16 Day Highlights Of Colombia – Over 50 Shared Tour

Ten million make their home in vibrant, exciting, and sprawling Bogotá. The energy of this metropolitan hub of Colombia is fuelled in part by the diversity of its people from all regions of the country. There is energy rarely found anywhere. The city's cultural epicenter is La Candelaria, the cobbled historic downtown. Here, a potpourri of thoughtfully preserved colonial buildings is home to museums,

restaurants, hotels, and bars, amid centuries-old houses, churches, and monasteries.

The abundance of Colombia is manifested in the Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis) with countless parks, botanical gardens, hot springs, and even snow-capped mountains. Travel through towns such as Santuario, Quimbaya, Montenegro, Aguadas, and Pijao and you will want to prolong your stay. Coffee abounds in this region. The warmth, simplicity, and nobility of its people can be found in every street.

Cartagena is an unmissable city to visit and without a doubt Colombia´s most popular. Thanks not only to its colonial roots but also to beautiful beaches, tantalizing cuisine, and raucous nightlife.
The Taironaka Reserve is an archaeological and ecological paradise where lie the remains of a Tayrona city over 1,000 years old. In the midst of colossal trees, a mild climate, and abundant fauna, Taironaka is an idyllic place where the sound of water, jungle, and the song of the birds make it the perfect place to uncoil.

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.

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 Bogotás 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 be enjoying a few hours 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 largest 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, visit a beautiful 17th-century monastery and enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the capital city of this great nation.

Day 3: Flight Bogotá to Pereira

Enjoy a short flight to the heart of the coffee Zone; Pereira, where your transport will be waiting to take you directly to your coffee and cacao experience in Viterbo. 

Artisan Coffee & Cacao Tour 

You'll be collected at the airport and be taken to the small town of Viterbo, where your tour will continue off down another gravel road to a wonderful Finca that produces not only prize-winning coffee but wonderful, sweet cacao and an unimaginable variety of organic fruits. You’ll be greeted with a smile and a refreshing freshly made juice before starting your tour of this astounding farm.

Walking down into the valley you’ll feel like you are on another planet surrounded by cacao, coffee, exotic fruits, wonderful nature, birds, and wild bamboo. Your guide will be explaining to you the complete process of the production of both Cacao and Coffee, as you’re walking through this lush paradise. You’ll cross a small hand-made bridge to continue your journey through the plantations and into a forest of thick bamboo.

Next, you’ll begin your journey up and out of the valley to discover more trees with exotic fruits, along with many wild-growing fruits such as pineapples. You’ll come to a 120-year-old house made of Bahareque (a mix of timber, bamboo, mud, and cattle dung in the construction of the walls). Once here you’ll not only be shown, but you'll also get involved with roasting the cacao and coffee beans on the 100-year-old stovetop, and actually make the freshest coffee possible, along with some of the richest chocolate you'll ever try in your life. 

This isn't just a tour where you watch and learn these wonderful artisan methods. This is an experience where you'll get the chance to make and enjoy the coffee and dark chocolate as they have for hundreds of years. 

Day 4: Wax palms + Salento

This morning you'll start your day with a drive to Salento, where your experience begins with some beautiful views from the Salento Mirador (Lookout), and a look down into the valley you will soon venture through. 

Next, you'll take a trip into the lush Cocora Valley and a guided tour of the Wax Palm Forest. This valley is spectacular by itself, but when combined with the forest filled with the tallest wax palms in the world, it becomes an almost spiritual experience. You'll get to spend a few hours walking through this peaceful zone with more beautiful views in every direction. 

Day 5: Free Day in Salento

Enjoy a completely free day exploring this wonderful mountain-top town and its surroundings.

Day 6: Free Morning in Salento

Take the morning to stroll around and enjoy the wonderful fresh air, enjoy a coffee and some soak up the fresh mountain air. You'll be transfered to the Pereira airport shortly after lunch for your flight to Medellín.

Flight Pereira - Medellín

You'll be collected at your hotel in Salento after lunch and be taken to Pereira for your next adventure. 

Enjoy a short flight to Medellín landing in the heart of the city of eternal spring around lunchtime. You'll be collected and taken directly to your hotel to check in.

Day 7: Barichara to Bucaramanga w. Chicamocha National Park and Cable Car

Traveling to Bucaramanga from Barichara is a relaxing experience with some beautiful views. Driving direct can take 3-4 hours with a short stop for a coffee along the way. But we have a much better option for you to enjoy and transform this transfer into a fantastic experience including a 30 min ride in the longest cable car in Colombia and a guided tour of the Chicamocha National park.

You’ll be collected from your Barichara hotel and enjoy a relaxing ride in your private transportation of approximately 1hr 45 minutes to Panachi. Once here you'll enjoy a walking tour including the Guane museum, where you’ll learn about the history of the small town and the Guane Indians. You’ll also check out a giant tobacco leaf, which is a monument to the Comuneros Movement, an uprising that took place before the rebellion of Simon Bolivar and attributed to the start of the revolt that finally saw the Spanish leave Colombia in 1819. Depending on the timing you’ll also have time for a coffee and a walk up to the magical 360’ viewpoint. But not to worry, if you’d rather sit down instead of walking this section, as there is a Chiva in Panacha that will transport you right there.

Next, you’ll climb into one of the 38 cable cars that travel along this 6.3km (3.9mi) track, down to the Chicamocha River in the sole of the Chicamocha Canyon, and up again the other side of the canyon and to the Mesa de Los Santos. Your ride will provide you with wonderful panoramic views and last between 22-30 minutes. Once you disembark, your transport will be waiting to collect you for a relaxing drive of approximately 45min to Bucaramanga.

Your transport will be leaving you at the Bucaramanga international airport at the desired time.

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

What's included?

• 6x Accommodation - 3-5 star hotels

• 6x breakfast, 1x lunch

• Private transfers in an air-conditioned car

• All airport transfers

• Private excursions

• English-speaking guide on all excursions

• All entrance fees

• 24-hour support group

• International and domestic flights
• Travel Insurance