12+1 days all inclusive Colombia Tour w./flights/full board/Hotels***** £1555pp Bogota , Zipaquira and Salt Cathedral , Coffee Region , Cartagena , Tayrona National Park · Day 1: Bogota Your tour begins in the vibrant and diverse capital city Bogota. Colombias bustling metropolis is a mix of old and new, trendy and traditional, stately and charming. Home to a dazzling array of museums, churches, colonial mansions and stately buildings, the city has a fine balance between its historical past and its future. Bogota is for many people the gateway to Colombia, and a fine starting point for your adventure. Overnight in Bogota Sofitel Victoria Regia Hotel Day 2: Walking tour of La Candelaria You will be met at your hotel by an English speaking guide for a walking tour through the streets of La Candelaria, which is Bogota’s heart and soul. From its humble beginnings this is the oldest part of the city and the Plaza Bolivar or Main Square are high on any visitor’s agenda. As you relax in a cafe and wander the streets away from the main square and explore other parts of this historic hub, your guide will explain the history of Bogota and the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. Sofitel Victoria Regia Hotel Day 3: Full day tour to Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral Today you will be met by your driver and taken for a full day tour of Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral, which is about two hours away. One of the marvels of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral is a real gem. Travelling north of the city, through countryside once occupied by the native Muisca Indians, Zipaquira is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Colombia. Around the central square of the town the colonial buildings still hold their charm footed by brickwork paving and overlooked by the Cathedral Diocesana de San Antonio. Overnight Bogota. Sofitel Victoria Regia Hotel Day 4: Fly to Armenia in the Coffee Region A private transfer from your hotel for a morning flight to Armenia, where you will be met and taken to your farm accommodation. The coffee region for many people is the very soul of Colombia. With every turn, a spectacular panorama changes your perspective, from the rolling hillsides of fertile coffee plantations to plunging valleys and stunning mountains. Today you have the opportunity for adventure, with a zip wire canopy tour, and relaxation with an optional massage. By staying in one of the farms or haciendas you get a real feel for the region. Hacienda San Jose Hotel Day 5: Full day Coffee Culture tour This tour will give you a true impression of the life and culture of the Coffee region. Today you will see how this simple bean affects every part of the area. From quaint towns and stunning views, this is a full day insight into the Triangulo Del Café. You will visit the settlements of Cordoba, Pijao, and Buena Vista, enjoy a typical lunch and learn about the coffee process. You will travel through coffee covered hills and valleys. During the day many of the local inhabitants work the slopes and you will get to meet them. Hacienda San Jose Hotel Day 6: Full day at leisure A day at leisure in the Hacienda can be one of total relaxation, by the pool, reading under the shade of one of the balconies, or watching humming birds flit from one sweet feeder to the other. Or if you wish, to really get a feel for country life in the coffee region, you can easily and safely walk around the area. You will encounter a plethora of birds and butterflies, see the workers in the plantain and pineapple plantations and walk past the pastures grazed by herds of Brahma cattle. There is also an optional tour by horseback. Hacienda San Jose Hotel Day 7: Full day tour of Filandia, Valle Cocora and Salent You will be collected by your guide and driver to start a tour which takes in the culture of the region along with the stunning natural beauty. You will travel from the far northeast of Quindío to the beautiful Valle Cocora where the magnificent Wax palm grows. As you enter Filandia you will see that the main square has not changed in appearance or character in decades. A coffee break here will allow you to take in the quaintness of lines of brightly painted houses. From here you drive to the Cocora Valley, a unique landscape which is like a lush version of a Swiss valley. Rimmed by distant snow capped mountains, Salento has a real rural traditional feel. Hacienda San Jose Hotel Day 8: Fly from Armenia to Cartagena Today you will fly to Cartagena, which was formerly the Caribbean gateway port used by the Spanish. Here they would store the riches plundered form the interior before they were transported back to the old world. The city was a draw for buccaneers and pirates. Sir Francis Drake in 1586 mercifully agreed not to level the city in return for 10 million pesos that he took back to England. Cartagenas rich history, diverse culture and energy absorbs every visitor allowing them a glimpse into the past and a chance to relax in superb surroundings. This passionate and vibrant city has some of the best preserved colonial architecture in South America. Deluxe Rate Hotel Ananda Standard Rate Don Pedro de Heredia Superior Rate Hotel Alfiz Day 9: Walking tour of the Historic Centre Today a guide will take you on a walking tour through the streets of the historic centre. Carved from a colourful history, Cartagena is Colombia’s living, breathing and pulsating museum. Colour splashes every corner, balconies overflow with blossom, and energy seeps beneath the ancient wooden doors of hotels and restaurants. Fresh fruit juices and seafood stalls are rich pickings within the myriad of cobbled streets. From the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning church, to the Plaza Bolivar, with its shady areas, Cartagena is a real gem. Hotel Ananda Day 10: Free day in Cartagena Cartagena is a fascinating place to spend some free time. You can wander the cobbled streets, explore the colonial alley ways and enjoy a cool fruit juice from a local street vendor or a coffee in a side walk cafe. There are great opportunities for people watching during the sultry heat of the day as the local Costeñons go about their daily life. As the sun sets the city takes on a different beat. The heat and hustle of the day submit to the rhythms of the evening, as the beats of Salsa reverberate from every door making it a truly romantic location after dark. Hotel Ananda Day 11: The Caribbean coast Today you can choose between a four to five hour trip along the Caribbean coast to Santa Marta or Parque Tayrona. Set in a beautiful bay, Santa Marta is the oldest town in Colombia. The city boasts a great location, neighbouring the Sierra Nevada and Tayrona National Park. Here you can absorb the nightlife with a cold Aquila beer and Caribbean fish dish in one of the many restaurants. Parque Tayrona is paradise perfected. The park sits at the edge of a mountain range and has everything you could want from a picture postcard beach location. Ecohabs Hotel Day 12: Full day tour to Parque Tayrona On the way you will pass along the foothills of the famous Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta the highest coastal mountain range in the world. In the park you can go walking, horse riding or swimming off the beautiful beaches. If you are already staying in the park, you can relax and enjoy some of the many activities on offer. Ecohabs Hotel Day 13: Today your wonderful 13 day Columbia tour comes to an end. Time for some last minute sightseeing or shopping in the capital city before you are picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your onward flight or to begin your journey home, taking with you so many memories from this fascinating South American country.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 13:21:20 +0000
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