Classic Colombia
Explore the buzz of Bogota and Cartagena and the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
What's included
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Luxury accommodation
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Internal flights and private transfers
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All tours specified in the itinerary
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Full support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
This ten-day trip lets you experience the highlights of this beautiful vibrant and Latin American country. You’ll get to experience two of its iconic cities as well as enjoy some down time in the jewel of Colombia’s crown – Tayrona National Park.
Your adventure starts in the capital, Bogota, where you’ll learn about its history and culture as you explore its museums and historic centre. You’ll also take the cable car up to Monserrate Sanctuary which offers unparalleled views over the city. You’ll also get a taste of day-to-day life at Paloquemao market, a lively hub where locals come to stock up from the colourful piles of tropical fruit and fresh flowers.
It’s then time to explore Tayrona National Park – a beautiful patchwork of white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and lush green hills. Enjoy a tranquil trip down the Don Diego River, keeping your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, tropical birds and caymens. You’ll also visit the Katanzama community, who have succesfully preserved their cultural traditions through minimal contact with outside civilisation. Learn about their traditional culture, beliefs and connection with nature.
The final stop is the coastal city of Cartagena. Undeniably Caribbean, Cartagena is filled with colourful houses where flowers tumble down from the balconies, the sound of music drifts through the air and street stalls overflow with fruit and sweet coconut candy. As well as exploring its picturesque streets with your local guide, you’ll unlock the secrets of the rum production and put on your dancing shoes for an evening of salsa.
Example trip itinerary
Bogota
Transfer
Meet and greet at Bogota airport
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in Bogota
Accommodation in Bogota
Bogotá
Overview
The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a Paris-educated artist and architect from Medellin. He salvaged local architectural treasures, such as stone columns and hand-carved wooden doors from two recently demolished colonial convents, to create was declared a monument by the country’s Ministry of Culture in the 1980s.
The hotel features 62 rooms and suites, where beamed ceilings and aged leather accents coupled with fresh, contemporary touches making them a sophisticated blend of old and new.
The hotel has two restaurants; the lively La Bodega that focuses on tapas and Colombian coffee, and Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, where guests chave the option to dine in the beautiful glass atrium with Spanish tiles, living walls and drop lights.
There is also a gym and a spa with treatment rooms, relaxation room and steam room.
→ Find out moreBogotá
Overview
The Sofitel Victoria Regia is located in Bogota’s Zona Rosa district, with many of the capital’s top shops and restaurants on its doorstep. It takes its name from the beautiful water lily that can be found in the Colombian Amazon, and if you look up as soon as you enter the hotel, you’ll see a beautiful stained glass skylight inspired by the Victoria Regia.
There are 102 rooms and suites, a blend of local Colombian character and classic French elegance. Basilic is the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine using local ingredients. There is also a bar where guests can enjoy a drink before heading out to explore Bogota’s incredible foodie scene.
For those that like to keep active while away, there is a small gym as well as treatment rooms where you can indulge in a massage or beauty treatment.
→ Find out moreBogotá
Overview
Located near the bars, restaurants and boutiques of Usaquén, is the W Bogota – a sleek hotel with a thoroughly contemporary feel.
The W is inspired by the legend of El Dorado, a mythical chief who was covered in gold dust before setting sail on Lake Guatavita, into which his attendents threw gold and emeralds. There are several elements that allude to this magical tale throughout the hotel.
There are 168 rooms, ranging from the Wonderful, Spectacular and Fabulous rooms to the impressive Marvellous, Wow or Extreme Wow suites. Decor is modern with splashes of bold colours and shimmering bathroom tiles. Beds are shaped like the raft aboard which the chief travelled across Lake Guatavita.
Relax with a tropical fruit juice or a lulo mojito at the W Lounge. The lounge is the heart of the hotel and features delicate gold chain curtains and a huge graffiti mural depicting an interpretation of the El Dorado legend. For casual dining, head to The Market Kitchen which embraces the farm-to-table concept.
There is a fitness centre that looks out over Bogota’s skyline as well as a spa with steam room, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy pool.
→ Find out moreBogotá
Overview
Located within Bogota’s exclusive business district, this is a modern boutique hotel with impeccable style. A contemporary design concept, which runs throughout the hotel, takes inspiration from Colombia’s most opulent exports: gold and emeralds. There is great attention to detail here, meaning B.O.G is well deserving of its Design Hotels membership.
Their guest rooms and suites feature luxurious touches such as 500-thread count linens and bath products, exclusively produced for the hotel, and modern amenities such as complimentary WiFi and iPod docking stations also come as standard.
