Colombia for Nature Lovers

• Day 1:

  This is the start of an exciting journey through a country that has so much diversity and beautiful places it will take your breath away. We will give you a warm welcome at the airport and your private driver will bring you to your centrally located hotel in the capital city of Colombia.

• Day 2:

  Today you will explore Bogotá by bike. The tour starts with a ride through the historical part of Bogotá, La Candelaria. You will pass several representative churches and squares and experience the different architectural styles in the old town of Bogotá. Also, you will visit the enormous bullring, where toreros used to fight against furious bulls. Besides visiting some of the most beautiful parks of Bogotá you also have the chance to taste a freshly made fruit juice in a typical Colombian fruit market and get an insight in the rising graffiti scene of Bogotá. Avoid traffic jams in this bustling city and explore Bogotá by bike! In the afternoon you will visit the historic downtown of Bogotá “La Candelaria” with its magnificent churches, the government palace and the "Plaza Bolivar.” Furthermore, you will visit the gold museum which holds the biggest collection of gold pieces worldwide and the museum of Botero (closed on Tuesdays) where you can marvel at the many great art works of the famous Colombian artist – for example the “Mona Lisa” in exaggerated shape. Besides you will visit the most important places in the historical centre “La Candelaria”. Bogotá is an inspiring city that has something new to offer every day. In 2010, Bogotá was selected as a Must See Destination by the renowned newspaper The New York Times. Dive into a city that offers a variety of art & culture, recreation, sports and science.

• Day 3:

  Your trip starts with a drive out of the city to the Bogotá Savannah. From here you will visit the Paramo de Chingaza in the Chingaza National Park. The park is of very high importance for the area of Bogotá as it provides 80% of the high quality potable water of this area. Here you will enjoy a hike (different levels) around different lakes and frailejon trees. These mysterious lakes are part of the El Dorado legend. Furthermore, the park inhabits a high quantity of animals such as bears, deer, pumas, opossums and up to 180 bird species. The park ranges between ca. 800 and 4.000 meters of altitude and contains about 40 lakes. The largest one is called Lake Chingaza and is located at about 3.250 meters altitude. Enjoy your day in this mystical landscape and admire the amazing flora and fauna.

• Day 4:

  After your breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up and head towards the airport. Once you arrive in Leticia, you will be transferred by road 11 kilometers to the natural reserve “Tanimboca”, where you can enjoy a grilled fish for lunch, a typical Amazon meal and review the activities schedule. At this place you will spend the night in some nice cabins on the edge of the jungle. After dark a guide will take you for a night walk in the jungle to observe the nocturnal wild live. Finishing the walk, you will have for dinner a pizza “a la Amazonas”.

• Day 5:

  Early this morning you will have breakfast. Afterwards, a taxi will take you to the harbor of Leticia. You will board a boat and go up the Amazon River to a beautiful natural reserve at the Peruvian side of the river. The way of getting to the reserve depends on the time of the year. During the dry season, you will have to walk about 45 minutes through a path in the jungle. During the rainy season, you will take a small canoe. Enjoy your time at this place. There are a lot of birds, monkeys and other wildlife that can be easily observed, delicious meals and activities such as cannoning and hiking. The giant lotus flower and the huge Ceiba tree can be also seen. At night you’ll have the opportunity to go in search of caimans. With luck you will find one, catch it, take pictures with it and then release it again. You’ll spend the night at “Marasha” natural reserve.

• Day 6:

  In the morning you`ll go back to the Amazon river and take a private boat, 80 kilometers to Puerto Narino. On the way up the river, you will stop in Macedonia an indigenous community specialized in wood carving. From there you go straight to Puerto Narino, located at the side of the Loretoyacu River. It’s a beautiful, calm and peaceful village; there are no vehicles on the small walking paths. After lunch, you will visit the Natutama foundation museum, where you'll learn about life under the water. In the afternoon you go by boat to the Tarapoto lakes to observe the pink and grey dolphins, enjoy the beautiful view and swim in these relaxing waters. You will spend the night at Casa Selva hotel in Puerto Narinno.

