Day 1 – Sunday: Arrival Bogotá |
The Colombian capital is located in the very center of the country at approx. 2650 meters above sea level in an area known as the Savanna of Bogotá (Sabana de Bogotá). The east side of the city is flanked by the Cordillera Oriental, which are foothills of the Andes Mountains. In terms of area, Bogotá is Colombia’s largest city: It extends more than 40 km from north to south, and 20km from east to west. It is not only the main economic and industrial center, but also the political heart of the country: The National Legislature, the Supreme Court of Justice and the residence of the President of the Republic (Casa de Nariño) reside here. With its 8 million inhabitants, the city is Colombia’s most populous and the huge cultural offer is among the best and largest in the country - Bogotá is home to numerous museums such as the famous Gold museum or the Botero museum, theatres and libraries. | |
Day 2 - Monday: Bogotá |
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FD City Tour with Paloquemao, Monserrate & Botero Museum In the morning visit to the public market of Paloquemao, then city tour with visit to the colonial old town, the Plaza de Bolivar and the surrounding government buildings, churches worth seeing, the Botero museum and a cable car ride to the mountain Monserrate, from where one has a great view on Bogotá, In the afternoon detailed visit to the Gold Museum. | |
Day 3 - Tuesday: Bogotá - Villa de Leyva |
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Located only four hours from Bogota, Villa de Leiva is a fascinating, small, colonial town. Founded in 1572 and home to many important politicians, artists and wealthy families of the colonial period it is steeped in history and is extremely well-preserved. The enormous plaza mayor (the largest in Colombia) is flanked on all sides by red-tiled, white houses and most of the streets are cobbled. The town is perfect for wandering at a leisurely pace taking in the atmosphere of times gone by and browsing in the handicraft shops. There are also a number of small, but interesting museums. This region of Boyacá was once under the sea surface and a large number of marine fossils can be seen in the area. The scenery of the surrounding countryside is rather Mediterranean in appearance, olives, oranges and curuba are grown in the region. | |
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Day 4 – Wednesday: Villa de Leyva |
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We stroll through the village of Villa de Leyva visiting the central plaza with its churches, restaurants and handicraft shops, afterwards we visit the “Ecce Homo” Dominican convent, constructed in the XVII century and continue to a fossil discovered just outside the town, which has been dated at more than 150 million years old, finishing in the Casa de Terra Cotta. | |
Day 5 – Thursday: Villa de Leyva – Tunja – Bogotá - Girardot |
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After breakfast departure from Villa de Leyva towards Bogotá taking an alternative scenic back-road via Tunja, capital city of the department of Boyacá; we first stop at the most important monument in Colombian history: the “Boyacá Bridge”. On that bridge Simón Bolívar fought and won his most decisive battle against Spanish settlers. When entering Bogotá we pay a visit to the foundation Hogar de Paz where we learn about their project to support adolescents who don´t get much support from their families. Afterwards we cross Bogotá and drive south to Girardot. Here we have a relaxed night at our hotel with pool. | |
Day 6 – Friday: Girardot – Villavieja/Tatacoa Desert – San Agustin |
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The Tatacoa Desert is located very close to Neiva in the department of Huila. It is a striking landscape of eroded cliffs and gullies, sculpted by the infrequent rain. Because of the dry, clear conditions, lack of light pollution and location in close proximity to the equator, Tatacoa is a great spot for stargazing – the skies above both the Northern and Southern hemispheres are spread out for all to see. Tatacoa isn't really a desert, although the thermometer states otherwise – it can hit 50°C at times. It's technically a semi-arid dry tropical forest. | |
In the morning we drive towards Tatacoa Desert. Before getting there we stop for lunch in Villavieja which is located only a few minutes away from the desert. In the afernoon we explore the desert of Tatacoa. Aterwards we continue to Neiva, where we spend the night. | |
Day 7 – Saturday: Villavieja/Tatacoa - San Agustin |
