Colombia for the Connoisseur

Day 1: Arrive in Bogotá

Welcome to Bogotá! Meeting services upon arrival at the airport for transportation to the hotel, your home base for the next few days. Our guide will assist you at the hotel with the registration procedures (check-in) and give you a detailed itinerary of all the services included in your trip. You will also receive information about our local office contact details including our 24 hour emergency phone number. Bogotá is Colombia’s capital city with approximately 8 million people; it is a cosmopolitan center of sophistication and has become an epicenter of business, politics and entertainment. This is a city on the rise offering diverse gastronomy and culture, so spend your free time discovering this vibrant Andean capital by foot. Explore the cobblestone streets of the La Candelaria neighborhood where trendy restaurants and colonial-era landmarks are located. While here, don't forget to explore the excellent museums, shopping, and street food options ranging from empanadas to exotic fruit salads. Bogotá also offers a thriving nightlife, superb al fresco dining and bar culture as well as international shopping. Its privileged location and international airport makes it highly accessible and functional as a main gateway to destinations throughout the country.
Overnight at Four Seasons Bogotá - Deluxe Room

Four Seasons Bogotá:
In the middle of the activity of Zona T, where Bogota's high society comes to see and be seen, feel the energy, confidence and fun of this intimate jewel, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá. Discover this luxury hotel in Bogota with contemporary style. New and lively restaurants, now part of the distinctive Four Seasons experience.
Of the 64 rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Bogota, about half are suites. To ensure exclusivity, the rooms distributed in three towers; there are only four to seven per floor.
All rooms have Nespresso coffee, safe, mini bar, functional windows, room maintenance twice a day, LCD TV with cable, free WiFi and much more!

Day 2: Bogotá (City Tour with Monserrate Hill & Paloquemao)

The tour starts with an early morning visit to the Paloquemao’s Market. This is one of the largest and most important markets in the country. Paloquemao presents the perfect mix of the old and new Bogotá and offers a great insight into the life and customs of the people from Bogotá. You will find a large variety of flowers, exotic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, medicinal herbs as well as typical food. Everything is fresh and arrives daily to Bogotá from all regions of Colombia. You will have the opportunity to live a unique cultural experience, tasting some exotic fruits and enjoying a small snack during the visit.

Afterwards visit the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history, this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; you will want to take the opportunity to capture the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogotá. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá, where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. You will want to discover the history of this old part of the city by visiting the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this impressive square.

Continuing to the east, on top of the forested mountains, you will find “Cerro de Monserrate”. This mountain has a white catholic church located at the top and has been a site of worship since 1657. On a clear day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. You also might see snowcap of “Nevado del Tolima” on the far west side.

The tour then follows with a visit to the “Museo del Oro”, the most important gold museum in the world and a ‘must see’ when traveling to Bogotá. This museum displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2.500 years. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, as well as the Offering Room, where passengers enter a black circular area that is gradually illuminated with indigenous music playing in the background; the light begins to dawn, and finally a remarkable display of gold offering collection is discovered.

The tour ends with a visit to the “Museo de Botero”, housed in a renovated colonial mansion. The works on display are all donated by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous contemporary artist. Around 120 pieces of his own work are displayed at the museum including his famous sculptures, paintings and drawings. His work is well-known for the ‘proportionally exaggerated’ fat figures. In addition to his work, his personal collection by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti are also exhibited.

Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu.
Overnight at the Four Seasons Bogota. (B,L)

NOTES: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

It is important to remember, when visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines, women should not wear shorts or miniskirts and men should not wear shorts.

