Colombia Classic, Columbia
Experience Overview
Colombia is an amazing land of contrasts and after being off the wish list for many travelers for some years it is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of South America. With its rich cultural history, amazing architecture, geographical diversity and the simple warmth and hospitality of its people it’s easy to see why this fascinating country is becoming an increasingly popular spot for overseas visitors. Located in the North West of the continent sharing borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru, Colombia is the 4th largest country in South America.
It’s the only South American country to boast two coast lines on the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) oceans it also shares Amazonian rain forest with Brazil and Peru also Los llanos or vast plains area with Venezuela. 3 ranges of the Andean mountains run from the south to the north of the country.
With its pre Colonial, Colonial and Republican history Colombia has a wealth of cultural attractions. Nature and wildlife abound in its diverse landscapes and the spirit and warmth of the Colombian people will ensure your Colombian experience will be one that lingers on long after you arrive back home.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival Bogotá
Arrival at the airport and private transfer to your hotel. Bilingual guide & private vehicle.
DAY 2
Full day tour
Full-day tour including Paloquemao local market, visit to La Candelaria historic centre, Botero gallery & Gold museum. Bilingual guide & private vehicle. Bogotá Paloquemao market, abundant with fresh food and flowers, offers a great insight into the life and customs of Bogotanos. The market is the second largest market in the city and one of the most important retailers in the country, where 750 merchants and a labyrinth of stands offer a large variety of fruit, vegetables, diary products, meats and flowers, one of Colombia’s biggest exports. You will do a tasting of some of the most exotic Colombian fruits before heading to La Candelaria. La Candelaria is Bogota’s heart and soul, from its humble beginnings this is the oldest part of the city and the Plaza Bolivar (Main Square) are high on any visitor’s agenda. The Square is the focal point of this historic part of the city. Surrounding the square are several important Colonial and Republican style buildings including the Palace of Justice and Colombian Congress. The Plaza is also home to the Mayor’s office and the Primary Cathedral of Bogota that dominates an entire corner. Standing proud in the plazas centre is a statue of Simon Bolivar (Founder of Colombian independence) the first public monument to be erected in the city. As you wander the streets of La Candelaria away from the main square, your guide will not only explain the history of Bogota but also the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. There will be time for a refreshment stop in one of the cities coffee houses. With your guide the next stop will be the Gold Museum which is situated on the northeast corner of the Parque Santander. The Museum is within the premises of the Banco de la Republica, and is one of the finest collections of Pre Hispanic gold in the world. This is a “must see” when in Bogotá, with more than 35,000 pieces of pre-Colombian gold work in the collection. Many of the works are said to be unsurpassed by goldsmiths of today and it’s easy to understand when you allow yourself time to study examples such as the Balsa Muisca (Offering boat). This golden raft is one of the focal point of the display and was the driving force in the Spaniards quest to find El Dorado. Your lunch will be at the museum on a private salon specially prepared for this. Then a short drive or interesting walk from the centre of the old town takes you to the base of the hill that leads up to the hill top view point and monastery of Monserrate. The summit can be reached by either funicular railway or cable car. From the highest point the view across the city will enable you to see the different sectors of Bogota. From La Candelaria and its terracotta tiled roofs to the high rise business sector and then on across the sabana (flat plains) and off in to the distance. The new convent is a pilgrimage site for many Colombians whom make their way past the fourteen Stations of the Cross until reaching the convent. There are a few artisan shops, with others selling snacks and refreshments. Approximate tour duration : 8 hours. Day inclusions: Bilingual. guide/Transportation/Water/Entrances/Coffee break/Lunch.
DAY 3
Free Day
Day at leisure.
DAY 4
Flight to Medellin
Private transfer to airport. Bilingual guide & private vehicle. Domestic flight from Bogotá to Medellín (not included). Private transfer to hotel. Bilingual guide & private vehicle.
