History, culture and breathtaking scenery, this classic itinerary takes in Colombia’s most famous sites. From cosmopolitan Bogota, you escape into the hills to visit the picturesque colonial town of Villa de Leyva before heading into the lush Coffee Triangle to stay at a traditional finca. Leaving the Andes behind, you arrive in Cartagena on the dreamy Caribbean, Colombia’s jewel in the crown before finishing your trip on the palm-fringed beaches of Tayrona National Park.
Itinerary Highlights
Marvel at the dazzling Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
Wander the cobbled streets of picturesque Villa de Leyva
Taste the world’s finest blend at a traditional coffee finca
Lose yourself in Cartagena, South America’s colonial gem
Golden beaches and ancient ruins, discover Tayrona
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities (shared on the vessel)
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
13
Nights
Price Guide
$5850 – $7850 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Arrive in Bogota
Days 2
Bogota – Culture, Art & History
On arrival into Bogota, you will be driven to your hotel at the heart of the historic La Candelaria old town, just a short walk from Bogota’s colonial centre. Bogota is renowned for its striking architecture and vibrant art-scene and you will have the chance to explore the wonderful galleries and museums as you recover from the jetlag. If you are feeling energetic, you may like to arrange a day’s walking in the breathtaking Chicaque Natural Park and cloud-forest just outside the capital.
Days 3-4
Villa de Leyva & the Salt Cathedral
Today, you head into the pretty hills above Bogota to visit the charming colonial town of Villa de Leyva, home to the largest plaza mayor in the Americas. On route, you may like to visit the mesmerising Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira (unmissable in our eyes!) as well as Lake Guatavita, once considered the hiding place of the mythical golden city of El Dorado. Villa de Leyva is one of Colombia’s most enchanting towns, a treasure trove of cobbled streets, hand-carved wooden balconies and terracotta tiled townhouses – perfect for exploring on foot! If you can drag yourself away, you may also like to visit the attractive convent of Ecce Homo and the aptly named paleontological museum of “El Fosil”.
Days 5-7
The Coffee Triangle
Returning to Bogota, you will take an onward flight into the lush cloud-forested hills of Colombia’s famous Coffee Triangle. Based at a traditional, colonial hacienda, you will head out each day to explore the stunning area. The lush valleys are ringed with national parks and colourful coffee villages and you may like to visit the Cocora Valley, home to the “wax palm” – tallest palm tree in the world – as well as the colourful towns of Salento and Filandia. To experience the unique heritage of the “eje cafetero”, stop off at a colourful coffee finca to discover the processes behind Colombia’s world-class export and tour the plantations by foot, horseback or “Willy” jeep.
File written by Adobe Photoshop? 5.0
Day 8-10
The Highlight – Cartagena!
From coffee to coast, fly through to Cartagena, the jewel in the crown of Colombian tourism, overlooking the dreamy turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Cartagena is arguably South America’s finest colonial city, a beautiful UNESCO world heritage site that was founded in 1533. The original architecture has been beautifully preserved behind the original rampart walls and features elegant churches, colonial mansions and plazas amidst fine museums and monuments. The old town is home to sumptuous boutique hotels, all in walking distance of the main attractions. Wander the cobbled streets, sample the delicious street-food and immerse yourself in the rich history. Further afield, there is excellent snorkelling around the Rosario islands, beautiful beaches on the Baru Peninsula and even a “mud volcano” that is popular with backpackers.
Day 11-13
Tayrona – Beaches, Surf & Ancient Ruins
What better way to wrap up your trip than with a stay on the golden, palm fringed beaches of the wonderful Tayrona National Park. From Cartagena, you will be driven 4 hours to Santa Marta, one of Colombia’s oldest city before heading into the mountains to reach the park entrance. Tayrona’s pristine beaches are set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada and offer good swimming and snorkelling, although sadly not on all the beaches owing to the strong currents. The surrounding conopy brims with wildlife and is a popular spot for birders while hike further into the forest and you stumble across the atmospheric ruins of Pueblito, an ancient pre-Inca site.
