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.

Day 1: Arrival at Bogota airport and transport to colonial Candelaria quarter, hotel Abadia Colonial for the night.

Day 2: City tour Bogota visiting la Candelaria, the most important monuments and squares, Gold Museum, Botero Museum and Monserrate by cable car. Second night in hotel Abadia Colonial

Day 3: Tour to the Paramo de Chingaza, hike of 4-5 hrs at an altitude of 3000 - 3500m. Paramo ecosystems occur only in the Andes (mainly in Colombia) and are high mountain biomes with lakes and a vegetation characterized by huge rosette plants (frailejones). Tour includes a typical lunch at a local farm house. Third night in Bogota.

Day 4: Transfer to airport Bogota and domestic flight to Yopal. Transfer to Hato la Aurora ecolodge in los Llanos, some stops at local villages. Night at the ecolodge in private nature reserve of a typical Colombian family of the Llanos region with local music & ambiance.

Day 5 and 6: We have 2 days to make safaris on foot, by horse and by safari truck according to preferences and options. We travel to the mother hacienda in the middle of the reserve and have lunch there.  Stay at Hato la Aurora ecolodge, all meals and excursions are included. The climate change of the Llanos is extreme. During the rainy season from May to October, parts of the Llanos are flooded. This turns the woodlands and grassland into a temporary wetland, comparable to the Pantanal of Central South America. This flooding makes the area unique for its wildlife. Both the BBC and Animal Planet have been filming at this reserve of Hato la Aurora.

Day 7: Free morning at ecolodge for walking excursion and wildlife observation nearby the lodge, in midday return to Yopal at 350 m altitude with some stops along the way. Night just outside city center of Yopal.

Day 8: Travel to Monqui and night in colonial village. Along the way time to visit Laguna la Tota, the Temple of the Sun in Sogamoso, which was a religious center of the Muiscas Indians and have a local wine tasting. Monqui is situated at 2900 m altitude and gives us a good start for acclimatization for the high mountains to come. It features well preserved colonial architecture and has been declared the cutest town of Boyacá.

Day 9: Travel through the beautiful Andes to Cocuy village at 2750 m altitude, overnight in cosy village at the main square.

Day 10: Transfer up to Cocuy National Park, breakfast at cabins overlooking snow peaks, and hike to Valle de Lagunillas at 4300 m altitude in 2-3 hrs. Luggage will be transported by horses or porters and a cook will accompany us for the preparation of the meals in the Sisuma cabins. This day will be an easy day to acclimatize to the high altitude, the walk is mainly flat. All meals and luggage transport are included. Cabins are 1-2 shared rooms for the group.

Dag 11: The strongest day, a beautiful climb up to Pulpito del Diablo (4900m) and the glacier at the feet of the Pan de Azucar (5250m). If the weather conditions are good we can walk a little on the glacier. An ascent to the top of Pan de Azucar is possible when the weather allows but will have to be requested specially, a mountain guide and climbing gear are not yet included. Return to Valle de Lagunillas, second night in Sisuma cabins.

Day 12: Short hike back to entrance of the park Cocuy and long transfer to the famous colonial village Villa de Leyva, stay in beautiful hotel with spa.

Day 13: Hike through the surroundings of Villa de Leyva visiting the Candelaria desert. Time to visit the village. Second night Villa de Leyva.

Day 14: Travel back to Bogota airport for domestic flight to Santa Marta at the Caribbean coast. Overnight on the beach of Taganga village, time to visit Santa Marta in afternoon.

Day 15: Transfer to the tropical forest of NP Tayrona, start hike from Calabazo through the tropical forest, visiting Pueblito along the way, which is a small archaeological site of the Kogui culture, to the Caribbean beaches of Arrecifes. Night in cabins sector Arrecifes. Beach cabins are shared by 3-4 persons.

Day 16: Free day at the beaches of NP Tayrona for beachtime, snorkeling or more walking through the rainforest. Second night Cabañas Arrecifes.

Day 17: Hike to entrance of the NP Tayrona and transport to Cartagena. Visit on the way to project that support street children in suburb Cartagena. We may visit the Totumo mudvolcano along the way as well or have a canoe trip through the mangroves near Cartagena. Night in historical center Cartagena.

