Experience Overview
The majesty of Colombia lies in its contrasts. Here, cities moving at a blur meet time-stood-still colonial towns and ancient archaeological sites yet to fully reveal their secrets. It has the biodiversity to match: bottle-green hills, tropical river valleys, ochre desert, coastal forest and rippling mountains. And there’s a culture so deep it can only be fully appreciated in person. Join this highly varied adventure to experience the many faces of Colombia: navigating vibrant Bogotá, tropical Cali and colonial Cartagena; staying at a traditional hacienda in the coffee region; discovering the enigmatic San Agustín archaeological park; exploring the wilds of Tayrona National Natural Park; and meeting the indigenous Arhuaco community.
Profile
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (7 hotel, 3 lodge, 2 coffee hacienda), 2 Simple nights (eco-hotel) — Some moderate walks (longest is three to four hours) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by internal flight and private minibus
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (7 hotel, 3 lodge, 2 coffee hacienda), 2 Simple nights (eco-hotel) — Some moderate walks (longest is three to four hours) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by internal flight and private minibus
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This is a busy trip with no free days during the itinerary, allowing you to experience many facets of Colombia in two weeks. A reasonable level of fitness is needed, but no special experience is required. There are several walks, the hardest of which is in Tayrona National Natural Park. This walk is about four hours’ long (10km/6.2mi) and temperatures can be high, although this is somewhat mitigated by the shade provided by the forest. We also have a two-hour walk in the Tatacoa Desert, where temperatures can reach the early 40Cs. We walk in the morning, when temperatures are lower.
Walks can be over rough terrain with some steep up- and downhill sections. Consider bringing walking poles if you use them when walking at home.
We travel by private minibus and take internal flights so that you can experience as much as possible of this beautiful and diverse country in a short space of time. There are some fairly long road journeys (Tatacoa Desert to San Agustín takes about six hours and Palomino to Cartagena takes about five hours). There are also some journeys on unpaved roads. The longest section lasts about two hours, when travelling between San Agustín and Popayán.
Bogotá is approximately 8,660ft (2,640m) above sea level and is the highest destination we sleep on this trip. If you feel the effects of altitude, we encourage you to add an extra night in Bogotá before the tour begins so that you can acclimatise.
Expect to experience a wide range of temperatures as we travel around the country; Bogotá and the coffee region can be a little chilly at night, while the Caribbean coast can be hot and humid.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts are included on this trip.
Breakfast usually consists of eggs (fried or scrambled), bread or arepas (thick corn pancakes), cheese, fresh local fruit, tea or coffee and fruit juice. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Colombia and portions can be large. Expect to see plenty of rice, plantain, beans, avocado, local fish and chicken on the menu. Pasta is also regularly available, often served with fresh vegetables.
Options for vegetarians are limited, but it is still possible to eat well. Note that soups are often made with a meat base or products.
Transportation
We use a private minibus or small coach on this trip, according to group size, as well as domestic flights.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Casa de la Vega, Cra. 4 No. 12B-49, La Candelaria, Bogotá
Phone: +57 301 6662393
Recommended arrival time: Your hotel room will be available to check into from 3pm on Day 1. It is possible to arrive up until the early hours of the morning of Day 2 (please let us know in advance if you plan to do this). The welcome briefing will be around 11am on Day 2 at the start hotel
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes to one hour from Bogotá airport (BOG), depending on traffic. Exodus provides a free arrival transfer to the start hotel for those who arrive on a chosen flight route from London, UK. For customers not arriving on this flight, we recommend you book an arrival transfer with us. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides a free departure transfer from the end hotel to Cartagena Airport (CTG) for those travelling on a chosen flight route to London, UK. Customers not departing on that flight can book a departure transfer with us or arrange a taxi through the hotel (best done at least the day before departure). Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
Bogotá is warm during the day but temperatures can drop quite significantly at night and rain occurs at any time of the year. In San Agustín and the coffee region, the climate is warmer during the days but can be cool in the evenings and rain is always possible. On the Caribbean coast, the weather is generally very hot and humid year-round.
Spending Money
Optional tours
In Cali, the optional dance class costs between 50,000-85,000 pesos (US$13-22) per person, depending on the number of people who take the class.
If you leave on an evening flight from Cartagena on the final day (or add extra nights), there may be time to add an optional tour to the village of La Boquilla, where you can canoe and fish with the locals. This three-hour tour with lunch costs around 670,000 pesos (US$160) per person based on a minimum of two people, the price reduces if more people take the tour.
These optional tours can usually be arranged during your trip, a few days in advance, and paid for in cash, US dollars or Colombian pesos, or by credit card.
