Explore Classic Colombia In Latin America Journey

Day 1: Arrive Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most attractive colonial cities on the continent where the film Romancing the Stone was picturized. Wander the charming narrow streets decorated with wooden balconies and hanging plants. There are many exciting sites to see such as the Castillo San Felipe and the fortress on San Lazaro Hill. Below this fortress is a network of tunnels and there are still cannons in place along the battlements. Also, a trip up La Popa hill to visit the picturesque convent with great views over the city is worthwhile. The Boca Grande area of Cartagena is a famous place where Colombians come for their beach vacations and it is full of shops, nightclubs, and bars. Near Cartagena is the Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, a mud volcano where you can relax and immerse in the mud, which is considered to be a great treatment for the skin.

Day 2: Guachaca

In the morning, we will travel for approximately 5 hours a shared van to the north of Cartagena to Guachaca, your home for the next two nights. This is a pleasing region, enjoy the lush green mountains that collide with the hilly coastline, savor a cocktail or two with your group members or treat yourself to a refreshing massage. It's the perfect jungle paradise in which to take the pace down a notch. After you reach here, the rest of the day is free. Get yourself in a hammock with a book, or take a short walk to the beach and get a feel of that charming coastline. Your accommodation is a charming family-run guesthouse, simple and cozy, located high in the jungle.

Day 3: Medellín

Today morning we will depart Cartagena, and fly to Medellín, where we have the opportunity to explore the second largest city in Colombia. Known for its charming weather, it acquires the nickname “the City of Eternal Spring”. Here we start with an introductory tour using local transport including metro and cable-car. Visit The Metropolitan Cathedral in Bolivia Park which holds the record for having most clay bricks of any building in the world with over 1.1 million bricks. Your tour leader will take you on an introduction walk of this charming city. Along the way, learn a little more about the city's interesting modern history. Having spent the 1980s and 90s with international fame as one of the world's most dangerous cities, Medellin has turned itself around to become one of the most impressive cities in South America. With some of the country's finest museums, parks, and architecture as well as a much safer and comfortable environment now it's easy to understand why its popularity is increasing.

Day 4: Visit to Plaza Minorista Market

Awake early on this morning and join your join leader on a morning visit to Plaza Minorista Market. The market is divided into different areas: flowers, fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and meat and fish. Take the chance to buy some fascinating local fruits like feijoa, Araza, guanabana, Maracuya, and Lulo, many of which are rarely found outside of Colombia. After lunch, enjoy eye-catching views of Medellin and its surrounds during a cable car ride up to San Javier. Ascend up the mountain over brick houses, viewing as the folded metal roofs give way to vistas of green valleys and forested peaks. Thanks to the elevation, things are normally a little cooler up here. Back in Medellin, you might want to find out one of the city's vibrant salsa bars as many consider Medellin's nightlife as the best in Colombia.

Day 5: Explore Santa Elena

This morning begins at approximately 8 am with a pick-up. We travel for about 17km out of  Medellin to a flower farm in Santa Elena which is nestled slightly higher than Medellin at 2500mts above sea level. Here we will meet a local "Silletero" or chair maker and his family. The Silletero makes the flower "skillets" or flower display that competes every year in the Medellin "Fiesta de las Flores". A local guide will tell us about the history and the evolution of the "skillet" culture. We'll see where the flowers grow and experience how a small skillet is made.

This evening you'll have some free time to explore Medellin. Perhaps visit the Museo de Antioquia to view some of Botero's great works or get more modern at the wonderful Museo de Arte Moderno.

Day 6: Explore Coffee Plantation

Spending the night in a Hacienda we can enjoy a coffee tour where you will receive a full account of the coffee making process. The opportunities will include learning about the culture, history, and varieties of coffee, seeing the roasting process, flavor experimentation, a walk through the plantation, and touring the wet mill where packaging is conducted. You can also explore the 100-year history of the estate (Main House) which is a symbol of the typical architecture you can see in this region.

Day 7-8: Visit Salento

Placed in the Zona Cafetera region of Colombia, Salento is the coffee lover ’s paradise. We board a jeep from city to the Cocora Valley and spend a whole day hiking through the lush green hills. The hike offers all-embracing views of the valley and the iconic wax palms, Colombia´s national symbol. In the evenings, make sure you try the region´s specialty, Trucha, a fish normally served with rice but prepared in many different ways.

Day 9: Bogota

Today we will fly to Bogota, previously known as Santa Fe de Bogota. This capital city is the largest city of Colombia with a population of seven million. We will be staying in the Candelaria district a great location within walking distance of many of the famous sights including the main square - Plaza Bolívar, the Cathedral, and Simon Bolívar's house. You may like to take the funicular to Monserrate for the outstanding city views or visit the world famous gold museum. A suggested activity would be the graffiti tour where you can explore some of the popular street art that decorates the city’s walls. It is also worth touring the Botero Museum to view some of the artist’s work depicting people and objects in large formats.

Day 10: Depart Bogota

Your Latin Aerica journey comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have extended your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will get more time to explore the sights. Else we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.