Colombia

Starting Price:	$3,060.00
Trip Length:	7 days
Includes airfare allowance from Miami (US)

Colonial Church in Bogotá

Cartagena

Rosario Coast

Bogotá and Cartagena

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Tour two exceptional, and distinct, Colombian cities: Bogotá and Cartagena. Bogotá, Colombia’s capital is set in the Andes at more than 8,000 feet. This capital is replete with cultural, intellectual and social draws, and rich colonial heritage. Cartagena is an archetypal Colombian city (and a UNESCO World Heritage site) filled with historic streets and alley ways, and intriguing stories. Just be sure to pack your camera; words don’t seem to do Cartagena justice.

You’ll spend 3 days in Bogotá (where you’ll visit the Museo del Oro, Monserrate, Plaza Bolívar, La Candelaria and Zipaquirá‘s Underground Salt Cathedral), 3 days in Cartagena (where you’ll tour the walled city of Old Cartagena, explore the Rosario Islands and visit the Totumo Volcano). You may also choose to add a few nights in another Caribbean Island or to escape to a remote beach in one of Tayrona National Park’s jungles.

We offer a choice of 3-, 4-, 5-Star and deluxe hotels. In Cartagena the deluxe option is the Casa del Arzobispado or the Quadrifolio Hotel. Cartagena has more than a few fine hotels in the old section of the city; please inquire about these options with one of our travel consultants.

This tour includes airfare allowance from Miami (US), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
06 April - 12 April

20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
Bogota, Cartagena, Isla del Rosario

Day 1

Bogotá
Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Bogotá is a modern capital city with stand-out cultural, intellectual and social draws as well as rich colonial heritage.

Day 2

City tour of Bogotá with Monserrate
First you'll visit the Museo del Oro (whose collection features nearly 34,000 gold objects and 20,000 in stone, ceramic, textiles and precious stones from the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures). The Museo de Oro's collection is considered one of the most meaningful and substantial collections of its kind—worldwide. Then you'll head to the historic center known as La Candelaria. Old “casonas” (grand houses marked Spanish influence) with iron windows, thick wooden doors, balconies and internal patios and gardens line the ancient streets. La Candelaria unfolds around the Plaza Bolívar, named after Simón Bolívar, El Libertador. Originally called Plaza Mayor, it was used for civil and military events and as a marketplace, bull ring and execution platform.

Once you leave this area, you'll continue on to la Quinta de Bolívar, the country house of Simon Bolívar. Set at the foot of Cerro de Monserrate and surrounded by impressive gardens, the museum is filled with documents, letters, maps, uniforms and personal possessions.

Notes: We travel by cable car up to 10,500 feet to the top of the Mountain that looks over Bogotá; museums closed on Monday.

Day 3

Zipaquira's Underground Salt Cathedral
As you head to the Salt Cathedral, you'll see the central region of the savanna and pass typical Colombian villages as well as greenhouses (in the Flower Region). The structure of the Salt Cathedral is impressive, to say the least. Our visit there begins in a tunnel that exhibits the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross and leads to the dome from which you can observe the great cross sculpted in low relief. We then arrive at the three naves of the cathedral joined by openings that represent the birth and death of Christ. The central nave houses the main altar; a 16-meter cross; and the Creation of Man, a marble statue sculpted by Carlos Enrique Rodríguez.

Day 4

Bogotá – Cartagena
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival transfer to you hotel. Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia and a pivotal, Caribbean port. After numerous pirate attacks in the colonial era, a wall was built to surround the historic city center and protect its inhabitants. Cartagena is now a popular tourist destination that retains its colonial architecture and charm.

Afternoon Old Town Walk
Guided walk along the walled old town. (The walled, colonial city center of Cartagena was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.) You'll see churches; colonial houses (their balconies and other architectural nuances); the Museum that was the residence of the five-time president of the Republic, Rafael Nuńez; the Santa Catalina bastion; and Las Bovedas (The Dungeons), where you'll find hand-crafted souvenirs.

Day 5

Islas del Rosario
Cruise to Rosario Islands (to the south of the Bay of Cartagena). These Islands constitute a National Natural Park on account of their 23 coral islands and marine fauna. The coral islands were formed by volcano activity that raised the seabed and created ideal conditions for the development of coral reefs. You'll have the chance to swim and snorkel. Lunch Included. Return to Cartagena.

Day 6

Totumo Volcano
Today you will be picked up and transferred approximately 50 minutes to the Totumo Volcano. The mud baths at Totumo Volcano are very popular tourist destinations, but definitely a great experience! The tours that are done here are in small intimate groups and there are several opportunities to interact with fellow travelers and locals. The tour begins with a drive through the scenic countryside winding amongst villages untouched by tourists to reach the mud baths entirely run by locals. After a rejuvenating dip in the mud (known for its medicinal properties), locals sponge travelers off and send them to a nearby secluded blue lagoon where the grill is prepared to serve delicious Colombian cuisine. After this excursion, we return to the hotel and have the evening free to relax.

Day 7

Cartagena – Bogotá
Today you will be picked up from your hotel for the transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bogotá where you will connect with your international flight back home (transfer is with a driver only, no guide).

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Bogota
3-star	Dann Norte
4-star	Morrison
5-star	Sofitel Victoria Regia
Deluxe	Charleston Bogota
Cartagena
3-star	Hotel Caribe, Almirante Estelar, Hotel La India Catalina, or similar.
4-star	Hotel Hilton Cartagena (Bocagrande area), Hotel Bovedas de Santa Clara (Old Town), or similar.
5-star	Sofitel Santa Clara (Old Town), La Merced Hotel Boutique (Old Town), or similar.
Deluxe	Casa del Arzobispado Hotel Boutique (Old Town), Quadrifolio Hotel Boutique (Old Town), La Passion Hotel, or similar.
Isla del Rosario
3-star	Isla del Pirata, or similar.
4-star	San Pedro de Majaqua (standard room), or similar.
5-star	San Pedro de Majagua (deluxe room), or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3060	$3367	$3856	$4240
Single	$4288	$5187	$6010	$6874

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