Premium Colombia

Welcome to Bogota! Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport in Colombia, you will be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your leader and fellow travellers at a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps take some time to stroll through the Botanic Gardens or visit the National Museum of Colombia. After the welcome meeting, your leader will take you to a legendary local restaurant with 4 floors inspired by Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. With multiple dance floors, a 75 page menu, and roving bands of performers, it's the perfect spot to get to know your group and kick off your Colombian adventure in the heart of Bogota.

After breakfast, discover Colombia's charming mix of old and new on two exclusive walking tours with an expert local guide. First you'll head to Bogota's fruit market to taste famous local fruits like lulos, granadillas and guanabanas and learn about Colombia's culture and heritage as you chat with market traders. After you've eaten your fill of delicious fruit, head to the La Candelaria District where your expert guide will introduce you to the historic buildings and street art that make this area famous. Learn about Colombia's storied history and why cosmopolitan Bogota is so full of surprises. Tonight, you may like to take advantage of your hotel's excellent location near one of the city's best dining precincts and head out for a bite to eat with your group.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to the airport for your flight from Bogotá to Pereira. On arrival, drive to the heart of Colombia's coffee country where you'll learn about all things coffee, from how the seed germinates and grows to what makes the perfect cup of coffee, at a local coffee farm. After you've toured the farm, a coffee grower or 'chapolera' will welcome you to their house and show you how to dry roast the beans you collected in a wood stove, grind it the traditional way and filter it to create a wonderful, authentic brew. Then travel less than an hour to reach Hotel Sazagua, a family run Feature Stay hotel with lush tropical surrounds. If you have time, take a dip in the pool or sway in a hammock before a dinner of traditional dishes like ceviche in chipotle 'leche de tigre' and patacon (smashed plantains).

After breakfast, travel from Hotel Sazagua to the Cocora Valley and discover Salento's lush landscape, traditional architecture, craft workshops and colourful houses decorated with hanging baskets filled with flowers. From here, continue to the verdant Valle del Cocora where Palma de Cera, Colombia's national tree and the tallest tree in the world, thrives surrounded by the lush landscape and distant hills covered with palms. Take a two-hour stroll and learn about the local plants followed by a delicious lunch and traditional games such as 'Tejo y Sapo' accompanied by a 'Colombian pola', a traditional beer and soda mix named after the country's first female revolutionary.

Today you'll travel from the coffee region to Medellin. On the way, visit Finca Romelia, a family farm dedicated to the preservation and conservation orchids, Colombia's national flower. Stroll past 840 species of orchids and admire more than 200 different bird species as you tour the farm which produces citrus and avocados. After a delicious farm lunch, continue on to Medellin and your comfortable hotel for the next three nights. After a long day of driving you may like to unwind by joining an optional salsa class where you can learn how to dance like a local.

After breakfast, it's time to discover the town of Medellín. The "City of Eternal Spring" was once known for danger and conflict. Today, it has been transformed into a thriving, welcoming and innovative destination with a focus on social justice and inclusion. Join an expert local guide to learn about the turbulent history of Medellin, how it has changed and what it is like to live here in the present day. Discover the city's newest invention, the Comuna 13 escalators, which uses transport to unite different social classes. This afternoon, you can choose to explore independently or you may like to join an optional tour of Moravia, the most populated 'barrio' of Medellín where rubbish piles have been transformed into a garden-covered hillside.

After breakfast, you'll leave the city behind and head off the beaten path to the hidden gem of Mompox. First you'll transfer to Olaya Herrera Airport for the 1.5 hour flight to Corozal. From here, you will travel to Mompox - a village frozen in time. Founded in the 1500's on an island in the Magdalena River, Mompox hasn't changed much over the centuries. Upon arrival, you'll set out on a leisurely canoe ride on the Magdalena River which flows from Colombia into the Caribbean Sea. The river's beauty has inspired artists, painters and poets for hundreds of years and its waters are famous for their rich biodiversity. Take in the beauty of the sunset from its calm waters before you head back to the hotel to relax or perhaps enjoy dinner with your group.

After breakfast, join a three hour walking tour to discover the historic centre of Mompox which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city grew from what used to be an island vault for gold and silver plundered by the Spaniards during the colonization of the Americas, and is filled with historic squares and churches. This afternoon, attend a three-hour cooking class where you will learn how to cook one of the region's traditional dishes. This afternoon, you may like to join an (optional) filagree workshop where you can make your own piece of jewellery in the local style or go on a bike ride through the Albarrada waterfront area.

After breakfast, sit back and enjoy the scenery as you head towards magical Cartagena. Along the way you'll stop at San Basilio de Palenque, where an expert local guide will share the history of this unique town which achieved freedom 200 years before the Independence of Colombia. Having maintained its own culture, including a unique language, throughout the centuries, Palenque is a world within a village. Discover the traditional medicine practice, the museum house, the Benkos Biohó monument and more, and share the culture and customs of the local people as you learn a little of their language. After a traditional lunch, travel to Cartagena and your hotel - an historic mansion within the historic center.

The inner walled city is the main attraction in Cartagena – it's packed with beautiful churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions, which you will explore with a local guide this morning. Founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was a major centre of early Spanish settlement in the Americas. Its gold and silver exports made it a popular target for pirates, and its walled fort (now on UNESCO's World Heritage list) was built to protect both shipping and the slave trade. Today its laidback atmosphere and colorful streets make for easy strolling and great photo opportunities. The rest of the day is yours to explore your way. Join an optional rum tasting experience, explore the old city or walk the city walls. Tonight, head out to dinner with your group at a local restaurant for a delicious farewell dinner.

Your trip through Colombia comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you'd like to stay on in Cartagena, we can help arrange additional accommodation for you (pending availability), or talk to your sales agent if you would like to add on a transfer to the airport.