2 Weeks in Colombia

Upon your arrival, your driver whisks you from the airport to our hotel in the historic district of Bogotá, La Candelaria. Freshen up and get ready to dive into Bogotá's evening scene! Meet your fellow travellers and tour guide before heading out to a popular restaurant. Get to know your fellow travellers and taste the flavours of the capital. Cheers to our shared adventure!

If you're in the mood for a really wild night afterwards, feel free to head to the biggest gay club in South America, which takes up an entire city block. What happens in legendary Teatrón, stays in Teatrón!

On Sundays, every third Bogoteño participates in a big sports event called Ciclovía. Huge avenues are closed for cars, so locals can bike, roller skate or jog through the city. Today we cycle alongside them, stopping off at the little stages by the side of the road to vibe and do work-outs to live music with the locals and get a feel for their city.

A local guide leads the way. We stop off at the Plaza de Bolivar, where Colombian independence was proclaimed, and get lost in the lively Mercado de Paloquemao food market. You'll be surprised how many fruits you haven't tried before!

In the afternoon, you can check out the Gold Museum on your own, or take the cable car to visit the viewpoint on Mount Monserrate, before enjoying a beer with your new companions in the bars of the area (all optional). 

Today we leave the big city behind and immerse ourselves in rural Colombia with its warm-hearted inhabitants.

After a short flight, we arrive in the lush green mountains of Colombia's so-called coffee triangle, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We visit charming countryside towns off the beaten track, greeting laid-back locals, who watch the world go by from deckchairs in front of their houses. When visiting colorful Pijao, we'll find out why it was declared the first official "città slow" or "slow city" in South America. In between exploring the towns and villages, we climb up to hidden overlooks to enjoy the view over the magnificent slopes of the coffee plantations.

Later, our host Doña Yolanda gives us a warm welcome to her traditional countryside finca, where we'll stay for the next two nights. Yolanda serves us a homemade dinner made from the region's local produce in her cozy dining room.

We go to bed feeling as if we're staying at our Colombian friend's mum's house.

After a good night's sleep, we enjoy a hearty breakfast at the finca, featuring Colombian arepas (warm corn patties) and fresh fruit.

Energized, we set out to discover the region the traditional way: on horseback. Back in the day, many coffee farmers had to use horses or donkeys to transport their harvest due to the rough terrain.

Nowadays - thanks to improved infrastructure - they typically use trucks. There are still many horses in the region, though, so today we'll discover the green landscape on horseback. Don't worry if you have never ridden before: the horses, as well as the keepers are used to inexperienced riders!

In the afternoon, we return to Yolanda's finca and have time to go for a swim in the pool or read a book in a hammock. This is the life!

In the evening, Yolanda fires up the stove again, and we enjoy a tasty three-course menu together.

Those who are curious can book an optional coffee tour today, where you'll explore the green slopes of a coffee plantation. See first hand how coffee is harvested and processed, before trying some yourself.

The others have spare time. You'll all have the chance to explore the colourful village of Salento, whose pretty alleys are often depicted on popular photos of Colombia.

The late afternoon starts with a bang - at least if we're accurate! We try our hand at tejo, a Colombian throwing game which involves targets made from gunpowder that explode upon impact. How exciting!

Today we get up very early to marvel at the magical Valle del Cocora before the crowds of tourists arrive. For two hours we hike through the fairy tale landscape, from which wax palms tower like giant needles pinned into the vibrantly green grass.

Afterwards, we make our way to Medellín. Until April 2023, we will be taking an internal flight due to road construction, for tours after that we will go back to taking a private transfer by road.

Upon arrival in Medellín, we check in to our hotel. If you fancy some night-life, take a cab to popular Club Son Havana Practice a few moves at the free salsa class, or simply watch while sipping a beer before the party starts!

Today we explore the turbulent and exciting history of Medellín. We begin with the notorious Comuna 13. This poor neighbourhood on the hillside was long troubled by violence and gang warfare. We learn how, through the efforts of many residents and supporters, the neighbourhood underwent an impressive transformation in recent years and has now become a Mecca for street art fans. Members of the Casa Kolacho community project take us on a graffiti tour through their neighbourhood, granting an authentic glimpse into the lives of the local population. On the way, we stop to enjoy rap and breakdance performances by the talented youth of Comuna 13.

We have lunch in a neighbourhood restaurant before visiting the Casa de La Memoria museum. You've probably heard stories about Colombian drug cartels. The Netflix series Narcos has brought the subject back to international attention in recent years. The stories of gang wars and violence that we know from the media revolve around real people, families and fates. We want to approach the topic from their perspective. This "House of Memories" gives insight into Medellín's violent past and reflects on forgiveness and steps towards a more peaceful future for the city.