B.O.G’s restaurant, La Leo, is superb and offers fusion dishes inspired and built on by traditional local recipes. Scan and choose from a fantastic cocktail menu whilst sitting at the rooftop Terrace Bar and pool, or there’s the Lounge Bar for a relaxing aperitif or two before you eat or to relax after a long flight.
→ Find out more
Three nights in Bogotá
Colombia's capital is as recognisable and enjoyable as any other in this continent. It is packed with beautiful architecture, charming historical districts and museums recounting ancient to modern treasures and times. There are also sophisticated restaurants, great bars, local markets and much more.
Bogota's highlights
Gain a deeper insight into the history and culture of Colombia’s buzzing capital city with a local expert. Wander the cobbled streets of the historic centre, La Candelaria, full of colonial buildings, plazas and cathedrals. Visit the Botero Museum to admire Fernando Botero’s iconic voluptuous figures and see the world's largest collection of Pre-Columbian gold at the Gold Museum. You will also take a cable car up to Monserrate Sanctuary at a staggering 3,152m to enjoy unrivalled views over the city.
National Museum
The National Museum is one of the oldest in Latin America, originally built as a prison in 1823. Today it exhibits Colombia’s art, history and culture with a collection of over 20,000 invaluable pieces that represent different time periods. Permanent collections range from archaeology and ethnography samples dating 10,000 years BC, to Spanish colonisation pieces and Afro-Colombian art.
Paloquemao market
Early in the morning you will experience the excitement of the largest market of Bogota. Discover Paloquemao and its vast and colourful array of fruits, vegetables and flowers. This is where chefs and locals come to shop for some of the best ingredients in the city. Step off the tourist trail and meet friendly vendors, learn about traditional cuisine and enjoy tasting exotic fruits from Colombia’s most remote regions.
Transfer
Private transfer to Bogota airport
Flight
Flight from Bogota to Santa Marta
Transfer
Private transfer to your accommodation near Tayrona National Park
Tayrona Region
Accommodation in the Tayrona Region
Tayrona Region
Overview
Villa Playa los Naranjos is located just a short drive from the entrance to Tayrona National Park where the River Piedras meets the ocean.
The hotel building is typical of this region with a thatched roof and high ceilings. There are four bedrooms in the main house, as well as two cabins in a separate building set slightly apart from the house. The cabins have a shared terrace outside.
There is a swimming pool and terrace overlooking the river and ocean, from where a wooden walkway leads down to the river’s edge. Upstairs in the main house is a large social area with open sides where you’ll find sofas and hammocks.
The beach is a just a short walk from the hotel, and although the water is a little rough for swimming, it is still a beautiful area to explore and you’ve got Tayrona National Park on your doorstep.
→ Find out moreTayrona Region
Overview
Reserva One Love is nestled on the banks of the Magdalena River within 80 hectares of tropical rainforest. This is the perfect place to switch off and enjoy the flora and fauna of the Sierra Nevada region of northern Colombia.
There are five circular cabanas with thatched palapa roofs. Rooms feature large beds with mosquito nets, air conditioning and fans and a separate bathroom with outdoor shower. Outside each cabana there is a small cold water Jacuzzi and hammocks. In the rooms and throughout the reserve, you’ll find colourful handicrafts made by the local indigenous tribes, including the Kogi, Arahuacos, Kankuamos and Wiwa tribes.
Beautiful gardens surround the property where herbs, vegetables and fruit are grown and used in the kitchen to create delicious and beautifully presented food – this really is one of the highlights of a stay at One Love. The main lounge area is where you will enjoy your meals and is a lovely place to relax with birds flitting through the trees and a fire pit which is lit at night. It is a short walk to the cabanas and the pathways are lit by torches.
A short walk brings you down to the sandy river bank where sun loungers can be set up and you can lay back and relax, take a dip in the water and listen to the sounds of howler monkeys in the distance. Tubing and boat trips along the river can be arranged, as well as day trips to nearby Tayrona National Park.
→ Find out moreTayrona Region
Highlights
- Four en-suite bedrooms
- Two swimming pools
- Lounge areas
- Terrace
Overview
Kasamar is a private villa on the outskirts of Tayrona National Park – a great option for families, groups of friends or people who are after an exclusive getaway.
The house has four en-suite bedrooms with air conditioning and ample space for relaxing and eating. The upper levels of the house have open sides so you can enjoy the sea breeze as you recline in the hammocks or on the wicker chairs with a good book. The views out over the ocean and jungle really are something very special.
