DAY 01 TUESDAY BOGOTÁ (-/-/-) transfer airport/hotel Reception at Bogotá Airport and transfer to the hotel. Bogotá - The Colombian Capital was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo de Quesada Jiménez under the name of Santa Fe. Here you meet both the dilapidated colonial grandeur, and the seething vitality of a modern metropolis. The constant air, fresh morning, warm noon and cool evening makes you forget the fact that there are no seasons. In addition to the vast southern slums ancient buildings are located in quiet, old districts. Overnight at HOTEL EXCELSIOR (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL MORRISON (4*) or similar (superior room) DAY 02 WEDNESDAY BOGOTÁ VILLA DE LEYVA visit to Mount Monserrate visit of the underground salt cathedral Zipaquirá transfer to Villa de Leyva In the morning, visit first the 3.190 meter high Mount Monserrate. Take the cable-car and enjoy the wonderful view. Drive to the underground Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, to about 2750 meters high. It all began more than 200 years ago, when the German science pioneer Humboldt recognized the richness of the salt mountains around Zipaquirá and recommended the Colombians 1801 to drive tunnels into the hillsides to reduce the salt. Walk through the salty vault along the 14 Stations of the Cross of Jesus Christ, which are connected together by a tunnel system. Dipped in dark blue, gray or silvery light, they remember Christ's suffering on the way to his crucifixion. At the twelfth station, one is 80 meters below the ground. It is geologically the lowest point. A few feet away waiting for the optical highlight: The huge, 16-meter-high illuminated cross made of salt shines in the nave, 120 meter cathedral. Transfer to Villa de Leyva. Overnight at HOTEL EL EDEN (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL POSADA SAN ANTONIO (4*) or similar (standard room) DAY 03 THURSDAY VILLA DE LEYVA BOGOTÁ visit of the Fossil, the convent Ecco Homo & the astronomical center of the Muisca culture
In the morning you get to know the surroundings of Villa de Leyva and make a visit to the skeleton of a Kronosaurius, which is completely preserved. This huge crocodile is 11 m long. Continue to El Infiernito, the astronomical center of cultural Muisca. On the basis of the shadows of the 34 columns standing here, the Muisca Indians determined the seasons. Afterwards you visit the 17 th century Convent Santo Ecce Homo. At the end of the day we pay a visit to a wine yard, where you can taste delicious homemade wine (not included). Early evening drive back to Bogota. Overnight at HOTEL EXCELSIOR (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL MORRISON (4*) or similar (superior room) DAY 04 FRIDAY BOGOTÁ RIVERA visit of the Gold Museum, La Candelaria flight BOG/NVA transfer to Rivera visit of the Tatacoa Desert After breakfast visit the famous Gold Museum, where you can admire a multitude of gold and silver pieces which were made by various pre-colombian cultures. Afterwards visit the colonial center La Candelaria, continue to the airport and flight to Neiva. Transfer to Rivera. In the early evening, visit the Tatacoa Desert. The landscape is crossed by ditches and canals between which grow large cactuses. The cracks in the eroded soil, the shadow of the sun, that colors the site in orange and gray colors, and the roaring wind is the appeal of this landscape. In the evening you can relax in the hot springs. Overnight at HOSTAL CASA OLIVARES (2*) or similar (standard room) DAY 05 SATURDAY RIVERA SAN AGUSTÍN transfer to San Agustín visit to the archeological Park Today you drive along the river Magdalena, the largest river in the country and finally you reach the archeological area of San Agustín. In the afternoon visit the archeological Park of San Agustín with its significant graves and statues in a forest with a variety of sculptures. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at HACIENDA ANACAONA (3*) or similar (standard room) DAY 06 SUNDAY SAN AGUSTÍN visit to a coffee farm visit to the archaeological Park Alto de los Ídolos
