UNA EXPERIENCIA COLOMBIANA 1
ITINERARY PELECANUS 2017 DISCOVERING COLOMBIA 4 D E S T I N A T I O N S 1 2 D A Y S, 1 2 N I G H T S K N O W T H E M A G I C T H A T E A C H O N E O F T H E R E G I O N S O F C O L O M B I A H A V E T O O F F E R Y O U Pelecanus, JUNE 2017 3
DAY 1 ARRIVAL - BOGOTÁ PELECANUS 2017 ARRIVAL IN BOGOTÁ Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport, a professional guide will pick you up at the international arrivals exit to escort you to your hotel. A private driver will take you to the Four Seasons Casa Medina Hotel (45-minute drive approximately). We will provide you with all the necessary documents for the trip. You have the rest of the day free to begin exploring the area and the excellent gastronomic delights of Bogota. Meals included: No Services included: Private transport and guide from the airport to the hotel Hotel: Four Seasons Casa Medina 4
DAY 2 - BOGOTÁ L A C A N D E L A R I A You will take a guided tour to the main attractions of Bogotá. We will concentrate on the most representative objects of interest of the city, starting our tour in the historic center, the beautiful neighborhood of "La Candelaria". Very near there, we will visit the Gold Museum to learn about our indigenous ancestors. You will visit some churches that tell the occupation of the Spanish Crown throughout the territory. Later, we will visit the Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of the city with its majestic buildings. We will finish the tour with a visit to the Botero Museum, and later transfer you back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Private transportation and guide all day, entrance to museums Hotel: Four Seasons Casa Medina Pelecanus, JUNE 2017 5
D A Y 3 B O G O T Á F I R S T W O N D E R O F C O L O M B I A The Cathedral of Salt of Zipaquirá is cataloged as the first wonder of Colombia. It is a construction carried out inside an active salt mine in the heart of the country. A private guide and driver will accompany you for half a day (transfer time approximately an hour and a half). The visit to the Cathedral and the village of Zipaquirá will last until noon when, after having lunch in the village, the transfer will be made back to the hotel. Free afternoon. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Half day private transportation and guide, entrance to the Cathedral Hotel: Four Seasons Casa Medina Pelecanus, SEPTEMBER 2017 6
Recommendations and warnings in Bogotá: The climate in Bogotá can vary a lot. In the mountains, the morning climate can be very different from the afternoon. Remember that we are at 2,600 m above sea level so protect yourself against the sun's rays. Take into account the itinerary of the day and places to visit and dress accordingly and comfortably. Traffic in Bogota can get heavy at any moment. However, guides and drivers are trained to seek quick solutions, when possible, to such situations. Sometimes, you just have to be patient. In the historic center of Bogota, there are street people who can come and ask for charity. There is no danger in it, but do not give them anything because there will be others that will also ask. We recommend not wearing jewelry. Keep your items close and in secure pockets. As in every big city, we have pickpockets. 7
DAY 4 ARRIVAL - QUINDÍO PELECANUS 2017 ARRIVAL TO THE COFFEE HUB Private transfer with driver and guide to El Dorado Airport to take the flight to Armenia, which lasts approximately one hour. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by a guide and private driver, who will take you to the hotel Estrella del Monte (the duration from one hotel to the other is approximately five hours, with transfers and flight). The rest of the day is free activity to enjoy the hotel, the swimming pool and a hike through the beautiful landscape of the Eje Cafetero. Meals included: Breakfast included in the Hotel Services included: Private guides and drivers for both transfers, plane tickets Hotel: Estrella del Monte Pelecanus, JULY 2017 8
DAY 5 QUINDÍO N O W A L I T T L E T A S T E O F C O F F E E The day begins with the visit of Salento, followed by the Cocora Valley, recognized for conserving its landscape with the national tree of Colombia: The Wax Palm. The journey lasts approximately 50 minutes. After enjoying a walk in the Valley, you will head to the beautiful village of Filandia, located 40 minutes from the Cocora Valley. There, after having lunch in a typical restaurant in the region, you will enjoy a tour of a coffee farm to learn about the coffee process. At the end of this activity, the transfer will be made back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast included in the price, Lunch Services included: Private guide and driver all day, planned activities Hotel: Estrella del Monte Pelecanus, JULY 2017 9
Recommendations and warnings in Quindío: The climate in Quindío is a bit warmer than in Bogota, although at night it can be somewhat cold (average temperature from 18 to 21 C). Unpredictable weather as it is also mountainous, with a possibility of rain. It is still a considerable height so the sun's rays still need to be taken into account. Consider the itinerary of the day and places to visit and dress accordingly. Pelecanus, JULY 2017 10
DAY 6 ARRIVAL - MEDELLÍN PELECANUS 2017 ARRIVAL IN MEDELLIN You will be picked up for the transfer to the international airport El Edén to take a flight to Medellín. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Patio del Mundo. In total, it will take approximately five hours for the transfer from one hotel to the other. The rest of the day is for acclimatization and a first exploration of the city and the hotel facilities. We will be happy to suggest activities and restaurants in the city. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Guides and drivers for day transfers, plane tickets Hotel: Patio del Mundo Pelecanus, AUGUST 2017 11