Late in the afternoon we return to the hotel. It is located right in the middle of a hip area with bars, restaurants and clubs. Maybe you want to go out tonight? Medellín is definitely famous for its wild nightlife….

Early in the morning, we say goodbye to Medellín and make our way to the fairytale-like Guatapé. The inhabitants of the city used to live as farmers until a huge dam was built, flooding the surrounding area and many crop fields. Today, tourism is the most important economic factor in the region - a development facilitated by the city's uniqueness.

First we visit the "Insta-famous" Piedra del Peñol - a huge rock with possibly the most unusual staircase in the world. We only have to climb 649 steps to be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the flooded landscape.

Afterwards, you have free time to explore the vibrantly painted alleys of the "most coluorful city in Colombia", or enjoy the views of Guatapé's pretty scenery from the hotel.

We can't wait for our private transport to take us to the airport, because today we are going to the CARIBBEAN! We arrive in Santa Marta at noon - and it is hot!

That's why we hop into the Don Diego River in large swim rings to cool down. The current leisurely carries us through the forest. Who can spot animals in the treetops - like the howler monkeys who might give their location away with their iconic cries?

Upon arrival at the river mouth, we relax on the beach and enjoy a gorgeous sunset. We build a campfire that we share with some local fishermen who tell us tales and legends of their region while we're watching the flickering lights.

At night, we settle in to our beautiful accommodation, which is surrounded by Colombia's natural beauty. What animals will we be able to hear at night?

Do you remember the classic movies where the protagonists are stranded on a tropical island and heroically find their way through the bushes to eventually discover a dream beach? That's what we'll be doing today - except that there are hiking trails and public toilets - survival light, so to speak!

We hike through beautiful Tayrona National Park for a total 5 hours and hopefully spot some exotic animals along the way. Again and again we come across picture book beaches, like Playa Arrecife or Playa La Piscina, where we stop to take in the beauty. At Cabo San Juan, you have spare time for lunch and to relax.

In the evening, we return to our lodge, which is nestled amongst the trees. Swinging in a hammock in the middle of the jungle, your day-to-day life will seem a world away.

Today we continue our journey westwards.

The fishing village of La Boquilla welcomes us with open arms. With your visit, you support the local population, who can no longer sustain themselves from fishing alone.

Upon arrival, the women of the village are keen to show us how they cook. We all roll up our sleeves and learn how to prepare a typical local lunch. While some prepare fresh coconut rice, others mash plantains or try freshly prepared crabs. Of course, this meal is accompanied by freshly caught local fish.

Then the friendly fishermen take us on a trip on their boats right through lush mangrove forests. We may see some casting their fishing nets or catching crabs.

We bid a fond farewell to the fishing community. In the early evening we arrive at our hotel in the trendy Getsemaní district of Cartagena. Freshen up, and then head out into the warm summer night to end the day with some cocktails, if you like!

To call the city of Cartagena de Indias a gem would be a gross understatement. This beautiful city offers a firework of colonial buildings in the happiest colors. Named after their hometown of Cartagena by Spanish sailors in the 16th century, the city played an important role in Colombia's history at different points in time. With its thick city walls and seaside location, the Spanish saw their rule over the city challenged numerous times, for example when the British navy attacked it in the 18th century. Ultimately, however, it was Cartagena that was the first city in Colombia to declare independence from Spain in 1811.

Today you have a day off to wander Cartagena's pretty streets, strolling past vendors selling tropical fruit and sun hats,

If you’d like to learn more about the city's history, you can book an optional city tour for an extra fee. On that tour, you’ll visit the ruins of the castle Castillo de San Felipe, as well as other points of interest.

Otherwise explore the city on your own or enjoy the hotel's pool. We recommend the open air bar Casa Del Mar to watch the sun set over the ocean!

For our last full day in Colombia, we treat ourselves to something special. We hop on a speedboat and head out to the gorgeous Islas del Rosario. The archipelago is located in the Caribbean Sea, 35km from Cartagena. The 27 islands have been declared a national park and when you see their turquoise waters that make it the quintessential tropical paradise, you'll understand why!

We spend the day on the beach of one of the islands. We enjoy a delicious lunch there. Relax and look back on an eventful trip while burying your feet in the white sand.

After returning to Cartagena in the afternoon, we freshen up for our last evening in Colombia as a group. We visit a nightclub that is popular with locals and toast to all the memorable experiences of the past two weeks.

Our last day has begun. Today we have free time, so we can take care of any last things we wanted to do in Colombia. Maybe you want to take home some good coffee or souvenirs?

Cartagena is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, so ask one of your travel buddies to go on a photo tour with you. There definitely are plenty of beautiful backgrounds to choose from!

Our tour ends here in Cartagena where we say goodbye to each other and our guide. We look back on a multifaceted trip that gave us new friends and incredible memories. Let's stay in touch and look forward to our next adventure!