• Day 7:

  After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to buy some typical fruits or other typical things at the market in Leticia. Then you will head to the airport and take your plane to the Caribbean Coast – via Bogotá you will fly to Riohacha.

• Day 8:

  On the first day of our adventure you leave about 8:00 AM. After breakfast, you take a road surrounded by desert to Punta Gallinas. You pass by the Parque Eólico (Wind Park) to take pictures. Keep going through the deserted way bordering Bahia Honda and Bahía Hondita and finally reach the enigmatic Punta Gallinas. You can spend the afternoon resting at the lodging and enjoying the beauty of the landscape.

• Day 9:

  Today, head to Cabo de la Vela passing by the desert landscapes. Here you have lunch and rest to visit later Arco-iris Beach, Pilón de Azúcar and finally the lighthouse where you will enjoy a beautiful sunset. You return to the Ranchería to spend the night in hammocks.

• Day 10:

  Today you head to the surroundings of the Tayrona National Park. You will pass cross the majestic desert to reach Uribia, the indigenous capital of Colombia. You will have a brief overview of the place and then continue to the surroundings of Tayrona National Park.

• Day 11:

  Today you can relax on one of the beautiful beaches of the Tayrona National Park or go on a hike.

• Day 12:

  Now you can live a whole day experience that will let you know the ancestral customs and rites of the indigenous communities who inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Discover the knowledge of environmental conservation and natural wealth that has this magical place, through ancient communities that consider this mountain the center of the planet. The journey will be rewarding and you will have a unique perspective on the force that lavishes this great mountain. You can appreciate and enjoy a lush green jungle full of life and marvel at its snowy peaks, with crystalline rivers covered by forests, clean and fresh air.

• Day 13:

  Discover a beautiful place in the tropical mountain area called “Minca” including a coffee farm visit in its surroundings. The village is surrounded by marvelous mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, rivers and waterfalls and offers breathtaking views. This neat little village lies 25 minutes outside of Santa Marta and offers visitors a great way to observe rare birds, exotic plants and to enjoy the warm climate. The excursion includes transport, a visit of a coffee farm, la Hacienda Victoria“, a guide and refreshing swims in the natural pools of the rivers nearby.

• Day 14:

  Today you will continue your journey (about five hours) along the Caribbean Coast to Cartagena. In 1984 Cartagena was declared as a World Culture Heritage by the UNESCO. The city combines an impressive, modern and colonial architecture created by the Spanish. It preserves the past and the memories of the struggles of that time.

• Day 15:

  Today you will explore Cartagena which is one of the main tourist attractions in Colombia, also known as the "Pearl of the Caribbean" and is the main destination for culture and history. During your city tour you will visit two monuments which are of great historical value outside the old city. San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress to defend the city. The monastery and the church of La Candelaria on the hill de La Pope are outstanding examples of religious and colonial architecture. From here you will enjoy an amazing view. “La Boquilla”, an Afro-Cartagena village of fishermen, is where you will go for a trip in a wooden canoe with a local captain, through the mangrove natural tunnels (The Love, The Happiness and the Remember tunnels) in the Cienaga de Juan Polo Swamp. During this tour, the local guide will explain more about the ecosystem of the mangroves (flora and wildlife).

• Day 16:

  Today it is time to say goodbye to the beautiful country of Colombia which has surely enchanted you with its diverse, beautiful landscapes and its friendly people. You will head back home with a lot of new impressions and experiences that will last a lifetime!

Included:

• All tours with English-speaking guide and transfers with Spanish-speaking driver
• All accommodations as mentioned in descriptions (based on standard accommodation including breakfast)

 NOT Included:

• National and international Flights
• Optional tours, meals, tips
• Rates do not apply in high season (December 20 – 31, 2019, December 19 -31, 2020)