Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Colombia – Bogota – Villa de Leyva – Barichara – Medellin – Mompox – Cartagena
100% customisable for you
Your adventure in Colombia starts today. This evening, head to the airport and speed through security before boarding your direct overnight flight to Bogota, which will take around 11 hours. When you arrive early the next morning, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in the trendy Chapinero Alto neighbourhood, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
After you’ve dropped your bags and caught up on some sleep, head out to explore. Bogota is a city of contrasts – surrounded by chilly Andean peaks, it’s steeped in history, rich in colonial and baroque architecture and buzzes with a contemporary art scene and innovative restaurants. Wander along the buzzing streets, checking out the graffiti-splashed buildings and striking street murals that adorn old facades, then head to a local restaurant for dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.
Rise bright and early this morning because we’ve arranged a private tour of La Candelaria, the historic heart of the capital. As you stroll the maze of narrow streets, your clued-up local guide will point out incredible architecture and historic landmarks, including grand churches, lively squares and colourful colonial buildings.
You’ll also swing by the Gold Museum, where exhibits tell the story of pre-Colombian civilisations, and the Botero Museum, which houses a collection of art by famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero in a colonial mansion.
Once you’ve had your fill of history, spend the rest of the day soaking up Bogota’s scenery. For the best views, climb the steep path or take the cable car up Cerro de Monserrate, a 10,000ft mountain that towers over the sprawling city. Once you reach the summit, marvel at the elegant Monserrate Sanctuary before snapping some postcard-perfect pictures of the lush High Andean Forest.
If you love colonial architecture, you’re in for a treat. This morning, pack your bags and meet your private driver for the three-and-a-half-hour journey to your next destination: Villa de Leyva.
Founded in 1572 by Hernan Suarez de Villalobos, this pretty 16th-century town boasts cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings and a protected status that aims to restrict modern construction and preserve its history and culture.
When you arrive, settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing – perhaps with a stroll around the town or a drink under the sunshine to soak up the mountain views.
You’re heading north today to Barichara, another beautifully preserved heritage town. The private transfer takes just under five hours, so there’s plenty of time to gaze out the window at this sun-soaked landscape before checking into your hotel for a three-night stay.
Founded in 1705, Barichara is steeped in history, complete with colonial-era architecture, tree-lined squares and neatly tiled adobe houses. Today, Barichara is known for its picturesque streets, alfresco lifestyle and local artisans.
If you fancy stretching your legs after the long journey, head out to explore the pretty town; otherwise, spend the rest of the day unwinding after the long drive, whether you’d rather do that with a good book or an ice-cold sundowner in hand (or both…)
Barichara might be a great place for a scenic wander, but we’ve also arranged a private walking tour with a clued-up guide so you can learn all about its fascinating heritage. This morning, head out on a stroll along stone alleys and past former colonial homes to the famous El Mirador viewpoint, where you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas over the Suarez River Canyon and the Andes Mountains.
Once you’ve snapped the perfect holiday album shot, your guide will take you back into the town centre to meet local artists, blacksmiths and papermakers and take part in a variety of workshops, from sculpting to ironworking. Is there any better way to nab a souvenir?
Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning – you’re heading out on a two-hour hike to Guane along the ancient Camino Real, a scenic cobbled trail that’s been used for centuries by locals.
With your friendly guide leading the way, trek beneath shady acacia trees and past tobacco fields, watching as the landscape unfolds with majestic canyons and lush mountains shrouded in mist. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for colourful rare birds, including red-crowned woodpeckers, cerulean warblers and maroon-bellied parakeets.
Once you’ve had your fill of nature, travel back in time at the Guane Archaeological and Paleontological Museum, which showcases the Santander region’s prehistory. Check out its fascinating fossil collection and learn about daily life for the indigenous Guane people through exhibitions full of eclectic artefacts, including pottery, cooking utensils, necklaces, human skulls and even a 700-year-old mummy.
Ready for the next leg of your adventure? This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Bucaramanga (about a three-and-a-half-hour drive away) for the one-hour flight to Medellin, Colombia’s second-largest city.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your centrally located hotel for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours for the taking: enjoy some R&R, try some delicious Colombian cuisine at the restaurant and perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood, ready for exploring tomorrow.
Medellin might have a troubled history, but don’t worry: social and sustainable development initiatives are working to transform the city into a thriving and peaceful hub.
For an insight into how traditional barrios (neighbourhoods) are being reshaped, head to the Manrique neighbourhood with a local guide, who’ll introduce you to the Macromural Constelaciones. Alongside community initiatives, this huge urban art project was launched to help change Medellin’s unflattering image, with over 500 homes painted to create an open-air art gallery depicting the area’s residents, history and family life.
Next, check out Plaza Botero, an outdoor park featuring 23 sculptures by Medellin-born artist Fernando Botero. Continue to Casa de la Memoria, a moving exhibition about Colombia’s complex history, then soak up the atmosphere at the Placita de Florez market, which sells flowers, tropical fruit and local produce.
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for a one-hour flight to Santa Cruz de Mompox.
When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, whether you’d rather take a dip in the pool, snooze on your terrace or go through your camera roll in search of the best shots from the last ten days.
Founded in 1540 on the banks of the Magdalena River, Mompox was once a prosperous trading hub. Nowadays, the pretty town is a tourist hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage site known for its exceptionally preserved colonial architecture.
Today, we’ve arranged a private tour of Mompox with a local guide. Stroll picturesque streets and bustling plazas, visit iconic sites including the Church of San Francisco and Plaza de la Libertad (Freedom Square) and see the former home of Candelario Obeso, Colombia’s celebrated 19th-century poet and novelist.
Still raring to go? We can also organise a workshop with a local jeweller, who’ll teach you how to create beautiful gold and silver jewellery using the traditional filigree technique.
Sun-kissed beaches and salty breezes are waiting because your next destination is Cartagena, Colombia’s historic walled city by the Caribbean Sea. This morning, grab your bags and meet your private driver for the five-and-a-half-hour transfer to Cartagena, where you’ll check into a charming hotel in the Old Town for a two-night stay.
You’ll likely be tired after your day of travelling, so spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the sand or lounging poolside before enjoying a sundowner and delicious dinner with your toes in the sand.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena grew into a prosperous trade and commerce hub, attracting people from all over the world. This diverse melting-pot culture can still be seen in Afro-Caribbean, indigenous and Spanish influences, which are reflected in its architecture, music and cuisine.
Today, dive straight into this cultural hotspot with a clued-up local guide, who’ll show you around the city and stop at historic sites and major landmarks. The city’s walls hold a barrage of religious history, so begin at Cartagena Cathedral, one of the oldest religious monuments in South America, before heading to the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, a church named after a Spanish missionary who dedicated his life to aiding African slaves.
Next, continue on to the must-see fortresses of San Felipe de Barajas and San Fernando de Bocachica, lingering reminders of the city’s port history built to stop plundering pirates.
This evening, toast to your final full day in Colombia at a local restaurant – our clued-up Concierge can recommend the best in town.
It’s your last day in Colombia today, but don’t worry: there’s still time to squeeze in more sightseeing before your flight home.
In between wandering around shady plazas, grabbing a tinto (Colombia’s black coffee) for a pick-me-up and peering into ornate churches, check out Getsemani, a bohemian neighbourhood with a buzzing food scene and colourful street art. Nearby is leafy Centenario Park, an urban oasis that’s also a sanctuary for rescued sloths, scampering tamarin monkeys and sharp-clawed iguanas.
This afternoon, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your overnight flight home. Flights to the UK take between 13 and 15 hours, including a layover, and arrive on home turf 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.
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