D A Y 7 MEDELLÍN C I T Y O F E T E R N A L S P R I N G The activity today will be a city tour through Medellín. For this, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the different points of this beautiful and organized city, where you can see the contrast between the old and the modern of their houses and churches. You will enjoy its history, the parks and the street art, expressed through the works and museums that the city offers. At the end of the tour, you will be returned to the hotel to choose between the great gastronomic offers. Afternoon free. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Guide and private transport, entrance to the museums in the plan of the day Hotel: Patio del Mundo Up left and right: Laurent de Walick, Flickr. 2017 Pelecanus, AUGUST 2017 12
DAY 8 MEDELLÍN C O M U N A 1 3 Today, we will visit one of the neighborhoods that suffered the most violence that hit the country, located 40 minutes from the hotel. It is a neighborhood that has recovered its security and has improved the quality of life of its inhabitants. In addition to knowing the history of this neighborhood, which was listed as one of the most dangerous in the city several years ago, when drug trafficking had much influence in the city, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Medellin. After finishing the tour, we will transfer you back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Half-day guide and private driver Hotel: Patio del Mundo Pelecanus, AUGUST 2017 13
Recommendations and warnings in Medellín: Protect yourself from the sun due to the altitude (1500 m above sea level). The temperature ranges between 16 and 28 C. The rain season is in April-May and October-November, nevertheless, in general the weather is still difficult to predict because it is mountain climate. It's better to be prepared. Take into account the itinerary of the day and places to visit and dress accordingly. Like in every big city in Colombia, the traffic can be difficult. We recommend not wearing jewelry. Keep your items close and in secure pockets. As in every big city, we have pickpockets. Up left: Catherine Ménard, Flickr. 2017 Right: Iván Erre Jota, Flickr. 2017 Pelecanus, AUGUST 2017 14
DAY 9 ARRIVAL - CARTAGENA PELECANUS 2017 ARRIVAL IN CARTAGENA In the morning, you will be picked up and transported privately to José María Córdoba International Airport to take your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transported to the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel. The total transfer time will be around three hours. The rest of the day is at your disposal and you can enjoy the hotel and explore the "walled city." Meals included: Breakfast included in the Hotel Services included: Guides and transport for the two transfers of the day, plane tickets Hotel: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Justin Sovich, Flickr. 2017 15
DAY 10 CARTAGENA W A L L E D C I T Y The second day in Cartagena, you will be making a city tour for half a day. Cartagena is a city with a lot of history and fascinating places to visit, such as San Felipe de Barajas Castle and the historic center, just 15 minutes from the hotel. There is over 500 years of history to be found here and Cartagena was also cataloged as UNESCO World Heritage in 1984. You will conduct the activity accompanied by a professional guide and a private driver to the main attractions. After this, the guide and the driver will drop you off again at the hotel where you can decide where you want to have lunch. Free afternoon. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Guide and private transportation half day, entrances to attractions of morning activity Hotel: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Reg Natarajan, Flickr. 2017 16
D A Y 1 1 C A R T A G E N A I S L A S D E L R O S A R I O On the third day in Cartagena de Indias, you will visit the Rosario Islands. Your private transportation and guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the harbor, from which you will leave in a private boat to the Islands to enjoy the sun and the Caribbean Sea. The beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters await you to have a day of rest and tan, enjoying its sound and the fresh breeze. At noon, you will have a typical dish of your choice. Later in the day, you will head back to the city. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch in the Rosario Islands Services included: Guide and transport during the activities of the day Hotel: Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Anibalweb, Flickr. 2014 17
Recommendations and warnings in Cartagena: Cartagena is a city that can be very sunny, even in the rainy seasons that begin in April and October and last for approximately two months. Don t forget your sun protection. The temperature in Cartagena ranges between 28 and 32 C. Do not forget to protect yourself against mosquitoes. Consider the itinerary of the day and places to visit and dress accordingly and comfortably. On the beach, keep your things in view, do not neglect them. Leave valuables in the hotel safe. If you are offered free trials, do not accept them. They are never free. Luz Adriana Villa, Flickr. 2008 18
DAY 12 - HOMECOMING Last day of your visit. The guide and driver will take you to the airport to take your flight home. We hope that everything was perfect and you are satisfied with the different services provided. Do not forget that any suggestions or complaints are welcome. Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Private guide and transport for the transfer to the airport Hotel: n / a Dirección Departamental De Turismo de Nariño, JUNE 2017 19