There are two swimming pools, which is great as the ocean, although stunning, can be a little too rough for swimming. Guests staying here will enjoy the services of a personal chef so you can enjoy delicious meals at times that suit you. The nearby river can be explored by canoe and Tayrona National Park is a short drive away.
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Two nights in the Tayrona Region
Tayrona National Park is one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in Latin America, where lush tropical rainforest meets golden sandy beaches and the blue waters of the Caribbean. It makes for a perfect combination of relaxation and exploration in an area which is home to more than 100 species of mammal, 200 species of bird and many reptiles. Time here is for relaxing and enjoying the picturesque views, scuba diving, snorkelling and exploring the nature of the park.
Don Diego river safari
Take a private transfer to the Don Diego river. After a 15-minute trek up a lush mountain, you will arrive at the river bank from where you will float down a crystalline river all the way down to the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds, howler monkeys and small caymans which are harmless and very shy.
Katanzama indigenous community
Today you will drive to the outskirts of the indigenous Katanzama community, where you will walk 1km to find the town used by Arhuaco families as a place of transit when moving around the Sierra Nevada. These families have succesfully preserved their cultural traditions through minimal contact with outside civilisation and in a unique cutural exchange, you will learn about their traditional culture, beliefs and connection with nature first hand, which requires significant humilty and respect. Although this community is well preserved, you may come across other likeminded explorers. The Kogui should not be photographed/filmed without their permission. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, long trousers and cover your shoulders.
Transfer
Private transfer to Cartagena
Cartagena
Accommodation in Cartagena
Cartagena
Overview
Casa San Agustin is a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s vibrant old town. The hotel comprises three connecting 17th-century buildings, in the middle of which are the remains of an aqueduct which was used to collect rainwater for the walled city.
There are 31 rooms and suites, some with their own Jacuzzi and small balcony. Rooms have maintained their colonial charm with dark wooden beamed ceilings and tiled bathrooms, but the soft blues and greens and natural fabrics add a fresh, contemporary edge. The large duplex prestige suite is ideal for small groups or families with two large en suite bedrooms, living room and small kitchen. There are beautiful orchids, Colombia’s national flower, in each room.
The open-air swimming pool sits at the heart of the hotel with the aqueduct towering above. It is the perfect place to cool off and relax after a day exploring the city of Cartagena. There is a small rooftop terrace as well as a library, which features original frescoes uncovered during the renovation, where a daily afternoon tea is served.
The Alma Restaurant is the perfect place to try traditional Colombian cuisine, with seafood casserole and ceviche perennially popular. The Alma Bar is a beautiful space and ideal for unwinding with a G&T. Breakfast can be enjoyed indoors or on the patio.
The Aurum Spa is inspired by the gold Colombia is so famous for, and is a beautifully relaxing space where guests can indulge in a treatment.
→ Find out moreCartagena
Overview
Bastion Luxury Hotel is located in Cartagena’s charming old town in a restored 16th-century private home. A colonial aesthetic runs though the hotel balanced perfectly with more contemporary touches.
Its 51 elegant rooms and suites have a neutral colour scheme and feel bright and fresh. Some come with a separate living area and outdoor terrace.
The hotel’s restaurant, El Gobernador, showcases the best of Colombian cuisine and offers a nine-course tasting menu, while the patio restaurant offers more relaxed dining. El Gobernador also has a small patio which is a lovely space to enjoy breakfast.
The rooftop terrace is a real highlight of the hotel with a good sized swimming pool, ample space to relax under a cabana and a bar where you can enjoy a drink and light bites as the sun goes down of the beautiful city of Cartagena.
There is also a small spa with treatment room and outdoor Jacuzza and relaxation area, as well as a small gym.
→ Find out more
Cartagena
Overview
With a history dating back to 1621, the former convent of Saint Clare of Assisi is now one of Cartagena’s grandest and most illustriest hotels. The Sofitel Santa Clara is still home to crypts, wells, confessionals and paintings which have been expertly resorted to fit its new life as a modern luxuiry hotel.
At the centre of the hotel is a large courtyard filled with lush tropical plants and framed by the original stone arches of the convent. There are 123 rooms and suites, including four ‘iconic’ suites, two of which are insired by famous Colombian artists, Fernando Botero and Enrique Grau Araujo. More modern rooms complete with contemporary republican décor are available, many with views of the city wall and Caribbean Sea. There’s also the option of staying in the cavernous and colourful colonial rooms adorned with grand antique furniture.
Enjoy modern cuisine with a Caribbean touch at the Santa Clara’s two restaurants, El Claustro and 1621, and make time to relax with a drink in the beautiful garden.
The hotel is home to a large outdoor swimming pool as well as a spa and small fitness centre.
