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Day 1: Bogotá
Day 2: Bogotá
Day 3: Bogotá / Zipaquirá / Villa de Leyva 4h drive
Day 4: Villa de Leyva / Bogotá – 4h drive
Day 5: Bogota Flight to Armenia – 1 hour flight (flight not included)
Day 6: Armenia/ Cocora – Time of drive 55 minutes – Cocora / Salento –Time drive 25 minutes – Salento / Armenia 1h drive. Full day
Day 7: Armenia Flight to Bogotá Flight to Cartagena– 2 hours flight (2 flights not included)
Day 8: Cartagena
Extension Santa Marta & National Park Tayrona:
Day 9: Cartagena / Santa Marta (time road 1h)
Day 10: Santa Marta / National Park Tayrona (time drive 1h30, trekking around 1h)
Day 11: Santa Marta.
Day 12: Santa Marta Flight to Bogotá (1h30 flight – not included) Flight to Europe (not included)
Air – Please book direct international flights (Lufthansa) or via Madrid (Iberia or Avianca). These flights allow the J1 arrival late afternoon and departure late afternoon Bogotá to Europe (J12) Please book domestic flights on Avianca per itinerary. QUIMBAYA COLOMBIA can book these flights for you.
Formalities – Thank you for consulting the authority to check if passengers need visa to enter to Colombia according their nationality. Passport valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
Health – No mandatory vaccinations.
Weather – Temperate and cold in the Andres (Bogota, Villa de Leyva and Armenia). Tropical in Cartagena and Santa Marta. The dry season runs from November to May. Please note the course in altitude J1 to J7 (between 2000 and 2600 m altitude).
BOGOTA
BH BICENTENARIO*** or similar
A stay at Bogotá’s BH Bicentenario Hotel is truly something special. Perfectly located in the heart of the city, at the confluence of the commercial, financial and entertainment districts, this modern hotel has been consistently recognized as one of the top business hotels in the city.
Web Site: www.bhbicentenario.com/
VILLA DE LEYVA
GHL STYLE NEIVA **** or similar
http://www.ghlhoteles.com/hoteles/colombia/neiva/ghl-style-neiva/
ARMENIA
HACIENDA COMBIA*** or similar
The farm Combia has 32 comfortable rooms, ranging from single to multiple accommodation with private bathroom and hot water. Restaurant: equipped with an open kitchen that allows guests to enjoy preparing tasty lunch. Pool: endless panoramic effect, where you can see the beautiful sunset’s quindianos. Wetland: hot tub, steam room, sauna, gazebo with wet bar.
Web Site: www.combia.com.co/
CARTAGENA
LA ERMITA*** or similar
In Ermita Cartagena, a Tribute Portfolio hotel. The first Marriott property in Cartagena, our goal is to offer you connecting and welcoming spaces that reflect our atmosphere and the independent spirit of Cartagena. Discover a welcoming, charismatic and charming design, not bound by the rules of a traditional hotel. Our boutique hotel occupies a charming building, richly designed rooms and suites, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and a 24/7 fitness center. Discover the flavours that Cartagena has to offer at the Señora Ayda restaurant, where you will find a captivating atmosphere while enjoying delicious local dishes. Let yourself be seduced by the front door and explore Cartagena in a unique way.
Web site: www.marriott.com
EXTENSION SANTA MARTA
AC MARRIOTT SMR **** or similar
Web site: www.marriott.com
Arrival at El Dorado International airport, reception by one of our team.
Transfer and installation at the hotel BH BICENTENARIO*** or SIMILAR
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
First, visit of The Monserrate, from where you can have a wonderful view of the city a magnificent panoramic point of the town. This place can be reached by cable car or funicular. Walking tour in the historic center, La Candelaria and discovery all houses and churches of the XVIIIe and XIX centuries. On the way to the “Plaza Bolívar”, you will see “Casa del Nariño”, home of the President of Colombia. Around the “Plaza Bolívar” is located the “Capitolio Nacional”, the “Palacio de Justicia”, the “Alcaldía Mayor” of Bogotá, but also the “Catedral Primada”, the “Capilla del Sagrario” and the “Palacio del Arzobispado”
Visit Botero Museum – This Art collection was donated in 2000 by Fernando Botero, the Colombian artist recognized internationally and it is exposed permanently.