Day 3: Bogota - Villa de Leyva (Zipaquira's Cathedral)

Early morning departure overland heading northeast of Bogotá to the beautiful town of Villa de Leyva. Considered one of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia, Villa de Leyva is a city frozen in time. Declared a national monument in 1954, the photogenic village has been preserved in its entirety with cobblestone roads and whitewashed buildings. The city's physical beauty and mild, dry climate have long attracted visitors. Founded in 1572, originally the region was a retreat for military officers, clergy and nobility. Recent influx of wealthy visitors and expats has slowly transformed this once-hidden gem. Boutique hotels, gourmet restaurants and tacky tourist shops are replacing many of the old family hosterías and cafes. Our first stop is at an underground tour to discover the famous Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic Church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in a halite mountain near the town. We will have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary architecture and engineer of this remarkable underground mine. This Cathedral was carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago, under the Halite Mountains.

Afterwards we visit the town of Zipaquirá still conserving its colonial heritage with whitewashed colonial buildings, cobbled lanes and vast Plaza Mayor where at the early 17th-century Our Lady of the Rosary church and the House of the First Congress of the United Provinces where Colombia’s laws were drafted after independence in 1812. Southwest of the plaza is the Antonio Nariño House Museum, where this war hero died.

Next we head to visit to the colonial town of Ráquira, probably the most colorful town in Colombia with vivid colored facades and attractive buildings. This hidden gem is a brightly colored colonial town which name literally means “City of Pots” in the native Chibcha language spoken by the ancient Muisca tribe. The town specializes in fine hand-made ceramics and throughout the streets you will find different craft shops and artisans selling their artwork and pottery. In the colorful shops, usually located at the main square, you will find everything from ceramic bowls, vases, pitchers, children’s toys, piggy banks, dwarfs and even Christmas decorations hanging in the storefronts. During this visit, you will have the opportunity to pass by a workshop and observe the process of how traditional pottery is made.

Finally you will arrive to Villa de Leyva. Founded in 1572, this lovely colonial town was declared a national monument in 1954. It has been preserved entirety including its stone-paved streets embedded with fossils from the surrounding area. All the buildings are whitewashed, with terra-cotta tile roofs, pine green doors and balconies decorated with flowers. At arrival, you will be taken to your hotel for the registrations procedures (check-in) and accommodation.

The evening is dedicated to a walking tour through the colonial town; you will learn more about the culture of the people and its interesting architecture as you pass through the different cobbled streets and the vast main square plaza. The quiet atmosphere together with the solitude of its streets and the easy going life of its inhabitants, make you feel that you are in an era where it seems like time has not passed.

Overnight Hotel La Posada de San Antonio - Suite Room. (B)

Hotel La Posada de San Antonio: Set in a charming colonial-style house only 100 metres from Villa de Leyva historical quarter, offers rooms with stylish decor and free Wi-Fi. It features a restaurant, free parking is provided. Decorated with tiled floors and gabled roofs, rooms at La Posada de San Antonio feature cable TV, private bathrooms. Breakfast is served daily. International dishes can be ordered at the property’s restaurant, and guests are welcomed with complimentary cocktails. There is also a coffee shop.

Day 4: Villa de Leyva - Salento Coffee Region (Via Bogota)

The hills around Villa de Leyva are littered with fossils, remnants of a time when the arid landscape was bubbling away under a couple fathoms of seawater. One afternoon in 1977, some local farmers stumbled across the massive, near-complete skeleton of a Kronosaurus, a Cretaceous-period relative of the crocodile. So this morning we visit the museum “El Fósil”, where you will find remains of an ancient marine reptile called Kronosaurus boyacense that resembles a giant alligator dated from approximately 120 million years ago. Next we visit the convent “Santo Ecce Homo”, founded by Dominicans in 1620. This convent is a large stone-and-adobe construction with a lovely courtyard. The floors are paved with stones extracted from the region, so they contain ammonites and other kinds of fossils.

