Arrive at El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá and transferred to the selected hotel for checking-in.
Bogotá is a modern fast growing city and one of Latin America’s urban highlights with a thriving nightlife, superb dining and al fresco café and bar culture; yet none of the traditions are lost from its graceful churches, excellent museums to its plazas and urban parks.
Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia and has always been the capital since it was founded by the Spanish Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada in 1538. Bogotá is now a modern fast growing city, fuelling the economic growth of the nation, and one of Latin America’s urban highlights. The city is at altitude of approximately 2,640 m (8,660 ft) above sea level and with a population of approximately seven million.
Bogotá has a thriving nightlife, superb al fresco dining and bar culture, international shopping, all predominately located in the north of the city. However, the contemporary sits contentedly with the old. This can be experienced walking along its colonial streets of Candelaria the historical centre of Bogotá where colonial houses have been lovingly restored and the neo classical cathedral watching over Plaza de Bolivar. The modern and ancient are represented in Colombian art form from the gold artifacts exhibited in the Gold Museum to the voluptuous caricatures and sculptures at the Botero Museum. Around the outskirts of Bogotá one is able to see the likes of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá; the colonial town of Villa de Leyva and the legend of El Dorado at the ceremonial lake of Guatavita.
Day 2
Bogota
Breakfast and transfer to the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; so take the opportunity to record the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogotá. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall are all located here, so soak in the ambiance of this quarter. The tour takes in all aspects of some of the most famous buildings from the Congress Palace, the Presidential Palace Antonio Nariño to the colonial church of San Agustin.
The tour then continues for a further two hours and offers up arguably the most important gold museum in the world and ‘must see’ the Museo del Oro where one of the world’s greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold artifacts are displayed. Visit strong-room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, and where the installation is overwhelming as ancient sacred gold artefacts are systematically illuminated and the voice of an ancient people transports the mind to another time. The museum also has exhibitions displaying geographical and social aspects of both pre-Columbian and contemporary Colombia.
NOTE: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays.
Return to the Hotel and overnight in Bogotá.
Day 3
Bogotá - Cartagena
Breakfast in the morning and transfer to the Airport of Bogota, to take the flight to Cartagena. Arrival in Cartagena and be transferred to the selected Hotel.
Overnight in Cartagena
Although the Colombian Coast was already known since 1501, and the city known by its original Indian name of the area ‘Calamari’, which means ‘Area of Crabs’, the city of Cartagena de Indias was only founded in 1533, since the Spanish conquistadors had great problems sourcing fresh water in the region. From its beginning, Catagena was the only port in South America until Buenos Aires was founded. Every year large Spanish fleets stopped there, to take gold and other products from the ‘New World’ and beyond to Spain and other European destinations.The city also became a centre for the Spanish Inquisition and had the biggest slave market in the continent which brought in human trafficking from the Africas.
Due to its richness, the city was a great temptation for English, French and Dutch pirates; and for that reason Cartagena had to be protected by fortresses and high walls to repel the buccaneers. Today Catagena has a more welcoming manner and is Colombia’s fifth largest city, has the best preserved colonial architecture in the country and is one of the most famous holiday destinations in Colombia. Recently it was declared an ‘Historical Patrimony of Humanity’ by UNESCO and is a magnet for visitors across the globe.
Day 4
Cartagena
Leaving the hotel we reach the heart of the colonial city, patrimony of Humanity, to walk along interesting streets to admire old houses, beautiful balconies and different little squares. It will be possible to learn about the different systems of construction of the Spaniards , and after that it will be easy to recognize the areas where poor or wealthy people lived. There will be also the opportunity to see this alive city, with its students, vendors of fruit or juices, and all the people that live here. Return to the hotel.
Day 5
Cartagena
Day at leisure to enjoy the magic of the city.
Day 6
Cartagena
Breakfast, and at the appropriate time, transfer to airport for flight to the final destination.
Included:
- Transfer airport /hotel/airport
- 3 Nights hotel lodging at Cartagena
- 2 Nights hotel lodging at Bogota
- Breakfast.
- City Tours (SIB)
- Entrance fees and activities as described in the program
Not Included:
- International air fares or domestic air fares
- Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary
- Early check-in, late check-out, services and non-mentioned meals in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during meals, hotel extras and personal spending
- Tips for guides and hotel staff
- Activities not described in the program
- Meals not described in the program
- Airport taxes
- Tips or personal expenses
800 559 5192
