14 Day Historic Colombia

Bogota

Tag 1: Welcome to Bogota

Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a friendly face to assist with your luggage before transporting you to your hotel in the heart of Bogotá.

As the starting off point, Bogotá is a melting pot, a city full of culture, beautiful buildings, friendly people, cozy streets with a distinct Colombian and South American atmosphere.

Once you’ve freshened up at the hotel, feel free to relax for the rest of the day or choose to explore this diverse and multicultural city. Admire the blend of modern and colonial architecture as you wander through La Candelaria, the city’s cultural epicenter, or marvel at the street scenes of this bustling city. 

Get some rest tonight before beginning the rest of the adventure.

Candelaria - Monserrate

Tag 2: Discover Bogota's Historic Centre

You’ll be collected from your accommodation this morning and taken on a guided excursion, where you’ll encounter the most important historical locations within La Candelaria.

Your private guide will explain the significance of each location; where the plan for independence was devised, where the president sleeps, the most famous church of Colombia, the most important plaza in Colombia and so much more

Once you have visited these beautiful sites it will be time for you to ascend to the great height of the summit of Monserrate; almost 2,000 ft higher than Bogotá. You’ll have time to wander through the artisan markets, visit a beautiful 17th-century monastery and enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the capital city.

Zipaquira - Villa de Leyva

Tag 3: Marvel at the Night Sky in the Tatacoa Desert

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to leave Bogotá onward to the Tatacoa Desert. 

Unparalleled stargazing, one of Colombia's best observatories, beautiful landscapes, and natural swimming pools can all be found in the middle of Tatacoa. In the afternoon, you will meet with your local guide who will take you on a fantastic 2-hour hike through this amazing landscape, where you can marvel at the windswept, natural monuments.

Because of the dry, clear conditions, lack of light pollution, and location in close proximity to the equator, Tatacoa is a great spot for stargazing – the skies above both the Northern and Southern hemispheres are spread out for all to see. This evening, you will spend a couple of hours at the observatory gazing at the starriest skies in Colombia.

Villa de Leyva - Bogota

Tag 4: Discover the Past in San Agustin

Rising early this morning to take advantage of the cool morning air as begin the journey towards San Agustin.

Enjoy the afternoon with a guided tour through the heart of the San Agustín archeological zone. The UNESCO World Heritage Site speaks of another era and a rich history that continues to influence the region. 

Considered the world's largest necropolis, and featuring the largest complex of pre-Columbian megalithic funerary monuments and statuary, funerary structures, stone statuary, terraces, burial mounds, along with an amazing religious monument carved in the stone bed of a stream.

Bogota - Neiva - Tatacoa Desert

Tag 5: Immerse Yourself in the History of Colombia

This morning we'll continue our deep dive into the past at some more archaeological sites of the region.

At Estrecho del Magdalena, canyon walls consist of more than 70 million-year-old compressed lava of nearby volcanoes. In some rocks seashells, more than 120 million years old can be found.

We'll then continue to the museum and tombs of Obando, a complex with caves of sacred chambers. Within the complex, you'll also find ceramic pieces, clay pots, replicas of gold pieces, and paintings that evoke the lifestyle of the ancestors.

After our visit to Alto de la Piedras, home to monumental sculptures, artificial hills, funeral halls, and big tombs, decorated with multicolored paintings, we'll begin the journey through picturesque landscapes to arrive in the white city of Popayan.

San Agustin

Tag 6: Experience A Different Way of Life in Silvia

Wake to the sounds of the church bells ringing from the domed, neoclassical Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption. Then enjoy a relaxing breakfast and a walking tour of the white city of Popayan, a religious center with popular Holy Week processions.

Following lunch, you'll make the short journey to the town of Silvia, and onto the indigenous millinery community of the Guambiano Indians. Here, you'll learn about their natural medicines, along with their religious, and cultural beliefs dating back thousands of years.