On the way to Bogota Airport we make a short stop at the “Puente de Boyacá”, where Simon Bolivar (the greatest leader of Latin America’s independence movement) defeated the Spanish forces and assured the Independence of Colombia in 1819. Continue to Bogotá Airport for the flight to Pereira, founded in 1863, Pereira is the capital of Risaralda and the economic powerhouse of the Zona Cafetera – the Colombian coffee Region, also known as the Coffee Triangle, a part of the Colombian Paisa region in the rural area of Colombia. This is Colombia’s principal coffee-growing area. Shaped like an inverted triangle, this region is formed by the three departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. Its spectacular natural beauty, makes it one of the most beautiful destinations to visit combining lush green valleys, exotic wildlife and balmy climate. This is the perfect place to unwind and relax, while you sit back and enjoy the freshest coffee you'll ever taste.
Overnight at the Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge - Junior Suite Room

Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge: The lodge is designed to offer you a unique travel experience in its class, where nature never dies. They have 22 rooms, each one different in its theme and design: 13 superior rooms, 7 junior suites and 2 suites. Restaurant open for guests and visitors upon reservation, different spacious places for business meetings and social events.

Day 5: Salento Coffee Region (San Alberto Coffee Tasting)

About an hour outside of Armenia lies the town of Buenavista, the smallest municipality in Colombia. There, up in the hills you will find a premium coffee producer: Hacienda San Alberto. San Alberto has been producing coffee since the early 1970’s, so it came as no surprise when they decided to open their doors to the public and share this experience with the coffee lovers around the world. Tour around the beautiful Hacienda San Alberto and learn all about the coffee process from start to finish. You will get familiarized with the coffee bean germination process, visit the coffee nursery, walk around the coffee plantations and visit the processing plant. Afterwards we invite you to participate in an incredible experience that will awaken all your senses: a coffee tasting accompanied by our experts. A sip of coffee will never be the same again, you will learn to identify the characteristics and qualities that are present in a good cup of coffee.
NOTE: We recommend you not to eat spicy food before the coffee tasting and try not to have perfume on your hands, this might affect your tasting experience.
Coffee fields are located on a mountain slope, so please let us know in advance if passengers have any disability or walking difficulty.
Overnight at the Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge - Junior Suite Room

Day 6: Salento Coffee Region (Salento & Cocora Valley)

This morning we begin our visit to the beautiful Cocora Valley located in the department of Quindío. This majestic valley is home to the wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest variety of palm tree in the world. These palms can measure up to 190 feet tall and live more than 120 years. Be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of fauna and flora of the region. Once you arrive, you will be welcomed with a typical cocktail called “canelazo”. Afterwards you will visit the misty forest where our guide will explain to you the importance of protecting and conserving this beautiful ecosystem. It is a great opportunity to take some pictures. The tour continues with the “Ritual de la Palma”, a way to help preserve the wax palms. Visitors from all around the world have helped plant future wax palms at the park, you will also be able to grow your own palm tree for eternity.

Next we visit the town of Salento. Founded in 1842, Salento was one of the first settlements in the Quindío state and still preserves its colonial bahareque architecture. Salento’s centuries old buildings are awash in harmonious color, especially along Calle Real, the main street lined end to end with restaurants, bars, handicrafts shops and souvenir stores. A typical lunch with smoked trout is included at the Cocora Valley. Overnight at the Hotel Casa San Carlos Lodge - Junior Suite Room. (B,L)

Day 7: Salento – Pereira / Cartagena

Today we transfer to the airport at Pereira for the flight to Cartagena. Welcome to Cartagena! This picturesque colonial city on the Caribbean Sea is rich in culture, architecture, romance -- and, yes, even pirate history. We transfer you to the hotel.

With its breathtaking colonial architecture, horse-drawn carriages and narrow cobbled streets, the city of Cartagena de Indias is one of the most exciting destinations in Colombia. This Caribbean colonial jewel was the first Spanish colony on the South American mainland and one of the main ports for the Spanish fleet which turned the city into an important center of trade in the 16th century. It is a city full of history which has been an inspiration for artists, writers, historians and musicians. This vibrant and colorful city throughout the years has enchanted tourists with its fairy-tale charms that invite people to linger and explore the city for days.