*
Day 14
Return flight to Bogota for onward connections
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $5850 – $7850 per person
When to travel
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Colombia is a year-round destination whose climate is determined largely by altitude. The dry season (or summer) runs from December to March while the wet season takes over from April to November. In Bogotá and the Andes along the spine of Colombia, the climate is cooler with average highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. As ever, the higher you climb into the mountains, the lower the temperatures especially at night. On the Caribbean coast around Cartagena, Colombia enjoys a tropical climate. Temperatures reach the early 30’s in summer yet coincide with short, sharp tempestuous downpours in winter which often come as a welcome relief! The Pacific coast follows a similar pattern yet is wetter while the Amazon is hot and steamy year round.
The weather in Colombia during the month of January can vary depending on the region. However, on average, temperatures range from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. It is typically warm and sunny, with occasional rain showers in some areas. It is advisable to pack light clothing and sunscreen if you plan to visit Colombia during January.
In February, Colombia experiences a similar temperature range as in January, averaging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, with occasional rain showers in some regions. It is recommended to pack light clothing and sunscreen for a comfortable trip.
In March, the temperature range in Colombia is similar to February, averaging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. The weather remains mostly warm and sunny, with some regions experiencing occasional rain showers. Travelers are advised to pack light clothing and sunscreen for a comfortable trip.
In April, the temperature in Colombia typically ranges from 19 to 31 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, with some areas experiencing occasional rain showers. It is recommended to pack light clothing and sun protection for a comfortable trip.
In May, Colombia experiences warm temperatures ranging from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius. The weather is mostly sunny, with occasional rain showers in some areas. It is best to pack light clothing and sun protection to stay comfortable during your trip.
During June, Colombia's temperatures range from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius. The weather is typically sunny with occasional rain showers in some regions. It is advisable to pack breathable clothing and sun protection to stay cool during your travels.
In July, Colombia experiences temperatures ranging from 19 to 31 degrees Celsius. It is a sunny month with occasional showers in certain areas. It is recommended to wear lightweight clothing and use sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned while traveling.
In August, Colombia experiences temperatures ranging from 19 to 30 degrees Celsius. It is also a sunny month with occasional showers in certain areas. Travelers are advised to wear lightweight clothing and protect themselves from the sun with sunscreen.
In September, temperatures in Colombia usually range from 19 to 29 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, with occasional rain showers in some regions. Travelers are advised to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing and protect themselves from the sun with sunscreen. It is also a good idea to bring a light rain jacket or umbrella in case of unexpected rain. Overall, September is a pleasant month to visit Colombia, with comfortable temperatures and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
In Colombia, October is a transitional month from the rainy to the dry season. Temperatures during this time range from 19 to 28 degrees Celsius with occasional rainfall. Travelers should still pack lightweight and comfortable clothing, but also bring a light rain jacket or umbrella as the weather can be unpredictable. Sunscreen is also necessary to protect against the strong sun rays that may still be present during this time. Overall, October is a great time to visit Colombia for those who enjoy mild weather and outdoor activities.
In November, the weather in Colombia is generally warm with an average temperature of around 25°C. However, temperatures can vary depending on the specific location in the country. It is important to note that November falls within the rainy season in Colombia, so visitors should be prepared for occasional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. It is recommended to bring rain gear and plan accordingly for outdoor activities.
The weather in Colombia during December is typically warm, with an average temperature of around 24°C. While temperatures may vary depending on the specific location in the country, visitors should still be prepared for occasional rainfall as December falls within the rainy season. It is recommended to bring appropriate rain gear and plan outdoor activities accordingly.
Add on’s
Colombia’s Amazon abounds with wildlife within the flooded forest of the Amacayacu National Park and offers the options of lodges or traditional riverboats. For something quite different, you could head off the beaten track to the ancient sites of San Agustin and Tierradentro where huge statues of gods, warriors and mythical creatures litter the landscape.
Ecuador is only a short flight south, the ideal combination for finishing your trip within the magical Galapagos Islands just off the mainland. There are also now direct flights from Bogota to Cusco, perfect for exploring Inca Peru, and also from Cartagena to San Jose which opens up the breathtaking wildlife and national parks of Costa Rica, such as Arenal and the Osa Peninsula
Want a quote on a trip like this?
Speak to one of our travel specialists and we’ll create your personalised itinerary just for you
To access our “hidden gems” destination guides and to join our exclusive newsletter for curated updates from Oasis Travel just drop in your details in below.
