Best of Colombia and Peru

Make your way to the International Airport to board your flight to Colombia. Upon arrival in Cartagena, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Later in the day, you will head on a city tour. This fascinating half-day tour will take you through the most significant monuments in Cartagena. Start at the Convent of La Popa* (the highest point in the city) and make your way to the Castillo de San Felipe, a striking fort filled with history and mysteries hidden in its stonewalled tunnels. Leaving the castle, visit the monument of Zapatos Viejos — the “Old Shoes”. Certainly, the most impressive monument is the gigantic defensive wall that surrounds the old city and overlooks the sea and its well-preserved colonial architecture. During the rest of the visit, you will see the citys churches, museums, plazas, restaurants, shops, and jewelry stores. This combination of treasures makes Cartagena deserving of the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site: You will never forget this wonderful destination. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.



*Note: in case La Popa is closed, the visit will be replaced with the San Pedro Claver Convent.




Overnight in Cartagena

Today you may enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace or relax on the beach. Cartagena de Indias was founded in 1533 and is perhaps the most attractive city in South America today. The old part of the city is also called “The Walled City”, where Cartagena conserves the beauty of its' colonial past. Narrow streets flanked by heavy oak doors, beautiful, flowered balconies, and friendly and welcoming people make Cartagena the perfect destination to learn about colonial history and immerse yourself in the culture of Argentina. The breathtaking beaches close by, such as the Rosario Islands, invite visitors to explore with their crystal-clear waters and the wide variety of tours and excursions to choose from.




Overnight in Cartagena

This morning, at the arranged time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Pereira. Upon arrival in Pereira, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in  the Coffee Triangle. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Colombia is famous for its coffee, but nowhere is the prized bean more important than in the departments of Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío, which together make up the heart of the Zona Cafetera, also called the Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis). Here you'll find jeeps packed with mustachioed coffee pickers; poncho-wearing senior citizens gossiping in cafes; and, of course, endless cups of piping hot arabica. Many working fincas (coffee farms) have embraced tourism and welcome visitors onto their plantations to learn all about the coffee-growing process. It is particularly interesting to visit during the harvests (April to May, October to December) when the farms are a hive of activity. The “Coffee Cultural Landscape”, inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2011.




Overnight in the Coffee Triangle

Get ready for a full-day tour around the Cocora Valley and Salento. This mystical valley is considered one of Colombia's most stunning valleys and often listed among the country's must-sees. Certainly unique are the up to 60 metre-tall wax palms of the region, which are towering into the eerie cloud forest. We can explore the valley on foot before our trip to nearby Salento, one of the coffee region's most picturesque villages. Browsing its cafés and boutiques we find ourselves among merry colours, textures and artesanal crafts. Just outside of Salento and nestled into fertile hillsides we reach Finca El Ocaso, a traditonal coffee finca. Here we learn all about the coffee production process from seed to cup.​



Note: Lunch (payable locally) is taken at a typical comedor in the Salento area.




Overnight in the Coffee Triangle

At the arranged time you will be transferred to the Armenia airport for your flight to Bogota. Upon arrival in Bogota, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. The Colombian capital is in the very center of the country at approx. 2650 meters above sea level in an area known as the Savanna of Bogotá (Sabana de Bogotá). The east side of the city is flanked by the Cordillera Oriental, which are foothills of the Andes Mountains. In terms of area, Bogotá is Colombias largest city: It extends more than 40 km from north to south and 20km from east to west. It is not only the main economic and industrial center but also the political heart of the country. The National Legislature, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the residence of the President of the Republic (Casa de Nariño) reside here. With its 8 million inhabitants, the city is Colombias most populous, and the huge cultural offer is among the best and largest in the country. Bogotá is home to plenty of museums such as the famous Gold Museum or the Botero Museum, along with theatres and libraries.




Overnight in Bogota

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and head on a guided tour of the city. Your tour will start in the Plaza de Bolívar (the citys main square), surrounded by federal government buildings. It will continue into the old colonial part of the city better known as “La Candelaria”, the San Francisco Church, and the Gold Museum. The tour will end with a trip in a cable car to the top of Monserrate Hill, which offers spectacular views of the city.




Overnight in Bogota

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the arranged time, you will be transferred to the Bogota Airport for your departure flight to Cusco, the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, with an elevation of 11,440 feet. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley.




Overnight in Urubamba

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have a full day at leisure to explore the valley on your own or take an optional tour.




Overnight in Urubamba

In the morning you will travel on the Expedition train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, where you will board a shuttle up to Machu Picchu — the \"Lost City of the Incas\". Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, the city of Machu Picchu was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until it was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. A knowledgeable tour guide will share the history of this magical place with you. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo Rail Station, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cusco.




Overnight in Cusco

After breakfast, you will head on a tour of Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, and its nearby ruins. You will get the opportunity to see how the Andean and Spanish cultures co-existed and influenced the city. The tour will begin at the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the site of Koricancha, a significant Inca palace and a center of worship to the Sun God. You will continue your tour to discover the Main Square, the site of the Cathedral, and La Compañía Church. Later, visit the imposing Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a perfect example of the military Incan architecture in the area. Finally, the tour will take you to the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay, situated northeast of the city.




Overnight in Cusco

Today you will head on one of the most extraordinary overland trips in South America. Prepare for a bus ride from Cusco to Puno as you pass through the striking highlands and the scenic Andean villages. There will be an en-route stop in Andahuaylillas, a beautiful town where the church was founded in 1580. This is the perfect showcase of colonial art in Peru — sometimes referred to as \"the Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its rich interior. You will also stop at Raqchi to see the remains of the temple of Viracocha, considered by historians to be a particularly significant Inca construction, and at La Raya, the highest pass on the route. Along with the breathtaking views of the countryside, you will discover llamas, alpacas, and vicunas roaming the wild. The last stop before Puno will be in Pucara, a historic ceremonial site where evidence of a pre-Inca civilization remains. You will arrive at your hotel in Puno later in the afternoon/evening. 




Overnight in Puno

Head on an exhilarating boat excursion on Lake Titicaca — the highest navigable lake in the world. See the magnificent floating Uros Islands and Taquile Island. The floating islands of the Uros developed from totora reeds tied together and are a must-see for any traveler! The Uros people consider themselves to be the Lords of the Lake. They hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods. Taquile is a very important site, known for its archaeological remains, sacred sites, and ceremonial festivals. The island is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who maintain the customs and traditional clothing of their ancestors. Many fine, woollen hand-made goods can be found on sale here. You will return to Puno later in the day.




Overnight in Puno

Today you will be transferred to the Juliaca Airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or perhaps take an optional tour to explore the capital city of Peru.




Overnight in Lima

Today you will be transferred to the Lima International Airport for your flight home.