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Round trip - Colombia

Caribbean feeling, culture and coffee in adventurous Colombia

Highlights

  • Visit to Tayrona National Park, one of the country’s natural attractions

  • Hike among the tallest palm trees in the world in Corcora Valley

  • Caribbean feeling at the beach of Isla El Encanto

  • City experiences in the metropolises of Bogotá & Medellín

  • Discover the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena

  • Bogota - Armenia, Medellín - Santa Marta & Cartagena - Bogotá domestic flights included

Description

Colombia is a magical country and is one of the absolute heartbreakers on the South American continent - vibrant cities, fascinating landscapes, Caribbean beaches in the north and Pacific waters in the west, paired with mountain ranges and cloud forest in the interior of the country. Nature is still untouched here - so feelings of discovery are allowed! Come with us on our trip and experience unforgettable moments.

Destination

South America

Bogota - Armenia - Cartagena - Isla de Tierra Bomba

Colombia can be traveled all year round. Due to its proximity to the Equator, temperatures are consistent. In Cartagena, it is warm all year round (+30° Celsius) with the rainiest months in August, September and October. Bogotá has a temperate climate. Temperatures range between 21 and 22° Celsius year-round, and it is quite dry in July and August.

After your flight and arrival at the airport in the Colombian capital, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Bogotá is located at about 2,640 meters above sea level and is now inhabited by over 10 million people, making it the fourth largest city in South America. The best view of the metropolis can be had from the Cerro de Monserrate. Use the Teleferico (cable car) to get to the top of the 3,152 m high city mountain and enjoy the view from there with a delicious snack, such as an empanada or pandebono.

Bogotá Airport - Bogotá Hotel trip duration: approx. 22 minutes / approx. 18 km

1 night stay with breakfast in Bogotá, Colombia

After the first South American breakfast, you will set off on a four-hour city tour. Start your exploration of the metropolis from the old town of La Candelaria. From here, it's just a stone's throw to Plaza Bolivar, the Gold Museum or even Monserrate Mountain.

Get to know Bogotá's largest fruit and vegetable market Paloquemao in the heart of the city. The variety of offerings is endless. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, fish and seafood, chicken, pots, jugs and much more. Take the time to taste the local dishes of various regions of Colombia at a food stall - Bogotá's best ajiaco (a chicken soup typical of the capital) is served here, among other things - absolute insider tip!

Around the Plaza Bolivar you will find beautiful colonial buildings such as the Capitolo Nacional, the Palace of Justice and the great cathedral. In keeping with Colombia's history, a statue of independence fighter Simon Bolivar is enthroned in the center of the square.

Absolutely worthwhile is also a visit to the Museo del Oro, Bogotá's gold museum. Spread over three floors, one finds almost 7000 exhibits here: Masks, crowns, bowls, jewelry and even armor made of gold. The Botero Museum is also worth a visit. Here are housed a variety of lush sculptures and paintings by the famous artist Fernando Botero.

Important: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays, the Botero Museum on Tuesdays.

You can spend the afternoon as you wish, but here are some recommendations: The Usaquen neighborhood is a cozy and hip area. There is hardly any traffic and no high-rise buildings, but there are numerous restaurants, bars with live music and shopping opportunities. Every Sunday you can go to the Mercado de las Pulgas to look for souvenirs typical of the country. There are many street performers and homemade items.

Towards the evening we have organized a transfer for you to go to the famous "Andrés Carne de Res" restaurant. Enjoy exquisite dishes in a unique atmosphere and mingle with the locals on the dance floor. A unique experience! Afterwards there will be a transfer back to your hotel.

If you want to turn night into day afterwards, La Zona Rosa (Zona T) between Calles 79-85 and Carreras 11-15 is the place to be. Here you will find not only bars and clubs for those who want to dance, but also restaurants of the upper and middle class.

