Colombia has changed and now is the time to discover one of the best kept secrets of Latin America. Take advantage of this premium tour in a private vehicle accompanied with your own guide and be prepared to be surprised as you discover the reality of Colombia.

Bogotá, the clean & bustling capital city is fast becoming a by word for urban progress and with spectacular views of the Andean mountains, wander between the myriad of interesting streets in La Candelaria, Bogota's old colonial district. Visit the most important gold museum in the world, the Museo de Oro or the museum of Colombia’s famous artist, Fernandao Botero. Enjoy the abundant nightlife and restaurants in Parque 93 and Zona Rosa. Zipaquira is most famous for its cathedrall carved underground in a still functioning salt mine.

Travel by air to Medellin to explore one of the most thriving and modern cities in Columbia. Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia and regarded as one of the most important, in business, politics, and fashion and of course nightlife! The tour concludes in Cartagena de Indias, South America’s most beautiful and evocative city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Caribbean coast of the country. Wander the colonial streets with their imposing merchant’s houses, flower bedecked balconies & stunning civic buildings. Explore fortresses, museums and beautiful churches or book an optional day trip to the Rosario Islands for white sandy beaches.

Bogotá is located near the geographic center of Colombia, on the east of the Savannah of Bogotá. Bogotá was originally called "Bacatá" (which means “planted fields”) by the Muiscas. It was the center of their civilization before the Spanish explorers colonized the area, and it sustained a large population. The European settlement was founded in August 6, 1538 by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and was named "Santa Fé de Bacatá" after his birthplace Santa Fé and the local name. "Bacatá" had become the modern "Bogotá" by the time it was made the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada, which was then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, and later of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. The city soon became one of the centers of Spanish colonial power and civilization in South America.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

The Abadia Colonial is well positioned in the old sector of Bogota; La Candalaria. With its twelve rooms all located around one of three colonial style patios; it is a small oasis away from the hustle and bustle of down town Bogota. There is a coffee shop inside the building and the rooms are simply decorated, and very well presented. This is a perfect option for anyone looking for a hotel with a personal homely feel.

Overnight at Hotel Abadia Colonial.

You will be met from your hotel by your Bilingual guide to commence your walking tour through the streets of La Candelaria Bogota. La Candelaria is Bogota’s heart and soul, from its humble beginnings this is the oldest part of the city and the Plaza Bolivar or Main Square are high on any visitor’s agenda. The Bolivar Square (La Plaza de Bolivar) is the focal point of this historic part of the city. Surrounding the square are several important Colonial and Republican style buildings including the Palace of Justice and Colombian Congress, they embrace the square infusing it with history and tales of old. The Plaza is also home to the Mayor’s office and the Primary Cathedral of Bogota that dominates an entire corner. Standing proud in the plazas centre is a statue of Simon Bolivar (The founder of Colombian independence) this was the first public monument to be erected in the city.

As you relax in a cafe and wander the streets of La Candelaria away from the main square and exploring other parts of this historic hub, your guide will not only explain the history of Bogota but also the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. In order to understand Colombia you need to understand the history of its capital, your tour of the historic part of Bogota will lay the foundations for the rest of your trip helping you to understand how this complex and fascinating county ticks.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

Overnight at Hotel Abadia Colonial.

Villa de Leyva is a colonial town and municipality, in the Boyacá department of Colombia, part of the subregion of the Ricaurte Province. The town is located some 40 km west of Tunja and has a population of about 9,600 people. Villa de Leyva is considered one of the finest colonial villages of Colombia, and was declared a National Monument on December 17, 1954 to preserve its architecture. It is located in a high altitude valley at 2,144 m altitude where fossils from the Mesozoic and the Cretaceous abound.

You will be met from your hotel by your driver and taken directly to Zipaquira for your full day tour of Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral, a journey of about approximately 2 hours to reach Zipaquira. For some this is a religious monument, others a celebration of engineering or maybe even an artistic masterpiece. One of the marvels of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is well worth the visit. For the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its earth and the hidden jewel beneath the earth’s surface, Zipaquira is a must during a stay in Bogotá. Travelling north of the city, through countryside once occupied by the native Muisca Indians, Zipaquira is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Colombia. Zipaquira is most famous for its Cathedral carved underground in a still functioning salt mines just west of the town. The subtle lighting pronounces the fourteen Stations of the Cross as you descend in to the mine, each station sculpted by a different artist. At the deepest point of the cathedral, 180 m below the earth’s surface, you encounter the nave and the north and south aisles dominated by the 16m high central cross. The illumination and execution of the work is a tribute to modern techniques and years of work from the miners and artists. Your guide will explain all about the cathedrals construction and how it and the mine still function in harmony. However you view this construction, you can’t fail to be impressed. Around the central square of the town of From Zipaquira we continue through the department of Boyaca to the town of Villa de Leyva.

