See for yourself all that Colombia and its people have to offer in this 12-day trip plan thought Colombia where you will visit natural wonders like the Tatacoa desert or the colonial town of Popayán. Visit Bogotá, the vibrant capital of the Latin American country, before travelling back in time to discover the Andean heritage of Colombia in San Agustín. Then go north to explore all nature has to offer -the wax palms in Valle del Cocora, the Coffee Region and Tayrona National Park and its beautiful beaches. Culminate your experience in one of the most beautiful and colorful cities in the country, Cartagena de Indias.
Suggested itinerary
Day one: Welcome to Colombia
Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, your driver will take you to the hotel where our local representative will meeting you upon arrival for an orientation meeting. Get settled at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day on your own.
Day two: Feel the Rhythm of Bogotá - Biking City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a half day bike tour of the city with your local guide. You will stop at all the most important monuments like La Candelaria, Bogota’s historic center, continue visiting a traditional fruit market, where we taste tropical fruits, followed by a typical small-scale coffee roaster. In the afternoon, your could visit Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira (a guided tour is highly recommended).
What else can you do in Bogotá?- Guided Visit to Museo de Oro
- Guided Visit to Paloquemao Market:
- Take the Cable car ride Monserrate Mountain
- Colombian Cooking Class
Day three: Explore the Flora and Fauna of Marashá
Transfer to the airport for a 2-hour flight to Leticia. Upon arrival to Leticia, transfer by boat (approx. 45 min) and then an easy hike until reaching the Marashá Natural Reserve located in Perú for your check-in. During the transfer you could admire the beautiful centenary trees: Ceiba, Capinuri, Chuchuaza. At night, you will have the chance to observe the different species of fauna and flora accompanied by your local guide.
Day four: Fly Over the Amazonia
After breakfast, enjoy a 250-meter canopy (zip-line) route over the Amazon. After lunch, natural activities are waiting for you: kayaking and visiting to the Victoria Regia a giant Amazon Lotus, here it will be possible to admire monkeys and other animals. At night, you will do an alligator safari and enjoy of the wildlife living at the reserve.
Day five: Discover the Amazonian Monkeys
After breakfast, we will go to the Calanoa Jungle Lodge by boat (approx. 60 minutes). After settling in you will receive a delicious lunch. Visit Mocagua community and the Miqueando project where it is possible to observe and learn about these primates. Jungle walk and return to Calanoa in native boats down the Matamata creek, natural limit with the Amacayacu Park (approx. 30 minutes). After dinner, get ready for a nocturnal walk along the trails.
Day six: Adventure Day in the Amazon River
After breakfast, go on a native boat for a wildlife-watching excursion on Tarapoto Lake. You’ll spot pink dolphins and exotic birds, and will have the opportunity to try your hand at traditional fishing. You will also visit San Francisco where a local indigenous family works to protect the caimans and Puerto Narino. On the way back to Calanoa, you’ll stop for a cultural activity with the Mocagua community.
Day seven: Leticía Guided Visit with a Local
After breakfast, transfer by boat down the amazon river towards Leticia (approx. 120 minutes). Visit Tabatinga where you will admire the magnificent Amazon River. After lunch, you will go back to Leticia for a city tour and discover the Orellana Park. Have some free time to do some craft shopping before the time for your 2-hour afternoon flight to Bogotá.
Day eight: Minca Nature Aventure
Today you will have a full day adventure in Minca. The begins along the trail to the lost waterfall where you will be able to take a refreshing swim in this spectacular waterfall, visit a coffee hacienda and enjoy lunch over looking the beautiful landscape. After your excursion in Minca, transfer to your hotel near Tayrona National Park.
Day nine: Enjoy a Day in the Caribbean Beaches
Today is an easy excursion into Tayrona National Nature Park to see some of the parks gorgeous beaches which are backed by mountains and shaded by coconut palms. Visit Arrecifes, La Piscina, another small village where you could swim in the natural pools and coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling. Continue your hike to La Cabo, this famous picturesque beach is one of the most recognizable in the park.
Day ten: Guided Visit of Cartagena
Upon arrival to Cartagena you will start a private guided visit of Cartagena, Colombia’s walled city. Visit the city’s plazas, galleries, churches and vaulted walkways where crafts and antiquities are sold. Visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore Cerro de la Popa, where you will find a church and colonial convent constructed in the 17th Century.
Day eleven: Explore Cartagena
Free day to enjoy this beautiful city on your own.
What else can you do in around Cartagena?- Visit the UNESCO San Basilio de Palenque, the first freed-slave city of the Americas
- Evening Street Food Experience
- Mangrove Guided Tour by the locals of La Boguilla
- Fishing Experiences with Locals
Day twelve: Depart
Breakfast at your hotel and check out. Pick-up at the hotel to transfer to the Cartagena airport for your flight back home.
What more?
You accommodations
To make your experience as local as possible we use small boutique hotels where you can find personalize service. All the hotels in our portfolio whether they are 3, 4 or 5 stars, would be well-located and rooms would have a private bathroom, non-smoking and air conditioning.
Your experience
It’s a given that during your trip, you will see the highlights and historically important sites but what really sets the experience apart is our local guides and local experiences. You discover the most spectacular places in Colombia as well as see how Colombians really live in a unique and personalized experience.
Why travel with us?
Customized and private trip
We’re full of ideas and we take time to design a trip for you that ticks all the boxes. We have the knowledge and contacts to ensure that your trip is a once in a lifetime. Our local Colombian guides bring the country to life through their personal stories and life experiences, They are all about showing you the real Colombia to discover things you won’t find out about any other way.
Responsible travel
We pride ourselves on delivering an enriching ‘local’ experience in Colombia– and therefore we feel it’s our responsibility to leave a positive impact as well as reduce negative impacts. We are committed to working in a socially and environmentally conscious way, and making a positive difference. Click here for more details about our responsible travel journey.
Great Reviews
Over the years we’ve been creating inspirational and immersive trips for our clients, and what better testament to this than to hear the great things they have to say about their experience, and our service. We have plenty of great reviews to share, be sure and click here to read some.
