Colombia Complete: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena

Upon arrival to El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, please proceed through Customs, collect your baggage and proceed to Arrivals. Once in the Arrivals hall, please look for a representative holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will lead you to your awaiting private vehicle, which will then transfer you to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is 45 minutes. Vibrant and diverse, Bogotá is Colombia’s impressive capital city, its commercial epicenter, cultural heart, and the perfect starting point for Colombian adventures. This bustling cosmopolitan metropolis is a kaleidoscopic mix of classic and contemporary, trendy and traditional, regal and bohemian.

Home to a dazzling array of museums, churches, and colonial mansions from various eras, Bogotá strikes a fine balance between its historical past and its future, making it one of South America’s most dynamic and colourful capital cities. In the evening, make your way to Criterion Restaurant for a lovely dinner on your first night in Colombia where you’ll enjoy an included 3-course meal with one non-alcoholic drink (wine and other beverages are available on site at additional cost).

Experience Bogota's diversity in a day. Begin at Paloquemao Market, a bustling maze of over 750 stalls offering a colorful array of tropical fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut flowers. Sample exotic fruits and juices, immersing yourself in Bogota's gastronomic heritage. In La Candelaria, the oldest city quarter and Bogota's heart, discover Plaza Bolivar, which is surrounded by grand colonial buildings and churches. Wander the charming side streets and alleys, connecting with the neighborhood's vibrant past and present. The Botero Museum in La Candelaria highlights Fernando Botero's iconic "oversized" art across two floors. Nearby, the Gold Museum reveals its pre-Columbian gold treasures openly, boasting one of the world's finest collections with over 35,000 pieces. A short drive away, the hilltop Monserrate monastery offers panoramic views of the city. Reach the summit by cable car or funicular railway and explore the church, originally built in the 17th Century. After a day exploring the highlights of Bogota, your guide will return you to your hotel.

The drive north of Bogota leads through the ancient territory of the Muisca Indians to the famous Zipaquirá underground salt cathedral. The road winds through picturesque countryside, rural towns, and villages, leading to Zipaquirá, a town where salt has been mined for centuries, with the underground cathedral now being the main attraction. Crafted from miners' tunnels, this pilgrimage site is remarkable for its religious and artistic significance, as well as its engineering. The cathedral's history dates to the 1930s when miners built the first shrine for protection.

In the 1950s, a formal church dedicated to "Our Lady of the Rosary" emerged, followed by the modern cathedral in 1995. Descend into the mine through intricately carved halite rock salt stations. At the deepest point, the grand cathedral with a towering 16-meter (52-foot) cross awaits. Operating for religious and cultural events, it can hold over 3,000 worshippers. The cathedral highlights technology, dedication, and local artistry. After touring the cathedral, enjoy a leisurely lunch before being returned to your hotel in Bogota.

Grab your bags and say goodbye to Bogota! You will be privately transferred to  El Dorado International Airport in Bogota ahead of your onward flight to Medellin (flight not included). The flight will take approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival to Olaya Herrera Domestic Airport in Medellin, please collect your baggage and proceed to Arrivals. Once in the Arrivals hall, please look for a representative holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will lead you to your awaiting private vehicle, which will then transfer you to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is 30 minutes. 

Medellin, a city rich with history, from its founding to the dark days of drug cartels, has been reimagined as a progressive urban hub in South America. The vibrant downtown area, including the Botero Sculpture Park, adds life to the city and showcases native artist Fernando Botero's work. The park houses 23 of his bronze sculptures, offering insight into his portrayal of the country. Medellin's urban renewal story involves investing in public transportation, including the impressive tram network which was reintroduced in 2015 and helps to provide a unique way to experience and explore the city. The Memory Museum, opened in 2006, reflects on the recent armed conflict that deeply impacted Colombia. On this tour, you'll experience all of the above, as well as a local market, enjoying the company of a knowledgeable private guide along the way. After a few hours exploring downtown Medellin, you will be returned to your hotel.

