Bogota Poapayan San Agustin & Tierradentro Cartagena
A journey through colonial towns and ancient ruins deep in Colombia’s remote Andean foothills. From the bustling capital Bogota, you fly to the white-washed city of Popayan before heading into the wilds to visit the extraordinary pre-Incan site of San Agustin, one of South America’s ancient, man-made wonders. The trip finishes in Cartagena, Colombia’s most beautiful colonial city overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Itinerary Highlights
Wander thriough the caverns of Zipaquira’s huge Salt Cathedral
Experience the sleepy, colonial charm of Popayan
Explore the mountains, deserts & traditions of Huila
Visit the remarkable sites of San Agustin & Tierradentro
Immerse yourself in the Caribbean, colonial charm of Cartagena
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.
11
Nights
Price Guide
$6175 – $7500 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 – Art, History & Culture
Enjoy a couple of days in Colombia’s vibrant capital staying within the historic La Candelaria old town. La Candelaria is in easy walking distance of the capital’s historic centre and several key attractions such as the impressive cathedral, the Seat of Congress and the Botero Museum. For wonderful views overlooking the city, take the cable-car or funicular train up to Cerro Monserrate or for something completely unique, head into the hills to visit to the hugely atmospheric Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. Here, enormous caverns etched out from an 18th century salt-mine have been transformed into an eye-catching Roman Catholic church, all beautifully illuminated and hugely atmospheric!
Days 3
The ” White City” of Popayan
Take a short flight to Popayan, capital of Colombia’s Cauca department. Although much-overlooked by visitors, Popayan is a pretty colonial town of graceful, white-washed architecture, historic churches and cobbled streets. Allow an additional day and you can visit the wonderful Purace National Park which offers wonderful walking and wildlife on the flanks of the volcano beneath soaring condors.
Days 4-8
Ancient Colombia: San Agustin & Tierradentro
Today the adventure begins with a long drive into the rolling foothills of the Andes to visit the breathtaking and little known pre-Incan sites of San Agustin and Tierradentro. San Agustin is part of a vast funerary complex that covers over 2000 km², only fractions of which have been excavated. Long shut off from the outside world during Colombia’s past troubles, the site is most famous for its 600 stone statues depicting gods, warriors and mythical creatures which litter the landscape alongside tombs, “mesita” burial mounds and terraces. Heading deeper still into ancient Colombia, Tierradentro is a fascinating and rugged landscape pockmarked by large circular, burial chambers each carefully decorated with eerie geometric patterns and shapes. You will explore the sites with an expert guides staying in local villages before crossing the ochre-washed canyons and gullies of the Tatacoa Desert to reach the bustling town of Neiva.
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Day 9-12
Cartagena – The Jewel in the Colonial Crown!
From ancient sites to colonial majesty, you will fly through to Cartagena, lauded among the finest colonial cities in the Americas. Cartagena is a beautiful UNESCO world heritage site that was founded in 1533. The original historic architecture has been painstakingly preserved behind the original rampart walls and features elegant churches, colonial mansions and plazas amidst fine museums and monuments. The city is best explored on foot based at a beautiful boutique hotel where you can wander the charming cobbled streets and heady atmosphere that birthed Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s magic realism. For a change of scene, you can take a boat trip out to the picturesque coral reefs of the Rosario islands or enjoy some R&R on the dreamy beaches of Playa Blanca. Or for the ultimate natural spa treatment, you can head to the El Totuma Mud Volcano, renowned for its healing properties.
Day 13
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 $6175 – $7500 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
East of Cartagena, a short drive takes you to historic Santa Marta, Colombia’s oldest city and final resting place of Simon Bolivar and on to the spectacular beaches and pre-hispanic sites of Tayrona National Park, the ideal spot for winding down after a busy itinerary.
For traditional culture, Colombia’s coffee triangle offers charming towns, colourful plantation houses and spectacular national parks which draw birders and adventure enthusiasts from far and wide.
Further afield, there are direct flights to Ecuador and Peru, gateway to the the magical Galapagos Islands and Inca Peru respectively as well as a direct connection to Costa Rica for the breathtaking wildlife and national parks of Arenal and the Osa Peninsula
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