Day 18: City tour in the morning and free afternoon in Cartagena. We make a walk through the colonial center visiting the neighborhoods of Calamarí, San Diego and Getsemaní. In the afternoon time free to explore the city on your own. Second night Cartagena.

Day 19: Transfer to airport for international flight and end of the trip. Or holiday extension for more days at Cartagena, la Guajira, beach, snorkeling or diving holiday.

For birdwatching a 'must see' is probably 'El Dorado' near Santa Marta and very beautiful to add would be the reserve Hato Aurora for both birdwatching & wildlife safaris.

These 2 programs were developed especially for groups of birdwatchers and can be tailor made in all ways.

Proposal birding, fauna, and culture trip with wildlife safaris at Hato Aurora included.

 – 13 days –

This trip of 13 days (in Colombia), has a focus on birding and fauna, but is also suitable for nature lovers in general, and will have some extra dimension because of the cultural aspects. We visit almost all ecosystems including paramo (above de 3300m), cloud forest, sub-tropical, and tropical areas. The highlight for animal and nature lovers will be at the end, with our stay in an ecolodge deep into the department of Casanare, where we have a great variety of animals (including mammals), as well as birds.

Day by day description:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 – Arrival at Bogota airport and welcome by our host and driver. Transfer to hotel in the colonial area of Bogota, called ‘la Candelaria’ for the first night.

Day 2 – City tour in Bogota. We do a hike in the colonial area of ‘la Candelaria’ visiting the most beautiful and important monuments. Also visit to Gold Museum, and the Botero Museum. IN the afternoon we take the cable car up to Cerro Monserrate for stunning views over the capital. Back to the hotel in the (late) afternoon and second night in Bogota.

B

Day 3 – Early morning private transport from Bogota to Honda. Normally this is a 5 hour drive, but we will have some stops on our way. One of these stops will be at ‘Jardin Encantado’ for birding (mostly honeybirds). We go all the way from the Eastern Andes Range into the Magdalena Valley. As going from Bogota at 2600m to Honda (400m), we will have various ecosystems, and we will have a special birding guide in the bus this day to be able to advise some stops for the clients, and have some extra information. In Honda we saty in the colonial center of the village for the night.

B

Day 4 – Early morning transport from Honda to Manizales. Normally also about 4 to 5 hours, but again we will have some stops. One of them will be the Los Nevados Park where we will visit the ‘Laguna Negra’ for some birding. The ecosystems are going to change as we go up from the Magdalena Valley, all the way to the paramo (over 3500m), and back to the cloud forest of Timanu. This day we will still have a special birding guide in the bus for recommendations and extra information. In Manizales we will stay at the bird reserve of Tinamu for the night.

B, L, D

Day 5 – Full day in Tinamu for birding. For the real die hard birders, we can do a short birding tour in the morning and in the afternoon have a transport to the bird reserve of Rio Blanco for some extra birding in the bird reserve of ‘Aguas de Manizales’. This activity will be offered as optional. Second night in Tinamu.

B, L, D

Day 6 – Transport from Tinamu (Manizales) to the authentic village of Jardin Antioquía, This trip is about 5 to 6 hours, so after arrival we have time to explore the village of Jardin. At 16:00 we will do a short birding tour to a private birding reserve just outside the village with possibility to spot the ‘Cock of the Rock’. Night in the village of Jardin.

B

Day 7 – Full day tour in special jeeps to the bird reserve of ‘Orejamarillo’. This reserve is administrated by the foundation of ‘Pro-Aves’ and together with an experienced bird guide, we will spend the day looking for birds. In the afternoon we return to Jardin for the second night in the village.

B & L

Day 8 – Transport to the airport of Medellin (Rio Negro) and flight to Yopal. This flight will have a short stopover in Bogota. In Yopal we will have a transfer to hotel in the city center. In the afternoon we will have a short tour just outside Yopal to spot some birds.

B

Day 9 – In 4x4 jeeps (3 to 4 persons per jeep) we continue our trip over a dirth road into the Los Llanos. We will go all the way to a small village called ‘Montañas de Totumo’, which is a 5 hours drive, where we will stay in an ecolodge. After arrival we will do a short hike around the ecolodge for both spotting fauna and birds. Night in ecolodge.

