Signature Colombia

From Bogota to Cartagena
  • Colombia
  • Wildlife and Nature
  • Signature Tours
View Similar Tours

Tour Description

Discover Colombia on our 9 day handcrafted Signature Colombia tour.

With is breathtaking landscape, you will be pleasantly surprised at Colombia’s wonderful architecture, natural beauty, and pristine coastlines. Starting in Bogota, explore the vibrant capital and the rich  Colombian cuisine. Explore the colonial neighborhoods, the famous Gold Museum and visit the Monserrat Hill and the old town La Candelaria and its Plaza Bolviar.

Continue the tour by flying to the second largest city of Colombia, Medellin where you will be able to visit the famous Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture. Learn how this city went from being one of the most dangerous places in the world to a very attractive and safe city. The journey continues in the resort Guatape where you can climb the giant monolith Piedra del Penol. Board your plane to Cartagena, “the Jewel of the Indies” and explore the historic old town of this stunning Caribbean city. See the Monumento Torre del Reloj and learn about the construction of the San Felipe castle-fortress. The climate in Colombia is tropical so enjoy your last full day with a trip to Rosario Island for some relaxation & scrumptious local food.

Extend your magical trip to Colombia, add on Tayrona National Park or the Cocoro Valley!

Video Highlights

Viva's Best Bits...

Climb Piedra del Penol, a granite rock monolith in Guatape and take in the spectacular views.

Wander around Cartagena’s Walled city and witness the city's historical architecture.

Explore the Archipelago of Islas del Rosario, snorkel & relax in the National Park.

Tour Itinerary

Customisable ? This tour can be customised to suit your tastes and timing. Enquire here for more information.
Day 1
Arrival in Bogota

Welcome to Bogota, Colombia’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, situated 2,600 metres above sea level in the Andean mountains.
In the evening, after settling into your hotel, you might choose to visit either the Chapinero or Usaquen districts and dine at one of their many restaurants which serve Colombian and South American cuisines such as arepas, ajiaco, asado, ceviche, empanadas, rondon and more.

Day 2
Bogota City Tour

Today you will tour Bogota’s main sights including La Candelaria, Museo del Oro, the Botero Museum and Monserrat Hill.
La Candelaria is the city’s old town, where you will find Plaza Bolivar, Bogota’s main square. There you can see Colombia’s Palace of Justice, the Capitol Building, the Cathedral of Bogota and the city mayor’s office. Nearby are buildings painted with colourful murals and street art.
Within the old city we will visit Museo del Oro, or the Gold Museum, which houses more than 55,000 pieces of gold jewellery and ornaments from Colombia’s various indigenous groups.
You will then head to the Botero Museum. It houses the works of Fernando Botero, a famous Colombian artist and sculptor, whose ‘Boterismo’ style depicts people and figures in an exaggerated manor.
We will then go to Monserrat Hill and ride a funicular (cable car) to the top to take in a panoramic view of the city.

Day 3
Bogota Medellin

You will fly from Bogota to Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city.
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ thanks to its excellent weather year round, Medellin is home to coffee plantations, flower farms and cloud forests.
Once a city with a notorious history, Medellin has had a complete makeover and is a safe and attractive city that now plays host to the Feria de las Flores (festival of flowers) each August.

Day 4
Medellin Tour

Enjoy a half-day tour of Medellin that begins downtown with a visit to Plaza Botero. There, take a moment to admire the architecture of buildings such as the Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture and the Museum of Antioquia. You will also see twenty three sculptures by Botero.
We will then take the Metrocable to its final station, La Aurora, where there’s a viewpoint of the city. From there, we’ll walk the neighbourhood to see street graffiti depicting how the area’s identity has changed.
The most colourful neighbourhood for street art in Medellin is San Javier, or Comuna 13. Thanks to Colombia’s drug cartel, in the 1980’s this was one of the most dangerous places in the world. However, in 2002 the Colombian government launched Operation Orion to overthrow the cartel, culminating in air strikes which killed and injured hundreds. The operation succeeded, freeing the district from the guerrillas and paramilitaries control and allowing the community to redevelop.

Day 5
Guatape

Today you will enjoy a full day tour of Guatape. Located on a man-made reservoir, Guatape is an Andean resort town located east of Medellin that’s famous for its giant granite rock monolith known as Piedra del Penol. There you can climb its 740 steps to the top to take in spectacular views of the region.
You will then take a boat ride on the reservoir and see local’s enjoying water sports such as kayaking, fishing and sailing. Back In Guatape, we’ll wander through the village to see its churches and the colourful paintings that adorn the town’s houses.

Day 6
Medellin Cartagena

From Medellin, you will fly to Cartagena, a city situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coastline.
Cartagena is famous for its walled old town and fortress, which were both listed as a world heritage site in 1984. After your arrival you might like to spend your time exploring the cobbled streets of this district and see the Monumento Torre del Reloj, a clock tower built between 1601 and 1631.

Day 7
Cartagena Tour

Today you will tour Cartagena, starting at the Convent of Santa Cruz de La Popa and its nearby monastery. Situated on top of Mount la Popa, the highest point in the city, the convent site provides excellent views.
Originally a wooden chapel built in 1607, the convent has since been reconstructed. Inside, you will find the image of La Virgin de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city. While the nearby monastery no longer houses the Augustinian monks who founded the convent, it has an attractive central courtyard you can visit.
The convent is located nearby our next stop, San Felipe castle-fortress. You will take a walk through the fortress, which is situated on San Lazaro Hill, and learn about its construction and how it once defended the city from pirate attacks. Now an artisan centre, it’s a wonderful place to purchase local handicrafts.

Day 8
Rosario Islands

This morning we will board a boat and cruise to the Rosario Islands. Located around one hour from Cartagena bay, the islands host three diverse ecosystems and form the Corales del Rosario National Park.
These tropical islands are thick with rainforests and surrounded by coastal lagoons, mangroves and coral reefs that are home to a variety of marine fauna. You will spend your time at San Pedro de Majagua where you’ll enjoy lunch prepared with local produce and have free time for snorkelling and relaxation.

Day 9
Depart Cartagena

On your final day in Cartagena you might choose to wander the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego to take one more look at the colonial architecture in the city’s old town before you are collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your onward flight.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Standard accommodation with breakfast daily
  • Included Copy 31 Hotel upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Other meals where stated
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers & tours
  • Included Copy 20 Includes internal flights
  • Included Copy 20 Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
  • Included Copy 20 Airport transfers where stated
  • Included Copy 31 Extend your stay – add on Tayrona National Park or Cocoro Valley!
  • Included Copy 7 International Flights, Visa and Reciprocity fees (if applicable), Tips, Travel insurance
Transportation

Land, Air, Ship, Train ...

Activities

  • Included Climb the granite rock Piedra del Penol
  • Included Enjoy the Caribbean coastal town of Cartagena
  • Included Discover the coastal lagoons and coral reefs of the Rosario Islands
  • Included Explore the colourful surroundings of Medellin
  • Included Enjoy the private tour to Bogota's main sights
  • Included Enjoy street art in Medellin in the neighbourhood of San Javier, or Comuna 13.
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

9 days

Price from

$1,987 USD

Per person, twin share

Daily departures