1 night stay in Bogotá, Colombia

Today you will leave the capital and head to the "Coffee Triangle", the cradle of Colombia's excellent coffee. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Armenia. Upon arrival, your transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Armenia holds some highlights for every visitor. Besides the Oro Quimbaya Museum and the Plaza de Bolívar, you should visit the Parque Cafetero, a tribute to coffee growing. The city is considered the starting point for exploring the famous coffee triangle. It is located in the center of the country in the three departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. This is where the country's best coffee, Colombia's export hit, thrives, because it is precisely here that the best weather conditions prevail for the precious beans. Mountains and rolling hills, coffee plantations in between, lush green fields and tropical meadows paint an almost unreal picture.

Once here, you will take part in a coffee tour that will take you through the seven stations of coffee. Take part in picking, drying and roasting. As a reward, a delicious cup of coffee awaits you.

Hotel Bogotá - Airport Bogotá trip duration: about 22 minutes / about 18 km

Bogotá - Armenia flight duration: about 1 hour

Armenia Airport - Armenia Hotel trip duration: about 30 minutes / about 17 km

1 night stay in Armenia, Colombia

Near Armenia lies another highlight of Colombia - Cocora Valley. With a magical cloudy cloud forest where you can find the national tree of Colombia, the Quindio wax palm Palma de Cera. The palms can grow up to 60 meters tall, making them the tallest palm trees in the world.

In addition to the palm trees, the valley's national park also offers lovely flora and fauna. You have a good chance of encountering the resident howler monkeys, sloths or tapirs. The puma, however, will probably be hiding. In the small town of Salento, on the other hand, an unfiltered vacation atmosphere awaits you. The colorful colonial houses exude a fresh and distinctive flair. From here you will return to your hotel.

1 night stay in Armenia, Colombia

Today you will leave the Coffee Triangle and drive about six hours north to the "City of Eternal Spring" - Medellín.

Medellín has undergone a remarkable turnaround, emerging in recent decades as one of the country's most important cities in business, politics, fashion and nightlife. Since the end of Pablo Escobar's reign of terror, the city has become a model for urban architecture and development, and today presents itself as a cosmopolitan, progressive metropolis of millions with a gripping history.

The city is also known as the home of artist Fernando Botero, whose oversized depictions show Colombian life and the world. In the middle of the city, Botero bequeathed a plaza full of statues to his people.

Enormously important to the city's development is the now famous cable car that connects the poor neighborhoods on the hillsides to the center, allowing the underdeveloped parts of the city to be connected to modernity. For tourists, a ride offers an impressive view over Medellín.

Armenia - Medellín trip duration: about 6 hours / about 264 km

1 night stay with breakfast in Medellín, Colombia

Today you will take an exciting tour of Medellín and learn more about the history and present of this fascinating metropolis. You will stop at the Parque de los Pies Descalzos as well as at the Boteros Sculpture Park. The story of Pablo Escobar, probably the most famous drug lord of the 1980s, is also part of the tour. Discover Medellín's latest invention: the electric staircases of Comuna 13. Learn what the residents of this neighborhood in particular think about the history of their city and how they engage with it through graffiti. The tour lasts about an hour, after which you can spend the entire afternoon as you wish.

1 night stay with breakfast in Medellín, Colombia.

Today you will make an excursion to the mighty stone monolith of El Peñol. The strenuous climb over 650 steps is rewarded with an overwhelming panoramic view of the lake district of Guatapé. Lush green meets turquoise and deep blue water - one of the most beautiful views in the world.

Afterwards, you will strengthen yourself with a regional snack. Afterwards, stroll through the small village of Guatapé with its colorful house paintings. Virtually every house is colorfully painted and has a lovingly designed base. If the weather allows it, end your excursion with a short boat ride across one of the lakes before returning to Medellín.

1 night with breakfast and lunch included in Medellín, Colombia.

