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Your sizzling love affair with Colombia begins in vibrant Bogotá, with stirring encounters in Medellin, charming Cartagena and the breathtaking beauty of the Coffee Triangle making this a South American adventure to remember forever.
Your journey through Colombia begins in its colourful capital, Bogotá - a delightfully vibrant city whose youthful energy connects seamlessly with the traditions of its colonial past. Relax after your journey, then meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception this evening.
Embark on a guided walking tour in "La Candelaria", with its elegant colonial facades dating back to the 16th century. Walk along the cobblestone streets and enjoy the Spanish colonial architecture, and baroque churches. Visit "La Plaza Bolivar", the main square, see the Cathedral and the Lievano Palace. Visit the Gold Museum and discover the world's largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold that includes a wide variety of artifacts from fertility figures and anthropomorphic containers to earrings, masks, helmets and medallions. Meet a local recognized chef who will take you to the most famous food market in the city, Paloquemao, here, they will explain how the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meats are the bases of the Colombian taste. Afterwards, visit restaurant La Tabula where a Be My Guest lunch will be prepared specially for you.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 3
Bogota Sightseeing – Coffee Triangle (2 Nights)
The rich aroma of Arabica beckons as we board our flight from Bogotá to Colombia's famed Coffee Triangle, designated Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia by UNESCO. Enjoy a scenic jeep drive into the lush countryside to a coffee plantation, joining the owner's family for lunch. Colombia has shared its tawny treasure with the world since the early 19th century and you'll have an opportunity to savour its complex flavours first-hand when you join Carlos Arturo Valencia and his family at his El Paraiso Finca for a traditional Colombian meal "Sancocho" and a cup of his own coffee. Later, enjoy a relaxing evening on your own with dinner at your hotel. Casa San Carlos Lodge, your 'Stay with Story,' has been primarily built with bamboo, providing views across well kept gardens and open farmland, in the heart of the coffee region.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - La Herencia - Coffee Triangle
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 4
Filandia, Salento and Cocora Valley
Head back into the countryside this morning, bound for the lush Cocora Valley, home to the world's tallest palm trees. 'Dive into Culture' meeting inhabitants of these small and rural coffee communities. Enjoy a delicious lunch of smoked trout at a local restaurant. Work off your meal during an optional walk beneath the canopy of lofty wax palms before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Coffee Triangle – Santa Elena – Medellin (2 Nights)
This morning after your flight, meet your 'Local Specialist' and drive to Santa Elena, a mountainside town renowned for its floral exports. 'Dive into Culture' at a local finca and meet the Silletero (flower farmer), who will share how flowers have been grown in the area for centuries.
Join your 'Local Specialist' for a visit to the Antioquia Museum, featuring permanent collections of pre-Colombian, colonial and contemporary art. 'Connect with Locals' and meet the lecturer of the museum. Take Medellin's famous aerial lift system and then escalators up to Comuna 13 and see how this reinvented neighbourhood has been transformed. It survived a heartbreaking time of violence and strife when it was ground zero for war between Pablo Escobar's drug cartel and government forces. You'll meet a local resident whose story will move you as he recounts the atrocities he experienced when Comuna 13 was dubbed as the world's murder capital. This evening enjoy dinner with your travel companions at a favourite local restaurant.
Begin your day by taking a flight from Medellin to Baranquilla. Here you'll enjoy lunch and join a 'Local Specialist' who will share insights into the UNESCO-listed Carnival de Barranquilla. 'Dive into Culture' and meet the reigning Carnival Queen of one of the biggest carnivals in the world, seeing the city come to a standstill for four days with many street dances and parades. Take a scenic drive along the coast to and arrive at your hotel in Cartagena, superbly situated along the Caribbean coast. This evening is at leisure.
Sizzling Cartagena takes centre stage today as you embark on a guided walking tour of the Old City nestled within the fortress walls built in the 16th century by the Spanish to protect one of their most important Caribbean ports. Visit the Palace of the Inquisition and San Pedro Claver Convent, the final resting place of Saint Peter Claver who devoted his life to evangelising the black slaves of New Granada. Share the locals' love for fine seafood at a popular restaurant. Afterward, stroll back to your hotel while learning about Gabriel Garcia Marquez, literature giant and Nobel Prize winner while your guide points out the places mentioned in his books. You'll have the rest of the day on your own. Get lost in its labyrinthine streets and admire the bright bougainvillea colours that tumble over its ornate wrought-iron balconies and pastel-coloured colonial façades.
Explore Cartagena and surrounds on your terms this morning. Your choice of included sightseeing could see you embark on a tour of Cartagena, including guided visits to the fortress of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, La Popa Monastery and 'The Vaults', the final fortifications built by the Spanish in the city. Or, consider taking a tour to the fishing village of La Boquilla for first-hand insights into the locals' seafaring traditions. Let the sultry afro-Colombian rhythms set the pace as you settle in for a fun folkloric show, then canoe through the mangroves to watch the local fishermen ply their artisanal fishing trade. Returning to Cartagena, your final evening will be the most memorable yet as you board a local Chiva (party) bus to your restaurant, toasting to an epic journey with new friends.
All transport shown. VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
The Trafalgar difference
CONNECT WITH LOCALS
Meet Carlos Arturo Valencia and his family at their Coffee farm for a traditional Colombian "Sancocho". (Day 3)
DIVE INTO CULTURE
Dinner at a favourite haunt of the Bogotá locals. Meet locals of small and rural coffee communities. Meet a flower farmer at a local finca. Discover Carnival de Barranquilla and meet the Carnival Queen (Days 2, 5, 7)
LOCAL SPECIALIST
For included sightseeing in Bogota, Coffee Triangle, Medellin, Baranquilla, Cartagena. (Days 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Visit a neighborhood in Medellin that has shifted from being one of the most dangerous places to now being a colorful thriving artistic community, hosting guests from all over the world. Your visit will help support efforts of educational and artistic community projects. (Day 6)
STAYS WITH STORIES
The Casa San Carlos Lodge, in the heart of the coffee region, has been primarily built with bamboo and many pieces found throughout the lodge have been made by local artisans. (Day 3)
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
CITY TOUR in Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena
Experience Ti Filled Icon
SCENIC DRIVE through the Coffee Triangle, aboard Willis Jeeps through the stunning Cocora Valley, along the coast between Baranquilla and Cartagena
Experience Ti Filled Icon
VISIT Paloquemao Market, La Candelaria, Bogota's vibrant historic heart, the Gold Museum, Choice of Activities in Bogota and Cartagena, UNESCO-designated Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, Cocora Valley, villages of Salento and Finlandia, Medellin Botanical Gardens, Museum of Antioquia, Santa Elena, Comuna 13, Santa Elena Flower Farm, Inquisition Palace, San Pedro de Claver
Land and Intra Air prices include economy air and air-related charges for flights between Bogota - Coffee Triangle, Coffee Triangle-Bogota-Medellin and Medellin-Baranquilla. Prices are accurate as of 1 May 2020.
Passport: Guest passport information for flights is required at time of final payment.
#TTCOLOMBIA
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
"Should you have some extra days in Lima before or after your trip, make sure you take advantage of the fantastic local seafood. Cevicherias are restaurants famous for their ceviche. The ones located at along the sea side will also have a great sunset."Alan Cook, Manager, Latin America
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.
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