Tipping
Tipping is an optional but customary practice in Colombia and forms part of their service culture. To show appreciation to the leader, a tip of around 165,000 to 250,000 Colombian pesos (approximately US$42 to US$63) for the duration of the tour is about right.
In most restaurants, bars and nightclubs, a 10 percent tip is common. In many cases, this tip is automatically included, while in others, they will ask if you want to include it. Be sure to check. This tip is voluntary and can be declined if service was poor.
At hotels, a small tip for carrying bags is not always expected but is a nice gesture. In these cases, 5,000-10,000 pesos (US$1.25-US$2.50) is a reasonable tip for carrying your bags to your room.
The tour leader can arrange an optional tipping kitty at the beginning of the trip to facilitate tipping local guides and drivers. If you would like to contribute, we advise bringing 250,000 Colombian pesos in cash (approximately US$63) to cover tips for local guides and drivers, which equates to 25,000 pesos (US$6.30) for each guide and 15,000 pesos (US$3.75) for each driver.
Highlights
- — Discover the diverse wonders of Colombia: culture, history and natural beauty — Explore Bogotá’s highlights with a street food tour and visit to the Gold Museum — Walk through tropical forest and along wild beaches in Tayrona National Park — Wander colonial Cartagena and sip rum in a tasting experience — Stay in a remote hacienda in the coffee region — Marvel at the UNESCO-listed stone carvings and tombs of San Agustín
Trip Details
Product Code: 4072
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: flights.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: AAC
Starts: Bogotá, Colombia
Finishes: Bogotá, Colombia
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Unknown
Includes
- — All breakfasts — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Domestic flights (Bogota to Neiva; Pereira to Santa Marta)
Accommodation
Hotels, hacienda and lodgeThe accommodation on this tour of Colombia has been chosen to give a varied and authentic experience of the country. In many of the cities we visit, we stay in characterful, historic three-star hotels in the heart of the old towns. In more rural locations, we have selected countryside retreats that hark back to a more traditional way of life. Our accommodation near Tayrona National Park is at a simple hotel that gives visitors the chance to stay in harmony with nature. Below is a selection of some of the places we stay: San Agustín: Akawanka Lodge Set in lush gardens on the outskirts of San Agustín, Akawanka Lodge is the perfect place to relax after busy days exploring. Rooms are simple yet thoughtfully decorated with hand-painted murals and wooden furnishings. The lodge restaurant uses ingredients from the gardens and orchard, and views from the terrace are spell-binding. Coffee region: Hacienda Combia Hacienda Combia is a colourful converted farmhouse dating to 1887. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and heated Jacuzzi, both of which look out over the verdant natural landscape, plus a spa to ensure guests' complete rest and relaxation. The hacienda also has a coffee plantation and offers visitors authentic coffee experiences in the heart of the coffee region. Cartagena: Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia With an enviable location within the walls of Cartagena old town, Don Pedro de Heredia is a charming hotel and great base for our time in the city. Rooms are decorated in a simple, traditional style with antique wooden furniture and exposed beams. The hotel has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views across Cartagena . Worth knowing In several of our accommodations, rooms vary in size, style and decoration.It is common for bathroom sinks in Bogotá to have only cold water available.For two nights in Palomino (near Tayrona National Park), we stay in a delightful but simple hotel surrounded by forest. The climate here is hot and humid. Rooms have a fan but there is no air-conditioning or hot water. WiFi is only available in the communal areas of the property.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 6650 (CAD 443 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, sat high on a plateau in the Andes. There’s plenty packed into this trip, but today we settle in and rest, ready for the adventures ahead. Aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening (arrival in the early hours of the morning of Day 2 is also possible, see Joining Instructions in the trip notes), although we recommend arriving one day early to acclimatise and get over any jetlag. There will be a message waiting with information about tomorrow’s meeting time. Accommodation: Casa de la Vega (or similar)
Following our welcome briefing, in which we meet our tour leader and go over the trip, we get to know the city with a walking street food tour in the early afternoon. On our adventure, we sample the flavours of Colombia’s different regions at market stalls, snack bars and street food stands. We taste fresh juices in a traditional fruit shop in the historic centre and empanadas vallunas (fried pastries filled with meat, chicken and cheese). We are also shown how Bogotá’s traditional hot chocolate is made and where it comes from. And on Plaza Chorro de Quevedo, we taste chicha (a fermented corn liquor from the Andes) and many exotic fruits at a small market. Next, we visit the Gold Museum, giving us a chance to admire some of the 30,000-plus pre-Columbian gold artefacts on display. Later on, we head to a traditional Colombian social club for a game of tejo. This popular pastime was invented by the Chibcha people – metal discs (tejos) are thrown at targets called mechas, small packets of gunpowder wrapped in paper. The aim is to hit the mechas and make them explode! Two national beers per person are included (this is the entrance fee for the game). Accommodation: Casa de la Vega (or similar)
