Viva Colombia
Viva Colombia
Viva Colombia
14 Days Starting in BOGOTA and ending in CARTAGENA
Visiting: Bogotá, Honda, Manizales, Salamina, Aguadas, Medellín, Santa Marta, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Cartagena
Tour operator:
Tour code:
VIC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
It’s no secret that Colombia gets our travel pulse racing. Packed with a wealth of heritage and natural wonders, the country has moved on leaps and bounds from its once nefarious past and boasts a dazzling array of landscapes from lush plantations to towering mountains, idyllic beaches and steamy rainforests. For the adventurous traveller, the attractions are numerous.
On this trip we wander through the cobbled streets of Honda and romantic Cartagena, and head far from the madding crowd to see all that the country has to offer. Going underground, we’ll take in the spectacular salt cathedral at Zipaquira and learn about coffee and cocoa production from our stunning hacienda in the coffee zone. We’ll also take to our feet to explore the majestic countryside and extensive swathes of wax palms and villages of the rarely visited northern coffee region as well as discovering the urban attractions of Medellin, Santa Marta and Bogota.
Offering a wide variety of experiences from trekking in Tayrona National Park to taking sunset cocktails in Cartagena, this tour offers visitors the chance to experience the diversity of the real Colombia and embrace the Latin spirit.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tours Starts In Bogota
Location: Bogotá
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel bh Bicentenario or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
For anyone arriving on the group flights which arrive into Bogota in the early morning we’ll provide a couple of “wash & change” rooms with breakfast until official check-in at 15:00 this afternoon. For everyone else, the tour will officially start mid-morning at the hotel from where we’ll set off on a gentle introduction to Colombia’s capital which will include the dazzling Gold Museum which houses one of the finest collections anywhere in the world.
Day 2: Bogota
Location: Bogotá
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel bh Bicentenario or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We’ll have the full day to enjoy the many sights that Bogota has to offer including La Candelaria, Bogota’s oldest suburb, which boasts dozens of fine colonial buildings, churches and museums, including the Botero Museum. Here we can see the works of art by Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous artist whose "oversized" art is instantly recognisable. We will also visit Paloquemao market, the second largest in the city as well as the hilltop look-out and monastery of Monserrate. This evening will be free for you to discover the culinary delights of the Colombia capital.
Day 3: Bogota – Honda
Location: Bogotá, Honda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Waka Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will drive to Zipaquira where we will visit the spectacular underground Salt Cathedral. The salt mines house an eerie and magnificent spectacle carved out directly from the rock salt. The cavernous cathedral, consists of a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers and can hold an impressive 8400 people. After a tour of the cathedral we’ll continue on to the picturesque riverside town of Honda which is renowned for its colonial architecture and 40 bridges. This journey takes us from the heights of the Eastern Andean range and Bogota plateau down to the hotter and more sultry weather of the Magdalena River basin. Driving distance 224km, 6 hours approx.
Day 4: Honda - Manizales (Coffee Region)
Location: Manizales, Honda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hacienda Venecia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll have time this morning to discover the charms of the so-called ‘city of bridges’. Sitting astride the Magdalena River, Honda was once an important port during the colonial era but went on to lose its economic significance when transportation routes changed. Now part of the Network of Heritage Towns of Colombia, Honda is slowly (very slowly) being rediscovered again. Later we’ll head westwards and back up into the mountains on the central Andean chain as we make for the country’s famed coffee region. We will reach a whopping 3,650m along the epic Alto de Letras mountain pass and will no doubt be able to witness a brave cyclist or few tackling it on two wheels. Dropping down into Manizales, the spectacular scenery won't end there with a cable car ride affording panoramic views across the city. Our base for the next two nights is only a 30-minute drive yet the rural, working coffee farm is a world away! Driving distance 153km, 4.5 hours approx.
Day 5: Manizales (Coffee Region)
Location: Manizales
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hacienda Venecia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll get to see the workings of a coffee plantations as we see the whole process from seedling to coffee cup and every part in between. We’ll learn about the trials and tribulations that face the coffee growers and how their whole way of life is affected by this simple bean - your life as a coffee drinker will never be the same, once you have tasted the elixir of life from Colombia! However coffee is not the only bean of importance in Colombia as the country is home to some of the finest cocoa found anywhere on the planet. That fact alone should be sufficient reason for any avid chocoholics to place it at the top of their to-do list and this afternoon will be dedicated to learning more about the cultivation of this beloved crop. There will be an opportunity to see the plantations themselves, the raw cocoa fruit and all-important bean as well as the processes used to turn this into our beloved chocolate.
Day 6: Manizales - Salamina
Location: Manizales, Salamina
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casa Real or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading north from Manizales we avoid the main road to Medellin and instead take a quieter backroad which traverses some truly spectacular scenery and allows us access to the lesser visited northern coffee region. It is just a short drive to Finca La Romelia, a local farm belonging to the Londoño family for over a century. Today it is home to a collection of over 6,000 different orchid plants, including the Cattleya or Christmas Orchid - the national flower of Colombia. Wandering through the vast property, we will also be on the lookout for woodpeckers, tanagers, hummingbirds and the like. There are recordings of some 200 different species of birdlife around the property. After a spot of lunch, we will continue to the colonial hilltop gem of Salamina for an orientation tour of this historic town's steep streets.
