Colonial treasures, breathtaking landscapes and dizzying wildlife, this is a wonderful journey through Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador, the “Green Triangle” of Latin America. From the colonial glory of Bogota and Cartagena you venture into the stunning wildlife and national parks of Costa Rica, from smoking volcanoes in the highlands to the Caribbean. Recrossing the isthmus, you continue to Quito and the lush Mindo cloud-forest of Ecuador before finishing your journey in the Galapagos, one of South America’s true natural wonders.
Itinerary Highlights
Explore Cartagerna’s colonial splendour
Spot sloth on the flanks of Arenal Volcano
Visit Quito’s gorgeous UNESCO old town
Search for the Andean cock-of-the-rock in steamy Mindo
Snorkel amidst sealions, rays & penguins in the Galapagos
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
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.
15
Nights
Price Guide
from $15,150pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Arrive Bogota
Day 2-3
Bogota – History, Art & Salt cathedrals!
Fly into Bogota and enjoy a few days exploring Colombia’s cosmopolitan capital. Wander the cobbled streets of the La Candelaria old down, delve into the Gold- or Botero Museums or take a cable-car or funicular train up to the Sanctuary of Monserrate for panoramic views across the city. Time and energy allowing, there is wonderful walking in the Chicaque Natural Park and cloud-forest or head instead to the colonial gem of Villa de Leyva, high in the hills above the capital. On route, do make a stop at Lake Guatavita or better still the spectacular Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira – unmissable in our eyes!
Day 4-6
Cartagena – Colonial Glory & Magic Realism
Fly to Cartagena, the finest of all South America’s colonial cities and a beautiful UNESCO monument and living museum on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Dating back to 1533, Cartagena’s historic old town sits behind original rampart walls and is graced with elegant churches, cobbled plazas and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Explore the city on foot, experience the blend of Caribbean and European influences and tour the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress on San Lazaro Hill that protected the city from pirates and buccaneers alike. Escaping the city, you can take a boat-trip out to the dreamy turquoise waters and coral reef of the Rosario Islands or wind down on the golden sands of the Baru Peninsula or head off bird-watching through the mangrove channels of La Boquilla.
Day 7-10
Arenal Volcano – Adventure & Wildlife
Bid farewell to Cartagena and fly west to Costa Rica on the narrow isthmus that marks the continental divide between Central and South America. On arrival, overnight in San Jose or even Poas, depending on timings, before you are driven on to La Fortuna at the foot of the towering Arenal Volcano and National Park. Arenal is the adventure capital of Costa Rica, 7000 hectares of rainforest, raging rivers and tumbling waterfalls all set against the backdrop of the smoking volcano. Here, you can hike, bike, paddle and raft and explore the forest trails that abound with monkeys, sloth, deer and coatis as well as over 850 species of birds. Venture into the rainforest canopy on the “Hanging Bridges”, take a boat trip through the Caño Negro Widlife Refuge or even enjoy a scenic overflight of the spectacular volcano itself!
Day 11-13
Cahuita & Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
Your journey continues west through the Braulio Carrillo National Park to reach Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast where calypso and reggae begin to dominate the airwaves. Here, tropical rainforest tumbles onto darker volcanic sands while offshore, the crystal clear waters and colourful coral reef harbour an incredible diversity of marine life, wonderful for snorkelling! Enjoy nature walks in the Cahuita National Park or Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve, paddle through mangrove channels or visit the Macaw Reintroduction Centre dedicated to protecting one of the most critically endangered species in the world, the Great Green Macaw.
Day 14-15
Colonial Quito & the “Middle of the Earth”
Return to the airport for an onward flight to the Ecuadorian capital Quito. Quito is another of South America’s great colonial centres with a beautifully preserved UNESCO old town that abounds with graceful churches and historic monuments amidst restaurants, galleries and museums. Spend a day exploring the city before heading out to the “Mitad del Mundo” Museum and Monument, the iconic spot where the equator divides the country in two. Allow an extra day and you can journey south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano and National Mark or venture north instead to Otavalo Market, one of the continents largest and most colourful indigenous markets.
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Day 16-18
Mindo Cloudforest
A short drive west of Quito, the Mindo Nambillo Reserve is among the richest biodiversity hotspots on the planet protecting some 20,000 hectares of rolling valleys and steamy cloudforest. Part of the Andean Chocco Corridor that stretches from the border of Peru, the reserve harbours an incredible wealth of flora and fauna including armadillos, monkeys, peccaries and Spectacled Bears as well as over 400 species of birds. Based at a wildlife lodge, you will join guided excursions into the cloud-forest to learn all about the ecology of Mindo and observe the resident wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Particularly popular with birders, the lush vegetation thrums with humming-birds and you may even spot the iconic Andean Cock-of-the-Rock!
Day 19-23
The Galapagos – Laboratory of Life
From the heights of the Andes, you fly to the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, 1000km off the South American coast and an incredible melting pot of wildlife and geology that inspired Charles Darwin’s masterpiece “Origin of the Species”. Here you can rub shoulders with marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea-lions and countless species of birds from albatross to blue-footed boobies. Off-shore, you can snorkel with rays, penguins, turtles, sharks amidst schools of tropical fish or simply relax on golden beaches beneath soaring frigate birds. For the ultimate wildlife experience, join a dedicated naturalist cruise and discover how species have evolved slightly differently on each island accompanied by expert local guides. Or how about an island-hopping adventure staying on three of the inhabited islands and spend your days walking, snorkeling, paddling and biking – for hikers, the climb up Cerro Negro is unmissable! The Galapagos Islands now boast a whole range of accommodation options from luxurious eco-camps and highland lodges to charming ocean-front retreats, perfect for those looking for some R&R at the end of your trip.
Day 24
Return Flight to Ecuador 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 from $15,150 per person
When to travel
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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
At the end of your trip, why not continue on through Ecuador to the magnifient Cotopaxi National Park and colonial gem of Cuenca via the giddy “Devil’s Nose Train“? Or how about a side trip into the Amazon Rainforest to round off your wildlife experience.
Peru also combines beautifully with Ecuador and the ancient Incan wonders of Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca make for a wonderful add-on and add something completely different to the trip. In a similar vein, you could start your trip in Guatemala and visit the Mayan mysteries of Tikal and the Peten before you fly south to Bogota.
The best flight connections all route through Santiago and you could fly north to the Atacama Desert or enjoy a stopover in Valparaiso or the rolling wine valleys south of the capital.
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