Colombia calling 11 days
11 Days: Bogota, Pereira, Cartagena
Tour overview:
Colombia is calling you to visit. Join SITA for a fun filled 11 days experiencing the best that Colombia has to offer. Start in the capital city of Bogota with its well preserved historical colonial neighbourhood and well-known museums. Discover the famous Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Have an experiential immersion in the coffee world in Calarcá. Take in the beautiful Cocora Valley with its tall palm trees. See the revitalization of Medellin, the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. Visit the historic center of Cartagena and relax on one of the Islas del Rosario islands in the Caribbean.
Day 1 - Arrive Bogota
Upon arrival at the International Airport El Dorado, you will be met by our representative and will be taken to your hotel.(B)
Day 2 - Bogota City Tour & Monserrate Hill
The tour begins with a transfer to the famous and well preserved historical colonial neighborhood of La Candelaria. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá. Visit the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this impressive square. Continuing to the east, on top of the forested mountains, you will find “Cerro de Monserrate”. This mountain has a white catholic church located at the top and has been a site of worship since 1657. On a clear day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. The tour then follows with a visit to the “Museodel Oro”, the most important gold museum in the world and a ‘must see’ when traveling to Bogotá. The tour ends with a visit to the “Museo de Botero”, housed in a renovated colonial mansion. (B)
Day 3 - Zipaquira’s Underground Salt Cathedral
This visit begins with a panoramic view of the city and the vast plateau of the northern area of Bogotá. You will arrive to the small town of Zipaquirá where you will take an underground tour to discover the famous Salt Cathedral. Experience the extraordinary architecture of this remarkable underground mine. This cathedral was carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago, under the Halite Mountains. The 14 small chapels represent the Stations of the Cross and Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, a sanctuary and a main cathedral. Later continue to visit the town of Zipaquirá which was founded on 1600 and still conserves its colonial heritage. Stop at the main square, where you will find whitewashed houses decorated with olive-green trim and base as well as the most important municipal buildings. Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu. (BL)
Day 4 - Bogota / Pereira
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Pereira. Transfer upon arrival from the airport to the hotel (Qui, Ris, Cal). Inspiration Coffee – (Armenia or Pereira)
Combia coffee inspiration is an experiential immersion in the coffee world in Calarcá (Quindío), which allows explorers to feel nature through the experience of coffee; seducing them from lasting and transformable experiences over time, to create links that seal a pact with the knowledge of coffee culture and its nature. It is a new way of relating to nature, coffee and space. This experience seeks to exalt the elements of the Coffee Cultural Landscape (PCC), through a process of the Combia Hacienda coffee, which contains seven stations articulated by paths through coffee plantations, which allow knowing the natural elements that nourish the coffee production chain and the impact it has on the life of each of them; the coffee production chain, the preparation and tasting of a personalized cup. (B)
Note: This tour will start after arrival to the airport; and transfer and check in at the hotel after the tour ends. The experience lasts 3 hours plus the time of transfers that vary depending on your location.
Day 5 - Salento & Cocora Valley
Join us for a visit to the beautiful Cocora Valley. This majestic valley is home to the wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest variety of palm tree in the world. These palms can measure up to 190 feet tall and live more than 120 years. Be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of fauna and flora that you will encounter throughout the valley. Once you arrive, you will be welcomed with a typical cocktail called “canelazo”. Afterwards you will visit the misty forest where our guide will explain to you the importance of protecting and conserving this beautiful ecosystem. It is a great opportunity to take some pictures. The tour continues with the “Ritual de la Palma”, a way to help preserve the wax palms. Next you will visit the town of Salento. Founded in 1842, Salento was one of the first settlements in Quindío state and still today it preserves its colonial architecture, awash in harmonious color, especially along Calle Real. A typical lunch with smoked trout is included at the Cocora Valley. (BL)
Day 6 - Pereira / Medellin
Transfer to airport for your flight to Medellin. Upon arrival at José María Córdova International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. (B)
Day 7 - Medellín – History of Transformation
20 years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellín’s drug cartel was at its peak. Thus the reign of “El Patrón” came to its end, but the succession struggle continued through the turn of the millennium. However, since 2002 Medellín began to change. Local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Join us on an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellín and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. (B)
Day 8 - Medellín / Cartagena
Transfer to airport for your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival at the Rafael Núñez Airport, you will be met by our representative and will be taken to your hotel. (B)
Day 9 - Cartagena City tour & Monuments of Cartagena (Historic Center)
The tour begins with a visit to the “Convento de la Popa”, where the city’s highest point is located offering the best view of the beautiful city of Cartagena. Continue with a visit to the “Castillo de San Felipe”. This castle was built by the Spaniards in the 1600s and is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. Located at the top of San Lázaro hill, its purpose was to protect and guard the city’s landward side from any attack or invasion. Later a walk through “Las Bóvedas” is included. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and they are considered the last major colonial construction made within the city walls for military purposes. At the end of the tour you will visit the “Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver”, with a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where San Pedro Claver lived and died. (B)
Day 10 - Rosario Islands – Majagua (Silver Package)
It is time to step outside the walls of Cartagena and experience the beauty of one of the many islands located in Islas del Rosario: Isla Grande. The day starts at your hotel where you will be picked up and transferred to the port. The boat usually departs at 9:00 am. You will head out from the port into open water for a 60 minute ride approximately to the island. Upon arrival you will disembark and have time to explore the island or just to relax. You can sit on the small beach and rest, enjoy a walk around the island, sign up for a diving course in the coral reefs, swim or relax with a massage session. The hotel has a beach front bar and snacks can be purchased throughout the day. You will be arriving back to Cartagena between 4:00 and 4:30 pm. Lunch is included with a set menu. (BL)
Day 11 - Depart Cartagena
Transfer to airport for your flight home. (B)