Start the day with a visit to “La Plaza de Mercado Paloquemao”, one of the largest and most recognized local markets in Bogotá, where all traditional ingredients of Colombian cuisine can be found. Try some of the exotic fruits, local pastries and Colombian cheese.  Visit the flower market and the popular food stalls to get a true local experience.

Continue with the visit to the Sanctuary of Monserrate, a symbol of Bogotá. Take the cable car or funicular up to Monserrate. Monserrate rises to 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above sea level. The site offers an incredible panoramic view of the entire city. Transfer to the historic centre of Bogotá, la Candelaria, with time at leisure to visit the Gold Museum. The gold museum has around 20.000 pre-hispanic pieces of gold, including stones, ceramic and textiles all precious to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Gold Museum is considered one of the most important museums of its type internationally and it has been operating since 1939.

On the way to lunch, you will see the graffiti area, offering a great variety of colourful graffiti, murals and street art on its walls. These forms of art have become a social and political form of expression.

Continue with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, enjoy time of leisure to walk around “La Candelaria”,  or visit the Botero Museum, a colonial house exhibiting some of Fernando Botero´s works of art and in addition pieces from his own personal collection that includes works by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. The historic centre of Bogotá known as La Candelaria is an archaic suburb that has great significance in the country´s history due to its cultural heritage and Spanish colonial architecture.

Visit the main square Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great emancipator Simón Bolívar is located. The plaza, originally called the Plaza Mayor, was used for civil and military purposes, a bullring and it also a place where many executions were held. The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza was constructed on the same spot where the first church was built in Bogotá back in 1539 and houses an important collection of religious artifacts, textiles and art spanning four centuries. The Capilla del Sagrario is just beside the Cathedral and is a gem of a religious architecture, that houses valuable pieces of colonial religious art by Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos. The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows its renaissance and neoclassical influences with its carved stonework and tall columns and it was the first example of republican civil architecture. The central area of the Capitol, known as the Elliptic Hall, is where congress meets and is the actual chamber for politicians and the Senate. In the internal squares are busts of former presidents such as General Tomás Cipriano Mosquera and Rafael Núñez, the composer of the Colombian National Anthem. Around the Plaza de Bolívar are buildings such as the Justice Palace, the oldest school in the country called San Bartolomé and the Casa de los Comuneros, named after the leaders that participated towards the end of the XVII Century in some of the first movements towards independence from Spain and the formation of the Republic. Return to our hotel for our overnight stay.

Accommodation: Sofitel Victoria Regia, Bogota (Deluxe)

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, transfer to El Dorado airport for a short domestic flight to the coffee region (Pereira). Upon arrival, we will be transported to “Hacienda San Alberto” an award winning coffee estate typical of this region.

The tour begins with an introductory talk about coffee, its preparation, roasting, the characteristics of quality and the properties that allows for such a variety of coffees in the world.  Walk through the coffee plantations and learn about the production system which includes the harvest. This region has been along the Central Andes Mountain Range which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers the perfect climatic conditions for coffee growing.

At the end, enjoy a coffee tasting session, guided by a Master Taster from “Hacienda San Alberto” who will bring all his coffee knowledge to the table.  At the end, you will taste two cups of coffee.

Afterwards enjoy lunch overlooking the coffee plantation. Then make our way to our hotel, Mocawa Resort (located in Armenia) for two nights.

Accommodation: Mocawa Resort, Coffee Region (Deluxe)

Mocawa Resort offers a unique service experience mixing the coffee essences with the cultural traditions that characterize the region. This property is in an ideal location to explore the region within close proximity to Cocora National Park and Salento. The hotel offers two swimming pools, a putting green, two tennis courts and a restaurant.  All rooms feature a safety deposit box, closet, cable tv, wifi, Hair dryer and air conditioning.

