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Colombia, few people do realize that Colombia has everything you can imagine of Latin America hidden in one country, and that nowadays it is a safe country to explore. It has the highest potential for an absolutely amazing holiday of whole South America, it has the Caribbean coast, absorbed African culture and rainforest, the Pacific coast, intact indigenous peoples with their traditions, the Andes in three mountain chains, the coffee zone, active and sleeping volcanoes, high mountains with glaciers, paramo's, flat lands with cowboys, cattle and abundant wildlife as in the Brazilian Pantanal, the huge vastness of the Amazon rainforest with waterfalls that can compete with the Iguazu waterfalls, abundant birdlife, colonial history & villages, arts & handicrafts representing the variety of many countries in one, salsa, African mapale, vallenato and cumbia (and not to forget the Colombian reggaeton at the Caribbean): the only risk of this holiday is wanting to stay, el riesgo es que te quieres quedar ! The people of Colombia belong to the most welcoming, beautiful and warm hearted people of Latin America, many people won't be able to match this with the image they have from Colombia, but it really is, be invited to explore this amazing country and its people with us.

This individual holiday of 27 days is a sample itinery and can be tailor made in all ways. We have chosen for a larger itinery of 27 days to show the variety of Colombia in one single roundtrip. We can make shorter itineries, more focused on culture, special theme travels as for bird watchers, photographers or beach lovers, family holidays with kids, all as you wish. We do work on tailor made basis but we can also offer travel modules of three or more days and classical roundtrips. All itineries can be offered with public and private transport, for traveling with public transport you need to speak some Spanish and be an experienced traveller, with private transport the costs are significant lower when traveling with 4 together and all is taken care of.

To give an idea of more options in Colombia:

  •  Walking, hiking and/or horseriding in the Cocuy mountains (5-7 days)
  • Walking at Los Nevados NP between volcanoes, lagoons and glaciers (2-5 days)
  • Extension to La Guajira desert and Caribbean coast after Tayrona NP (4 days), Wayuu indigenous culture
  • Trekking to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) at the Sierra Nevada and meeting of Kogui culture in the mountains (5 days)
  • Meeting with the Tayrona people after a visit to the NP Tayrona (3 days extra)
  • Wildlife in los Llanos – Casanares province at ecolodge Hato Aurora (filmed by BCC & Animal Planet), with capybaras, 325 bird species, caimans, deers, anacondas of 7m long, jaguars, safaris, piranha fishing, walking and horse riding, traditional life of vagueros
  • Colombian cowboys & cattle farming
  • Visit Cano Cristales, beautiful coloured river famous from photography books, from Yopal-Villaviciencia this can be combined by small plane after a stay at the hacienda Hato Aurora for instance
  • Special birdwatching tours staying among others in lodges of Pro Aves evt. mixed with other excursions
  • Diving holidays and PADI certification via dive school at Cartagena de Indias
  • Luxury Travel at the Caribbean and/or Pacific coast in the best ecolodges available with whale watching and boutique hotels, fincas and spas in the coffee zone and Cartagena, honeymoon at the Caribbean
  • Travel with private guide into the Vaupes region, this is all pristine Amazonian rainforest off the beaten trek with amazing waterfalls and wildlife
  • Adventurous and special tailor made travel combining Venezuela's tepui highlights with traveling upstream into Colombia at Inirida rainforest with private guide
  • Private guided roundtravels or Group travels through Colombia with Latin American expert speaking fluent English and Spanish

Featured activities: Meeting the authentic Colombia, being in nature, culture & meeting the people of Colombia. Walking in mountains, visiting coffee haciendas, beachlife, colonial villages & history, cumbia & salsa, horse riding, bird & whale watching, snorkelling, diving, learning Spanish.

Shortlist of some important festivals - January: Carnaval de Blancos y Negros in Pasto & Feria de Manizales (coffee zone), February: Carnaval de Barranquilla (of the carnavals highly recommended), March: Easter (Semana Santa) in Popayan, April: Festival de Vallenato in Valledupar, May: the San Pedro and Bunde Tolimense festival in Espinal, Wayuu culture festival in Uribia (La Guajira), June: Bambuco national folk festival in Neiva & festival del Mar in Santa Marta, August: Feria de Flores in Medellin, September: World Salsa festival in Cali, October: the World Coleo Encounter in Villavicencio (cowboy – vaquero festival) , November: Carnaval de Cartagena & Reina National de Belleza (Miss Colombia) in Cartagena de Indias, December: Feria de Cali. For more details on all Colombia festivals, the data and how to add a specific festival in your itinery, please contact us.