Tonight, set out to discover some of the best gastronomy that Medellin has on offer. Arranged to coincide with your preferred dining time, reservations will be made with the restaurant of your choice (subject to availability). To take you to and from the restaurant, private transfers will be arranged. Top dining choices in Medellin include Oci.Mde, Carmen, and In Situ. If you have a specific dining option in mind, please speak with your Destination Specialist. Please note, your food and drinks are not included and are to be paid for on-site. 

Medellin's positive transformation hinges on dynamic urban architecture that fosters communal cohesion. This half-day experience spotlights Comuna 13 and demonstrates how innovation can rejuvenate troubled districts into vibrant, flourishing communities. Once a violence-ridden area tightly hugging the city's eastern slopes, Comuna 13 now thrives and has become an integrated, secure and integral part of Medellin. A key element in this transformation is Medellin's pioneering transportation system which features open-air escalators (commissioned in 2011 and which replaced arduous mountain stairs), and the world's first urban-focused cable car network. These have not only enhanced mobility but also positioned Medellin as a global trailblazer. Comuna 13 is now a hub of cultural expression, with vibrant street art, music, dance, and commerce shaping its identity. Amidst narrow hillside streets, residents have embraced social transformation, using art and opportunity to forge unity and inclusivity; a true testament to the city's evolution and the resilience of its people. After exploring Comuna 13, your guide will return you to your hotel in Medellin.

Following breakfast, you will be privately transferred to Olaya Herrera Domestic Airport in Medellin ahead of your onward flight to Cartagena (flight not included). The flight will take approximately 1 hour. Upon arrival to Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena, please collect your baggage and proceed to Arrivals. Once in the Arrivals hall, please look for a representative holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will lead you to your awaiting private vehicle, which will then transfer you to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is 30 minutes.

Following an afternoon of leisurely exploring, experience Cartagena's vibrant day-to-night transformation. Daytime brings lively streets filled with vendors and locals, while nights light up with a different energy. As the temperature cools, Cartageneros take to bars, restaurants, and plazas. Younger residents dance to salsa beats, while their elders enjoy fine dining. This tour offers a taste of Cartagena's nightlife, starting with a cocktail at a sea-view lounge like Café del Mar. Then, enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, each with its unique charm. The night ends at a local bar, perhaps Cafe Havana, where salsa rhythms and local dances create an unforgettable atmosphere. After a night out enjoying vibrant Cartagena, you will be returned to your hotel.

This full-day experience takes in the most iconic sights in Cartagena. Carved from a colourful history rife with piracy, sultry Caribbean heat, with fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is a living museum. The historic centre with its imposing merchant's houses, blossom bedecked balconies and ornate churches, are all encircled by the city's ancient stone fortification. A walk through the famous clock tower entrance, on through the leafy Bolivar square and narrow-cobbled streets is a walk through the pages of history. The old town is still however part of a modern Colombia, one of the city's main universities has its principal faculties located here, students rub shoulders with visitors and there is a vibrant commercial life here too. La Heroica (The Heroic city) with its 500 plus years of antiquity has a wealth of myths, legends and stories to enthral visitors. Wandering the picturesque streets of Cartagena is to step through the pages of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel watching history come to life. Just outside the historic old town, the imposing San Felipe de Barajas fortress is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. San Felipe is the largest Spanish-built fortification in the New World, and along with the ramparts and stonewalls was part of the city's defence against pirates. Built on a hill, construction began in 1536 and continued for some 200 years. The La Popa Convent sits in a privileged position and is the highest landmark in the city. The cool, flower-filled courtyard with its dominant stone columns lead out to a viewing platform. Inside the small chapel is the immaculate gold-plated and carved alter and ornate decoration dedicated to the "Virgin de la Candelaria". The convent still plays an important role in the life of the city's Catholics.

Today, enjoy the city at your own pace. On this, your final full day in Colombia, take the time to stroll through the historic center of the city, relax by the water, or take in the spectacular culture of the city. 

After an incredible adventure in Colombia, it is time to return home. Following breakfast, you will be privately transferred to the airport. Approximate transfer time is 30 minutes.