→ Find out moreCartagena
Overview
Behind the doors of a typical house from the 17th century in the heart of Cartagena is Hotel Amarla, a beautiful space which we recommend booking as a private property.
On entering the house, you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous lounge area characterised by whitewashed walls, large archways and wooden ceiling beams and filled with antiques and Colombian handicrafts. Part of this area is open-air and filled with tropical plants.
There are seven rooms including their signature duplex suite with two bedrooms and bathrooms. One of the highlights of Hotel Amarla is the spectacular rooftop pool which overlooks the candy coloured dome of the cathedral. There is plenty of shaded space up here as well as a staircase that leads up to another small terrace which is a real sun trap. Views don’t get much better than this.
→ Find out more
Three nights in Cartagena
Cartagena is Colombia's coastal gem and its most romantic city. The warm Caribbean breeze gathers up sounds of salsa music and the scent of the flowers that cascade down from the balconies of the rainbow-coloured houses that line its cobbled streets. Steeped in colonial and nautical history, Cartagena boasts impressive ramparts, forts and bastions as well as plenty of Spanish-style architecture. This is a city made for exploring: wind your way through the historic centre passing carts laden with juicy fruit and women selling coconut candies under the shade of the arches that ring the plazas. There are also fortifications to explore, museums to discover and lots of rooftops from which to sit and watch the world go by.
History and culture tour
Wander the winding streets of Cartagena's colourful historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be accompanied by a local historian who will recount the fascinating stories behind the iconic plazas, cathedrals and colouful houses that characterise El Centro and Getsemani. Learn about Spanish colonisation, pirate sieges and Cartagena's festive culture, and taste exotic fruits and traditional snacks along the way.
Rum tasting
Enjoy a tasting experience in which your local rum expert will guide you through how rum is processed and aged, in order to recognise its unique characteristics.
Salsa class
Put on your dancing shoes and learn how to dance salsa with professional dancers who will teach you their best moves to dance the night away!
Transfer
Private transfer to Cartagena airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
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Classic Colombia
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This ten-day trip lets you experience the highlights of this beautiful vibrant and Latin American country. You’ll get to experience two of its iconic cities as well as enjoy some down time in the jewel of Colombia’s crown – Tayrona National Park. Your adventure starts in the capital, Bogota, where you’ll learn about its history and culture as you explore its museums and historic centre. You’ll also take the cable car up to Monserrate Sanctuary which offers unparalleled views over the city. You’ll also get a taste of day-to-day life at Paloquemao market, a lively hub where locals come to stock up from the colourful piles of tropical fruit and fresh flowers. It’s then time to explore Tayrona National Park – a beautiful patchwork of white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and lush green hills. Enjoy a tranquil trip down the Don Diego River, keeping your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, tropical birds and caymens. You’ll also visit the Katanzama community, who have succesfully preserved their cultural traditions through minimal contact with outside civilisation. Learn about their traditional culture, beliefs and connection with nature. The final stop is the coastal city of Cartagena. Undeniably Caribbean, Cartagena is filled with colourful houses where flowers tumble down from the balconies, the sound of music drifts through the air and street stalls overflow with fruit and sweet coconut candy. As well as exploring its picturesque streets with your local guide, you’ll unlock the secrets of the rum production and put on your dancing shoes for an evening of salsa. | Whats included?
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Days 1-4 |
Bogota |
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Flights & transfers
Meet and greet at Bogota airport |
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| Private transfer to your hotel in Bogota | |
|
Accommodation in Bogota
•
Four Seasons Casa Medina - $$$$$
The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a...
•
Sofitel Victoria Regia - $$$$$
The Sofitel Victoria Regia is located in Bogota’s Zona Rosa district, with many of the...
•
W Bogota - $$$$$
Located near the bars, restaurants and boutiques of Usaquén, is the W Bogota – a sleek...
•
Hotel B.O.G. - $$$$$
Located within Bogota’s exclusive business district, this is a modern boutique hotel with...
