Colombia - History, Jungle and Beach

Today you will be picked up in La Candelaria by private vehicle and guide to begin your tour. La Candelaria is Bogota’s heart and soul, from its humble beginnings this is the oldest part of the city and the Plaza Bolivar (Main Square) are high on any visitor’s agenda. As you wander the streets of La Candelaria away from the main square, your guide will not only explain the history of Bogota but also the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. There will be time for a refreshment stop in one of the cities coffee houses. After this short break you will head on to the Botero Museum. This is a permanent exhibition of works or art by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist who’s "oversized” art is instantly recognisable. The museum not only houses work by Botero but also other world famous artists such as Dali, Monet and Van Gogh. You will stop in one of the local restaurant close to the square for a chance to sample some local Colombia cuisine. The next stop after lunch will be the Gold Museum. The Museum has one of the finest collections of Pre Hispanic gold in the world, with more than 35,000 pieces of pre-Colombian gold work in the collection.  Next you will visit the finest view point of Bogota, the hill top look out and monastery of Monserrate. The summit can be reached by either funicular railway or cable car. From the highest point the view across the city will enable you to see the different sectors of Bogota. The new convent is a pilgrimage site for many Colombians whom, during Easter week, make their way past the fourteen Stations of the Cross until reaching the convent at the summit.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with professional driver and guide.

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

Includes airport transfer with private vehicle, professional driver and local guide from Airport to Hotel or within city and vice versa

You will be met at your hotel by your Bilingual guide to commence your walking tour through the streets of Cartagena. 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.

You will be met by your guide and walked to your vehicle to commence your tour of the principal sights around Cartagena. Castillo San Felipe and El Convento de La Popa are two of Cartagena’s most spectacular sites. You will set off first to the Castillo San Felipe. This fort is the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas and dominates the old town. The first fortification on the site was started in 1536 and further extended over the following 200 years mostly by African slave labour. Underneath this amazing structure you will find a labyrinth of tunnels. The sun soaked fortification seeps tales of old for every traveller and the tunnels (some of which are lit and accessible to visitors) and ramparts are a living breathing history book. The fortress possesses intriguing tales of failed invasion by the British and other would be attackers. One very famous defence of the city was by Blas de Lazos against Edward Vernon and his fleet of 186 ships and 23,600 men. Blas with only one eye, one leg and one hand fought off Vernon with his modest band of 6 ships and 3,600 soldiers. From the fort you will continue on in your private vehicle to the Convento La Popa. The hill is the highest point in the city and commands excellent views of the bay, old town and Caribbean Sea beyond. Started initially as a humble wooden chapel but later replaced by a more solid construction that was fortified two centuries later. Enjoy the flower filled patio and the views that stretch all over the city and wander through the cool patio and interior of the convent. Throughout your trip your guide will make the sites come to life as he explains not only their history but also their relevance and importance to the Cartagena of today.

Private transfer and vehicle between Cartagena and Santa Marta. Approx: 2-3 hours.

Santa Marta is world famous for the beauty of its geography, for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the highest coastal mountain range in the world which sweep down to the sea where you will find the Tayrona National Park. From the entrance of the national park, you will start your walk along natural pathways through the semi tropical jungle vegetation towards the beaches with your local guide highlighting the information on the vegetation, animals and eco system. Walking along one of the spectacular beaches you may possibly have the opportunity to take a swim depending on the condition of the seas.  Lunch is included at Ecohabs Hotel.

Enjoy a private transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena. Approx. 3 hours.