B, L, D

Day 10 and 11 – Two full days of activities at the ecolodge. We will do hikes, horse rides, safaris in jeeps, and a boat trip of the Ariporro River. This is really THE highlight of the trip. The area of Casanare, and especially around the ecolodge where we stay, is famous for the variety of animals (including mammals) and birds. If we go in the summer time (between December and March) we can also include a special activity where we go looking for Anacondas. In the evening we will also include some aspects of the traditional culture of Los llanos. Not only the food, but we will also do live music, poems, and dancing (Joropo) with the local people.

B, L, D

Day 12 – Morning free time at the lodge and after the lunch we return in 4x4 jeeps to Yopal. From here we have direct flight back to Bogota. Last night in Bogota we will do in other area of the city. We stay the last night in the northern part of the city, where you find more restaurants and bars.

B & L

Day 13 – According flight schedule a transfer to the airport of Bogota and international flight back home. End of the trip organized.

B

(Soft) Birding tour – 15 days & 14 nights

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 - Arrival at Bogota airport and welcome by our tour leader and driver for transfer to Hotel Casa Deco. After check in we have time to relax, no program today. First night in Bogota in Hotel Casa Deco.

Day 2 - 09:00 start of city tour Bogota. We start with a walking tour in la Candelaria, visiting the most important monuments and squares, Gold Museum and Botero Museum. After a typical lunch in local restaurant, we continue in transport to Cerro Monserrate where we go up to the mountain hill in cable car for views over the city. Return to the hotel in the afternoon and 2nd night in Hotel Casa Deco.

B & L

Day 3 - 07:00 Day tour to the Nature reserve of ‘Parque Chicaque’ at just one hour south of Bogota. We leave early to be able to see as much birds possible. Besides the Tour leader we will also count on the skills of a professional bird guide in the park. The park has an ecosystem of Cloud Forrest and we will decent from +/- 2700m to 2200m to a valley. Depending on the physical shape of the group we can return hiking over other path or get back in 4 wheel drive. During the trip we will have a lunch box included. In the afternoon we return to Bogota for the 3rd night in Hotel Casa Deco.

B & L

Day 4 -  08:00 private transport from Bogota to Jardin Encantado, a bird reserve at 1,5 hours from Bogota. Here we have a guided visit to the bird reserve and possibility to do some Honeybird spotting at a breeder. We continue in private transport for another 3 to 4 hours to the Colonial town of Honda, where we will stay at the hotel Belle Epoque. If we don’t arrive too late, we can make a short walk in the colonial town of Honda with our tour leader. Night in Hotel Bouitique Belle Epoque.

B

Day 5 - 07:00 morning walk alomg the Magdalena river to spot some birds of the Magdalena Valley. WE continue in private transport for 4 to 5 hours going up from the Magdalena valley all the way to the Paramo, and donw to the city of Manizales. On our way we can make several stops for bird watching along the road. In Manizales we stay at an authentic Coffee Hacienda, called Hacienda Venecia. Here we have dinner included. Night at Hacienda Venecia.

B & D

Day 6 - 05:00 Today a tour for the real bird watchers to the bird reserva of ‘Rio Blanco’. We leave very early to arrive on time to see the morning birds. We make a walk in the reserve with a professional bird guide and lunch is included during the tour. In the afternoon we return to Hacienda Venecia for dinner and the second night at the Hacienda. If there are some people in the group that want to relax, we can also change the tour to Río Blanco for a half day coffee tour on the Hacienda. It’s also possible to split the group, so some people stay at the hacienda, while others do the Rio Blanco tour. When staying at the hacienda, the lunch is not included.

B&L&D

Day 7 - 08:00 Long bus ride (+/- 6 hours) from Manizales to the most beautiful town of the Antioquia department, ‘Jardin’. Although a long bus ride we will enjoy this day as we have private transport, stunning views over coffee fields and mountains, and we can stop wherever we want to take pictures of a short break for a drink and/or lunch. In Jardin we will stay at the Hotel Valdivia Plaza on the center square of the town. In the afternoon time to wander around in the streets of Jardin, pick one of the many terraces. We will also go to a local nature reserve close to the town where we can spot the ‘Cock of the Rock’. Night at Hotel Valdivia Plaza.

