Ultimate Colombia

Board your flight to Bogotá.

Note: There is currently a direct overnight flight with Avianca between London Heathrow and Bogotá, as well as indirect flights with Iberia via Madrid and KLM via Amsterdam. There are also flights between Colombia and the US.

Met on arrival in Bogotá airport and transferred to your chic hotel in the fashionable Zona G district of the capital.

Over the next two days you will explore the vibrant Colombian capital with our excellent local guides. A specialist street art and politics tour will take you through the winding streets of Bogotá’s old-town, La Candelaria. You will also visit the iconic Plaza Bolivar and the world-famous Gold Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian gold.

In the evening you will head to the trendy neighbourhood of Usaquen, where you will be hosted to a private dinner with a local family. Share good food and music and learn about the unique Colombian culture.

Stay: Two nights at the Four Seasons Casa Medina Bogota – Bed & breakfast

After exploring the urban metropolis of Bogotá you will discover the remoteness of the Los Llanos, seasonal wetlands home to a huge variety of wildlife and famous for the ‘llanero‘ (cowboy) culture.

A short flight will take you to Yopal, where you will be met and transferred to the 9,000 hectare nature reserve, home to Corocora Camp.

Your home for the next three nights is one of the four large canvas tents, complete with ensuite, hot water, private terrace and ample space to relax.

Similar to a safari camp, over the next few days you will venture out into the wilderness with the camps’ guides, on a variety of different activities. You will learn about the cowboy traditions and have chance to ride through the savannah and round up cattle. You’ll go in search of howler monkeys, giant anteaters and even jaguar, or take a canoe out on one of the lakes or even try piranha fishings.

After a day of activities you can enjoy a sundowner and delicious dinner back at the camp, before getting up early to do it all over again.

Stay: Three nights at Corocora Camp – Full board

After a final breakfast in Los Llanos, you will fly north to Bucaramanga, where you will be met and driven to charming historical town of Barichara.

Literally translated as ‘place of rest’, Barichara is a laidback town, famous for its colonial architecture, vibrant art scene and surrounding nature. It’s off the main tourist trail, giving guests a more authentic taste of Colombia.

Over the next two days you will visit a local organic coffee farm, in the hills surrounding the town and enjoy a personalised tour of the town by one of our expert local guides. For the more active, a biking tour to the Serranía de los Yariguíes is included, a beautiful route along the Suarez river and an opportunity to cool off in the Chirigua waterfall.

Whilst in Barichara you will be staying at the beautiful and exclusive Casa del Presidente. A historic house in the centre of the town, filled with colourful Colombian artwork and once home to former president, Belisario Betancur.

Stay: Three nights at Casa del Presidente – Full board

You will be driven back to Bucaramanga airport for a direct flight to one of South America’s most famous destinations, the pearl of the Caribbean, Cartagena.

Cartagena des Indias was founded in the 16th Century and it’s old-town has been beautifully preserved, home to cobbled streets, bustling plazas and colourful colonial buildings.

Your hotel is in the heart of the walled city, just a stones throw from a variety of restaurants, bars and artisan shops. The tropical climate can sometimes be unbearable during the day, but the refreshing pool at Casa San Agustin is the perfect place to cool off.

Over the next three days you will discover the vibrant Getsemani neighbourhood, home to vibrant street art and one of the best preserved parts of the city. You will also taste one of Colombia’s most famous exports, rum. A tour of a local distillery and a tasting is the perfect way to fight off the heat. You will visit a number of galleries and artisan shops, which are the perfect place to pick-up any last minute souvenirs before you fly home.

Stay: Three nights at Casa San Agustin – Bed & breakfast

Your final three nights in Colombia are an opportunity for you to refresh and recharge at the beautiful Hotel Las Islas, on Isla Barú.

A short boat ride will take you to the hotel, which overlooks the turquoise water of the Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo.

Whether you want to relax, snorkel, kayak or explore the surrounding jungle, it’s all possible from Las Islas.

Stay: Three nights at Las Islas – Bed & breakfast

On your final day you will return to Cartagena where you will board a flight to Bogotá and connect onto your flight home.

Note: There are international flight options from Cartagena, but nothing direct to the UK with Avianca. If flying to the US or flying via Amsterdam, it is possible to avoid flying back to Bogotá.