COLOMBIA with World Affairs Council of Greater Houston June 10-18, 2017 ITINERARY SUMMARY Bogota 3 Nights / Medellin 2 Nights / Cartagena 3 Nights Day 1: Sat, June 10 2017 Departure Leave Houston, USA for Bogota, Colombia. Overnight: Bogota / Meals: - Day 2: Sun, June 11 2017 Bogota Full-day tour of Colombian capital. Overnight: Bogota / Meals: B / L / D Day 3: Mon, June 12 2017 Bogota Excursion to Cathedral of Salt * Leisure time in Bogota. Overnight: Bogota / Meals: B / L Day 4: Tue, June 13 2017 Bogota - Medellin Fly to Medellin * City sightseeing. Overnight: Salento / Meals: B / L Day 5: Wed, June 14 2017 Medellin Excursion to Santa Fe de Antioquia. Overnight in Medellin / Meals: B / L / D HIGHLIGHTS: Gold Museum in Bogota The Cathedral of Salt in Arequipa Fernando Botero sculptures in Medellin The Bridge of the West over Cauca River The walled city of Cartagena Chiva Bus ride in Cartagena Tasting local food
COLOMBIA with World Affairs Council of Greater Houston June 10-18, 2017 ITINERARY SUMMARY Day 6: Thu, June 15 2017 Medellin - Cartagena Fly to Cartagena * City tour. Overnight: Cartagena / Meals: B / L / D Day 7: Fri, June 16 2017 Cartagena Excursion to San Basilio de Palenque. Overnight: Cartagena / Meals: B / L / D Day 8: Sat, June 17 2017 Cartagena Leisure day in Cartagena. Overnight: Cartagena / Meals: B Day 9: Sun, June 18 2017 Depart for Houston. Meals: B Departure
HOTELS For the three cities that group will overnight, we offer deluxe boutique hotels located in the city centers. BOGOTA: B.O.G. HOTEL / http://www.boghotel.com/default-en.html The concept of the B.O.G. Hotel is that of a Colombian luxury lifestyle hotel. The small touches throughout underscore a commitment to this concept. Guests will notice intricate rugs handmade by Colombian artisans. They will see traditional costumes used in rain and corn dances. They will appreciate handicrafts made in clay. They will feel cow-leather covered chairs and textured elevators. The B.O.G. Hotel is one of 250 international hotels that have earned the designation of being a Design Hotel, and it remains the single Colombian hotel to achieve this honor. It made Condé Nast Traveller s Hot List as one of the best new hotels in 2013. MEDELLIN: HOTEL PARK 10 http://www.hotelpark10.com.co/en/ In Hotel Park 10 you will feel the warmth of your home. Our highly qualified staff is willing to provide unforgettable service; our facilities are designed for your comfort: A perfect stay while visiting Medellín.
CARTAGENA: CASA CANABAL HOTEL http://www.casacanabalhotel.com/ Located in the heart of the historic center of Cartagena, Casa Canabal has a unique and stylish level of comfort, luxury and personalized service, all in a beautiful colonial house. All rooms and temporary spaces are fitted with minute details. With its unique staff and peaceful environment, Casa Canabal makes an ideal space for your stay.
Cartagena -Colombia SERVICES - RATES INCLUDED SERVICES: All arrival & departure transfers for suggested flights only 8 nights accommodation at the hotels stated below or similar, including daily breakfast based on double occupancy 6 lunches and 4 dinners as indicated in the itinerary One small bottle of water per person for each lunch and dinner Chiva bus rum tour in Cartagena as indicated in the itinerary One hour horse carriage ride in Cartagena Tango (or Salsa; based on availability) lesson and show Coffee culture farm visit All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary, including related entry fees Professional, English-speaking guides in each city Private motorcoaches with driver On the bus: 2 small bottles of water per person per day Local taxes NOT INCLUDED: International or domestic flights given separately below Drinks with included meals, except tea or coffee for breakfast Gratuities for guides & drivers Personal expenditures like phone calls, laundry, medical expenses Travel insurance (can be provided by Tourcom on request) TOUR RATES FOR WACH: Rate for 10-14 paying guests + 1 free for tour leader $2190 per person in double / twin occupancy. Rate for 15-19 paying guests + 1 free for tour leader $2057 per person in double / twin occupancy. Single Supplement: $645 Rates are valid for dates given in the itinerary. No direct payments will be accepted from tour members. Payments to Tourcom should be made by wire transfer.
