Tour around the small towns of Colombia
Circuits around Colombia
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In this tour we will take our travelers through different villages and towns of Colombia from different regions telling the history, showing the culture and daily life of the locals. You will visit Bocaya department with the famous town of Villa de Leyva, later you will continue to Barichara and Guane en Santander. Furthermore you will not miss the famous coffee triangle with the most beautiful towns and will end the tour in Cartagena visiting San Basilio de Palenque.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival to El Dorado international airport of Bogota. Transfer to the hotel near the airport.
Day 2: Bogota City tour
The tour starts visiting the Paloquemao market which is the second biggest food market in Bogota. This is where the locals buy their weekly supplies. Here you will be able to get familiarized with all different kind of fruit Colombia can offer. You will also visit the flower and food section and will have a chance to try some typical snacks.
The tour continues to the Monserrate Sanctuary located at 3.100 meters above sea level from where you will get an unforgettable view over this big city. The Monserrate hill is a symbol of Bogotá and it houses the sanctuary of Señor Caído de Monserrate – a pilgrimage place for nationals and foreigners. The hill is ascended by cable car.
Afterwards we will continue walking around the historical center of La Candelaria visiting the main square called Plaza Bolivar, Chorro de Quevedo – the place where Bogota was founded, the narrowest street of Bogota, etc. We will not miss the Botero Museum (closed on Tuesdays) and Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Night in Hotel in Bogota.
Day 3: Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and transfer to Villa de Leyva
Today we will visit the small town of Zipaquira famous for its Salt cathedral. It is a significant tourist attraction located 40 km from Bogota. The cathedral is totally carved in salt and lies 180 m underground. The tour around the cathedral takes about 1,5- 2 hours.
After lunch we will continue to the small town of Villa de Leyva (3 hours). Before we arrive we will do a short stop in the town of Raquira which is famous for its clay pots and colorful handicraft shops. Night in hotel in Villa de Leyva.
Day 4: Villa de Leyva and surroundings
Villa de Leyva was founded in 1572 and is known as one of the most pictures towns of Colombia; it is famous for its colonial architecture and the cobbled streets. Nowdays Villa de Leyva has become a cultural and artistic center of different festivals. On weekends and during festivities it is frequently visited by local Colombian tourists.
After breakfast the guide will take you for a small walking tour around the cobbled streets of Villa de Leyva. We will also visit the “Fosil” – the vestiges of a marine reptile called kronosaurus boyacensis hampe and “El Infiernito” – a small archeological site in the outskirts of the town. Finally the visit to Ecce Homo monastery will not be missed. Night in hotel in Villa de Leyva.
Day 5: Waterfall el Yataro and transfer to Barichara
We will pack our bags and will head to Gachantiva municipality in order to visit a hidden waterfall called “Yataro”. It reaches about 60m and forms a natural swimming pool where you can get a refreshing bath. This is an easy 2 hour hike (both ways).
Later we will continue to Barichara small town (the drive takes about 4-5 hours depending on the traffic). Barichara is known for its traditional architecture “tapia pisada” and often is called as one of the most beautiful towns of Colombia. Hotel in Barichara.
Day 6: Barichara and Guane towns
First thing in the morning we will take the famous stoned trail from Barichara to Guane. The walk is 5 km long and takes about 2 hours. In Guane we will visit the local museum where we can learn about the Guane Indians. Return back to Barichara by car.
After lunch and some rest, we will continue visiting the most remarkable places of Barichara. We should not miss the workshop of how to fabric paper from “Fique”. Rest in hotel in Baricahra.
Day 7: Chicamocha Canyon and transfer to Giron
Early in the morning we will head towards the Canyon of Chicamocha (2,5 hours). We will spend some time in the theme park where we will take the cable car over the canyon and get a different view over the canyon from the Mesa de los Santos. Afterwards you will have some free time in case you want to enjoy some other activities in the park. In the late afternoon transfer to the small town of Giron. Rest in the hotel.
Day 8: Giron and flight to the Coffee Triangle
In the morning we will do a short tour around the town of Giron. It is well known for its old town characterized by its Spanish colonial architecture: cobbled streets, houses with white walls, large dark doors and clay tile roofs.
Afterwards we will head to the airport of Bucaramanga in order to take flight to Pereira (Coffee Triangle). Transfer to the hotel near Pereira and rest.
Day 9: Small towns of Buenavista, Pijao and Cordoba
Today we will tour through the typical coffee growers villages in Quindio department. First we will visit Córdoba, then we will continue to Pijao village and finally we will end in Buenavista to have some coffee and enjoy its spectacular landscape. These small villages are less visited by tourists and reflect the authentic life of the locals. Return back to the hotel near Pereira.
Day 10: Cocora Valley, Salento and Filandia
Today’s activities we will start with driving to Cocora Valley in order to appreciate the wax palm – the symbol of Colombia. You will walk to the palm forest where you will be able to get familiarized with the history and traditions related to this important tree. Lunch in a typical restaurant will not be missed.
After Cocora you will drive to Salento town for a short tour and will not miss some time for shopping on Calle Real. Finally, you will drive to another small town of Filandia, there you will walk around the colorful streets and visit the Filandia view point. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 11: Coffee tour and Hot springs Santa Rosa de Cabal
Today we will head to the farm “Finca del Café”. Here you will immerse in coffee plantations and will be able to learn about different stages of coffee production (from growing till degustation).
After lunch we will take you to the hot springs in Santa Rose de Cabal for some relaxing bath. Here you can enjoy 4 different hot water swimming pools (with different temperatures) and a natural waterfall. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 12: Flight to Cartagena and City tour
In the morning we will take flight to Cartagena. Cartgena probably is one of the most popular tourist places in the country. The historical center also called the “walled city” will impress any traveller with its bright colors and narrow streets.
In the afternoon you will head out for the tour around the city visiting the fortress of San Felipe, the San Claver church; you will walk around the historical city center of Cartagena and will also get familiarized with the modern area of Bocagrande. Nigh in Cartagena.
Day 13: San Basilio de Palenque
San Basilio de Palenque is situated 60 km from Cartagena. The drive to Palenque will take about 90 minutes.
Palenque is the first free town in America, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. We will tour around this small village with unpaved streets getting familiarized with the history, music, gastronomy and daily life of the locals.
Return back to the hotel in Cartagena.
Day 14: Rosario Islands
At about 8:30 AM the guide will pick you up from your hotel in the city center and take to the pier where you will board a catamaran to sail towards the Rosario Islands.
On board you can enjoy sailing and motor sailing for approximately an hour and a quarter to our destination. The catamaran is equipped with very comfortable seats with nice cushions where you can sit and stretch comfortably, both in the shade and in the sun. You will stop at an idyllic beach with turquoise waters and white sands in the Rosario Islands National Natural Park, where you can swim and snorkel admiring the fascinating underwater life with its colorful tropical fish and the various types of coral.
During this tour you will sail around several islands and do 2 stops for swimming and snorkeling. Return back to Cartagena at about 4 PM. Night in Cartagena.
Day 15: Flight back to Bogota or international flight back home
Today is the day of your return back home. We will take you the airport for your flight to Bogota or for your international flight directly from Cartagena.