Colombia holiday 27 days tailor made | Individual | Group

Individual tailor made tours with public transport or private transfers, and/or with standard modules integrated. Group roundtravels with a tourguide tailor made. Sample itinery of 27 days.

Day 1: Arrival at Bogota, welcome and transfer to hotel in Colonial area La Candelaria, hotel Abadia Colonial

Day 2: City tour Bogota. In the morning guided walk through the colonial area La Candelaria. Main monuments and squares, visit the Gold & Botero Museum, visit Cerro Monserrate , overnight Bogota. Alternative: city tour on bike.

Day 3: To Laguna de Guatavita for an ecological guided walk to the holy lake of the Muisca Indians, ecosystems of semi-paramo (2800-3100m) and paramo (+3100m). Continuation to the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, overnight in or near the colonial center, hospedería San Carlos.

Day 4: Free day in Villa de Leyva to explore the colonial town & the surroundings. Optional excursions are: horseback riding, visit to the desert of ‘la Candelaria', cultural and archeological tour with museums, hike to Parama Iguaque, ecological walks in the surroundings and/or to waterfalls, city tour.

Day 5: From Villa de Leyva to Barichara, free midday to explore the beautiful colonial town of Barichara on your own. Night in hotel in colonial center, La Nube Posada.

Day 6: In the morning a guided walk of 3 hrs over the ‘Camino Real' from Barichara to Guane. In Guane free time before returning to Barichara.

Day 7: From Barichara to Caño de Chicamocha. Cable car from one side to the other side of the Chicamocha Cañon to ‘Mesa de los Santos'. Continuation to Giron where we will stay in the colonial town, Chill Out Hotel Boutique.

Day 8: From airport Bucaramanga flight to Neiva. Transfer to the village of Villavieja, hotel Villa Paraiso.

Day 9: Guided walk in the Tatacoa Dessert in early morning , visiting the sand formations and swim at natural pool. In the afternoon we continue to San Agustin where we stay in a nice hacienda just outside the town, hacienda Anacaona

Day 10: In the morning visit to the archeological park of San Agustin in company of a local guide. The tour is about 4 hours and we visit the sites Mesa A, B, C and ‘Lavapatos'. We also go to the nearby archeological museum and the ‘Bosque de Estatuas'. Rest of the day free to wander around in the town of San Agustin or to see more of the beautiful surrounding. Second night in San Agustin. Optional midday: 3 to 5 hours horse ride in the surroundings of San Agustin after the visit to the archeological park to see surroundings and some more archeological sites, rafting on the Magdalena River, or a jeep tour in the surroundings.

Day 11: To Popayan via the paramo and with some views at the Puracé Volcanoe. After arrival in Popayan free afternoon and evening to explore the ‘White Colonial Town' of Popayan on your own. Night in Popayan close to the main square, hotel la Plazuela.

Day 12: Free day at Popayan to explore more of the colonial town or the surroundings. Optional: tour to the Paramo de Puracé, the hotsprings of San Juan and spot the largest bird of South America, the Condor.

Day 13: To Salento, with a possible visit to Silvia and the Indian market depending on the day, hostal Ciudad de Segorbe.

Day 14: Tour in Willys to Valle de Cocora, ecological walk with a local guide through the valley. This valley is known for its palm trees ‘Palma de Cera' which can reach heights of 70m. On our way back we will visit a local coffee farmer to learn a little bit about the local coffee process. Optional horseback ride instead of hike in Valle de Cocora.

Day 15: From Salento to hacienda Venecia. This is a large operating coffee farm where we will stay in the traditional and very beautiful coffee hacienda with stunning views over the coffee fields. In the afternoon we get an explanation about the coffee process. Difference with the former coffee tour is that this farm produces not only for self sustaining, but for consumption in Colombia and export as well, you stay in the traditional coffee finca Venecia (not in the hostel).

Day 16: From airport Pereira flight to Nuqui via the town of Quibdo in the department of Choco. After arrival at Nuqui short boat ride over the sea to the accommodation at the beach of the village Termales, Posada Mar y Rio (can also be upgraded).

Day 17, 18 and 19: Stay at Posada Turistica Mar y Rio. Inclusive are 3 meals a day, ecological walk to hotsprings and a little waterfall. During the months of June (end) till October (beginning) you can see the whales passing by. Boat trips to see the amazing whales closer can be included. Other activities are fishing, boat trips, hikes and ecological walks in the Pacific rainforest.

