Overview
Gorgeous colonial towns, Andean cloud forest, pre-Hispanic sites, vibrant Cartagena, and a culture alive with dance, music, and gastronomic delights—this is the dazzling realm of Colombia! On our Private Journey, you’ll be among the first to explore a magnificent country revealing itself anew. You’ll begin in Bogotá, taking in the dazzling Gold Museum, home of the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold in the world, then head east to discover the cobbled streets of Villa de Leyva, founded in 1572. After a hike in the cloud forests of Iguaque National Park, you’ll enter lush Santander province, the “adventure capital of Colombia,” land of the green mountains of the eastern Andes and the vast canyons of the Rio Chicamocha. From the magical colonial village of Barichara, set atop a vast plateau and seemingly lost in time, set out for hikes on colonial-era cobblestone paths called caminos reales and into the rugged scenery of the deep Cañón de Chicamocha. Colombia has a 100-year legacy of growing the world’s finest coffee, and you’ll overnight at a peaceful, family-run coffee hacienda to sample some of Colombia’s finest organic coffee. Got more time? On our extension, head to the blue Caribbean to hike in the coastal rainforest at Tayrona National Park and discover Cartagena, the gem of Colombia, with its walled Old Town and bougainvillea-lined streets.
Days 1-3
Bogotá / Villa de Leyva / Iguaque Cloud Forest
After a walking tour of old Bogotá and a visit to the impressive Gold Museum, head to Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia, followed by a hike with a local naturalist amid the giant tree ferns, bromeliads, and orchids of the Andean cloud forest.
Bogotá / Villa de Leyva / Iguaque Cloud Forest - Days 1-3
Hotel de la Opera
Day 1 (1 night), Bogotá, ColombiaLocated in the historic Candaleria section of Bogotá, just a few blocks from Simon Bolivar Square, the Gold Museum, and the Botero Museum, the Hotel de la Opera is one of the city’s finest hotels, with a beautifully restored colonial section as well as a more modern section. The hotel has two rooftop restaurants and a small spa.
La Posada de San Antonio
Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Villa de Leyva, ColombiaLa Posada de San Antonio is a hacienda that has been transformed into a charming hotel in the classic colonial town of Villa de Leyva. Rooms center around a courtyard with a fountain, and the furnishings are a mix of period and modern styles. Breakfasts are served in the pleasant open-air restaurant off the courtyard.
Days 4-6
Barichara / Camino Real to Guane / El Roble Hacienda
From the magical village of Barichara, set atop a vast plateau and seemingly lost in time, set out for hikes on colonial-era cobblestone paths called caminos reales and into the rugged scenery of the deep Cañón de Chicamocha, where spectacular cliffs rise above the river. Colombia has a 100-year legacy of growing the world’s finest coffee, and you’ll overnight at a family-run coffee hacienda to sample some of Colombia’s best brew.
Barichara / Camino Real to Guane / El Roble Hacienda - Days 4-6
La Nube Posada
Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Barichara, ColombiaThis charming boutique hotel is located around the corner from the lively main square, but maintains a peaceful and quiet ambiance. The eight guestrooms are arranged around a courtyard (complete with twittering birds), where you can relax and enjoy a simple but delicious breakfast. Amenities include a heated pool and Jacuzzi.
Hotel Hacienda el Roble
Day 6 (1 night), El Roble, ColombiaHotel Hacienda El Roble is highly regarded 740-acre organic farm that produces some of Colombia’s best coffee. It’s also a tranquil and welcoming countryside accommodation that offers comfortable rooms and traditional meals. The hacienda, in the hands of the same family for over 100 years, is located on a small plateau at 5,000 feet, just a mile or so from one of Colombia's most spectacular canyons, Chicamocha.
Day 7
Depart
After a tour of the coffee plantation, depart via Bucaramanga, the “cattle capital” of Colombia. If you are doing the extension, connect with a flight to Santa Marta, your gateway to Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean.
Post-trip Extension to Tayrona National Park and Cartagena
Days 7-8
Tayrona National Park
Set on the Caribbean, Tayrona is your base for hikes to the small ruin of an ancient Tayrona settlement, into a cloud forest alive with monkeys and colorful birds, and across palm-fringed beaches.Days 9-11
Cartagena
In Cartagena, a World Heritage Site, explore the Spanish-built Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, visit a hilltop for superb views of this port city, and roam the market, where women sell fruit from baskets balanced on their heads. Depart on Day 11.Highlights
Highlights
Details
Easy to moderate day hikes, 3-5 hours a day most days (with an 8- to 9-hour day on the extension), cultural explorations and walking tours