B

Day 8 - 05:00 early morning tour to the bird reserve of ‘Loro Orejamarillo’ which is administrated by the organization of ‘Pro-aves’. This organization uses the income of entrance, transport and guides in the bird reserve to maintain and expand their bird reserves by buying land, reforestation, and maintenance of the reserves. The reserve is about 1,5 hour away from Jardin and we will make a trip in 4x4 and by walking together with the tour leader and professional bird guide of the park to spot the ‘Yellow eared Parrot’. But there are over 195 other species of which the Taganger Finch, Red-bellied Grackle and the Chesnut Wood-quail, are protected species in the reserve. During our tour we will have a lunch included in the reserve. At the end of the day back to Jardin for the second night in Hotel Valdivia Plaza.

B & L

Day 9 - Early morning (depending on flight time) private transport to the airport of Medellin, which is about 3,5 hours driving. From here we take a direct flight (only possible with Avianca) to Santa Marta. Welcome at the airport of Santa Marta and transport for another 1,5 hours to the small town of Minca, located in the outskirts of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. If we don’t arrive too late, we still have some time for birding nearby the hotel. Night at Hotel Minca.

B

Day 10 - 09:00 Transport in jeeps 4x4 to the nature reserve of ‘El Dorado’. Also this nature and bird reserve is administrated by ‘Pro-aves’, and by staying in this nature reserve we are supporting the protection of the birds in El Dorado bird reserve and other bird reserves of Pro-aves. After arrival we will have a walk in the surroundings of the cabins together with the tour leader. Both lunch and dinner are included at the El Dorado bird reserve. Night in cabins (sharing 2, 3 beds at each room, unless requested for a single room).

B & L & D

Day 11 - 05:00 Tour in private 4x4 jeep into the park and getting to the best places for birding. There are registries of 337 different species of birds of which at least 19 are endemic. Just to name some of them; Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, Blossom-crown, Santa Marta Antpitta, Black Froted Wood-quail, White-tipped Quetzal en de Golden-breasted Fruiteater. We will be with the tour leader and professional bird guide of the reserve to try to spot as much as possible. After a full day we return to the cabins for the second night including lunch and dinner.

B & L & D

Day 12 - Morning free to wander around yourself close to the cabins and later (around 10:00) in private 4x4 jeeps to Santa Marta (2,5 hours) and continue in private transport to Cartagena (4 to 5 hours). Here we stay at the hotel India Catalina in the colonial center of Cartagena. Depending on arrival time, we can still make a short walk together with our tour leader in the colonial town of Cartagena. Night ion Hotel Casa India Catalina

B

Day 13 - 08:00 Tour to the small fishing village of ‘la Boquilla’ which is one of the poorest areas of Cartagena. We will visit a school project that supports poor children by facilitation free education and lunch to the children. By visiting this project we give our support. Then we continue with a local fisherman on a canoe through the mangroves with a lot of possibilities for birding. We get to a local beach where we have a typical lunch (fried fish) included and in the afternoon we return to Cartagena by canoe and private transport. Second night in Hotel casa India Catalina.

B & L

Day 14 - Free day in Cartagena. You can relax, visit the town on your own, or go to the nearby beaches. But this day we can also offer optional tours. If we haven’t seen enough from the colonial town, we can offer a city tour in Cartagena. This is a half a day walking tour visiting the areas of Calamarí, San Diego, and Getsemaní. Other option is a full day trip to Islas del Rosario. There are different optios, some of them including aslo a visit to Playa Blanca on Isla Baru. We can organize group tours, but if group wants, we can also do tours in private speedboat/sailing boats. City tour is with our toure leader and has no extra costs, the other option depends on the tour booked. 3rd night in Hotel casa India Catalina.

B

Day 15 - In the morning tour to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and after continue to the airport of Cartagena. If the flight leaves in the (late) afternoon, we will ask the hotel to keep one room with late check out to be able to store luggage and to take a shower and change before going to the airport. End of a wonderful trip by taking the plane back to Europe, leaving from Cartagena.

B