Lunch in a local restaurant where they serve the ajiaco (a soup prepared with the potatoes of the highlands, with spices, chicken and corn).
Visit the Gold Museum, owned by the Bank of Colombia – Archaeologists have also contributed greatly in this collection creating a total of about 36000 pieces of gold and splendid emeralds.
Return to the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Departure towards Zipaquirá (1 hour approximately).
Visit of the Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic Church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in a Halite mountain.
Here you will find the salt mines from which a monumental Cathedral was excavated.
Lunch in a local restaurant
Continues towards Villa de Leyva (3 hours approximately).
It is a magical town steeped in a colonial atmosphere and surrounded by very different landscapes.
Arrival in Villa de Leyva.
Transfer and accommodation at the hotel MESON DE LOS VIRREYES*** or SIMILAR.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at your hotel.
Breakfast.
Panoramic visit of Villa de Leyva The course begins with the place Ricaurte, also known as Plaza San Agustín and continues to the house of Antonio Nariño, journalist, political and military, who has played an important role in the country’s independence. The tour continues to the Place “Mayor”, its 14,000 m2 makes it the largest square “plaza” of Colombia.
Departure to Ráquira (around 1h drive).
First monastery of Augustinian monks Recoletos in America, it was built in 1604 on the banks of the river Gacheneca by Father Augustine Mateo Delgado in order to gather in community hermits who lived in nearby caves. The convent is now for the novitiate of the Augustinian Fathers and the achievement of spiritual retreats. The ground floor is the Museum of Antiquities and paintings of Ceballos Vasquez are exhibited in the cloister. The choir of the church is decorated with a depiction of the “Virgen de la Candelaria” painted on a cedar trunk in the early days of the founding of the monastery.
Lunch not included.
Free time to enjoy the market.
Ráquira market is famous for its handicrafts. There are terra cotta pieces, baskets, clothing, hammocks, silver, etc. This is the place to shop.
Depart towards Bogota.
Arrival and accommodation at the hotel LA BOHEME *** or SIMILAR.
Dinner at the restaurant ANDRES D.C.
Overnight at the hotel
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport to take the flight towards Armenia located in the heart of the coffee region.
Arrival at the “El Eden” airport of Armenia, reception by our local guide.
The Route of the coffee Culture
The Route of the Coffee Culture is a tour that allows visitors to share the experience of peasants working in coffee farms in a fun and educational way. It is also an opportunity to explore the mythical and fantastic history of coffee growing in Colombia. From culture, the visitor passes at harvest, during which he clothes such as farm workers. Coffee beans harvested are then brought to the cooperative where they are pulped and dried. The tour continues to the technique cooperative that fulfills all requirements of the National Federation of Coffee from Colombia. During the visit, the visitor will have the opportunity to sort, toast and grind the coffee, as did past generations, to enjoy an excellent cup of Colombian coffee.
Lunch not included.
Quindío Botanical Garden
Drive 4.3 miles east of Armenia to Calarcá to reach the Quindío Botanical Gardens, where visitors are treated to an amazing tour of the butterfly farm. If you have a bit of patience, one of the 1,500 butterflies from 30 native species here will probably perch on your finger. This is an ideal setting to learn all about palms, ferns, heliconias, and other native plants.
Transfer and accommodation at the hotel HACIENDA COMBIA (Coffee Farm) or SIMILAR.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Visit Valley Cocora located in the Colombian Andes by Jeep Willis (4 persons per vehicle)
Travel through the Cocora Valley located in the department of Quindío.
On the way you can appreciate the beautiful landscape.