Day 7: Salamina - San Felix - Aguadas
Location: Aguadas, Salamina
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sueño Dorado or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From the nearby village of San Felix, we will swap our minibus for a jeep in order to reach an area rich with some of the highest and most extensive swathes of wax palms in the entire country. The wax palm has become a national symbol and with some reaching upwards of 200ft it is the world’s tallest palm tree. We'll learn more about these impressive species as we take a walk around the breath-taking forest. Making our way back to San Felix, we will continue our journey along the backroads of the northern coffee region to Aguadas. This equally picturesque colonial town is not only part of the UNESCO listed coffee culture landscape but is also a famed centre for local handicrafts. As such, this afternoon we’ll have the opportunity to observe the skills involved in the making of the traditional aguadeño hat, a treasured symbol of the region made using fibres from the locally grown iraca palm. Later there’ll be time to explore the tranquil streets of the old town and to meet the friendly locals, for whom foreign visitors are still a relative rarity.
Day 8: Aguadas - Medellin
Location: Medellín, Aguadas
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Diez Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning’s drive takes us to Medellin, known for its nightlife, lively culture and friendliness. On arrival we’ll take an orientation tour highlighting the incredible changes this city, whose name was once synonymous with drug cartels, has undergone in the last few years. Surrounded by mountain peaks, the city offers stunning scenery and, is known as the “City of Eternal Spring”. We’ll take the metro into the city centre to visit and wander amongst Botero sculptures in Parque Berrio. Although static works of art, we can watch the local Colombians climbing all over them and interacting with the sculptures the way Botero intended. The sculptures also include the pajaro de paz or ‘bird of peace’ sculpture, ironically damaged by a bomb by the insurgents and a reminder that Medellin was not always the trendy cosmopolitan hub it is today. Driving distance 154km, 4 hours approx.
Day 9: Medellin
Location: Medellín
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Diez Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
A full day in Medellin enables time to gain a greater appreciation for this fascinating city. We’ll start off by taking the outdoor escalators up the hill to the outer limits of the city and this bird’s eye view looking down on Medellin will help to put the entire city in to perspective. Once these barrios, or neighbourhoods, were no-go areas for even the police, but the city’s revival and revolutionary transport system has opened the city up to social and economic development in even the poorest parts. There is an immense pride in these local barrios and there will be opportunities to see a flourishing urban art and music scene, and to interact with the locals of Comuna 13 to get a better understanding of how these parts of the city tick and now contribute to Medellin’s vibrant cultural fabric. After lunch you’ll be free to head to explore more of this city for yourself, perhaps heading for the lively Parque lllaeras to see the hip and trendy of Medellin strut their stuff.
Day 10: Medellin – Santa Marta
Location: Medellín, Santa Marta
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Catedral Plaza or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today will be very much dependent on flight schedules and, as such, we may move around activities in Medellin should there be time for further exploration. Ideally we will take a direct flight to Santa Marta that allows time for an orientation tour upon arrival. Located on the Caribbean coast, Santa Marta is one the oldest surviving colonial towns in Colombia and the perfect base from which to access Tayrona National Park tomorrow.
Day 11: Tayrona National Park
Location: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Catedral Plaza or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we set off for a full day trip into Tayrona National Park. This stunning marine and coastal park offers a variety of great trails and nature walks, and we’ll trek through the jungle and along the coast, before stopping at one of the pristine, golden sandy beaches for lunch. After some free time for swimming and relaxing we shall head back to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 12: Santa Marta - Cartagena
Location: Cartagena, Santa Marta
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3 Banderas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Heading southwest along the coast, we shall drive to the colonial town of Cartagena de Indias. For many, Cartagena remains a favourite destination in South America and after just a short time it’s easy to understand why. This afternoon we will take a guided walk through the historic walled city. The Spanish colonial architecture is some of the most impressive and holds some of the best preserved in South America with its imposing merchant’s houses, narrow streets, flower bedecked balconies stunning civic buildings and beautiful churches. Soaked in sunshine and steeped in history, Cartagena is liberally sprinkled with a wealth of wonderful old buildings that line the flower-filled streets. Driving distance 226km, 4 hours approx.
Day 13: Cartagena
Location: Cartagena
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3 Banderas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With a full day to take in more of the charms of this stunning colonial city with its lavish cathedral and bustling plazas, we’ll spend the morning visiting La Popa Convent and Castillo San Felipe, the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas, and a structure which dominates the old town. Underneath there is a labyrinth of tunnels, some of which are lit and accessible to visitors. The afternoon will be free for personal exploration before we meet up for our final group dinner.
Day 14: Tour Ends In Cartagena
Location: Cartagena
Meals Included: Breakfast
Although the tour officially ends after breakfast and rooms will need to be vacated by midday, those on the suggested group flights this evening will have most of the day free for wandering the streets of this delightful city at your own pace and perhaps taking in some last minute souvenir hunting.
What's Included
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MEALS
13 x Breakfasts11 x Lunches9 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses, cable cars, metro trains and a domestic flight.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Colombia.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
NB. Please note that current US policy (subject to change) has stated that anyone wishing to travel via the USA must have a biometric passport. In addition, anyone who has travelled to several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen or Somalia since March 2011, is required to apply for a US visa (rather than just an ESTA). If you are affected by this, the process is fairly straightforward and you can read more about it here:-
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/us-visa.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as all the walks are fairly undemanding (typically 2-3hrs in duration) and optional.
There are some long drives involved in this tour due to the distances we need to cover, but the changing scenery throughout make these an interesting aspect of the trip.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation, but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour with the exception of Hacienda Venecia, where it may be necessary to share.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Colombia.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.