Experience the carneval in Barranquila
Be up close when the streets of Barranquila are filled with tourists and locals celebrating the beginning of a new season with one of the biggest carnival festivities worldwide.
- Bogotás historic city centre
- Colombias colonial jewel: Villa de Leyva
- The coffee cultivation area in the middle of the Andes
- Medellín, the City of the Eternal Spring
- One of the worlds biggest carnival festivities in Barranquila
- The caribbean world heritage city Cartagena de Indias
The highlights of your journey
Your journey
Day 1: Arrival in Bogotá
Your journey starts in Colombias capital, Bogotá, 2,640 meters above sea level.
Your guide will pick you up and drive you to your hotel which is located in the historic city centre, La Candelaria.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Casa Deco
Day 2: Bogotá
Your first trip will be by bike. Explore a typical flower market and a traditional market where you can try different typical delicacies. We recommend the Empanadas (filled pastry pockets)! Furthermore you will get to see lots of graffitis. They show how the population copes with the countrys history, social conflicts and everyday life in the metropolis.
For lunch we recommend to try “Ajiaco”, a colombian chicken soup with potatoes, usually served in the historic centre.
After that, you will see more of La Candelaria, for example the Plaza de Bolívar and the goldmuseum with its countless exhibits from the colonial time.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Casa Deco
On your way to Villa de Leyva you will pass the former centre of commerce for salt, Zipaquirá. Its highlight is a catholic church in a salt mine, in 180 meters depth.
In the afternoon you will arrive in Villa de Leyva. The city is a national cultural heritage and therefore still got its colonial style from the 16th century. The major attraction is the Plaza Mayor. With over 14,000 m² it is one of the biggest squares in South America.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Villa Roma
Day 4: Villa de Leyva
Your first stop of the day is the convent of Santo Ecce Homo. The building was constructed by the Dominican order and is now a museum for Colombias religions.
Next up is a site where the indigenous tribe of the Muiscas performs holy rituals: the “Infiernito”
The next station is the “Casa Terracotta”, a construction that only consists of terracotta and other natural and recyclable materials.
The afternoon is free, perhaps enjoy it with a stroll through the colonial town.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Villa Roma
Day 5: Arrival in Salento
You will drive back to the airport of Bogotá from where you take a flight to Armenia. Then, another one-hour drive through the green landscape of the Andes, you arrive in Salento.
Let the stressful day come to an end, stroll through the small alleys or simply relax.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Salento Real
Day 6: Valle del Cocora
The Cocora valley is easy to reach from Salento. Let yourself be enchanted by the gorgeous mountain silhouettes with grazing cows and the huge wax palms (Colombias national tree) and countless bird species.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Salento Real
Day 7: Hacienda Venecia
Your next destination is perfect for any coffeelover: the Hacienda Venecia is a coffeefarm like in a picture-book, with more than a century of tradition and experience. The rather moderate temperature and the beautiful area are ideal for a greater walk around the farm.
Overnight stay at the Hacienda Venecia
Day 8: Arrival in Medellín
You start the day with a guided tour over the whole farm. Learn everything about the colombian coffee and its history, cultivation, origin, preparation and different roasting processes of the black temptation.
Aftter lunch your trip leads you further to the City of the Eternal Spring, that’s how Medellín is often called.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Florencia Plaza
Day 9: Medellín
The city has experienced huge changes, as you will find out during your city tour. Its past shows particularly in Santo Domingo, the former drug cartel centre of the town. A cablecar transports you to the higher district which offers an awesome view over Medellín.
Today, Medellín is one of the most innovative and advanced cities considering the past, but the old colombian flair and culture still exists. Visit the historic city centre, the Parque Berrio and the Plaza Botero which displays the famous statues of the colombian artist Botero.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Florencia Plaza
Day 10: Arrival in Santa Marta
Get back to the airport and take a flight to Santa Marta, the place where spanish conquerers first settled down. The region is known for its coastal mountain range “Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta”, which is up to 5,770 meters high. The two highest summits are Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Símon Bolívar.
Your accommodation is close to the Tayrona National Park, which is ideal for a relaxing walk.
Overnight stay at the Hacienda Villa Maria
Day 11: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Today is completely to your discretion. Feel free to explore the National Park, enjoy the caribbean beaches or book other activities via your hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hacienda Villa Maria
Day 12: Carnaval de Barranquila
Today you will experience the carneval party in Barranquila! It is the worlds second-biggest carneval festivity and assures good atmosphere and cheerful, colorful dancing and partying!
Your trip continues to Cartagena, where you will arrive in the evening. Your hotel is in the historic centre and therefore close to many attractions.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia
Day 13: Cartagena de Indias
Start the day with a city tour. Cartagena is part of the UNESCO world heritage and offers many splendid colonial-style buildings and beautifully decorated, majestic balconies, bridges and courtyards.
Enjoy the afternoon on your own. We recommend to visit the impressive Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, followed by watching the magnificent sunset with a drink on the city wall.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia
Day 14: Cartagena de Indias
Enjoy your last day as you like it. Visit the city again with its palm-covered places und interesting museums or book a trip to the tropical islands of the archipelago “Islas del Rosario”. After a one-hour boat cruise, the caribbean sun and crystal-clear warm water await you. Lean back and simply relax before you set off back to Cartagena in the afternoon.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia
Day 15: Returning back home
Today you will have to say Goodbye to the dreamlike country where you spent the last two weeks. You will be brought to the airport to take a flight back to Bogotá and then back home.
Or maybe adventure-fever gripped you and you want to stay a bit longer? Feel free to extend your holiday or book another tour to explore even more of Colombia!
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