Once you reach the Valley, you will receive a welcome cocktail and assistance by an expert guide from Cocora; take a walk into the cloud forest where we will appreciate the biodiversity of fauna and flora.
Lunch Lunch in a local restaurant.
Visit to Salento, city tour in the famous town of Salento.
We will visit the Plaza de Bolivar to know their typical colorful balconies, the main street, craft workshops and the viewpoint of Cocora.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Transfer to El Edén Airport and assistance to take the flight to Bogotá and connection with the flight to Cartagena (Flight suggested: AXM BOG AV9840 8h10 / 9h05 – BOG CTG AV9548 11h22 / 12h54, not included).
Transfer e installation at the hotel DON PEDRO DE HEREDIA*** or SIMILAR.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Walking tour in the historic center The walk takes passengers along the colonial streets of the historic center to admire the major attractions of the old city.
Visit to the church of San Pedro Claver
The church and monastery of San Pedro Claver, formerly the Church of San Ignacio de Loyola, were built in the early 17th century by the Jesuit community. Its current name is a tribute to San Pedro Claver, a missionary who lived and died in the convent next to the church and fought for the underdog. He was called the “The Black Man’s Apostle.”
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast.
Visit to « Cerro de la Popa » – is the perfect place to enjoy Cartagena as a whole but also the sea, the island of “Tierrabomba”, the historic center and “Boquilla”. Cartagena City Council found necessary to found a convent on the summit of “Cerro de la Popa” for the faithful of the region who themselves participated in the cleanup of the area. Fray Alonso de la Cruz Paredes, who received the divine message ordering him to build a monastery on the closest mount to Cartagena, was appointed superior of the monastery.
Visit to « Castillo San Felipe » – The route continues through the “Castillo San Felipe”, initially called “Castillo de San Lázaro”, the largest Spanish military building of the New World. The original construction dates of 1536 and was enlarged as required until 1657. The visit of the castle leads from the Parade Ground to the residence of the Lord through the kitchens and other sites of interest. The castle was a loyal defender of the city until it fell to the hands of the Baron de Pointes.
Lunch not included. Afternoon time at leisure to enjoy the Beach and visit local surroundings.
Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Santa Marta, arrival, and accommodation at the hotel AC MARRIOTT SMR**** OR SIMILAR.
City tour
The tour starts with the visit of the “Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino”, a wonderful “Hacienda” where Simón Bolivar, the “Libertador” spent its last day before dying. Then, passengers follow toward the football stadium and its monument to Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. A stop is planned at the Taganga mirador, beautiful point of view on this fishermen village. To finish, passengers have a walk in the historic center of Santa Marta.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day free to discover the city and surroundings.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Nature has shaped between the snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the tropical beaches of the Caribbean a region where fauna and flora are unique in the world. Tayrona National Park, once inhabited by the proud Indigenous people of the same name, will satisfy the wild nature lovers still very preserved.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: To preserve the ecosystem of Tayrona Park, the Local Authorities have decided to close the Park three times a year. In case you book this extension and which it falls during the closure, we would therefore offer you an alternative on the theme of hiking.
*The Tayrona National Park will be closed in the following dates: From 1st to 15th February; From 1st to 15 June; and From 19th October to 2nd November.
Optional visit to Tayrona National Park:
Departure in the morning to the Tayrona National Park (about 1h30 drive)
When you enter the Tayrona National Park, you start the journey along a tropical forest road to the beach "Las 7 Olas", from the viewpoint you can enjoy the beautiful landscape. You will go until the “San Juan de Guia” Cape passing by the Arrecifes beach.
Note: This is an intermediate level hike, which can appeal to people who like to walk and do not have locomotion problems.
Free time to enjoy the beach.
Return to Santa Marta.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day free to discover the city and surroundings.
Lunch and dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Simón Bolívar International Airport to take the flight to Bogotá and the international flight (NOT INCLUDED).
Lunch and dinner not included.
END OF OUR SERVICES