|
|
| Three nights in Bogotá Colombia's capital is as recognisable and enjoyable as any other in this continent. It is packed with beautiful architecture, charming historical districts and museums recounting ancient to modern treasures and times. There are also sophisticated restaurants, great bars, local markets and much more. |
|
| Bogota's highlights Gain a deeper insight into the history and culture of Colombia’s buzzing capital city with a local expert. Wander the cobbled streets of the historic centre, La Candelaria, full of colonial buildings, plazas and cathedrals. Visit the Botero Museum to admire Fernando Botero’s iconic voluptuous figures and see the world's largest collection of Pre-Columbian gold at the Gold Museum. You will also take a cable car up to Monserrate Sanctuary at a staggering 3,152m to enjoy unrivalled views over the city. |
|
| National Museum The National Museum is one of the oldest in Latin America, originally built as a prison in 1823. Today it exhibits Colombia’s art, history and culture with a collection of over 20,000 invaluable pieces that represent different time periods. Permanent collections range from archaeology and ethnography samples dating 10,000 years BC, to Spanish colonisation pieces and Afro-Colombian art. |
|
| Paloquemao market Early in the morning you will experience the excitement of the largest market of Bogota. Discover Paloquemao and its vast and colourful array of fruits, vegetables and flowers. This is where chefs and locals come to shop for some of the best ingredients in the city. Step off the tourist trail and meet friendly vendors, learn about traditional cuisine and enjoy tasting exotic fruits from Colombia’s most remote regions. |
|
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Bogota airport |
|
| Flight from Bogota to Santa Marta | |
| Private transfer to your accommodation near Tayrona National Park | |
Days 4-7 |
Tayrona Region |
|
Accommodation in the Tayrona Region
•
Villa Playa los Naranjos - $$$$$
Villa Playa los Naranjos is located just a short drive from the entrance to Tayrona National...
•
Reserva One Love - $$$$$
Reserva One Love is nestled on the banks of the Magdalena River within 80 hectares of tropical...
•
Kasamar - $$$$$
Kasamar is a private villa on the outskirts of Tayrona National Park – a great option...
|
|
| Two nights in the Tayrona Region Tayrona National Park is one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in Latin America, where lush tropical rainforest meets golden sandy beaches and the blue waters of the Caribbean. It makes for a perfect combination of relaxation and exploration in an area which is home to more than 100 species of mammal, 200 species of bird and many reptiles. Time here is for relaxing and enjoying the picturesque views, scuba diving, snorkelling and exploring the nature of the park. |
|
| Don Diego river safari Take a private transfer to the Don Diego river. After a 15-minute trek up a lush mountain, you will arrive at the river bank from where you will float down a crystalline river all the way down to the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds, howler monkeys and small caymans which are harmless and very shy. |
|
| Katanzama indigenous community Today you will drive to the outskirts of the indigenous Katanzama community, where you will walk 1km to find the town used by Arhuaco families as a place of transit when moving around the Sierra Nevada. These families have succesfully preserved their cultural traditions through minimal contact with outside civilisation and in a unique cutural exchange, you will learn about their traditional culture, beliefs and connection with nature first hand, which requires significant humilty and respect. Although this community is well preserved, you may come across other likeminded explorers. The Kogui should not be photographed/filmed without their permission. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, long trousers and cover your shoulders. |
|
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Cartagena |
|
Days 7-10 |
Cartagena |
|
Accommodation in Cartagena
•
Casa San Agustin - $$$$$
Casa San Agustin is a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s vibrant old...
•
Bastion Luxury Hotel - $$$$$
Bastion Luxury Hotel is located in Cartagena’s charming old town in a restored...
•
Sofitel Santa Clara - $$$$$
With a history dating back to 1621, the former convent of Saint Clare of Assisi is now one of...
•
Hotel Amarla - $$$$$
Behind the doors of a typical house from the 17th century in the heart of Cartagena is Hotel...
|
|
| Three nights in Cartagena Cartagena is Colombia's coastal gem and its most romantic city. The warm Caribbean breeze gathers up sounds of salsa music and the scent of the flowers that cascade down from the balconies of the rainbow-coloured houses that line its cobbled streets. Steeped in colonial and nautical history, Cartagena boasts impressive ramparts, forts and bastions as well as plenty of Spanish-style architecture. This is a city made for exploring: wind your way through the historic centre passing carts laden with juicy fruit and women selling coconut candies under the shade of the arches that ring the plazas. There are also fortifications to explore, museums to discover and lots of rooftops from which to sit and watch the world go by. |
|
| History and culture tour Wander the winding streets of Cartagena's colourful historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be accompanied by a local historian who will recount the fascinating stories behind the iconic plazas, cathedrals and colouful houses that characterise El Centro and Getsemani. Learn about Spanish colonisation, pirate sieges and Cartagena's festive culture, and taste exotic fruits and traditional snacks along the way. |
|
| Rum tasting Enjoy a tasting experience in which your local rum expert will guide you through how rum is processed and aged, in order to recognise its unique characteristics. |
|
| Salsa class Put on your dancing shoes and learn how to dance salsa with professional dancers who will teach you their best moves to dance the night away! |
|
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to Cartagena airport |
