Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Bogotá
Your flight from Frankfurt to Bogotá on Air Europa gets you to Colombia's capital by late afternoon. A German-speaking guide meets you at the airport and drives you privately to your hotel in the colonial old town. You'll have time to check into your room, freshen up, and get some rest before the trip begins in earnest tomorrow.
Landmarks/POIs Bogotá - Day 2
Bogotá
The half-day tour takes you through Bogotá's historic center starting at Plaza de Bolívar, where government buildings frame this important square. From there you walk through La Candelaria neighborhood to see the colonial architecture and visit Iglesia de San Francisco, the city's oldest church. The afternoon brings a cable car ride up to Monserrate, a pilgrimage mountain with views across the metropolis and the surrounding green plateaus stretching out below.
Included Activities
- Half-day tour through Bogotá's center
- Visit to Plaza de Bolívar
- Exploration of La Candelaria colonial old town
- Visit to Iglesia de San Francisco
- Visit to the Gold Museum
- Cable car ride to Monserrate
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Bolívar La Candelaria Iglesia de San Francisco Gold Museum Monserrate - Day 3
Bogotá to Villa de Leyva
After breakfast, you head north from Bogotá toward Zipaquirá to see the salt cathedral carved directly into the mountain. The drive continues through Chiquinquirá and Raquirá until you reach Villa de Leyva, a colonial village with cobblestone streets and historic houses that feels like stepping back centuries. You'll settle into a cozy colonial hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to the salt cathedral of Zipaquirá
Optional Activities
- Visit to the terracotta house El Fossil
- Visit to the 17th century Dominican monastery Ecce Homo
Landmarks/POIs Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Villa de Leyva El Fossil Ecce Homo Monastery - Day 4
Villa de Leyva to Coffee Zone
This morning you explore Villa de Leyva and can optionally visit the Boyacá Bridge where Simón Bolívar fought a key battle against Spanish forces. Around midday you drive back to Bogotá and head to the airport for a short flight to the coffee zone. Your German-speaking guide meets you there and transfers you to a rural hotel with great views of the region.
Included Activities
- Morning exploration of Villa de Leyva
Optional Activities
- Stop at Boyacá Bridge (if time permits)
Landmarks/POIs Boyacá Bridge - Day 5
Coffee Zone
You spend about 4 hours at an exclusive coffee hacienda learning the full process from cultivation through production, including a traditional coffee ceremony. Lunch is included on the drive back, and you'll have the afternoon free at your hotel to relax and take in the scenery.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Coffee hacienda visit with technical and practical introduction to coffee cultivation and production
- Coffee ceremony participation
- Day 6
Cocora Valley and Salento
The day trip takes you to Cocora Valley where you'll see the Quindío wax palms, towering trees that reach over 60 meters high and are Colombia's national tree. On the way back toward Armenia, you stop in Salento, a colonial village with charming cafés, art stores, and colonial buildings to explore.
Included Activities
- Visit to Cocora Valley
- Visit to Salento
Landmarks/POIs Cocora Valley Salento - Day 7
Coffee Zone to Santa Marta
You head to the airport and fly via Bogotá to Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. Santa Marta was founded in 1525 and is Colombia's oldest city, home to the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino where Simón Bolívar passed away. Your guide picks you up at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Landmarks/POIs Santa Marta Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino - Day 8
Tayrona National Park
Driving east from Santa Marta brings you to El Zaino entrance of Tayrona National Park. You trek through rainforest and reach several beaches including Cañaveral Beach, Arrecife Beach after a 1.5-hour hike, and then Arenillas Beach, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan Beach. You'll have time for swimming and relaxing, with lunch available for purchase.
Included Activities
- Visit to Tayrona National Park
- Hike to Cañaveral Beach
- Rainforest hike to Arrecife Beach
- Visit to Arenillas Beach, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan Beach
Optional Activities
- Lunch (available for purchase)
Landmarks/POIs Tayrona National Park Cañaveral Beach Arrecife Beach Cabo San Juan Beach - Day 9
Santa Marta to Cartagena
Leaving Santa Marta after breakfast, you drive south along the Caribbean coast toward Cartagena, which takes about 5 hours. Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, old city walls, fortresses and colorful houses blending Caribbean charm with history. You'll check into a characterful hotel in this beautiful city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Cartagena de Indias - Day 10
Cartagena
A comprehensive city tour starts at Fuerte de San Felipe de Barajas, the largest Spanish fortress in their colonies, built from coral stone. Next you visit the Convento de la Popa, an Augustinian convent from 1607 that Pope John Paul II visited in 1986. The tour includes about 2 hours walking through alleyways, past squares, churches and historic streets throughout the old city.
Included Activities
- Visit to Fuerte de San Felipe de Barajas
- Tour of Fuerte de San Felipe de Barajas
- Visit to Convento de la Popa
- Walking tour through Cartagena's alleyways, squares, churches and streets
Landmarks/POIs Fuerte de San Felipe de Barajas Convento de la Popa - Day 11
Islas del Rosario (Rosary Islands)
A speedboat departs from Muelle de los Pegasus harbor, passing through the bay and past Bocachica and Isla Baru on the way to Islas del Rosario. You arrive at Gente del Mar Resort for welcome coffee and fresh fruit. The day includes swimming, snorkeling and relaxing on the island before returning to Cartagena in the afternoon. This full excursion runs about 7 hours with a bilingual international group.
Included Activities
- Speedboat to Islas del Rosario
- Welcome coffee and fresh fruit at Gente del Mar Resort
- Swimming time on the island
- Snorkeling time on the island
Landmarks/POIs Islas del Rosario Gente del Mar Resort - Day 12
Cartagena to Frankfurt
You transfer from your hotel to Cartagena airport for the return flight to Frankfurt.
- Day 13
Arrival in Frankfurt
You land back in Frankfurt, ending your Colombian adventure with memories of colonial cities, mountain scenery, Caribbean beaches and local coffee traditions.