In the morning you visit a coffee farm to learn about the whole process. In the afternoon visit the archeological park of Alto de los Ídolos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at HACIENDA ANACAONA (3*) or similar (standard room) DAY 07 MONDAY SAN AGUSTÍN POPAYAN transfer to the white city of Popayan Today you will have a 6 hour drive to Popayan. On the way you pass along the National Park of Puracé which extends from an altitude of 2.500 meter to 5.000 meter. The hilly Paramó landscape is crossed by ravines and water courses, as well as volcanoes: their craters still smolder. Visit to the sulfurous hot springs of the volcano Puracé Termales Agua Hirviendos. Overnight at HOTEL LA PLAZUELA (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL DANN MONASTERIO (4*) or similar (standard room) DAY 08 TUESDAY POPAYAN visit to the indigenous market of Silvia Today you will visit the bustling market of Silvia. It is where a colourful mix of Guambianoand Paeces-Indians, nuns and tourists meet each other. You have the opportunity to buy craftwork. In the afternoon back to Popayan to enjoy the colonial town. Overnight at HOTEL LA PLAZUELA (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL DANN MONASTERIO (4*) or similar (standard room) DAY 09 WEDNESDAY POPAYAN CALI (B/-/D) visit to sugar cane plantation transfer to Cali dinner at a salsa bar In the morning your journey travels northwards. Visit to a sugar cane plantation. Afterwards drive to Cali, the city of the Salsa. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the city. In the evening, visit of one of the various salsa bars. Overnight at BOUTIQUE HOTEL SAN ANTONIO (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL OBELISCO (4*) or similar (superior room)
DAY 10 THURSDAY CALI CARTAGENA transfer hotel/airport flight CLO/CTG Transfer to the airport and flight to Cartagena. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Cartagena was founded in 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. For a long time Cartagena was hub of goods and also slaves. Only in 1822, Cartagena became independent. Today Cartagena's old town is a historic gem. Outside the old town, the modern age has developed. Upstream island chains and beaches around the city make the city a popular tourist destination. Overnight at HOTEL DON PEDRO DE HEREDIA (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL URBAN ROYAL TORRE DEL RELOJ (4*) or similar (superior room) DAY 11 FRIDAY CARTAGENA half day city tour Morning at leisure. In the afternoon visit of Cartagena, one of the most impressive towns of South America due to its colonial old city and Caribbean flair. You get to know the convent de la Popa which is located on the highest hill of the town. Here you have a wonderful panoramic view of the city, the bay and the Caribbean. Make a photo-stop at the old Fort San Felipe de Barajas. This huge fortress dominates the city. Afterwards you walk through the old city. Overnight at HOTEL DON PEDRO DE HEREDIA (3*) or similar (standard room) Overnight at HOTEL URBAN ROYAL TORRE DEL RELOJ (4*) or similar (superior room) DAY 12 SATURDAY CARTAGENA SANTA MARTA transfer to Santa Marta In the morning, you will drive to Santa Marta, on its way stop at the volcano El Totumo, a healing mud bath can be taken (optional, not included). Continue via Barranquilla, the largest port of Colombia to reach Santa Marta. You make a short visit to the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simon Bolivar lived his last days.
DAY 13 SUNDAY SANTA MARTA (B/L/-) full day Taironaka Drive to Taironaka in the Sierra Nevada. You take a little walk and can observe the abundant flora and numerous bird species. You will visit the ruins of the native Tayrona. You will also visit a small museum, which is equipped with original ceramic stones. At lunchtime a typical regional food will be served. Taironaka is located next to the river Don Diego. Take a bath or just relax. In the afternoon drive back to Santa Marta. DAY 14 MONDAY SANTA MARTA Day at leisure, explore the city, relax on the beach and enjoy the beautiful landscape. DAY 15 TUESDAY SANTA MARTA transfer hotel/airport flight SMR/BOG At due time, transfer to the Santa Marta airport for your flight back home through Bogotá. END OF SERVICES