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel by coach from Armenia to Medellin and experience the landscape of the Colombian countryside. Upon arrival drive through the longest tunnel in South America and come out the other side seeing the beautiful view of the city which lies nestled in a valley. Be transferred to the most affluent suburb of Medellin, called “El Poblado”. We will do a brief orientation tour of the neighbourhood before checking into the Dann Carlton hotel. Enjoy some time at the hotels pool and have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the area.

Accommodation: Dann Carlton, Medellin (Superior)

The Dann Carlton Medellin Hotel is located on the Avenida El Poblado. A great location in the affluent area of Medellin called “El Poblado. This area is known for having the best restaurants, bars and shopping in all of Medellin. The hotel has 3 restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, gym, beauty salon, massage room, solarium and playground, laundry service and 24-hour room service.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Today we will enjoy a half day tour to visit the places that best represent the social transformation that has taken place in Medellín. This tour will show the symbolic areas of Medellín from the 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world. Enjoy an exciting tour by learning about the history and present day life in Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. Since 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent 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. Visit the barrio San Javier, which used to be one of the most unsafe suburbs of Medellín Located some 7km from the city centre, it is a clear example of the social transformation that has taken place in the last few years. Arrive here by the metro cable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre, which has been life changing to many of the inhabitants of Medellín. Learn more about the city’s transformation after the death of Pablo Escobar.

Explore Medellin’s newest invention: the electric stairways of the district Comuna 13, discover stories about its past by visiting the most important places marked by historical events and see some graffiti that symbolizes a form of expression of the community. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier.

Then, go on to La Plazoleta located in the city centre, in an area that fell into decline in the 1980s and today houses 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero, donated by this famous local artist in year 2000. Since that time, the city has undergone a social and cultural transformation around these works placed in a public space. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This evening enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant close to our hotel.

Accommodation: Dann Carlton, Medellin (Superior)

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leave Medellín and head to the town of Guatapé in order to visit the enormous rock. The drive takes around two hours, during which you can appreciate the outstanding landscape of Antioquia. Guatapé has a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam. In the middle of the reservoir is the Peñol Rock. Walk up the stairs if you are full of energy (OPTIONAL – there are 654 steps to get to the top – entrance fee not included), to view the entire Guatapé reservation, this is an optional activity.

Then visit the picturesque village of Guatapé where all of the houses are painted in quaint pastel colours.

After lunch (included), tour the Guatapé reservoir by boat (30 minutes). Continue to the hotel in Guatape for dinner and our overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel Los Recuerdos or Hotel Mansion: Guatape (Medium/Comfortable)

Hotel Los Recuerdos is located in Guatape directly on the man made lake. Which was created as a result of flooding that took place to complete the Hydroelectric dam. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, pool, Jacuzzi and Wi-Fi

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Medellin airport for your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Sofitel Legend, an iconic property in Cartagena and your home for 4 nights. It used to be a monastery and has been converted into a luxury hotel that has retained its historic feel. This property is written about in Gabriel Garcia Marquez famous book titled “One Hundred Years of Solitude”.

Originally built as a convent in 1621, it is a legendary landmark in the heart of Cartagena’s walled city. Transformed into a luxury hotel in 1995, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, unique in style, combines the allure of history with local hospitality and the art of French savoir-faire. Mixing Colonial and Republican-style architecture with modern comfort. The hotel features gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, a world-class spa, 2 bars and 2 restaurants and a gym.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Today is a a full day of leisure, enjoy all that Cartagena has to offer and experience the city on your own.