DAY 5
Full day tour
Full-day including city centre walking tour with Social Transformation & Street Art tour in San Javier. Bilingual guide & private vehicle. Medellin has undergone a major positive transformation in the past 10 years, one of the main pillars of which is urban architecture. The construction of parks, pedestrian zones, museums, transport systems, libraries and schools, public spaces has not only improved the city’s public spaces, but has also had a strong positive influence on its social dynamics. The tour will take place in the working-class neighbourhood of San Javier, famous for its open-air electric escalators, which were built in 2011 to replace the 350 stairs leading to the top of a steep hill and thus to improve the local residents‘ mobility. Your guide will take you around the neighbourhood and give you some special insight into some of the social initiatives that are taking place in the area. After visiting the San Javier library park, you will have the opportunity to ride on the aforementioned electric escalators and enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the top of the hill. The city tour will also take in all principal sites and locations of this fascinating location. These sites will include the “Plaza Botero” the famous Botero sculpture park where many giant sculptures of Colombia most famous artist and Medellin born sculptor Fernando Botero are exhibited. A ride on the city’s famous metro and cable car system to reach Santo Domingo. The development of a fully integrated transport system has been instrumental in Medellin’s transformation into one of the world’s most progressive cities and a ride in the cable care system to the barrio of Santo Domingo highlights the role of transport in transforming troubled neighbourhoods. Once one of the most dangerous and inaccessible barrios of Medellin, Santo Domingo has become a shining example of how access to integrated public transport can change the environment and provide local residents with opportunities throughout the entire city. Wander the narrow colourful streets and visit the community library with its striking contemporary architecture, an institution which was donated by Spain to the people of this once very troubled barrio, but which now is a calm and peaceful community. Approximate tour duration: 8 hours. Day inclusions: Bilingual guide/Transportation/Water/Entrances/Coffee break/Lunch.
DAY 6
Free Day
Day at leisure
DAY 7
Flight to Cartagena
Private transfer to airport. Bilingual guide & private vehicle. Domestic flight from Medellín to Cartagena (not included). Private transfer to hotel. Bilingual guide & private vehicle.
DAY 8
Full day tour
Full-day walking tour of the historic centre with visit to inquisition Palace & San Pedro Claver Monastery & Museum. Bilingual guide & private vehicle. Carved from a colourful history rife of piracy, Sultry Caribbean heat, with fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is Colombia’s living, breathing and pulsating museum. Absurdly photogenic La Heroica (Heroic city) awards even the laziest of travellers. Colour splashes every corner, balconies overflow with blossom, and energy seeps beneath the ancient wooden doors of hotels, restaurants and Casa Privadas. Your tour will take through the old town under the Puerta Del Reloj (Clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, into the Plaza de los Coches. Your guide will divulge the myths and legends, histories and stories of Cartagena from ancient times right up to the present. From the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning Church, on through to the Plaza Bolivar; with its shady areas, where a fresh Lemon juice can be enjoyed whilst watching the world go by. Cartagena is steeped in history and a delight to stroll the streets with your own personal encyclopaedia of knowledge guiding you from one interest to the other. During the walk we visit the Inquisition Palace: In September 1610 the inquisition was established in Cartagena de Indias. Its jurisdiction covered the kingdom of Granada and Venezuela until reaching Nicaragua, Panama, Santa Domingo and the Barlovento Islands. The Inquisition adopted this building as their headquarters. The building itself is considered one of the most elegant and characteristic colonial constructions of its time, XVII century, in Cartagena de Indias. Throughout its interior visitors to the museum will find instruments of torture and prison cells. The inquisition used the location as its central command against criminals and never recognized the innocent. A short walk away and your final stop is a visit to San Pedro Claver Cloister, monastery and museum built in homage to the protector of slaves, San Pedro, and serves as reminder of the turbulent past of Cartagena and indeed the Americas. The Cloister where Pedro Claver lived and died has become a special place of silence, and reflection – a shrine to the life’s work of this extraordinary man. Here, visitors will find examples of pre-Colombian ceramics, and an extensive museum rich with objects of religious art. Adjoining the Monastery is a beautiful baroque church, designed by German and Dutch architects. Here, at the high alter, within a glass encasement, lie the remains of Saint Pedro Claver, “the slave to the slaves”. Approximate tour duration : 8 hours. Day inclusions: Bilingual guide/ transfer/ Water/Entrances/Coffee Break/Lunch.
DAY 9
Free Day
Day at leisure.
DAY 10
Cartagena Departure
Private transfer to airport for your outgoing flight. Bilingual guide & private vehicle.
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