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San Agustín is a village in the southern department of Huila, which is located 227 km from Neiva and counts a population of around 30,000. The village was originally founded in 1752 by Alejo Astudillo, but attacks by indigenous people destroyed it. In 1790, Lucas de Herazo y Mendigaña founded the present village. The temperature averages 18 °C year-round. The area is very well known for its pre-Columbian archaeological sites, known as the San Agustín Archaeological Park, which generates significant revenue to the economy due to the high volume of tourists, both Colombian and foreigners. In 1995, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. After breakfast, we drive through a scenic landscape to San Agustin, the archaeological hotspot of Colombia where we spent two nights. |
Day 8 – Sunday: San Agustín |
The afternoon is free, so take your time to relax13 |
Day 9 - Monday: San Agustín - Popayán |
Popayán is the capital of the Cauca department. Founded by Sebastian de Belalcazar in 1537, Popayán is located in the Valley of Pubenza between the Western and Central Cordillera in the southwest of the country. The old and historic center of Popayán is considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Colombia as well as in all of Latin America. In the morning we travel to Popayan. We stop at the Village Isnos where nearby we will find some more impressive tombs and statues at Alto de los Idolos. We continue our Journey from San Agustin to Popayan (4-5 hours), crossing the beautiful Puracé National Natural Park. We will observe some more Colombian landscapes as the Andean cloud forest and the Paramos. Arrival in Popayan, also known as the white City. In the afternoon walking tour through Popayan or time to rest. |
Day 10 – Tuesday: Popayan – Silvia – Popayán - Timbío – Popayán |
In the morning we visit the village Silvia, where every Tuesday the Guambiano people come together at a busy market. Find interesting fruits and vegetables you might not have known before, as well as unique handicrafts. Depending on the hour, we either have lunch in Silvia, o r upon arrival in Popayan, before we continue toTimbío, one of the few places where the silk production, which was initiated by the state about 40 years ago, still persist. Here, the entire production process – from cultivating the mulberry leaves to the production of the silk threads – is entirely in women’s hands.
Transfer from Popayán to Timbío, where the welcoming and strong women show and tell us everything about their daily work on a tour through the mulberry fields, the nursery and pupating stations of the silk worms, as well as the final processing of the raw silk. After a delicious local snack and a visit of the local silk craft store, we head back to Popayán.
Day 11 – Wednesday: Popayan – Buga - Quimbaya |
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Transfer from Popayan to the Coffee Region with a stop a short stop in Buga, where the famous Basilica del Señor de los Milagros is located. Further transfer to our charming hotel in the coffee region.
Day 12 – Thursday: Coffee Region |
Half Day Cacao Tour on a family run Cacao Finca We leave our Hotel towards the city of Armenia. In case of bad weather we change to Willy jeeps to make our way to Hacienda Evelyza, where we visit the plantation of different native and non-native varieties of cocoa. The owner of the Hacienda shares his profound knowledge of the cultivation, history and culture of cacao. During the tour through we taste various cacao fruits, and see how the grafts for no new seedlings are made. Finally we arrive at the main house where we experience the fermentation-, drying- and artesanal grinding-process. After tasting a delicious, selfmade hot chocolate, we return to our accommodation or continue to our next activity. Duration of the activity: about 3 hours, Total duration with transportation to and from the hotel: about 6 hours |
Day 13 – Friday: Quimbaya – Alarcá - Manizales |
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Half Day Coffee Process Hacienda Venecia |
(Either in the morning or in the afternoon) Recommendation: Spend the other half of the day exploring the ground of the finca – coffee plantations, cacao plantations, plantain plantations, lots of birds,… |
Day 15 – Sunday: Manizales – Honda |
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Around midday We leave Manizales and descend the Andes to the Magdalena river valley, to get the quaint little city of Honda. |
Day 16 – Monday: Honda |
Half Day Walking Tour Honda |
Halfday walking tour through this historic river town, found in 1643, located directly at the Magdalena River. Visit of the market (plaza de mercado), the puente Navarro Bridge, some colonial houses and the “Museo del rio”. |
Today we drive back to the capital Bogotá. Going up the Andes central mountain chains we pass get to enjoy some unforgettable panoramic views and can stop anytime to take potos. | |
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