Day 20: Boat back to Nuqui and flight to Medellin, boutique hotel in the modern area called ‘El Poblado'. In the afternoon a short city tour with visit to the center of Medellin, Botero, a ride in the metro and metro cable to the neighborhood of Santa Domingo, optional visit to street children project.

Day 21: From airport Medellin direct flight to Santa Marta, from here to NP Tayrona. From the entrance of the NP Tayrona walk for 45 minutes through the jungle to the sector of Arrecifes where we will stay in cabins in the park and close to the beach of Arrecifes. As an option we can also stay in the very luxury ecohabs close to the entrance of the Tayrona Park. These ecohabs are located on the jungle hills of the Tayrona Park overlooking the sea, Cabañas Arrecifes, or upgrade to Ecohabs.

Day 22 and 23: Free days in the Tayrona Park to relax, to enjoy the many beaches or to make some hikes in the park. There is a hike of 4 to 5 hours (return) from Arrecifes to the Archeological site of ‘el Pueblito'. These terraces are from to former Indian culture of the Tayronas. Optional hike can be arranged with the reception of the cabins, with the local guides in the park or be done on your own.

Day 24: Walk back to the entrance of the Tayrona Park and to Cartagena. In Cartagena we will stay in the colonial town of the walled city in the area called ‘San Diego'. Late afternoon and evening free to explore the colonial town, hotel 3 Banderas. On the way to Cartagena a stop can be made in case of private transfer at the mud volcano Totumo for a very special mudbath and swim in the river.

Day 25: City tour Cartagena de Indias in the morning, guided walk through the colonial town visiting the neighbourhoods of San Diego, Calamari and Gestemani, walk over the old city wall. Rest of the day free to explore more of the city and her surroundings by yourself. Optional extension in afternoon visiting the ‘Castillo San Felipe de Barajas' (fortress) and the convent of ‘Cerro de la Popa'.

Day 26: Free day in Cartagena. The hotel of 3 Banderas also has accommodation on the island of ‘Tierra Bomba' on the beach in front of the modern area of ‘Bocagrande'. In coordination with the reception you can switch one night in the colonial town for one night in the beach hotel. Optional: a tour on this free day to Islas del Rosario, Playa Blanca, Volcan de Totumo, visiting a social children project with mangrove tour at Boquilla, tour to African village of Palenque, etc.

Day 27: To airport of Cartagena and international flight back home. Holiday extensions can be made eg to Mompox, for colonial culture, history and silver handicrafts, to Monteria for staying at a traditional cattle farm, to La Guajira (in combination with Tayrona Park) for desert, Caribbean beaches and Wayuu indigenous culture.

Caribbean Colombia 18 days tailor made | Individual | Group

Individual tailor made tours with public transport or private transfers, and/or with standard modules integrated. Group roundtravels with a tourguide tailor made. Sample itinery of 18 days.

Day 1: Arrival on the airport of Santa Marta. Here an driver will be waiting for you to bring you to your hotel in Santa Marta. The travelling time will take you in about 30 min.

Options to stay: Hotel la Casa (comfortable), Hotel Rodadero Beach (standard)

Day 2: A free day to discover the oldest colonial town in Colombia. Enjoy the sun on the beach of or make an walk on the lively boulevard. It is also possible to visit Hacienda Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino the beautiful country house where liberator Simon Bolivar died.

Day 3: Today you will go to the most beautiful and famous beaches of Colombia. In the morning your transport will pick you up from the hotel to bring you to the entrance of National Park Tayrona. The trip will take in about one and a half hour. Surrounded by dense jungle you will stay close to the white beaches of the park.

Options to stay: Cabaña on the beach of Arrecifes (comfortable), 45 min walking from the parking space, Ecohab on the beach of Carnaveral (luxury) 15 min walking from the parking space, for both options horses can be rented for personal tranbsport and luggage.

Day 4: A day to relax or explore. You can enjoy the beaches while you hear the sound of the jungle and when you look behind, you see the snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta emerging from the jungle. It is also possible to make daywalks into the mountains and visit the former Indian village of Pueblito. Second night in Tayrona National Park.

Day 5: In the morning you go to the exit of the park where your transport is waiting for you. A 30 min drive brings you to Taironaka. Build on the lands of the Indians this Eco lodge combines history and nature. After a 15 min boat ride upriver you will enter the Eco lodge. Here you will stay in comfortable cabañas (huts) close to the Don Diego river.

