northern motorway, where we make a small stop at the Puente de Boyaca, the Colombian national monument. The cute little bridge is nestled between green hills and may look inconspicuous at first, but it has an exciting story. Simon Bolivar defeated the Spanish conquerors with his army in 1819 and achieved Colombia's independence from Spain right here.
We continue to the airport in Bogota, from where we will fly to Medellin. When we arrive in the city of eternal spring, the local driver picks us up and drives us to our hotel in the El Pobaldo district.

Overnight in Medellin

Highlight: Medellin City Tour - Full Day
Medellin is symbolic of the change in this country and was formerly one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
Today it is the metropolis where 90% of the Colombians would like to live. It is well organized, very clean and has received international recognition with many projects that have mainly helped the poor neighborhoods. Medellin is also known as the city of eternal spring due to its year-round mild temperatures.
On our city tour we visit the beautiful San Antonio Park, the impressive San Ignacio Square, the Coltejer building and the sculpture park, in which more than 20 sculptures are exhibited, created by the artist Fernando Botero. Afterwards, we visit the Pueblito Paisa, a model replica of a typical village from Antioquia. From there we enjoy a fantastic view over the city and learn how Medellin achieved this change.

Overnight in Medellin

Highlight: Drive to a coffee hacienda - all day
After our breakfast, we leave Medellin for a while and set off into the lush green hills of the coffee zone. Wedrive along the Rio Caucas and reach the coffee hacienda in the early afternoon, where we will stay for the next few days. Here we learn everything about the region and the process of growing coffee. The beautiful property itself still lives for the most part, and we have the experts on site. Among other exciting things, our visit includes a technical and a practical introduction to the exciting process of coffee production - from the plant to the cup!

Overnight in Santa Rosa de Cabal

1st highlight: Cocora valley
After the extensive typical breakfast, we take a trip to the Cocora Valley. This is known for its breathtaking landscapes and can be explored either on foot or on horseback.
One of the main attractions of the nature reserve is the Palma de Cera (the wax palm), which is one of the tallest palm species in the world and is considered the Colombian national tree.

2nd highlight: Salento
Afterwards we visit the picturesque village of Salento, which is particularly popular with visitors because of its cute alleys and handicraft workshops. Let yourself be carried away by the hustle and bustle of the town and enjoy a coffee in one of the small coffee boutiques.

Drive back and overnight in Santa Rosa de Cabal

Easy hike in the Valle de Cocora: approx. 3 h

Highlight: Drive to Popayan - full day
After our breakfast we continue our trip on the Panamericana. Our journey leads us through the western slopes of the central Andean cordillera, past Cali and to Popayan, one of the richest cities on the continent during the colonial period. On the way we stop and get to know a traditional sugar cane hacienda.

Overnight in Popayan

1. Highlight: City tour in Popayan
We get to know the beautiful Popayan, which was founded by Sebastian de Belalcazar in 1537, on foot. It is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the country.

2nd highlight: Purace National Park
We leave Popayan around noon and cross the middle Andes range. The journey takes us through the Purace National Park. The park, named after the 4756m high Puracé volcano, is particularly known for its fantastic panoramic views and the typical Frailejones. These interesting plants are typical of the Andes and, because of their medicinal properties, are also very popular among the locals.
After about 4-5 h we reach San Agustin and check into a great hacienda hotel. Not only is the city located in one of the most spectacular regions in the country, but it is also the archaeological center of Colombia. There are various statues scattered around here, which are considered testimony to unknown cultures.

Overnight in San Agustin

Highlight: Visit to the archaeological museum - all day
In the morning, we visit the archaeological park and museum and explore the history of this exciting region. Many of the park's sculptures are made of volcanic rock and depict people with the most varied of clothing styles, hairstyles and shapes. The sizes of the sculptures are also very different: from 10 cm - 7 m and from a few grams to several tons.
Option: horse ride or hike
In the afternoon, you can go horse riding or take a hike to the archaeological sites of El Tablon and La Chaquira if you wish.

Overnight in San Agustin

Highlight: Visit to San José - full day
After breakfast we drive to San José de Isnos to visit the archaeological parks "Parque Archeologico", "Alto de los Ídolos", "Alto de las Piedras" and the spectacular waterfalls "Salto del Mortiño". On our way back to San Agustin we stop at the narrow river (max. 2 m wide) of the "Rio Magdalenas", the largest and longest river in the country.

Overnight in San Agustin

Hike: duration approx. 2 hours, level of difficulty easy

Highlight: Santa Marta - all day
Today we drive to Neiva, from where we fly to Santa Marta. Meanwhile we pass Bogota along the Caribbean coast. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting for us and will take us to the most breathtaking beaches on the South American continent.
The rest of the afternoon and evening you can swim and relax at the beautiful Caribbean coast. The next two nights we spend the night in typical bungalows
directly at the sea.

Overnight in Santa Marta

Highlight: Visit to Tayrona Park - all day
On a hike through the tropical dry forest and along the beaches, we enjoy the flora and fauna of the Tayrona Park. We start at the coast of Cañaveral, one of the wildest and most beautiful parts of Parque Tayrona. Here we climb a small hill that offers a magnificent view over the coast. Followed by a 1 h hike through the forest to Arrecife, we continue on to the beach sections "La Piscina" and "San Juan del Cabo". We will then have enough time to swim and try different tropical fruits.

Overnight in Santa Marta

Duration of the hike: approx. 6 hours, level of difficulty easy

Highlight: Cartagena - all day
After breakfast we leave Tayrona Park, drive along the Caribbean coast past Santa Marta and Barranquilla to Cartagena and check into the hotel.
After a short time to rest, we start in the afternoon to visit Cartagena, which is one of the most impressive cities in Latin America. Caribbean flair and a colonial old town full of history and culture - simply a city that you can fall in love with. The city tour takes us to the fantastic old city districts and we are going to see the historical buildings and squares. We also have the opportunity to visit the monastery high up in the lush green hills and also stop by the San Felipe Castle.

Overnight in Cartagena
Driving time: approx. 5 h (250 km)

Highlight: free time
Today you can enjoy the place on your own. Optionally, you can take a boat trip to the Islas del Rosario. We end the evening on a carriage ride through the streets of Cartagena.

Overnight in Cartagena

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport
Your driver will accompany you to the airport in Cartagena, from where you will fly to Bogota and from there to Germany. Your return flight to Germany ends the tour.

See you on a new journey!

16 nights in cozy mid-range hotels
16 x breakfast
Welcome dinner
Farewell dinner
Transfers from & to the airport
All transfers in an air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle
experienced drivers
All excursions and excursions described
Entrance tickets
English speaking guide during the whole trip
All domestic flights

International flights
Meals and drinks that were not mentioned
Self-organized excursions
Insurance
Tips