Today you will travel to the Caribbean coast. You will be transferred to the airport in Medellín and fly from there to Santa Marta. Upon arrival, a transfer will take you directly to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at your free disposal. Collect the first impressions of the small coastal town, which has one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world to offer.

Santa Marta was founded in 1525 by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas and was the first Spanish city on the South American continent. South of the city lies the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with the highest mountains in Colombia and the lost city of Teyuna. To the east is the Tayrona National Park, which you will visit the next day.

The unimaginable beauty of the landscape, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea with its coral reefs and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta make this area a special place.

Travel time Hotel Medellín - Airport Medellín: about 40 minutes / about 30 km Flight time Medellin - Santa Marta: about 1 hour 15 minutes Travel time Airport Santa Marta - Hotel Santa Marta: about 30 minutes / about 17 km

1 night stay with breakfast in Santa Marta, Colombia

Today, explore the 15,000-hectare Tayrona National Park, one of the most beautiful in the country with its white beaches and wild rainforest. Let yourself be inspired by the natural beauty during today's day trip. After about an hour of hiking you will reach the beach of Arrecife. The small thatched huts on site put every visitor into a vacation feeling. A few minutes later you will reach the bay Cabo San Jan, where you can dive into the Caribbean sea and refresh yourself. on your hike you may encounter different species of animals, such as howler monkeys or blue crabs.

In the afternoon we will go back to the meeting point in the park and then back to Santa Marta.

1 night stay with breakfast in Santa Marta, Colombia

Today you will leave Santa Marta and continue along the coastal road via Barranquilla to Cartagena. Use the rest of the day to get a first impression of the beautiful colonial city.

Cartagena is colorful and cheerful! The cityscape is characterized by beautiful two-story pastel-colored houses in colonial style, flower-covered balconies and colorful murals. The residents with their small stalls in the old town and the bars and restaurants from which Caribbean music sounds, make for hustle and bustle on the streets. Together with the tropical climate and the hot nights, the city exudes pure Caribbean feeling. Since 1984, the old town with the neighborhoods of Centro, San Diego and Getsemani has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the safest city in Colombia on foot.

After the city's founding in 1533, Cartagena quickly became the most important cargo hub on the Caribbean coast and the port of entry for the entire South American continent. The city's popularity also made it a popular target for pirates. Therefore, at the end of the 16th century, a huge wall was built around the city, as well as several fortresses. The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas became the largest fortress ever built by a Spanish colony. Today you can visit the castle complex and the underground tunnel system that goes with it.You can buy delicious food at the roadside stalls throughout the day. We suggest you to try it! While women in colorful dresses sell the food, the men usually sit smoking cigars in the numerous bars and cafes.

Duration of Santa Marta - Cartagena trip: approx. 4 hours / approx. 230 kmOvernight with breakfast in Cartagena, Colombia

Today you will enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Cartagena before your beach experience begins. Enjoy a day on the island of El Encanto - bright sand and crystal clear sea invite you to dive in.

A transfer will take you to the port. From there you will take a motorboat to the remote Caribbean island. In the afternoon you will return to Cartagena.

Transfer time Cartagena harbor - El Encanto island: about 45 minutes.

Overnight stay with breakfast and lunch in Cartagena, Colombia

Today you have a full day in Cartagena at your disposal. Immerse yourself in the culinary world of Colombia. Colombian food is more than just arepas, empanadas and chicharrón. Try patacones, fried plantains that are simply delicious when paired with delicious sauces.

Our tip: Cartagena is the best place to throw all plans overboard and just stroll through the old town - by day and by night! In the evening, the narrow streets of Cartagena are closed for cars and tables of the numerous bars and restaurants are placed in the middle of the streets! When it gets dark, then the city begins to live - whether salsa, bachata, merengue or reggeaton - here is danced until the morning hours.

Bed and breakfast in Cartagena, Colombia

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport. We will adjust the transfer times to your departure. We hope that you enjoyed the trip and that you will start your journey home with unforgettable memories. Would you like an extension or would you like to explore another island? All our tours are customizable. Our travel experts will be happy to advise you.

itravel - For that moment.

