10 Day History Of Colombia – Over 50 Shared Tour

Home to more than 8 million people, Bogotá, is nestled in the northern Andes mountains. The capital city lies 2,640 meters, or 8,660 feet, above sea level. Bogotá was founded in 1538 and still retains its historical charm in areas such as La Candelaria. Aside from being historically significant, Bogotá is also known for its arts, gastronomy, and culture.
More than 500 statues are scattered around San Agustin; which makes it unbelievable that so little is known about this ancient artwork.

Archaeologists discovered that the stones sculptors used come from volcanoes and conclude that the carvings have their origin between the 1st and 4th century AD. However, overall very little is known about those who created these mysterious statues.

The Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin or ‘boto’, only lives in freshwater. The dolphins come in all different shades of pink. The murkier the water, the pinker it will be. The sun’s rays cause them to lose their pigmentation.

Day 1 Welcome to Bogotá, 2600 meters closer to the stars.

Arrive at any time to be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. 

On arrival at Bogotá airport, your transportation will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel to check in and enjoy a bit of me-time. 

Around 6:30 pm you’ll be meeting the other travelers in your group at a Welcome to Bogotá Dinner.

Arriving early to check out more of this region before joining your group? 

Click here to find some inspiration and additional experiences you can enjoy in Bogotá

Be sure to ask your travel consultant for your group members' discount before making any reservation.

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Be sure to drink plenty of water to help you adapt to the altitude.

Inside the terminal, there is a small store where you can purchase a pre-paid sim card for your phone. The phone company with the best coverage is called Claro. And the SIM card package you want is “$20,000 paquete” (US$5 package). This will give you more than enough data and be sufficient for calls.
Whenever you are in your hotel, you will have access to WIFI.

Welcome dinner in Bogotá

You'll be collected from your hotel and taken to a wonderful restaurant for a delicious Welcome Dinner. Starting your tour by sharing and getting to know some of your traveling companions on this Colombian adventure.

Day 2 Monserrate, La Candelaria and The Bogotá Gold Museum

You’ll be collected from your accommodation in Bogotá and taken on a guided excursion, where you’ll encounter the most important historical locations within La Candelaria. Just some of the stops on your tour through Bogotá's oldest neighborhood will be Bolivar Plaza, Casa Nariño (The Presidents House), Palace of Justice, Catedral Primada de Colombia, Iglesia de San Francisco, Colón Theater, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Séptima (Carrera 7), and the Chorro de Quevedo Plaza.

During your time in La Candelaria, you'll enjoy a few hours of strolling through El Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) of Bogotá. This grand 3-story museum displays a selection of pre-Columbian gold, other metal alloys, and a mix of pottery, stone, shell, wood, and textile objects/textiles. All are made by ancient indigenous Colombian cultures. With over 55,000 pieces of gold artifacts, this is the most extensive collection of gold artifacts in the world.

Once you have visited this amazing museum and seen the many beautiful sites La Candelaria has to offer, it will be time for you to ascend to the great height of 10,341 ft (3152m) and the summit of Monserrate; almost 2,000 ft higher than Bogotá. As well as learning the historical importance of this mountain to the indigenous Musica, you’ll also enjoy time wandering through the artisan markets, visiting a beautiful 17th-century monastery and enjoying some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the capital city of this great nation.

Day 3 Flight Bogotá - San José Del Guaviare

Gate of Orion and The Red River or The Black Lagoon

On arrival, you'll travel a short distance to arrive at the fascinating area of rock formations such as the Puerta de Orión (Gate of Orion).

This grand rock structure is approximately 15m (50ft) in width and 12m (40ft) in height. The Puerta de Orión actually has 2 large holes within it and during the month of December, it is possible to see the star constellations of Orions Belt through the upper hole. 

Red River (July to October):

Here you'll enjoy walking through this wonderful area for approximately 2km (1.25mi) before heading to Caño Sabana to enjoy the wonderful scenery of this magical river which displays the colorful water plant Macarenia Clavíagera. (Colombia is the only country in the world to have this beautiful plant.) Here you'll be able to relax and take many photos. Unfortunately swimming here is not allowed.

Please Note: The Red River is only available during the wet months of July to October. As the water plant, Macarenia Clavíagera does not display any color without water. During the months of November to June, a tour of the Black Lagoon is provided.

