Welcome to Colombia, and its vibrant capital of Bogotá. Nestled high in the Andes and the country’s cultural mecca, Bogotá is home to many art galleries, theatres, national monuments, libraries and universities. As the largest city in Colombia, it’s the place where all Colombians migrate to; whether they’re enjoying the numerous, lush parks, the fusion of modern buildings with traditional cobbled street and colonial roof tiles, or its delicious cuisine.

Your day begins with a walking tour of Bogotá’s historic centre and cultural heart, La Candelaria. A common confluence for locals and tourists alike due to its many landmarks, shops and eateries. You’ll visit the Plaza de Bolivar, named after the famous revolutionary, Simon Bolivar, the Cathedral, the remarkable artwork that fills Museo Botero, and the renowned Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), with a collection of more than 55,000 pieces.

Your tour concludes with a ride on the cable car up Monserrate Hill for panoramic views of the city on one side and the Andes on the other.

Heading out of the city today, your first stop is the impressive underground Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Entering through a tunnel in the side of a halite mountain, you’ll make your way past Roman Catholic icons, from the Stations of the Cross to Archangel Gabriel, all carved out of salt. Illuminated with colourful lighting, you will marvel at the true achievement of engineering, that also includes the world’s largest cross made from salt, measuring 16 metres high and 10 meters wide.

Continuing on to Villa de Leyva this afternoon, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to get acquainted with this picturesque town. Quaint lanes flanked by whitewashed, Spanish style buildings add to the charm of Villa de Leyva, where time seems to have stalled.

After breakfast, head to the outskirts of the city to visit the fascinating Archaeological Museum Park of Moniquirá ‘El Infiernito’, a pre-historic Muisca site, where some 30 stone columns known as megaliths are found. These columns are believed to be around 2,200 years old and are thought to have been created for fertility rituals due to the phallic shape of the stones. Another theory suggests that these columns were used as an ancient astronomical observatory.

You’ll then discover the fascinating Fossil Museum, built directly atop the site where a 120 million year old kronosaurus, a marine reptile measuring 20 metres in length, was unearthed.

Returning to Bogotá this afternoon, you’ll stop at the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo along the way, founded by the Dominicans in 1620. This large, stone and abode convent offers a gorgeous, open courtyard and displays a number of religious artifacts including a drawing of Christ where it appears his eyes are open and closed depending on your angle of view.

Say farewell to Bogota as you board a flight to your next destination, Armenia. Forming part of the Colombian Coffee Growing Axis, or ‘Coffee Triangle’, this area is famous for growing and producing the majority of Colombian coffee beans—considered by many to be the best in the world. Enjoy the next 3 nights in the middle of a coffee finca in this famous region.

Today you’ll take a scenic journey to the small colonial town of Salento, gateway to the Cocora Valley. Boarding one of the local Jeep Willys you will travel into the Cocora Valley, marvelling at the rolling green hills and towering wax palms on the way, Colombia's national tree that grow up to 60 metres tall. Keep an eye out for multiple species of bird, in particular serval types of hummingbird and the endangered palm parrot. You’ll also stop at a local restaurant for a typical lunch.

Returning to Salento, you will enjoy the bright colours of the balconies and building facades that line the streets on a city tour, visiting the Plaza de Bolivar, the Calle Real, local handicraft shops and the Cocora viewpoint.

Today you will take an in-depth look at Colombian coffee’s journey ‘from the grain to the cup’ on a traditional plantation tour, and tasting session led by an expert. They will share their knowledge with you and will reveal some secrets of planting, harvesting, washing and drying the coffee. Let your senses awaken as you smell the beans toasting in the wood stove, before sampling some of their exquisite brew.

Departing Armenia today, you will travel to Pereira then fly to Medellin before transferring to the resort town of Guatapé. Once predominately dependent on agriculture and farming, the town now enjoys a stream of tourists. Since the 1970s construction of an artificial lake next to Guatapé to facilitate the hydroelectric dam, there’s been an increase in water activities and the development of new cafés and restaurants.

Spend the day seeing the sights of picturesque Guatapé, including visiting the famous La Piedra del Peñol, an enormous rock that offers incredible views over the lake and surrounding countryside from its peak. If you are feeling energetic, you have the option to climb the 654 steps to the summit.

Enjoy a scenic cruise on magnificent Lake Guatapé. There will be some time at leisure in the charming village of Guatapé, characterised by its many colourful houses all artistically decorated by their owners with bas reliefs adorning the lower half of the walls.

Your journey continues to Medellin, the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ named after its temperate climate that provides the perfect environment for their stunning annual Flower Festival.

Today you’ll witness the city’s social transformation on a tour highlighting the symbolic areas of Medellin from the late 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world, to today and showcasing the many projects that fostered the city's change.

The tour starts by visiting Cerro Nutibara, where you will take in panoramic views of the city. You’ll then continue to Berrio Park and the famous Plaza Botero to see the impressive sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

You’ll take the Metro Cable to San Javier, once one of the most notorious areas of the city. Here you will discover more about the city’s transformation following the death of Pablo Escobar, visit district Comuna 13 to learn about the innovative transport system in the poorer neighbourhoods, and take in the unique street art which is artistic, cultural and political all at the same time.

Today you will fly to the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Founded as a major port in 1533, Cartagena became the main port of trade between Spain and its overseas empire. During the colonial era, it was a key port for the export of Peruvian silver to Spain.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax or begin exploring.

The colourful walled city of Cartagena is full of fine Spanish colonial architecture. Start the day with incredible 360 degree views of the city from Convento de la Popa, perched 150m high; the highest point in Cartagena. This church and monastery complex is often referred to as ‘Popa del Galeon’, due to its resemblance to the stern of a galleon.

You’ll then have time to wander through the San Felipe de Barajas fortress, an historical monument just outside the city, built during Spanish colonial times to defend the city against pirate attacks in 1536. You will then visit the Church & Monastery of San Pedro Claver, built in the middle of the 17th century. The morning tour concludes with a stroll through Las Bóvedas, a collection of archways housing local, artisan crafts that was originally built as dungeons from 1792 to 1796.

Continuing after lunch, you’ll tour the magnificent old town. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, the city is full of old-world charm. Your sightseeing includes the Ciudad Vieja (old city) with its romantic cobblestone streets, Bolivar Park, the Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo, and the Barricade of Santo Domingo.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to rest and relax or explore this beautiful colonial city at your own pace. Alternatively, you may choose to take an optional tour such as visiting the beautiful Rosario Islands in the middle of the Caribbean.

Farewell Colombia in style as you enjoy a harbourside dinner, taking in the scenic views of the bay as boats drift by and the sun gently sets. Located in the San Sebastian de Pastelillo Fort built in 1743, Club de Pesca Restaurant is well known for its deliciously fresh seafood. Simply sit back, relax and reminisce on all the amazing sights you’ve witnessed throughout Colombia.

Today marks the end of your Colombian adventure. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!