Located just a few blocks from the principal plaza in Villa de Leyva, this hotel nestled in one corner of a smaller plaza combines a exquisite hotel experience and art all in one. The reception area doubles as a small art gallery displaying paintings from local artists. Other works of art will be found as you explore the hotel. The building itself is an old colonial house with a large central courtyard with the rooms encompassing the courtyard.

This historical building fits in perfectly with the cobbled streets and old world charm of Villa de Leyva but with the art twist and a touch of luxury. This hotel is one of the more stylish hotels in Villa de Leyva.

Overnight at Hotel la Posada de San Antonio.

Medellin is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.4 million. With its surrounding area, the metropolitan area of Medellín (Area Metropolitana de Medellín), it is the second largest city in Colombia in terms of population and economy, with more than 3.5 million people, and ranks in population as the 91st of the world's largest urban agglomerations.

Half day walking tour of the historic centre of Villa de Leyva. Witness its enormous plaza (one of the largest in South America), along with interesting historical building such as the house of Antonio Nariño, and the Monasteries de las Carmelitas Descalzas.

Lunch at leisure (not included in tour price).

Private transfer from Villa de Leyva to El Dorado Airport in Bogota.

Domestic flight between Bogota and Medellin. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Includes airport transfer with private vehicle, professional driver and local guide.

The hotel Mediterraneo is located on the lively Avenida Aetenta. This comfortable and modern style hotel is in a great location for local restaurants and bar as well as being a good base from which to explore Medellin. It is also a short taxi ride away from the chic Parque Lleras district.

Overnight at Hotel Mediteranneo.

You will be met from your hotel by your driver & Bilingual guide to commence your city tour of Medellin. Medellin is certainly a city with a history from the cities valiant founding fathers trekking across the Andes, through to the dark days of drug cartels and the cities rebirth as one of South Americas most vibrant cities. A city tour of the central part of Medellin can really help to bring the city to life and to help you understand why this city is so important to Colombia in terms of both commerce and culture. The city tour will take in all principal sites and locations of this fascinating location. These sites will include the "Parque Berrio" the famous Botero sculpture park where many giant sculptures of Colombia most famous artist and Medellin born sculptor Fernando Botero are exhibited. A ride on the cites famous metro cable or cable car will not only provide great views of the city but will be a chance to understand a bit more about the geography and social make up of Colombians second city. A trip to the museum of Antioquia (Medellin is the capital of the state/department of Antioquia) will give you an idea of the history of the region comes together. Your guide will explain about the history of not only Medellin but how its importance fits in to the history of Colombia.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

Overnight at Hotel Mediteranneo.

Cartagena de Indias is a port city on the northern coast of Colombia and capital of Bolívar Department. It is the fifth largest urban area in Colombia with a population over 1 million. Founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia, and named after the port of Cartagena in Spain's Murcia region, the city was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas. It experienced rapid development in the eighteenth century as the de facto capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada and as the main hub of commerce and transportation in the late viceroyalty era. The city is presently a center of economic activity in the Caribbean region and a popular tourist destination. Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Includes airport transfer with private vehicle, professional driver and local guide.

Domestic flight between Medellin and Cartagena. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours.

Includes airport transfer with private vehicle, professional driver and local guide.

You will be met at your hotel by your Bilingual guide to commence your walking tour through the streets of the Historic centre of Cartagena. Carved from a colourful history rife of piracy, Sultry Caribbean heat, with fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is Colombia’s living, breathing and pulsating museum. Absurdly photogenic La Heroica (Heroic city) awards even the laziest of travellers. Colour splashes every corner, balconies overflow with blossom, and energy seeps beneath the ancient wooden doors of hotels, restaurants and Casa Privadas. Fresh fruit juices and seafood stalls are rich pickings within the myriad of cobbled streets. Heels click instinctively with the throb of Salsa from Café Havana, where dance is integral, and voyeurism is out! Observe the hustle and bustle over a cool beer at Donde Fidels as street vendors add local colour to the cobbled highways.

Your tour will take through the old town under the Puerta Del Reloj (Clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, into the Plaza de los Coches. Your guide will divulge the myths and legends, histories and stories of Cartagena from ancient times right up to the present. From the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning Church, on through to the Plaza Bolivar; with its shady areas, where a fresh Lemon juice can be enjoyed whilst watching the world go by. Cartagena is steeped in history and a delight to stroll the streets with your own personal encyclopaedia of knowledge guiding you from one interest to the other.

Located in the centre of the Historic city of Cartagena, this hotel is built from a converted Colonial House. It has 37 comfortable & pleasantly decorated rooms with air conditioning and cable TV. Built around a central courtyard the hotel also has a swimming pool, roof terrace and solarium and offers a clean comfortable and friendly atmosphere.

Overnight at Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia.

Sleep in this morning and relax at your hotel.

Enjoy a day of leisure at the nearby beaches. Cartagena is nearly surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Small, coral stone protected beaches can be found only a few meters outside of the ancient Walled City.

Overnight at Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia.

Includes airport transfer with private vehicle, professional driver and local guide.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).