Black Lagoon (November to June):

The color of the Black Lagoon is caused by the number of “guios” (a kind of serpent) that live in the lagoon. Or is possibly due to the dry leaves that accumulate at the bottom of the lagoon. Here you'll enjoy a short boat ride, view monkeys in the nearby trees, and a wonderful abundance of birds flying around. You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in these refreshing waters. 

You can swim here without fear and enjoy the “ichthyotherapy”: the local, tiny fish will nip the dead skin off your feet.Day 2 CERO AZUL

Leaving shortly after breakfast at around 7:30 am you'll travel for approximately 2 hours to get to the archeological site of Cerro Azul. Once here you'll be walking through a natural jungle and a cave measuring 210m (688ft). The hike will be approximately 3 km to reach the top of the hill. During the walk and once at the top of Cerro Azul you'll be surrounded by nature and culture, having encounters with the rock paintings of animals, people, plants, and daily life dating back more than 12,000 years bp. 

Following this, you'll be heading off to enjoy a late lunch of the region before traveling back to your hotel and expected arrival at 4:30 pm

NB. This walk is rated a 3 out of 5 for difficulty.

Day 5 The Pink Dolphins of the Nare Lagoon

Leaving shortly after breakfast around 6:30 am you'll journey in a 4x4 for 2.5-3 hours to the Laguna Damas de Nare.

Once here you'll enjoy an hour walk (with a few stops) for approximately 3.5km (2mi) through a beautiful natural 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. 

Day 6 Nuevo Tolima Rock Paintings and Back to Reality

Today will start with a relaxing journey of approximately 95 min to the Pinturas Rupestres Nuevo Tolima. That's including a 60 min drive and a 35 min hike. 

Although it is a short hike it is mostly uphill, so a basic-medium level of fitness will be required. But once you arrive at the site it'll all be worthwhile. You'll actually only find 1 rock face with paintings here, but it is longer than either of the walls at Cerro Azul.  Not only that but as it's also less visited and usually less crowded.

Estimations of these rock paintings are up to 12,500 years BP. But with some possibly as recent as 3 or 4 hundred years ago, after the introduction of the conquistadors and their livestock. Here you'll enjoy walking around this area for an hour or more before enjoying a fantastico lunch and a transfer to the airport for the next part of your Colombian Adventure. 

NB. This walk is rated a 3 out of 5 for difficulty.

Flight San José Del Guaviare - Neiva

After your morning tour, you'll be off to the airport to catch your flight for your new adventure in the Tatacoa Desert.

Day 7 Amazing Tatacoa Desert by Day & Spectacular Starry Sky at Night

On arrival to Neiva, you'll be collected and enjoy a short trip into the wonderful Tatacoa Desert. Once here you'll enjoy a fantastico 2-hour hike through this amazing landscape. 

Next, you'll enjoy a stop for some lunch and a bit of "me-time " in your hotel before venturing out into the night for a spot of Star Gazing.

You'll enjoy 2 hours at the observatory gazing at the starriest skies in Colombia.

Day 8 Transfer Back in Time to San Agustin

You'll be rising early to take advantage of the cool morning air, and an early start of 7am for your journey to San Agustin. 

Full Guided Tour of The San Agustín Archaeological Park

Enjoy the afternoon with a guided tour through the heart of the San Agustín archaeological zone.

Considered the world's largest necropolis, the San Agustín Archaeological Park will be waiting to show you 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.

Day 9 Flight Pitalito - Bogota

Enjoy another short flight with Satena of a bit over an hour back to Bogotá. 

Farewell dinner in Bogotá

Around 8 pm you’ll be meeting with your new friends for a final group dinner to share photos and laughs before saying your goodbyes tomorrow.

Day 10 Today it is Farewell to Bogotá and to Colombia!

Hablamos pronto, safe travels home, and visit again soon!

We’ll have transport waiting to take you to the airport at your desired time.

Not ready to leave yet?

Click here to find some inspiration and additional tours you can enjoy before departing this region. Remember to ask your travel consultant for your group members' discount before making any reservations!

What's included?

• 9x nights in superior hotels as listed or similar.
• 9x breakfast, 2x lunch, 4x dinners
• Welcome dinner
• Farewell dinner
• All airport transfers
• All domestic flights
• Private excursions
• Permanent English-speaking tour leader.
• All entrance fees
• 24 hr support group

• International flights

• Travel Insurance

• Meals and Services not mentioned within the plan.

BnB Colombia Tours