Magical Colombia

MAGICAL COLOMBIA

From the Valley to the peaks of the mountains and the tropical islands. Go over the different landscapes of Colombia in 13 days. Variety of ecosystems, orchids, palm trees, birds, hot water springs, cultural herigate places and deluxe countryside hotels. Stay close to us the proper length and enjoy Colombia magical diversity.

EXPERIENCE

History & Local living, Nature, Agritourism

TRAVEL STYLE

Active, Ecotourism

PLACES YOU VISIT:

ANTIOQUIA: Medellin, Jardin, Cauca Viejo
QUINDIO: Salento
RISARALDA: Pereira, Santa Rosa
BOLIVAR: Cartagena. MAGDALENA: Santa Marta, Minca

PHYSICAL RATING: medium

TOTAL DURATION

14 days

GROUP SIZE

Max 15- Average 10 travelers

SUMMARY

Pick up MDE airport.
City tour Medellín
Jardín. Coffee tour (3 Hrs)Heritage village
Cauca Viejo (2,5 Hrs) Chill time
Cauca Viejo- Salento (4 Hrs) Transportation & free exploration.
Valle del Cocora. Hike
Hot springs (1 Hr). Hike to Waterfall. SPA.
Local flight Pereira -Cartagena. Transportation Pereira airport
City tour Cartagena.
Cartagena – Rosario islands (1 hour fast boat) private island.
Cartagena-Santa Marta. City tour Santa Marta
Minca. Scuba Diving at Tayrona Park optional
Hotel pick up to Santa Marta
Local flight Santa Marta – Medellin MDE

Accommodations

Hotels (13 nights)

Meals

12 breakfasts, 6 lunchs, 1 dinners

Transportation

Private van, city train, special vehicle for the tracks

Staff & Experts

Destination specialist, bilingual guide, local guides

GALLERY FROM THIS EXPERIENCE

antioquia colombia medellin cultural heritage luxury accommodation

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1 – MDE airport – Medellin

Accommodation: Hotel Diez

Meals: None

Transport:Private vehicle (45 min)

Free time: Evening

Medellín, second largest city in Colombia it´s becoming a world example of transformation. We will show the sightseen places you can´t miss and how we have become the city with best quality of life in the country.

Pick up at MDE airport.
Meet you destination specialist and start your trip whit an amazing dinner. We will make reservations for you in a great restaurant in the city to prepare yourself for the great time ahead

Day 2 – Medellin City tour

Accommodation: Hotel Diez or similar	Meals:Breakfast
Transport: Pick up- Drop off at your accommodation in a Private vehicle – Metro System Railway	Free time: Enjoy a free afternoon and evening for independent exploration.

Memory city tour

Curious about the history of Medellin in the past years? Visit genuine neighborhoods, learn the insights from their inhabitants. Witness the transformation of places that where once violent territories. Share with the Comuna 13 community, enjoy meaningful graffiti and ride the only public escalators in the world. Keep it real at the downtown in the “Salon Malaga”; a 50 year old coffee place and tango music sanctuary. Take a ride on the new railway. Try exotic fruits and learn about medicinal plants at the oldest farmers market in the city “la placita de Flores”. Tour the memory museum unique of it´s kind in Colombia.

Meet the first project of free, public escalators developed for the Comuna 13 community.
Enjoy the street art and Graffiti walking around the barrio
Support the initiatives that have transformed the neighborhoods more affected by the war, through art and culture.
Have a coffee at Salón Malaga and understand the importance of Tango Music for the city of Medellin
Explore the railway line. The tracks have change the zone atmosphere. Giving more importance to beautiful squares surrounded by architectural gems.
Visit the -Unique of it´s kind- memory museum, build with memories of the victims Solve some of your questions about the armed conflict in Colombia
Walk around the Placita de Flores. Try exotic flavors, share with the vendors and find a medicinal use for every plant

Day 3 – Jardin. Coffee tour

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Pasiflora	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch
Transport: Private vehicle 3 hours. (98km)	Free time: Evening

The town has the reputation of being the most beautiful one in the region. The coffee plantations all over the mountains and the water springs in the surroundings make it a perfect weather, must seeing place. Take a ride in the cable cabins to admire the view and enjoy the slow living charming of the towns in the Central Andes

The republican architecture houses and the cathedral are also part of the town landscape well preserved in time.

Afternoon

Visit a coffee plantation where a family grows and processes coffee in the traditional way. Become a coffee grower yourself for a few hours by taking part in every step of the process. Enjoy the most amazing landscapes, travel trough small roads and experience the authentic life of the Colombian peasants.

