Treasures of southern Colombia

Bogota

Day 1: Arrival in Colombia

On arrival at the airport in Bogota, you'll be greeted by your driver for a transfer to your hotel. The city is located high in the Andes at 2,640m (8,660ft) above sea level. Take your time as you adapt to the altitude and enjoy a relaxed afternoon or evening stroll around the Candelaria district.

Bogota

Day 2: Free day in Bogota

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll have a whole day free to explore the city. In the morning, you could pay a visit to Bogota’s largest food market, Paloquemao. This typical market supplies most of the city's best restaurants and is a real labyrinth of color and flavor. Continue exploring La Candelaria, the heart of the historical center, full of churches, museums and cafes.

In the afternoon, don’t miss the Gold Museum, where you can see the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects. The next stop has to be the Botero Museum, where paintings and sculptures by Colombia's most celebrated artists are exhibited alongside a private collection of Picasso and other artists.

Bogota - Neiva

Day 3: Hiking the Tatacoa Desert

After breakfast today, you’ll head for the airport for an internal flight to Neiva. Once you've arrived, you will visit the striking Tatacoa Desert. This is the second-largest desert in Colombia and it has two distinct geographical zones: the Cuzco sector, where erosion has carved canyons, ravines and labyrinths of ocher and red, and Los Hoyos, where the ground is tinged gray with anthracite.

You'll spend a while hiking through both of these distinctive landscapes, dotted with small canyons and cacti. Later, transfer to your hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.

Neiva - San Agustin

Day 4: Coffee farm discoveries

After breakfast, transfer to San Agustin, following the route of the Rio Magdalena through the mountains. On the way, make a stop at a traditional coffee plantation where you'll learn all about coffee bean production from harvest to cup.

This experience will show you how the fruit is selected, the drying and roasting process, right through to the final product. Round off your visit by tasting a freshly roasted cup of coffee.

Then it's onward to San Agustin, where it's time to settle into your new hotel, ready for tomorrow's explorations. 

San Agustin

Day 5: Explore Colombian megalithic art

Today, visit the Archaeological Park of San Agustin, with its collection of megalithic sculptures. This fascinating archaeological park is home to more than 300 huge statues and sacred tombs, and is firmly on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You can also discover El Bosque, a small museum, and the Mesitas, where ancient dwellings, tombs and statues with remarkable finishes are housed. Next, you'll visit the archaeological site of Alto de Las Piedras to discover more beautiful statues.

Later, return to your hotel in San Agustin, where the rest of the day and evening are at your leisure.

San Agustin - Popayan

Day 6: Colombia's colonial heart

After breakfast this morning, travel to the city of Popayan and check in at your hotel. Popayan is considered the religious capital of Colombia, with the largest number of churches per inhabitant. It is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the country, although it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 1980s.

In the afternoon, you will tour Popayan and discover its Baroque churches, the Basilica Cathedral and its atmospheric stone streets. Explore the city and its handsome colonial houses with whitewashed walls, wrought-iron balconies, and colorful flowering bushes. Then, enjoy a relaxing evening soaking up the atmosphere of the attractive historical center.

Popayan - Pereira

Day 7: A finca visit en-route to the Coffee Triangle

After breakfast, set off towards Colombia’s Coffee Triangle. Along the way, take a break to visit the Finca El Diamante.

You'll receive a warm welcome and a tour of the farm as you learn about the traditional buffalo cheese they produce. You'll also take a walk through the surrounding countryside to observe the flora and fauna along the river.

Enjoy lunch outside and taste the typical dishes of the region, before continuing your journey. If traveling on a Tuesday, you could also stop at the village of Silvia to visit the interesting traditional market there.

Once you've arrived and checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please.

Pereira

Day 8: Exploring the charms of Cocora

Today, you'll wake up to breakfast in the coffee region and discover the lovely Cocora Valley. First up, take a beautiful walk along the Quindio River to experience the cloud forest habitat and admire the sky-high wax palms - Colombia’s national tree.

Then, head to the village of Salento to enjoy its colonial architecture, brightly painted houses and wooden balconies. Continue to the small town of Filandia, known for its colorful houses and square surrounded by coffee shops.

The rest of the day is free - or you could opt to visit a nature reserve or ride a Willys Jeep through the valley.

Pereira - Cartagena

Day 9: The streets of Cartagena

After breakfast this morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Pereira for a flight to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast.

After checking in at your hotel and freshening up, you’ll begin a walking tour of the city to learn all about its fascinating history. Discover stories of pirates and take in the weather-worn colonial architecture as you wander through the historical center.

Visit some of the town’s churches and the monastery of San Pedro Claver. Amble through alleyways to find interesting local craft stores and snack stalls selling tropical fruits and ice cream. Spend the evening relaxing in the balmy weather of this lively Caribbean hub.

Cartagena

Day 10: Free day in & around Cartagena

Today is free for you to choose one of several optional activities or simply relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.

After a leisurely breakfast, one option is a visit to La Boquilla, a fishing village of Afro-Colombian culture located on the beach, 20 minutes away from Cartagena. After visiting the community, you could even observe the local bird life aboard a boat taking you through the surrounding mangroves.

Alternatively, you might prefer to visit the Popa Convent and San Felipe Fort in Cartagena, or take a boat excursion to the Rosario Islands archipelago - a natural park composed of 27 coral islands.

Cartagena

Day 11: Morning market & onward journey

Get up early this morning to visit the Bazurto Market for a culinary tour. You'll be exploring the colorful alleyways of the market in search of the city's gastronomic and cultural traditions.

Finally, enjoy breakfast with your guide at a restaurant in Getsemani, a great way to end your time in Colombia, as you enjoy a last taste of Cartagena’s cuisine - one of the richest and most varied in the country.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.