This morning, we take the cable car up Monserrate (10,340ft/3,152m), a mountain from which there is a spectacular view of the city and surrounding plateau, allowing us to orientate ourselves in this vast metropolis. Our day continues as we head out of the city and visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. This impressive piece of ecclesiastical architecture was dug 395ft (120m) underground in a salt mine in the 1950s. We round off our trip with a quick visit to the town of Zipaquirá itself. Returning to Bogotá, we head to the Botero Museum, which holds a wonderful collection of the Colombian artist’s paintings and sculptures, before commencing our city tour. From the grand Plaza de Bolivar and the surrounding government buildings, we walk along Carrera Septima, a bustling pedestrian zone, to reach the Iglesia de San Francisco, the oldest church in the city. We also spend time in La Candelaria, the historic district. Accommodation: Casa de la Vega (or similar)
Early this morning, we are driven to Bogotá Airport and fly for an hour south to the city of Neiva, the capital of the Huila department and much lower in altitude and warmer than Bogotá. From Neiva Airport, we drive to the Tatacoa Desert, about an hour away, an ochre-grey land pierced by green cacti. Here we take a one and a half to two-hour hike. Leaving Tatacoa behind, we drive south (about six hours) to the town of San Agustín, following the Magdalena River valley for most of the journey. As we approach, we ascend and the climate cools. Accommodation: Akawanka Lodge (or similar)
We start the day with a short drive to the Unesco-listed San Agustín Archaeological Park, a vast complex housing an extraordinary and mysterious collection of pre-Columbian stone figures and tombs. The park is nestled amid lush hillsides and picturesque forests, which we can explore on foot along various trails (some of them quite steep) accompanied by an expert local guide, while the excellent museum offers comprehensive insights into the finds. In the afternoon, we visit the equally remarkable archaeological sites of El Tablón and La Chaquira on foot. Approximate walking distance today: 3.5mi (5.6km). Accommodation: Akawanka Lodge (or similar)
We spend today exploring the countryside around San Agustín. We start with the Estrecho del Río Magdalena – here the mighty Magdalena River passes through a section of rocks only 7.2ft (2.2m) wide. The landscape around the river is exceptionally picturesque. Only a few kilometres away is the small town of Obando, where we visit tombs plus a small archaeological museum. On the way to Obando, we pass a sugar mill (trapiche) where we taste freshly prepared panela (pressed sugarcane), a product found in the kitchens of all Colombian households. At the end of the day, we visit a viewpoint of the 1,300ft (400m) high Bordones waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Accommodation: Akawanka Lodge (or similar)
A scenic drive today takes us from San Agustín to Popayán – an 85mi (140km) journey that takes around four hours (including two hours on unpaved roads). Shortly after leaving San Agustín, we make a side trip to Alto de los Ídolos Archaeological Park. After San Agustín, this is the second-most important archaeological park in the area. There are stone tombs and carvings here. Continuing our journey, we ascend and pass through forested landscapes as we cross from the Huila department into Cauca and to the small city of Popayán. Founded in 1537 by Sebastián de Belalcázar, this colonial city has magnificent architecture reflected in the houses, churches and bridges and has earned the moniker 'The White City'. We have a walking tour of the historical centre. Accommodation: Hotel La Plazuela Popayán (or similar)
We drive about 3 hours from Popayán to Cali this morning. Modern, cosmopolitan Cali is a tropical metropolis with a zest for life and an historic quarter with beautifully restored colonial buildings, numerous parks and tree-lined boulevards. On our city tour, we visit the old town, founded in 1536, a lookout point at which a statue of the founder Sebastián de Belalcázar is located, and the celebrated El Gato del Río statue by Colombian artist Hernando Tejada on the banks of the Cali River. The city is also famous for dancing, especially salsa, and an optional (extra cost) dance class can be arranged this evening for those who are interested. Accommodation: Hotel Boutique San Antonio (or similar)
We drive for three-four hours this morning heading into the countryside and coffee region, where we stay for two nights in a hacienda with a coffee plantation. On arrival, we have a tour to learn all about the coffee cultivation, harvesting and production process. We work our way from the harvest on the plantation to a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The tour ends with the best part of the process: tasting the aromatic highland coffee. Accommodation: Hacienda Combia or Finca del Café (or similar)
We start our day with a drive to the Cocora Valley, home to Quindío wax palm trees – the national tree of Colombia – which can stretch up to 195ft (60m) tall, making them the tallest palms in the world. This is an area of picturesque cloud forest and we have time for a short walk here. Next stop is the traditional town of Salento, where we have time to walk the colourful streets or shop for handicrafts in this typical coffee region town. We continue to Filandia, another traditional town, with flower-lined balconies and brightly painted walls, doors and shutters. Accommodation: Hacienda Combia or Finca del Café (or similar)