Day 4 – Cauca Viejo

Accommodation Boutique Hotel Colonial	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Transport: Private vehicle 1.5 hours. (65km)	Free time: From 17:00

Enjoy “Cauca Viejo”, this village was built in this century as a replica of a town from Antioquia’s colonial period. This private town alongside the Cauca River includes a plaza, shops, hotels and private luxury houses.

Enjoy free time to chill at the pool, stroll around the village or explore the natural surroundings.

Extra activities:

Choice of hiking to a waterfall, pic-nick at the top of a hill with a marvelous view

Day 5 – Cauca Viejo – Salento

Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda El Ocaso	Meals include: Breakfast
Transport: Private vehicle 4 hours. (147km)	Free time: Evening

In the Afternoon

Horseback ride to a beautiful waterfall. No previous experience needed.

Day 6 – Cocora Valley

Accommodation: Hotel el Ocaso or similar	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch
Transport: Private vehicle 3.5 hours. (147km)	Free time: after 3:00 PM

Walk through the fog of a cloud forest. Enjoy the views over the amazing valley and the Wax Palms, Colombia’s national tree, in their native habitat.

You can also choose to make this trip by horse back riding.

Afternoon

Tour Salento town, find the most interesting streets and handy craft shops on your way. Try local snacks and play a round of “Tejo” the national sport

Day 7 – Hot springs

Accommodation: Hotel Los Termales	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
Transport: Private vehicle 1 hour (35km)	Free time: from 17:00

Morning activities

Travel to a hot springs spot. The natural warm water , create a unique experience of relax and connection with the earth. It is also a nice spa, perfect for a complete relaxation experience.

Day 8 – Pereira – Cartagena

Accommodation: Hotel boutique Bantu	Meals include: Breakfast
Transport: Private vehicle 1 hour. (37km) Local flight Pereira- Cartagena	Free time: Evening

In the afternoon

Once you arrive to the walled city, walk with your guide through the streets at this gem of colonial architecture. Discover the San Diego and Downtown districts, packed with churches, monasteries and plazas. You will also find delightful mansions with their famous giant front doors, overhanging balconies and shady patios. Watch the most amazing sunset at the Wall.

Day 9 – Cartagena City tour

Accommodation: Hotel boutique Bantu	Meals include: Breakfast
Transport: Private vehicle	Free time: after 13:00

City tour Cartagena

Starting your adventure early in the morning, visit the “La Popa” hill to begin this trip with a big perspective and a wonderful view of the Heroic city of Cartagena.

Your second stop is the Fantastic San Felipe de Barajas Castle. At your next stop Getsemaní, enjoy the architecture, restaurant variety and charm of this up-rising neighborhood. Check out the fascinating collection of the gold and pottery of the Zenú civilization at the Cartagena Gold Museum

Day 10 – Private Island

Accommodation: Hotel boutique Bantu	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch
Transport: Shared boat	Free time: after 16:00

Have a perfect day at this perfect Caribbean spot. You can enjoy an an active day by renting the kayaks, signing in for a dive at the coral reef or biking around the mangroves. It is also the perfect spot for relaxation. Ask for a massage and enjoy the beautiful ocean view.

Extra activities in the Island are not included

Day 11 – Cartagena –Santa Marta

Accommodation: Hotel boutique Don Pepe	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch
Transport: Private transportation 4.5 Hours	Free time: Evening

Santa Marta city tour

This short but fun tour around the historical center of the city , will give you the hints you need to understand better the history of the country and hot spots to visit during your time in Santa Marta. This city , was the first founded city by the Spanish in South America, have beautiful colonial architecture and it´s close to marvelous natural areas.

Extra activities

Scuba dive. If you are a scuba diving or you are excited to have your first time under water, you can choose to make Day 12 an scuba dive trip. Explore the marine life in a well protected natural park, The Parque Tayrona. The day includes 2 immersions for divers and a fun dive for beginners.

Day 12 – Minca

Accommodation: Hotel la Casona	Meals include: Breakfast – Lunch
Transport: Private transportation 1 Hour	Free time: Evening

In the morning

Minca is a small village in the Spectacular the Sierra Nevada. This isolated mountain range separated from the Andes, is famous for having highest snow peaks in the country and ocean shores at its base.

It´s location make it a privilege place where you can find more than 100 varieties of birds. Hike trough the mountains, take a swim at one of the many water streams you will find. The fresh mountain breeze, and spectacular views, make it a place to indulge into tranquility.

Day 13 – Santa Marta – Medellin

Accommodation: Hotel Novelty or similar	Meals include: Breakfast
Transport: Private transportation 1 hour. Local Flight Santa Marta – Medellin. MDE airport – Medellin city	Free time: Evening

Enjoy your free time in the city of eternal spring to visit the Medellin sightseeing places like the Botero square, the botanical garden and the “metro cable” to high up on the hills.