Cartagena -Colombia FLIGHTS Avianca option: flights will be via San Salvador outbound and inbound. The fare is much lower as of early January; but flights are at inconvenient times: June 10 AV 367 Houston to San Salvador dep: 4:55 PM / arr: 7:00 PM June 10 San Salvador to Bogota AV 365 dep: 8:06 PM / arr: 12:01 AM on June 11 June 13 AV 9742 June 15 AV 9760 June 18 AV 8553 June 19 AV 366 June 19 AV 368 Bogota to Medellin dep: 8:15 AM / arr: 9:14 AM Medellin to Cartagena dep: 8:55 AM / arr: 10:05 AM Cartagena to Bogota dep: 10:22 PM / arr: 11:52 PM Bogota to San Salvador dep: 4:59 AM / arr: 7:00 AM San Salvador to Houston dep: 8:10 AM / arr: 12:25 PM The fare for listed flights is $850 per person, including taxes, surcharges and fees, as of January 5, 2017. Fare is based on availability.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY Day 1: Sat, June 10, 2017 COLOMBIA with WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF GREATER HOUSTON June 10-18, 2017 9 Days / 8 Nights Houston - Bogota We will leave Houston in the afternoon. Upon arrival in Bogota we will be transferred to our hotel. (Arrival of suggested flight on UA is at 8:45 PM.) Overnight in Bogota. Meals: No meals included today Day 2: Sun, June 11, 2017 Bogota After breakfast, we will start our full-day guided tour of Bogota, the Colombian capital. Eight million people call vibrant, passionate, sprawling Bogota home. Colombia's largest city, it is one of the biggest in South America. Situated on a high plateau of the picturesque Andes Mountains at an altitude of 8,660 ft., it is also the third highest capital city in South America. We will visit the city's main square, the Plaza de Bolivar, with the government buildings situated around it, as well as the colonial neighborhood, La Candelaria, the Iglesia de San Francisco, and El Museo del Oro. The museum holds close to 34,000 gold pieces, plus 20,000 bone, stone, ceramic, and textile articles belonging to 13 different pre- Hispanic societies. We will continue our tour with Museo Botero, which houses one of Latin America's most important international art collections. In the year of 2000 the Colombian artist Fernando Botero donated 208 art pieces, 123 of his own making and 85 of other international artists, to the Bank of the Republic. With this collection, the Botero Museum was founded. We will enjoy panoramic views of Bogota on a spectacular funicular ride to the top of Monserrate, the city's domineering mountain, as an unforgettable finish to our busy day. Duration: approximately 8 hours. Evening transfer to a restaurant in La Calera, a famous hilltop neighborhood in Bogota. We will have our welcome dinner while we enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the area and the views of the city. Overnight in Bogota. Meals: B, L, D
Cathedral of Salt -Colombia Day 3: Mon, June 12, 2017 (1hr 15min each way) Excursion to the Catedral de Sal in Arequipa- Bogota Today we have a half-day excursion to Catedral de Sal in Arequipa, a town that we will reach after a scenic drive through a savannah landscape to the north of Bogota. While the eastern Andean mountain range was forming 70 million years ago, the sea dried up and left an enormous subterranean deposit of salt, which solidified into rocks.the ancient Muscat culture was the first to take advantage of the salt deposit, becoming one of the most prosperous pre-hispanic societies of the time, around the 5 th century BC. Around 1932, the miners carved out a sanctuary to pray to the saints for protection. In 1950 they started a bigger project, the Catedral de Sal, which was inaugurated on August 15 th, 1954, and dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary, the patron saint of miners. However because of safety concerns, the authorities shut down the sanctuary in 1990. In 1991, the construction of a new cathedral was begun, 200 feet below the older one. The cathedral's various corridors and sanctuaries, its dramatic interior lighting and the scale of its proportions contribute to its grandeur and beauty. It is considered one of the most outstanding achievements of Colombian architecture. Before heading back to Bogota, we will enjoy visiting the pretty central square of Zipaquira, around which the Spanish Colonial-era buildings still retain their charm, with brickwork paving and a view of the Catedral Diocesana de San Antonio. We will enjoy the typical Colombian cuisine at the Funzipa Restaurant, located in a charming colonial building. Duration: approximately 4 hours. After lunch we will return to Bogota. The rest of our afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner on our own in Bogota. Overnight in Bogota. Meals: B, L
Armenia Coffee Region Day 4: Tue, June 13, 2017 Bogota - Medellin Early in the morning we will be transferred to Bogota airport to take a flight to Medellin. Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia, named after a small village in Spain that was the birthplace of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of Aztec Empire in the early 16 th century. The city was founded by the Spaniards almost a century later and retains its colonial character. Its pleasant climate gives the city its nickname, the City of Eternal Spring. Medellin was named the Innovative City of the Year by The Wall Street Journal in 2013. Upon arrival, our bus and driver will meet us at the airport and take us to the hotel to drop off our bags. Then we will enjoy a tour of the city s main sights including Parque San Antonio, Plazuela San Ignacio, the traditional Avenida Playa, the tallest building of Medellin, the Coltejer Building, as well as the Plaza Botero, Plaza de las Esculturas, a busy plaza containing 23 comical sculptures by Fernando Botero, the internationally renowned artist from Medellin. Then we will take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which has once been a notorious area of gang violence in Medellin. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts, and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population. We will continue our tour with the Museo Universidad de Antioquia which houses local archaeological collection. At lunch, we will enjoy the characteristic dish of the region, Bandeja Paisa. Dinner will be on our own. Overnight in Medellin. Meals: B, L