We are driven to Pereira or Armenia airport this morning and fly to Santa Marta, a city on the Caribbean coast. There is usually a change of plane in Bogotá. On arrival in Santa Marta, we are driven east to our hotel near Palomino about 1hr 30min away. Accommodation: Finca la Jorará (or similar) – please see accommodation section for more information
We leave our hotel in the morning and drive a short way along the Caribbean coast to El Zaino, the main entrance to Tayrona National Natural Park. Beginning the walk with our local guide, we reach Cañaveral beach, a wild and beautiful place, and from the top of a small hill, we can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea. The walk continues through the tropical forest to Arrecife beach. We continue until we arrive at a paradisical beach known as La Piscina, where we have time for a well-deserved swim and relax on the palm-fringed beach after our walk. We have lunch (not included) at a small, beach-front restaurant at La Piscina before returning through the forest. There are about four to five hours of walking today (approx. 10km/6.2mi). For those craving even more adventure, there is the option to continue the hike for an additional 2km (1.2mi) to secluded Cabo San Juan. The trails ascend and descend partly over steps and wooden planks and take you through tropical forest with high temperatures and humidity. Be sure to bring appropriate footwear (e.g. walking shoes), sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. Due to strong currents, many beaches in Tayrona are unsafe for swimming. Please check with your tour leader before swimming. Accommodation: Finca la Jorará (or similar) – please see accommodation section for more information
We start the day with a cultural exchange with an Arhuaco community. The Arhuaco are one of the many indigenous groups in Colombia, and mostly live in the coastal mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Arhuaco grow coffee and sugar and raise animals. From our hotel, we drive along the coastal road to the village of Perico Aguao (20 minutes). Here we are met by a community guide and, after a short introduction, we begin a hike through the tropical forest to the indigenous seaside village of Katanzama. Our indigenous guide leads us through the houses and community buildings and explains the traditions and culture of the Arhuacos. From there, we continue to the small plantations, where we learn about Arhuaco agriculture. Following this experience, we drive along the coast to Cartagena, a journey of five to six hours. Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia (or similar)
We have a full day in Cartagena, a city jam-packed with stories, fascinating sites and colonial architecture. We begin with a visit to the church of San Pedro Clavér and the Castillo de San Felipe, a massive fortress where legends and secrets are hidden in its stone vaults. A statue of Blas de Lezo raises his sword in front of the fortress, a tribute to the Spanish admiral who defended the city against the British in 1741. We continue into the bustle of Bazurto Market. Fish, vegetables, meat, seafood, clothes, herbs and spices, fruits, natural remedies and other foodstuffs are sold here. We can sample fresh juices and sweet fruits before heading back to the city centre. Entering the walled city through the official entrance, the archway of the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj), we reach the monument to Pedro de Heredia, the founder of Cartagena de Indias. In the evening, we walk to the Getsemani district. In a cosy bar, we try five different Colombian rums, catalogued as the best in the world – some as shots, others we sip, and others in cocktails. This explosion of flavours is accompanied by fine Colombian chocolate. Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia (or similar)
Our adventure ends in Cartagena this morning. If you’d like more time in this beautiful, intoxicating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
- Traveled, February 2024
Great Adventure Colombia had been at the top of my list since before COVID so was delighted when this new trip came along. We were the first group so I was really not sure what to expect but Exodus delivered a fabulous trip whilst sorting out a few inevitable glitches along the way. We visited and experienced very different areas of this big intriguing country so there is a lot of travelling involved. I particularly loved Bogota, San Agustin, coffee regions and Tayrona National Park and the local guides in each of those areas were excellent. Our group was a good mix and helped make the trip even more enjoyable. There are a few things I would tweak which I’ve fed back and the reason I didn’t give 5 stars but overall another great Exodus trip. Most Inspirational Moment Learning about the heritage and culture of Colombia, with some fascinating real-life stories from our local guides Marta and Milton. Thoughts on Group Leader German worked hard throughout to improve our experience as the trip developed. Advice for Potential Travelers Be prepared for different climates across Colombia. The intense heat and humidity towards the end were a challenge for me so definitely need good sunscreen and mosquito repellent plus the right clothing. An umbrella might be worth having to protect from the sun. Also, be prepared for some long journeys along unmade roads. It is all worth it though! Suggestions I would like to have visited Medellin which I understand is a great place but is not on this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
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