Hotel Casa Deco***, Bogotá, Colombia Hotel Casa Deco is located in a beautiful, completely renovated Deco building in the historic cultural center of Bogotá, just a few blocks from Bogotá's most tourist attractions. It offers the perfect combination of excellent service and personal attention from its qualified staff. Large rooms with high ceilings, wooden floors, large windows and balconies reflect the beauty of the old neighborhood of La Candelaria.

2 nights

Hotel Hacienda Combia***, Armenia, Colombia This historic 1887 farmhouse welcomes you with panoramic views of the Armenian countryside. Rooms are decorated in typical Colombian style with ornate windows and colorful fabrics. The restaurant serves breakfast, as well as dinner and lunch. On the terrace, you can enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in hand. 2 nights

Hotel Florencia Plaza***, Medellín, ColombiaThis hotel is ideal for exploring the city's sights. The 22 rooms with a modern design are equipped with all luxurious amenities. Look forward to air conditioning, a minibar, free internet, a hairdryer and a safe. At the Bocaccio restaurant you can enjoy a daily American breakfast with juices, eggs, cereals and pancakes. There are also numerous restaurants, bars and cafes in the immediate vicinity. It is about 500 meters to El Poblado metro station.

3 nights

Hotel Boutique Casa de Isabella****, Santa Marta, ColombiaThe hotel welcomes you to Santa Marta's marina. In the middle of the old town and not far from the sights. The hotel's rooftop swimming pool invites you to relax. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free toiletries and other amenities.

2 nights

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia***, Cartagena, ColombiaLocated in Cartagena's historic center, the hotel is an eight-minute walk from the beach. An outdoor pool and air-conditioned rooms provide appropriate cooling on hot days. Rooms feature rustic decor with wood-beamed ceilings and flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and minibars. You can cozy up in a lounge chair on the rooftop terrace and enjoy panoramic views of the city's colonial architecture. 3 nights

Duration of the trip: 11 days / 10 nights

Included

  • 12 nights in the mentioned accommodations or similar:
    • 2 nights at Hotel Casa Deco*** with breakfast in a standard room in Bogotá.

    • 2 nights in Hotel Hacienda Combia*** with breakfast in a standard room in Armenia

    • 3 nights at Hotel Florencia Plaza*** with breakfast and 1x lunch in Medellín

    • 2 nights at Hotel Boutique Casa de Isabella**** with breakfast in Santa Marta

    • 3 nights in Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia*** with breakfast and 1x lunch in Cartagena

  • Sightseeings according to the program incl. entrance fees
  • All transfers
  • Bogotá - Armenia flight
  • Medellín - Santa Marta flight
  • Cartagena - Bogota flight

Experiences included

  • Bogota:
    • Bogota city tour

    • Andres Carne de Res Restaurant transfer

  • Armenia:
    • Salento & Cocora day trip
  • Medellín:
    • City experience

    • Guatapé & Peñol day trip

  • Santa Marta:
    • Tayrona National Park, Arrecifes & Cabo San Juan day trip
  • Cartagena:
    • El Encanto Island day trip

Not included

  • International flights
  • Colombian airport tax
  • Meals and drinks that are not included in the package price
  • Excursions (sightseeing, entrance fees, etc.)
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Notes

  • The hotels check the entry stamp in the passports: The correct stamps contain the following code: PIP-5-or PTP-5-or Visa-TP-11. If you do not have one of these three codes in your passport a tax of 16% will be charged. Please check the accuracy of the entry stamp when passing the Colombian passport control.

Additional experiences

Salsa, Cumbia, or Champeta - Learn to dance in Cartagena

  1. Price per person from 38 € excl. Flight
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Hot air balloon ride over the Coffee Triangle

  1. Price per person from 243 € excl. Flight
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