Medellin -Colombia Day 5: Wed, June 14, 2017 Medellin Santa Fe Excursion Today we will have a full-day excursion to Santa Fe de Antioquia, one of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia. Santa Fe de Antioquia is located in a hot valley near the banks of the Rio Cauca. Founded in 1541 by Jorge Robledo as Villa de Santafe, it received the coat of arms and the title of City of Antioquia from King Philip II of Spain in 1545. In 1584 it became the capital of Antioquia region. It was a gold mining town from the beginning. Due to the state of conservation of its colonial architecture, it was declared a National Monument in 1960. Among the sites that we will visit here are the Catedral, Museo de Arte Religioso and the Puente de Occidente, the suspension bridge over Cauca River which was built in 1887, same year as the Eiffel Tower. We will also have lunch in a local restaurant. In the evening, we will join a tango lesson and then watch a tango show. (Can be substituted with a Salsa lesson & show if not available.) Duration: approximately 10 hours. Overnight in Medellin. Meals: B, L, D
Cartagena -Colombia Day 6: Thu, June 15, 2017 Medellin - Cartagena We will take an early morning flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival we will meet our guide, go by bus to the hotel and leave our bags there to start our tour of Cartagena. The city was the first Spanish colony on the American continent and one of the first sanctuaries of freed African slaves in the Americas. Cartagena, located on the Colombia's northern coast facing the Caribbean Sea, is the most visited city in the country. The city has two main parts: the colonial walled city, known as Ciudad Amurallada, which has many nice restaurants, clubs and hotels; and a long strip of hotel towers and condos fronting onto the beach, known as Bocagrande. We will start our visit with one of the most outstanding monuments: Convento de la Popa, built on the highest point of the city at an altitude of about 500 ft. We will savor the panoramic views of the city and the harbor from the convent. We will continue on to the Castillo de San Felipe, an immense fort filled with history and mystery hidden in its stone-walled tunnels. It was built by the Spanish in 1657 for protection from pirates while shipping gold back to Europe. The monument erected to the memory of Zapatos Viejos, the Old Shoes, is our next stop. The sculpture is based on a poem by Tuerto Lopez, a local poet, symbolizing his love for his old town. We will hear more about the connection when we are there. With its defensive wall and well-preserved colonial architecture overlooking the sea, the lovely city of Cartagena surely deserves its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'Cartagena de Indias' is a memorable city with delightful churches, museums, plazas, restaurants and shops of all sorts. We will enjoy our lunch with local fried snacks and seafood at a traditional local restaurant. Duration: approximately 4 hours. After a carriage ride through the historic center we will dine at a local restaurant within walking distance of our hotel. Overnight in Cartagena. Meals: B, L, D
Chiva Bus - Cartagena -Colombia Day 7: Fri, June 16, 2017 Excursion to San Basilio de Palenque Cartagena (1hr 20min each way) In the morning, our bus will take us to San Basilio de Palenque in the south. The village is located between mountains and marshes. Despite the passage of time, its 3,500 inhabitants still preserve their customs, traditions and African rituals brought here by their ancestors who were kidnapped as slaves during the Spanish Conquest. The word 'palenque' means 'walled city' and San Basilio de Palenque is only one of many walled communities that were founded by escaped slaves as refuges in the seventeenth century, but it is the only one that survives. In 2005 San Basilio de Palenque was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. We will stroll through the village, meeting with residents and visiting the local landmarks. On our way back to Cartagena we will have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the Jardin Botanico Guillermo Pineres, which preserves the flora and fauna of the region. Duration: 8 hours approximately. In the evening, we will get on one of the colorful, typical Chiva buses for a fun ride and enjoy the charming and bewitching atmosphere of the city of Cartagena at night. In the company of a live Vallenato band, we will not be able to stop our bodies from moving to the rhythm while we are sampling the traditional Antaño Rum. We will taste some exquisite typical fried Cartagena snacks with authentic coastal flavor at another stop. Duration: approximately 3 hours. After our Chiva bus drops us off at a local restaurant, we will dine and then walk back to our hotel. Overnight in Cartagena. Meals: B, L, D Day 8: Sat, June 17, 2017 Cartagena We will enjoy the day at leisure in Cartagena. We can explore the old town, enjoy the local beaches or take an excursion to the islands on our own. Overnight in Cartagena. Meals: B Day 9: Sun, June 18, 2017 Cartagena - Houston In the morning we will be transferred to the airport for our return flight. Meals: B