Optional Excursion to the Rosario Islands: Only $169 CAD  Located approximately one hour (45km) by boat from Cartagena. During the transfer, observe the impressive and beautiful landscapes of the islands with its clear waters and gentle breezes. Upon arrival to one of these islands, you will have free time to enjoy the beach, snorkel (not included) and relax. Lunch is served on the island and in the afternoon you return to Cartagena. The Rosario and San Bernardo National Park are located in the Caribbean Sea and are ringed by coral reefs and lapped by clear blue waters and is the habitat for a large variety of marine fauna. Three ecosystems thrive here: coastal lagoons, the mangroves surrounding them, and the tropical forest. In addition, this is one of 46 National Parks in Colombia and it was created to protect one of the most important coral reefs bordering the Colombian Caribbean coastline: the Nuestra Señora del Rosario archipelago as well as the islands of Tesoro, Rosario, Barú, Múcura and Maravilla. Covering 120,000 hectares, the park consists of 23 coral islands and islets and were formed some 5000 years ago, due to ancient volcanic activity that pushed up the continental shelf and create these coral reefs. During the colonial period, the islands were inhabited by African slaves who dedicated their time to fish and gather mollusks. Nowadays, the islands are a tourist destination known for their natural wealth and beaches.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Cartagena, Cartagena (Luxury)

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Enjoy the day at leisure.

5:30 pm to 6:30 pm: We will gather in the lobby and make our way to a special location to enjoy a beautiful sunset as we sip on a cocktail.

6:30 pm: We will walk through the walled city to the Salsa Academy. The evenings in the walled city of Cartagena are magical. The sound of the horse’s hooves, the feel of the refreshing breeze, the night time colours, the architecture and the generally beautiful atmosphere makes the visitor feel as if they’re in a movie. Appreciate the many squares of the historic district and pass by the elegant colonial houses with their balconies filled with tumbling bougainvillea flowers.

6:45 pm to 7:45 pm: Salsa Lesson. Upon arrival to the Salsa Academy we will take part we will take part in salsa lessons, to know the traditional rhythm and dance that is so rooted in the Colombian culture throughout the nation. Cartagena has a strong presence of African descendants, who’ve been largely influenced by Cuban music and Salsa.

7:45 pm to 8:00 pm: Walk to the 1968 Salsa Show

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Arrive at the 1968 restaurant that pays tribute to Cali city highlighting its cuisine, music, and dance. The restaurant offers authentic cuisine and cocktails from the Colombian Pacific and dishes on the menu have representative names of the culture in Cali. Enjoy the show during the dinner with dancers and live music..

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Cartagena, Cartagena (Luxury)

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner

After making many great memories, transfer to the airport for your departure flight or extend your stay with an Optional extension to Tayrona National Park or Providencia Island.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Optional 3 Night Tayrona National Park Post Extension: $999 CAD twin per person (based on 6+ guests), $1399 CAD twin per person (2-5 guests) – Singles Add $500 CAD  (Rates above include private transportation from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park, gratuities for all drivers, guides, accommodation, breakfast daily, hotel luggage handling, National Park Guide for Tayrona Trail Hike)

After breakfast we will transfer by private vehicle along the coast to Tayrona National Park (about a 5 hour drive). We will pass by Baranquilla where two of Colombia’s most famous celebrities are from; Shakira and Sofia Vergara. We will pass by Santa Marta before arriving at our Jungle Lodge called Villa Maria.

Accommodation: Villa Maria, Tayrona National Park (Medium/Comfortable)

After breakfast we will drive about 10 minutes to the entrance to the trail of Tayrona National Park. Our guided trail walk will begin as we leave from Cañaveral. Walking through the forest we will experience different micro climates. Tropical birds are are in abundance and its common to  spot monkeys playing in the trees. After roughly 45 minutes of walking, we arrive at Arrecifes, one of the park’s most scenic and beautiful areas. Witness the waves crashing on huge boulders. Continue by walking along the coast to La Piscina, a naturally calm stretch of beach ideal for bathing. Then, head on to El Cabo de San Juan de Guía which leaves an indelible mark on your memory due to its enormous boulders. Enjoy free time on the beach to rest and perhaps jump into the warm waters. Return to Cañaveral in the afternoon. Overnight stay.

Accommodation: Villa Maria, Tayrona National Park (Medium/Comfortable)

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Villa Maria, Tayrona National Park (Medium/Comfortable)

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Transfer to Santa Marta airport for your departing flight back to Bogota to continue your homeward journey back to Canada.

Meals Provided: Breakfast