Best of Colombia & the Galapagos in 12 days

Cartagena

Day 1: Welcome to Colombia

On your arrival in Cartagena, your private driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. The ride takes roughly 15-20 minutes, so sit back and relax, and take in the views along the way. Ask your English-speaking guide for recommendations on how to make the most out of your stay in Colombia!

Your hotel Santa Catalina is located in the heart of the bustling historic center of Cartagena and offers fully-equipped, charming lofts and rooms in a renovated 17th-century building. The heated rooftop swimming pool with sun terrace offers great views of the historic city. It is a great choice for travelers interested in architecture, food, and history.

Cartagena

Day 2: A day in San Pedro de Majagua

The Natural Park of Islas del Rosario is an archipelago made up of 27 islands. It is located 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. San Pedro de Majagua on Isla Grande is named after Pierre Daguet, a French painter who designed his house and studio there in 1955.

Here, you will enjoy coral beaches and a diverse reef life, which make this the ideal place to relax and go for a swim. The tour includes transfers by car and boat to the island and back.

Medellin

Day 3: Medellin, the City of Eternal Spring

Today, your driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport to board your flight to Medellin. Once you've landed, you will be taken straight on your Medellin panoramic city tour!

The tour starts along River Avenue. Upon arrival in the city center, you will visit Plaza San Antonio and Plaza Botero. Tour the Museum of Antioquia, then walk to the metro station from where you will take a panoramic tour and board the train to Santo Domingo. There, you will enjoy a cultural interpretation tour.

To round off this discovery of Medellin, head to a viewpoint for striking vistas before then meeting your driver at University station. From there you'll travel on to Pueblito Paisa, where another cultural tour as well as a fun food tasting experience await. Finally, you will reach the pink zone of El Poblado and visit Lleras Park.

Medellin

Day 4: Touring El Peñol & Guatape

Today's tour starts in the city of Medellin and takes you through the municipality of Peñol to Guatapé. On the drive, you can enjoy the view of the reservoir, one of the main energy providers of Colombia. You'll have the option to try out different marine-based activities (not included).

Afterward, visit the Rock of Guatapé, which is approximately 220m high. Even though it is not a part of the tour package, you can opt to climb it and reach the viewpoint for a 360-degree view of the Guatapé reservoir and its neighboring lands.

Inside the municipality of Guatapé, you will take a guided tour of its streets, where a specialized guide will tell you all about the local history and culture. After the tour, return to your hotel in Medellin to rest.

Pereira

Day 5: Take a coffee tasting tour

From your hotel, you'll be transferred to Medellin's airport to board a flight to Pereira. On arrival, head to the municipality of Buenavista and take a tour around Hacienda San Alberto to learn about the fascinating world of coffee.

The hacienda offers the most extraordinary views for you to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the coffee plantations in the mountains south of El Quindio. Today, you will not only learn the step-by-step process of making coffee, but also taste this high-quality coffee that has received international recognition and praise from countries like Russia, South Korea, and Belgium.

Pereira

Day 6: Visiting Filandia, the Cocora Valley & Salento

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Filandia. There, embark on a tour through the colonial streets and visit the Quindio viewpoint.

Next, stop at a basketry workshop and enjoy a typical lunch with a non-alcoholic beverage and dessert in a local restaurant. Then, you will journey onward to the Cocora Valley to enjoy its beautiful landscape.

Once you get there, you will be greeted with a canelazo cocktail. With an eco guide's assistance, you will then embark on an introductory tour of the natural reserve of Cocora: enter the fog forest known for its biodiversity, where you will find the highest wax palms in the world, and connect with the earth during a special palm planting ritual.

Lastly, head to the village of Salento where you will take a walking tour through its colonial streets and craft workshops, ending at a stunning viewpoint.

Bogota

Day 7: On to Bogota

After picking you up at the hotel, your driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Armenia. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your five-star hotel, to either relax on-site or set out and explore Armenia at your pace.

Bogota

Day 8: Enjoy Bogota & Zipaquira

Today you will visit the Paloquemao market in the city center. You will be amazed by the variety of colors and tastes you will find here. Sample different tropical fruits that you will hardly find anywhere else in the world, before visiting the historic center. There, you can explore sights such as the Colon Theater, San Carlos Palace, San Ignacio Church, Nariño Presidential Palace, Bolivar Square, the Capitol, City Hall and the cathedral. Afterward, head to the Gold Museum then take a cable car up to Monserrate hill.

After this tour, you will be driven to the town of Zipaquira, located 49km from Bogota. On the way, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Sabana countryside and Puente del Comun.

Zipaquira is known for its Salt Cathedral, which was built inside a salt mine. It is considered a major breakthrough in Colombian architecture.

Galapagos

Day 9: Touring the wildlife-rich Galapagos

It is time to say goodbye to Colombia, and enjoy your last morning in Bogota. A representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight to Ecuador's Galapagos. Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport on San Cristobal Island, where the tour begins.

After check-in and lunch in a local restaurant, head to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where a guide will tell you more about how the Galapagos Islands were formed, explain the evolution of local species and migration patterns, and give you insight into the human settlements within the Galapagos.

Then, make your way to Cerro Tijeretas or Frigatebird Hill. You can try snorkeling to see colorful fish, starfish, and sea urchins in crystal-clear waters. The afternoon continues with a visit to Playa Punta Carola, where you can enjoy the beautiful sands before returning to the hotel.

Galapagos

Day 10: More snorkeling adventures

Today you'll get to explore more of the Galapagos Islands' diversity. First you will head to Leon Dormido, or Sleeping Lion (a 1-hour boat ride away), for some swimming and snorkeling. Then it's on to Kicker Rock, considered one of the most outstanding snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. The excursion consists of two snorkeling activities, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, after lunch is served on board.

Finally, make your way to a deserted beach to observe the wildlife and relax. In the afternoon, you'll head back to the boat and return to San Cristobal.

Galapagos

Day 11: Highlands of San Cristobal & La Lobería

After breakfast, the day begins with a short bus or truck ride to visit the Highlands of San Cristobal. Along the way, stop at the Mirador de la Soledad to enjoy a magnificent view of the island.

Afterward, make your way to the Laguna del Junco, the only freshwater lagoon in San Cristobal, where frigatebirds come to wash their wings. This is followed by a short stop at Playa de Puerto Chino before lunch in the highlands.

On the way back, you'll pass by the spot where the island’s locals cultivate their food and the famous Galapagos coffee. Then, in the afternoon, get ready for an excursion to La Loberia. The drive will take you northwest of downtown Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, to a scenic sea lion-filled beach. Here, you can also see fascinating creatures like iguanas, lava lizards and frigatebirds, and enjoy snorkeling with turtles.

Galapagos

Day 12: Goodbye to the Galapagos!

On your final day, get up early to allow enough time for your transfer to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno's airport, where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil.

We hope you return home full of memories of your time in Colombia and the Galapagos Islands. Have a safe onward journey!