9D8N Colombia Journey By National Geographic Journeys

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Modern Bogotá offers visitors a wide variety of activities combined with the picturesque beauty of its cultural and architectural past. Colonial churches and pre-Columbian art contrast with the futuristic highrise buildings of a busy metropolis.

If you arrive early, take a walk around some of the interesting neighbourhoods including La Candelaria, La Macarena, Parque de la 93, La Zona T, La Zona Rosa (bars and restaurants), La Zona G (international cuisine), or visit the Monserrate Santuary and enjoy great views of the city.

We recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation to experience all this city has to offer.

Hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Colombia (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

Private Vehicle
El Dorado International Airport – Bogotá
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
1h
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Hotel
GHL Collection 93 (or similar)

Catch a flight to Armenia, one of Colombia’s coffee capitals. Head to a small, family-run coffee farm in nearby Montenegro, and meet with a coffee expert to learn about the different stages of coffee production, from bean to cup. Continue on to a traditional hacienda on a working coffee farm, where we’ll spend two nights.

The Hacienda is simple, with small rooms and few amenities, it also is common to have hot water shortages. While basic, the stunning location and natural beauty more than makes up for a few minor inconveniences.

Plane
El Dorado International Airport – Armenia 1h

Private Vehicle
Armenia 30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Hacienda Stay
Armenia
Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for “estate”) and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Colombian Coffee Farm Visit
Immerse yourself into coffee culture with a visit to a family-run working coffee farm. Spend the afternoon with a coffee expert learning the processes of plant growth, reproduction, harvest, post harvest, and drying. This hands-on experience allows us insight into why Colombian coffee is considered some of the best in the world.

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Hotel
Hacienda La Combia (or similar)

Set out on a full-day excursion to Salento, a charming coffee-growing town set amid verdant mountains, and venture to the nearby Cocora Valley for a hike. This breathtaking protected landscape harbours groves of gigantic wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest type of palm in the world. Later, during an immersive coffee tasting, sip espresso and watch a demonstration of latte art by a local barista. Then enjoy free time to explore Salento, strolling its quaint streets and browsing the local craft stalls.

Salento and Cocora Valley Excursion
Salento
Visit Salento, a charming town typical to Colombia’s coffee region, and enjoy hiking the beautiful landscape of the Cocora Valley. Spend the rest of your visit strolling the quaint streets of Salento—this is a great place to appreciate traditional architecture and shop for gifts.

Your Foodie Moment: Colombian Coffee Immersion and Tasting
Continue our coffee immersion with a visit to a speciality coffee shop. Here we embark on a sensory exercise to understand the difference between high quality coffees and commercial coffees, an espresso tasting and the correct preparation of a milk-based coffee where the barista demonstrates the proper art of the latte. This hands-on experience allows us to understand why Colombian coffee is considered some of the best in the world and better understand the part it plays in the culture of this region. And finally, a tasting of the various brews will round out our day.

Free Time
Salento Afternoon
Enjoy some free time to explore the town.

Hacienda Stay
Armenia
Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for “estate”) and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Hotel
Hacienda La Combia (or similar)

This morning, fly to Medellín. Surrounded by lush hills and fragrant flower farms, this thriving city is currently in the midst of a resurgence. Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Plane
Armenia – Medellín 1h-2h

Meals included: Breakfast

Hotel
Hotel Dix Medellín (or similar)

Alongside a local guide, embark on an eye-opening tour of Comuna 13—formerly one of Colombia’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. Ride on the cable cars and outdoor escalators that span the sprawling hillside, and learn how public transport and art and music programs have transformed the area into a peaceful, vibrant community. Afterward, opt for a historical tour of Medellín, visit some of the city’s museums, or go shopping.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Medellín Community Walk
Discover another side of Medellín as you travel on the city’s innovative transportation system and head to Comuna 13 – a community transformed. Once controlled by the cartels, this community is a shining example of Colombia’s progress in overcoming its notorious past. Meet a local guide and begin the journey upward with a ride on the city’s unique public cable cars. Head farther up the hillside to the outdoor electric escalators that serve Comuna 13. The extensive escalator system has renewed the impoverished district, which clings to a steep hillside, and provided much relief to residents whose daily commutes have become safer and faster. Arrive at the top to explore this welcoming and safe urban neighbourhood and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Free time
Medellín Full Day
Free time to explore the city or set out on an optional excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast

Hotel
Hotel Dix Medellín (or similar)

Enjoy a free day to continue exploring Medellín. Choose to visit nearby Guatapé, located on the shores of a scenic reservoir. Wander amid the town’s brightly decorated houses, and opt to climb a steep flight of stairs to the summit of El Peñol, a towering monolith that affords breathtaking views of the reservoir’s sparkling waters and lush green isles.

Free Time
Medellín
Get out and explore this vibrant city!

Meals included: Breakfast

Hotel
Hotel Dix Medellín (or similar)

Catch a flight to the fabled city of Cartagena, perched on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Enjoy a walking tour of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, discovering atmospheric plazas, soaring churches, and important historic landmarks. Later, head to the Oh La La Restaurant for a hands-on cooking class. As we learn to make Caribbean and Colombian specialities, hear how the restaurant amplifies cooking traditions while working with household mothers and small market producers.

Plane
Medellín – Cartagena 1h-1h30m

Cartagena City Tour
Cartagena 4h-5h
Learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide on a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church.

Your Foodie Moment: Colombian Caribbean Cooking Experience
Visit Oh La La Restaurant in the Getsemani neighbourhood for a hands-on cooking class. Learn to make Caribbean–Colombian specialities with the experts, hear how the restaurant amplifies cooking traditions while working with household mothers and small market producers. After, enjoy your creations for dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Hotel
Hotel Cartagena Royal Inn (or similar)

Go on an excursion to the nearby beach of La Boquilla and visit an arts workshop run by women who transform coconuts into jewellery, crafts, and other art. As we listen to their stories and learn their techniques, try your hand at creating a souvenir out of natural materials. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own to soak up the tropical charm of Cartagena. Opt to visit Cartagena’s Gold Museum, showcasing intricate pre-Colombian ornaments and pottery, or choose to learn the basics of Colombian salsa, known as Cali style, during a private lesson with two local dancers.

Free Time
Cartagena
Get out and explore this tropical city.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Coconut Workshop
The project DAMARTES (Damas y Madres del Arte – ‘Women and Mothers of Art’) is an association composed of mothers and grandmothers who in 2008, took part in a crafts workshop sponsored by the foundation ProBoquilla. They have now started their own social enterprise producing jewelry, vases, art and accessories out of coconuts. Meet these incredible women and join them in a Coconut Workshop located on the beach of La Boquilla.

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Hotel
Hotel Cartagena Royal Inn (or similar)

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast

Departure Day (Activities)
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.