Overnight Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa - Standard Room

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa: Welcome to the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa where a regal mix of historical grace and contemporary cool, meets the warmth of Colombian hospitality. Nestled in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site, this luxury 5 star hotel in Colombia’s Caribbean coast is renowned as Cartagena’s best boutique hotel and one of the top 5 star luxury hotels in Colombia.Lovingly restored by expert craftsmen, the reverence of this former cloister demands an insistence on quality and attention to every tiny detail. The proud Colombian heritage is immediately evident from the stately splendor of the facade to the warm personal welcome of the staff. Whether you are looking for a unique corporate event venue in Cartagena, a premier corporate hotel in Colombia, the prefect dream Cartagena wedding or you simply want to revive your body and soul in a hotel spa, at one of the top Caribbean resorts; the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa will refresh, restore and inspire you.

Day 8: Cartagena (Walking Tour & Monuments of Cartagena)

Today we discover Cartagena’s rich history and beautiful colonial architecture where you will admire the old houses, stunning balconies and different little squares. You will know more about the culture of Cartagena and its interesting architecture as you walk through the different cobbled streets and plazas; each street has a different story to tell. You will also see this city alive, with its students, vendors, and all the people that live there.

We pass along the main square called “Plaza de Bolívar”. In this beautiful plaza you will find many trees and a statue of the most important leader of South America’s Independence movement, the liberator Simón Bolívar. Initially it was used for military parades; however, after 1610 it was called “Plaza de la Inquisición”, because the Inquisition Palace was located on the west side of the plaza. Then you will pass by the “Plaza de la Proclamación”, where the town gathered to support the declaration of independence on November of 1811.

The tour then continues to the “Plaza de San Pedro de Claver”, a small plaza named after the saint that fought to help the slaves that came from Africa and were sold in the city. Next, you will visit the “Plaza de la Aduana”, the largest and oldest square where the important governmental and administrative buildings were located in the colonial times.

Afterwards, visit the “Plaza de los Coches”. A triangular plaza surrounded by the old city wall, houses with Spanish colonial architecture and buildings with colonial arches at ground level. This arcade walkway is known as “El Portal de los Dulces”, a whole street full of stands that sell typical Colombian sweets. There you will also find the main entrance to the inner walled city, which was originally called “Boca del Puente”. This gateway was complemented years later with a Republican-style clock tower, which is known as a symbol of Cartagena.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the “Plaza Santo Domingo”. This plaza is full of life and entertainment and it is a perfect place for social interaction and relaxation while enjoying the open air restaurants that are located there. You will also see the church of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial church with a stunning facade.

Day 9: Cartagena (Rum & Chocolate Tasting)

We begin todays visit with a walking tour to discover unique places and flavors of Cartagena that were once part of Gabriel García Márquez’s life and work, the Colombian Nobel awarded writer, author of ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ and ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’.
This pleasant walking through the streets of Cartagena’s romantic historic center, consists of eight or thirteen stops (depending on the option you choose) that illustrate city’s gastronomic traditions and are inspired by Gabo’s scenes and descriptions, as well as by the inherited cultural diversity of indigenous, Africans and Spanish.
Try sweets of the Diosa Coronada (Crowned Goddess), Juvenal Urbino’s lemonade or Capitán de Rio’s (River Captain) fried plantains and approach in a different way, through poems and flavors, to the colorful history of the Colombian Caribbean region.
We suggest to take light meals before this tour as the tastings are generous.
This afternoon a feat for your senses with a gastronomic tour offering a tasting of chocolates produced by national cacao of high quality, from Santander Department, paired with Colombian mature rum, from Antioquia and Caldas regions.
Initially an explanation of the national geography, highlighting the areas where are cultivated cacao and the sugar cane which come chocolates and the rum is made,
Afterwards start with tasting, offering three different types of chocolate and one type of rum, in this order: Chocolates with high percentage of cacao 85%, 65% y 45%; also rum of 8 years, which accompany the tasting of three types of chocolate.
This activity is led by an international sommelier, educated in Spain. The tasting takes place in the colonial neighborhood of Cartagena.
Overnight Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa - Standard Room. (B)

Day 10: Depart Cartagena

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)