Day 6: An day to relax in Taironaka. Visit the museum of the Kogi Indians and make a trip on the Don Diego river in tubes. Floating in the tubes you will encounter animals like monkeys, toucans and probably an Babilla, after some time you will reach an remote beach where you have time relax a bit before an boat will bring you back to the lodge.

Day 7: In the early morning transport to Uribia, the capital of the Wayuu Indians. Here you will have lunch and you will have time to visit the local market. After lunch you will go to Manaure to see the salt planes. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Cabo de la Vela. Here you will stay in Chinchorros in an simple cabin or hammock at the beach. Options to sleep: Simple cabin or hammock.

Day 8: Whole day to spend at the marvelous beaches like playa de Pilon, playa Ojo de aqua and in the afternoon so will see the sun go down form a lighthouse. Second night in cabin or hammock.

Day 9: Early transfer to the sanctuary Flora and Fauna Los Flamengos. You will make a boat trip through the lagoons to see the flamingos.

Los Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is the ideal place for watching flamingoes and other exotic tropical birds. It is located on the Caribbean coast in a dry tropical forest area to the west of the peninsula of La Guajira, in the municipality of Riohacha. On this wide coastal plain, dominated by the colors of the desert, there is an abundance of salty lagoons, many of which become salt during dry seasons. The elegant flamingoes and their exotic tower-shaped mud nests, which can reach a height of sixty centimeters, are the main attraction of the Sanctuary, a site that also offers the possibility of coming into contact with the rich Wayúu culture. It is also a place for enjoying the sun and the beach, hiking, or simply hanging around in a traditional ranchería (village) or going fishing with the locals.

After spotting the birds, your transport brings you to Ecolodge La Roca, an Ecolodge close to the beach. Options to stay: nice cabin close to the beach (3 meals included) at Ecolodge La Roca, or at Playa Koralia.

Day 10: Free day to relax at the beach and enjoy the Caribbean nature, Ecolodge La Roca, or at Playa Koralia.

Day 11: Travel from the beach La Roca / Koralia to Colombia's most famous town: Cartagena de Indias. On your way you will make a stop to visit the Volcano Totumo, and mud volcano where you can take a spectacular mud bath floating in a beautiful scenery. This transfer takes in about 6 hours (the stop in Totumo not included). In Cartagena you will stay in the old historic center.

Options to stay: Hotel 3 Banderas (Standard), Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia (comfortable), more luxury hotels on request

Day 12: Free day to explore to beautiful and colonial Cartagena on your own, or with a local guide for a half or full day.

Cartagena has had an interesting confluence of cultures for over 500 years that include the pre-Columbian native aborigines, the Spanish, the Africans and the Arabs. All of this framed within one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean, which brings together the most important cultural events in the world. Its historic center, known as the "Walled City", was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Cartagena is a city rich in cultural expressions and folklore, you find here a fusion of cultures, sounds, dances, traditions, foods and lifestyles. This unique diversity inherent to the city is one of its main attractions that makes this the Jewel of the Caribbean. Its multicultural and cheerful ambiance will always make you wish to come back and taste more. Cartagena is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. The beaches are within walking distance of the ancient walls of the Historic Center, locally referred to as El Centro (Down Town). The beaches extend around the peninsula of Bocagrande and Laguito.

Day 13: Transport to the quiet and beautiful colonial town, Mompox with its famous silver handicrafts. You will travel about 4 hours depending if it is with public transport or private.

Founded in 1540 on the banks of the River Magdalena, Mompox played a key role in the Spanish colonization of northern South America. From the 16th to the 19th century the city developed parallel to the river, with the main street acting as a dyke. The historic centre has preserved the harmony and unity of the urban landscape. Most of the buildings are still used for their original purposes, providing an exceptional picture of what a Spanish colonial city was like. You stay in the historical center.

Options to stay: Hotel Boutique Bioma (Comfortable), Hotel Casa Amarilla (standard)

Day 14: Free day to explore Mompox on your own, or with a local guide for a half or full day.

Day 15: Transport back to Cartagena de Indias. In Cartagena you will have the same hotel as before.

Day 16: Daytrip to the Islands of Rosario, evt in combination with snorkeling and/or scuba diving. You will depart in the early morning and may bring a visit to several Islands, have an typical lunch on one of the islands and visit the famous Playa Blanca. In the late afternoon you will be back in Cartagena.

Day 17: Last free day in Cartagena.

Day 18: Transfer to the airport of Cartagena.

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