Classic Colombia

Day 1 Depart UK

Depart the UK on the non-stop Avianca flight to Bogota. (N)

Accommodation in Bogota: Hotel de la Opera (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sofitel Victoria Regia Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Arrive Bogota

Bogota, capital of Colombia, is an energetic city home to some of the finest museums, churches and Spanish colonial architecture on the South American continent. In the afternoon explore Bogota’s old colonial centre on a guided walking tour including the historic area around La Candelaria. Time will also be spent at the Gold Museum which houses a fine collection of pre-Columbian gold, textiles and pottery. (N)

Accommodation in Bogota: Hotel de la Opera (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sofitel Victoria Regia Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Bogota to Villa de Leyva via Zipaquirá – 160kms

Today leave Bogota and drive towards the small town of Villa de Leyva stopping on the way to visit Zipaquirá and its famous ‘salt’ cathedral. After spending some further time in the town, continue to Villa de Leyva. A national monument since the 1950s, Villa de Leyva is a beautifully preserved colonial town of old cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings. (B/L)

Accommodation in Villa de Leyva: Getsemani Hotel and Spa (or similar)

Upgrade option: Posada de San Antonio (or similar)

Day 4 Villa de Leyva

After breakfast join your guide for a walking tour through the old town taking in the enormous Plaza Mayor, one of South America’s largest cobbled squares, the Museum of Antonio Narino and the Monasterio de las Carmelitas Descalzas. Villa de Leyva was founded in 1572 by Hernán Suárez de Villalobos as a retreat for the nobility, military officers and clergy. (B)

Accommodation in Villa de Leyva: Getsemani Hotel and Spa (or similar)

Upgrade option: Posada de San Antonio (or similar)

Day 5 Villa de Leyva to Bogota – 160kms/ Bogota to Pereira – by air

This morning return by road to Bogota and fly to Pereira. This rural region is where the majority of Colombia’s coffee is cultivated and everyday life here continues to revolve around the growing and harvesting of coffee, plantain and papaya. (B)

Accommodation in Pereira: Hacienda Sazagua (or similar)

Upgrade option: Hacienda Bambusa (or similar)

Day 6 Pereira

Today explore Pereira which is home to some of the most stunning scenery in Colombia. Pass rolling hills and small coffee farms that make up the lush landscape. Visit a coffee plantation and learn about the coffee making process from the seeding to the cup. In the afternoon return to your hacienda where the remainder of the day will be at leisure where you can relax by the pool or take an easy hike through countryside trails. (B)
Accommodation in Pereira: Hacienda Sazagua (or similar)

Upgrade option: Hacienda Bambusa (or similar)

Day 7 Pereira – visit Filandia and Salento

After breakfast visit the towns of Filandia and Salento. Spend the morning in Filandia, a typical coffee town with brightly painted houses and pretty cobbled streets. Leaving Filandia, travel through the Cocora Valley – a broad green valley, framed by sharp peaks and dotted with wax palm, the largest palm in the world. End the day in sleepy Salento with its attractive traditional buildings. (B/L)

Accommodation in Pereira: Hacienda Sazagua (or similar)

Upgrade option: Hacienda Bambusa (or similar)

Day 8 Pereira to Cartagena – by air

This morning return by road to Pereira airport and fly via Bogota to Cartagena. Founded in 1553 by Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena is a UNESCO protected city that was once the main Spanish Caribbean port. After an attack by Sir Francis Drake in 1586, the city was heavily fortified and today these defensive walls still remain which has helped to preserve some of the finest colonial architecture on the South American continent. (B)

Accommodation in Cartagena: Ananda Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most interesting and exciting cities in Colombia. Here heritage, history, music and food combine to create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. Today enjoy a guided walk through the old town, see some of the city’s most beautiful colonial houses and the wall fortifications then visit two of the main churches, Convento Santa Teresa and Iglesia de Santo Domingo. End the afternoon in the charming neighbourhood of San Diego – home to many of Cartagena’s most important architectural gems. (B)

Accommodation in Cartagena: Ananda Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Cartagena

Spend the day at our own leisure in Cartagena. Wander the cobblestone streets and photograph the pastel-coloured homes, take a boat ride to the nearby tropical Rosario Islands and spend the day swimming in the tropical waters or visit the imposing Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas hillside fortress which was built in the 17th century and features a complex tunnelling system. (B)
Accommodation in Cartagena: Ananda Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Cartagena to Bogota – by air/ Bogota to London

After a morning at leisure you will be met and transferred to Cartagena airport for the flight to Bogota. Here connect onto the overnight Avianca flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

Day 12 Arrive UK

Arrive back into the UK. (N)

12 days from £3110 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Classic Colombia

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