After enjoying some time with the Guambiana community you'll be transferred back to Popayan.

Enjoy another wonderful night in the white city.

Obando

Tag 7: Journey to San Jose del Guaviare

We hope that after a comfortable sleep and a delectable breakfast that you are ready for your next adventure in Colombia.

This morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for a short flight back to Bogota to then take a connecting flight to San Jose del Guaviare.

Upon arrival, you'll be collected and taken directly to your hotel to enjoy a night in this magical location.

Pitalito - Bogota

Tag 8: Discover Monolithic Structures in Guaviare

Leaving at around 8 am this morning, we'll travel the short distance of less than 30 min to arrive in the fascinating area of rock formations such as the Puerta de Orión - Gate of Orion.

Here you'll enjoy walking through this wonderful area before heading to Caño Sabana to enjoy the wonderful scenery of this magical river which displays the colorful water plant Macarenia clavíagera - endemic to the country. Here you'll be able to relax and take many photos. Unfortunately swimming here is not allowed, but another swimming spot for you to cool down in is downstream at Chrystal Waters.

To finish off your day you'll enjoy a wonderful walkthrough, under, and around the Puentes Naturales - natural bridges - before heading back to your hotel.

Bogota - San Jose Del Guaviare

Tag 9: Marvel at Prehistory in Cerro Azul

Leaving shortly after breakfast, we'll travel to the archeological site of Cerro Azul.

Once here you'll be walking through the jungle and through a cave where you'll enjoy your first encounter with the rock paintings of animals, people, plants, and daily life dating back more than 12,000 years.

Following this, you'll travel the short distance to the Finca El Chontaduro. Here you'll enjoy a typical lunch, learn about the local fauna, interact with some rescued animals, and learn about the alternative crops cultivated here since the FARC disbanded, and cocaine is no longer processed in this area.

Puerta De Orion

Tag 10: Discover the Pink Dolphins of Lage Nare

This morning we'll leave early on a 4x4 adventure to Laguna Damas de Nare. Don't worry, we'll stop for breakfast along the way.

Once here you'll enjoy an hour hike (with a few stops) for approximately 3.5 km through a beautiful forest full of exotic plants, birds, and monkeys.

At the conclusion of this walk, you'll stop for a short break before climbing into a canoe to explore the lagoon in search of the pink dolphins. You'll also have the opportunity to have a swim in the lagoon, with the odd dolphin possibly playing with your feet while you're enjoying the warm waters.

Next, you're back to land for a wonderful typical lunch before heading walking back through the magical forest and your waiting transport to your hotel.

Cerro Azul

Tag 11: Experience the Culture of the Familia Tukano Oriental

We'll begin today traveling the short distance to the amazing area of the Túneles Naturales - natural rock tunnels - where we'll hike to discover its magnanimous natural beauty for approximately 3 hours.

Next, it will be off for a bit of lunch and to explore the Los Pozos Naturales - natural water wells - and a bit of a swim, before drying off and traveling to a local indigenous community native to this region.

Here you'll enjoy interacting with the Familia Tukano Oriental, enjoy some of their traditional foods, learn of their culture, history, dances, and relax in setting hundreds of years old.

Lago Nare Guaviare

Tag 12: One Final Adventure

Today will start with a relaxing journey to Pinturas Rupestres Nuevo Tolima.

Here you'll discover some impressive rock paintings, estimated to be up to 12,500 years old. Some possibly are more recent, only a few centuries old, depicting the conquistadors and their livestock. Here you'll enjoy walking around before enjoying local lunch and before heading to the airport to catch your flight back to Bogotá.

Upon arrival, you'll be collected from the airport and be taken directly to your accommodation to check-in and enjoy the remainder of your day free.

The tour ends here but we hope you have had a memorable trip diving into the history of Colombia and wish you pleasant onward travels!

Guayabero

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Nuevo Tolima - Bogota

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