10 Days/9 Nights Departs Daily Ultimate Colombia: Bogotá, Medellin, Santa Marta, & Cartagena A perfect combination of old and new. Explore Bogotá's modern museums and wonderful Spanish plazas. Discover Medellin's chíc shops and rich architecture. Revel in the natural beauty of Santa Marta, home to the biodiverse Tayrona National Park, and take in charming Cartagena, the epicenter of culture in Latin America, meshing Colonial beauty and Caribbean flare. ACCOMMODATIONS 2 Nights Bogotá 2 Nights Medellin 2 Nights Santa Marta 3 Nights Cartagena
INCLUSIONS All Ground Transfers Private Bogotá City Tour Private Medellin City & Cable Car Tour Private Tayrona National Park Tour Private Colonial City Tour Private Rosario Islands Tour Daily Breakfast ARRIVE BOGOTÁ: Airport meeting and transfer to your selected Bogotá hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (Accommodations, Bogotá) BOGOTÁ: Depart from your hotel after breakfast for a tour of this capital city. Bogotá City Tour We begin with a trip to the well-preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria for photo opportunities at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogotá. Here you can find many picturesque icons of the city including The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall. Next, visit the famous and "must see" Gold Museum where the world's greatest collection of pre-hispanic Indian gold crafts is displayed. Finally, visit the Fernando Botero Museum, which contains paintings and sculptures by this famous contemporary Colombian artist and a display of his private collection, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Dali and more. NOTE: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Take the rest of the day to explore or take one of your optional tours. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Bogotá) BOGOTÁ TO MEDELLIN:
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Medellin. Airport greeting and transfer to your selected hotel. You have the rest of the day to explore the attractions of this "City of Eternal Spring." (Breakfast, Bogotá; Accommodations, Medellin) MEDELLIN: Private Medellin City and Cable Car Tour: After breakfast, we begin the City Tour of Medellin - second largest city in Colombia and capital of the Department of Antioquia. To learn about the roots of the city, the tour includes visits to the Pueblito Paisa, Plaza Mayor, Convention Centre and Park Pies Descalzos. We will also travel by metro to see the city in its panoramic glory and take the cable car over the 'comunas' (shanty town) to visit the impressive Spain Park Public Library on the top of the Mountain. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Medellin on your own. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Medellin) MEDELLIN TO SANTA MARTA: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Santa Marta. Airport greeting and transfer to your selected hotel. You have the rest of the day to explore one of the oldest surviving cities in South America, founded in 1525. (Breakfast, Medellin; Accommodations, Santa Marta) PRIVATE TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK TOUR: A private vehicle will take you north of the city of Santa Marta to reach the reserve after a 2-hour drive. Taironaka is a natural and archaeological reserve whose territory extends over what was once an ancient Tayrona city. The walking trails through the reserve will take you through the history of this thriving civilization. Learn about the drainage systems, terraces, stairs, and houses and relive the daily life of the people that inhabited this territory for over 1,000 years. Tour the Tayrona Museum, which features more than 300 authentic pieces of pottery.
After lunch, there will be a short walk to the river to reach Don Diego: enjoy a nice boat ride contemplating natural beauty and landscapes of the area. We suggest bringing a small backpack with sandals, bathing suit, insect repellent, sunscreen and any other implement you might need. A private vehicle will take you back to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Santa Marta; Lunch on Tour) SANTA MARTA TO CARTAGENA: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cartagena. Airport greeting and transfer to your selected hotel. You have the rest of the day to admire the colonial architecture. (Breakfast, Santa Marta; Accommodations, Cartagena) CARTAGENA: After breakfast, tour this beautiful city. Cartagena City Tour First, drive to the Convent of La Popa built at the beginning of the 17th century on the hill of the same name. From there a magnificent view of the city and the bay can be seen. The tour will then continue on to San Felipe's Fort, built in the 17th century to protect the city from marauding invaders. After a tour looking at the construction of this impregnable fortress, there will be a stroll to the walled colonial city with a stop at the colorful handicraft stores of Las Bovedas, where the local artisans display their wares. From there, transport to the Convent of San Pedro Claver, named in honor of the Spanish born monk who was known as the "Apostles of Blacks." The tree-filled courtyard of the convent houses religious and pre- Columbian artifacts. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Cartagena) CARTAGENA: Full-Day Rosario Islands Tour: Transfer to the pier and take a shared motorboat to the beautiful islands of El Rosario, located 1½ hours south of the Bay of Cartagena. These islands have been declared a National Natural Park, and are the site of a very important complex of coral banks, populated with a great variety of reef fauna, among which the lobster
represents one of the many sources of food. White sand beaches and beautiful crystal waters are complements of this impressive scenery. You have the opportunity for swimming or snorkeling (equipment available for rental), or if you prefer you can also take a rest on a hammock and let your imagination drift. Lunch included. Evening at leisure. (Breakfast & Accommodations, Cartagena; Lunch on Tour) DEPART CARTAGENA: Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (Breakfast, Cartagena)