Overview
From high in the Andes, to the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, this itinerary is the perfect introduction to Colombia’s fascinating history and enchanting natural beauty. Experience the country’s renowned coffee culture on small farms in the Zona Cafetera, stroll the cobbled lanes of colonial towns, explore Cartagena’s historic Old Town, and unwind on idyllic white sand beaches on the Caribbean coast.
Days: 12
Best time to visit: February, March, November
Ideal for: Active Couples, Families
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Bogotá
You will be met at the airport in Bogotá on arrival and brought to your centrally located hotel.
Day 2 – Bogotá City Tour
Start the day by exploring Bogotá’s exciting graffiti art scene on a private tour of the city that will take you through the historical La Candelaria neighborhood, to the Museum of the National Police, and to the city’s renowned Gold Museum, which is home to thousands of pre-Colombian gold artifacts. Enjoy the local specialty, Colombian ajiaco—a hearty chicken stew—for lunch, before heading up to the sanctuary of Monserrate in the afternoon to enjoy the city’s skyline from 10,000 feet.
Day 3 – Armenia & the Zona Cafetera
This morning you fly to Armenia in the heart of the country’s coffee region to learn about the production of some of the highest-quality coffee in the world. You will have the chance to see each step of the process from selecting the best coffee cherries to drying and roasting, and finally ending in your cup. Enjoy a coffee tasting on the farm and learn how to identify the quality of the beans and their distinct flavors.
Day 4 – Salento & Medellín
Start the day with a visit to the small colonial town of Salento, where the region’s rich coffee tradition blends with its stunning natural landscape. Stop in at the cornerstone Café Jesús Martín to learn the perfect art of the cappuccino—a great lesson to take home with you—made from coffee grown on the shop’s own plantation. In the afternoon, stroll the colorful streets of the small town of Filandia where you will enjoy lunch and lovely views over the countryside. Travel to the city of Medellín for the night.
Day 5 – Street Art in Medellín
Get to know Medellín on a guided tour that will take you through the city’s history and transformation, starting with a cable car ride to the Comuna 13 district. Once considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, dominated by the notorious drug-lord Pablo Escobar, Medellín has reinvented itself through art, innovation, and sustainability. Visit Plaza Botero to see Fernando Botero’s immense statues, and continue learning about the city’s transformation as you explore La Candelaria neighborhood.
Day 6 – Santa Fe de Antioquia
Travel out of Medellín for a full-day excursion to the colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, stopping in La Union, where an old wooden bridge spans the Cuaca River, along the way. Discover the historical treasures of Santa Fe de Antoquia as you walk along cobbled lanes past whitewashed buildings, and enjoy a traditional regional lunch before heading back to Medellín for a night of true culinary artistry at El Cielo restaurant.
Day 7 – Travel to the Caribbean
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Santa Marta on Colombia’s magnificent Caribbean coast. Arriving in Santa Marta you will be met and brought to your beachfront hotel about an hour and a half down the coast from the city. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach before enjoying a refreshing meal prepared with local ingredients.
Day 8 – Tayrona National Park
Spend today exploring one of Colombia’s natural treasures, Tayrona National Park, whose tropical forest boasts incredible biodiversity, stunning beaches, and rugged coastal cliffscapes. Enjoy quiet beaches, azure seas, and a delicious fresh-seafood lunch before making your way back to the hotel for another relaxing evening on the coast.
Day 9 – Visit Taironaka Ecolodge
Today you will visit the Taironaka Tourism Ecolodge and Archeology Site, where indigenous groups from the Sierra Nevada come to share their knowledge and traditions. You will have the opportunity to visit a Maloka—a traditional home—and learn about indigenous legends, crafts, and their pre-Colombian history. Travel along the Don Diego River to the Caribbean for a beachside picnic before heading back to your hotel.
Day 10 – Travel to Cartagena
After breakfast, travel to Santa Marta to visit its colonial Old Town—one of the oldest in South America—and then onwards to Barranquilla for lunch at La Cueva, one of Gabriel García Márquez’s old haunts. After lunch, continue to the city of Cartagena, known for its fortress and walled Old Town.
Day 11 – Cartagena Old Town & City Tour
Start your full-day city tour learning about Cartagena’s colonial past as you walk the narrow, cobbled streets of the fortified Old Town, an area filled with well-preserved colonial buildings. Next, make your way to the hilltop La Popa Monastery, which dates back to 1607, and enjoy panoramic views over the city and coastline. End the day with a visit to the fortress of San Felipe, a strategic Spanish stronghold to guard against pirate attacks.
Day 12 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.
What’s next?
Whether this itinerary is exactly what you are looking for or isn’t even close…
Meet with a Consultant
The first step is to call or email us with your desired travel dates, the number of people in your group, your price range, and whatever other information you want to share to get us started. One of our consultants will then reach out to you to set-up an in-person meeting or phone consultation.
Keep on Looking
Together we can discuss your travel options, customize your trip and narrow in on your ideal journey. Once we know exactly what you want, we will send you a detailed-itinerary with hotel options, activities, transportation logistics and a total trip price.
Get a Detailed Itinerary
With your seal of approval, we’ll book your Remarkable Journey. From there, you can sit back and relax while we arrange all of the services, prepare the final documents and present you your trip before you go.