Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Colombia - Bogota - Salento - Medellin – Caratagena de Indias - Tayrona National Park
100% customisable for you
Your family Colombian adventure starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before catching your overnight flight to Bogota, which takes around 11 hours non-stop.
When you touch down, you'll be privately transferred to the charming Chapinero Alto neighbourhood, where you'll settle in for two nights. It’ll be early morning when you arrive, so be sure to catch some shut-eye before spending the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel or venturing out to explore the city.
Bogota is a city of contrasts, complete with colourful colonial buildings, contemporary art galleries and a vibrant Andean atmosphere.
Today, you’ll get to know the capital on a walking tour with a private guide. Bogota’s busy streets aren’t always easy to navigate, but exploring with a local allows you to visit some of the city’s hidden gems, from green parks and bustling markets to side streets adorned with sprawling murals sure to impress the teens. During your walk, you’ll also visit local hotspots such as La Candelaria, the historic centre, where architectural gems sit side by side with modern studios.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. If you haven’t had your fill of culture, visit the Gold Museum, which provides an insight into pre-Columbian civilisations. Just a ten-minute walk away, the nearby Botero Museum is also worth a visit, dedicated to the famous Colombian artist who made exaggerated figures his trademark.
Today, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport to catch your one-hour flight to Pereira, a charming city in the heart of the coffee region. When you arrive, another private driver will whisk you to Salento, in the Cocora Valley – your base for the next three nights.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing before heading out to enjoy some local cuisine – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems. Arepas, anyone?
Nestled amid verdant mountains and cattle farms, Salento is a picturesque village in Colombia’s Quindio department. The colourful town is renowned for its handicrafts and its views across the Cocora Valley, home to rare wax palms, the tallest palm trees in the world.
Today, get your adrenaline pumping as you take on Colombia’s longest zipline course. Stretching just over a mile and featuring seven crossings, the zipline soars above coffee fields and forests, travelling at almost 50 miles per hour. This exhilarating tour offers a bird’s-eye view of the region, allowing you to see the sprawling valley in all its glory (and dragging even the most cynical teenager away from their screen).
This morning, rise bright and early for a day trip to the Cocora Valley. Departing from Salento, set off with an expert guide to explore the region’s distinctive landscapes, including clusters of beautiful orchids growing wherever they please, the famous Andean palm trees, and lush fields dotted with charming haciendas. The valley’s slopes and ridges promise beautiful hikes (and views), so be sure to keep cameras at the ready.
On your way back to Salento, try your hand at tejo, a popular Colombian game that involves hitting a square target (cancha) and watching as the small bag of gunpowder inside explodes on impact. Be warned, though: once you’ve had a go, it can quickly become competitive…
It’s time to wave goodbye to Salento as you begin the journey to the city of Medellin. Today, you’ll be transferred back to Pereira Airport to catch your 45-minute flight north.
When you arrive, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your central hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. If you’re knackered after a busy few days in Salento, spend the rest of the day relaxing; otherwise, drop your bags and head out to explore Medellin’s lively El Poblado neighbourhood.
This morning, take a stroll through Medellin with a friendly local to share their love for their city. Along the way, your guide will point out popular spots and lesser-known highlights, all while filling you in on the daily lives of the city’s inhabitants and answering any questions you may have about local history or culture. The tour is tailored to your family’s tastes and interests, meaning you don’t have to worry about missing anything.
Once you’ve got to grips with the city, be sure to visit La Casa de la Memoria (or ‘The House of Memory’). This sombre museum tells the story of the armed conflicts and drug trafficking often associated with Medellin, using photos, interactive exhibits and presentations to document the violence and remember the victims. It’s a moving exhibition that offers insight into Colombia’s complex history.
It’s time to leave Medellin behind and travel to Cartagena de Indias. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Medellin airport for your flight, which takes just over one hour.
When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in the San Diego district – your base for the next two nights. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out to explore – you’ll find the famous Clock Tower and the house of Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez just a few minutes away.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias boasts a rich colonial and religious history and is considered a symbol of prosperity and independence.
Today, however, you’ll be learning all about a different part of Cartagena’s culture: its cuisine. Alongside a friendly chef, enjoy a private ceviche cooking workshop, where you’ll learn how to prepare a delicious ceviche – a dish of raw fish marinated with lemon juice and coconut. Afterwards, sit down together to taste your authentic creation.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Still keen to explore? We’d recommend taking a stroll through the Getsemani neighbourhood, a bohemian district with colourful alleyways, charming houses and urban murals. Make your way to the vibrant Plaza Trinidad, Getsemani’s bustling centre, then wander back via Centenario Park, a lovely green space home to sloths, monkeys, and iguanas rescued from the animal trade.
Today, swap city for nature as you’re privately transferred to Tayrona National Park, a five-hour drive away. Along the way, watch the changing landscapes through the window, keeping an eye out for small fishing villages, sandy beaches and towering peaks.
Later, arrive in Tayrona, where you’ll check in for three nights at the park's edge. You’ll likely be tired after the long journey, so spend the rest of the day relaxing, whether you’d rather get stuck into your holiday read on the terrace or take a dip in the pool.
We’ve left today free for you to explore your new surroundings. Inaugurated in the late 1960s, Tayrona National Park spans over 50 square miles of land and 10 square miles of water, home to howler monkeys, crocodiles and jaguars. The park is set on sacred land belonging to the indigenous Tayrona tribes, and it closes for a few weeks each year for ancient rituals aimed at renewing and preserving the land.
Numerous hiking trails crisscross this Colombian gem, allowing visitors to get stuck in and fully appreciate its attractions.
For a postcard-perfect landscape, relax on the shores of Arrecifes and Arenilla beaches – or, if your teens prefer sea to sand, go diving in the waters surrounding Isla de la Aguja and Punta de Granate.
Not quite enough adventure for you? We can also arrange for you to go tubing down the Don Diego River today.
On the agenda today is a paddleboarding excursion on the Mendihuaca River. This sparkling river flows from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta into the Caribbean Sea east of Tayrona National Park, and its calm waters make it an ideal spot to test your paddleboarding skills.
Alongside a private instructor, paddle through lush vegetation, keeping an eye on the riverbanks – you never know when you might encounter some wildlife.
Once you’re suitably shattered, head back to your hotel for a relaxing sundowner, toasting to your final night away.
It’s sadly time to wave goodbye to Colombia and head home. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Santa Marta airport for your return flight. With a quick stopover, the overnight flight will take around 14 hours, touching down in the UK the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
