Colombia

Starting Price:	£3,530.00
Trip Length:	12 days
Includes airfare allowance from London (UK)

Interests:

Walking/Hiking

Bogotá

San Agustín

Cartagena

Pre-Columbian Trekking – Bogotá, San Agustín, Tierradentro, Popayán and Cartagena

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Expose yourself to pre-Columbian funerary art; the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America; two UNESCO World Heritage sites (Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras); a small, traditional, mountain town; Colombia’s capital and so much more.

This Colombia tour begins in Bogotá, Colombia’s capital city. Set high in the Andes (at more than 8,000 feet), Bogotá is replete with culture and rich colonial heritage. You’ll see main squares, churches and museums, such as the Museum of Botero (home to the artwork of Picasso, Renoir, Matisse and Monet, to name a few).

Next up: a private tour of the San Agustín archaeological park, the Mesitas A, B, C and D, Ceremonial del Lavapatos and the Museo Arqueológico followed by another private tour of two parks listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites: Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras (where you’ll take in the Colombian Massif, Mortino waterfalls (180 meters), Salto de Bardones (320 meters) and more).

And as if that weren’t enough, after that, you’ll set off for Alto de Segovia and Alto del Duende and see large underground temples that showcase pre-Columbian funerary art. (Many of the columns and ceilings of the tombs are decorated with geometric motifs and even murals).

You’ll then head to Popayán (known as the White City on account of its white gesso facades) and Silvia (a small, mountain town with quaint houses, where the Guambiano Indians, dressed in their traditional “anacos,” or blue knee-length skirt-like wraparounds, come to town to sell their fruit and vegetable products and craftsmanship on market days).

Your last stop will be Cartagena, a city filled with historic streets, alley ways and stories. Take in the old, walled city’s tiled roofs, balconies and courtyard gardens, and pack your camera. Words don’t seem to do Cartagena justice.

We offer a choice of 3-, 4-, 5-star and deluxe hotels. In Bogotá the deluxe option is the Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, and in Cartagena the deluxe option is the Casa del Arzobispado or the Quadrifolio Hotel. Please inquire about these options with one of our travel consultants.

This tour includes airfare allowance from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; 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, San Agustín, Popayan, Cartagena

Day 1

Bogotá
Upon arrival 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

Bogotá City Tour
After breakfast start in on our private tour 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.

The cathedral beside the square (on the land where Bogotá’s first church was built in 1539) holds weighty collection of liturgical, textile and ornamental objects collected over four centuries. Next to it is the Capilla del Sagrario, known for its superior architecture, and nearby is the Capitolio, built between 1847 and 1926. Influenced by Ionic, Neoclassical and Renaissance styles, it is made of white stone built by several generations of stonemasons. The central area is occupied by the Salón Elíptico, where the meetings of congress take place. The wings house the current Cámara de Representantes and Senate. Busts of former presidents as well as General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera and Rafael Núńez (the composer of the national hymn) line the internal patio. The tour finishes up in the Palace of Justice.

From there, you'll go to the Museo Botero home to the artwork of Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti, to name a few (donated by the artist Fernando Botero and others). After that, you'll head to 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.

Afternoon at leisure. (We recommend checking out another city museum if you're up to it.)

Day 3

Bogotá – Neiva – San Agustín
Transfer to the airport and flight to Neiva. Arrival and reception and immediate transfer to San Agustín. Arrival and hotel check-in.

In the afternoon you'll take a private tour to the San Agustín archaeological park, the Mesitas A, B, C and D, Ceremonial del Lavapatos and the Museo Arqueológico. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4

San Agustín – San Jose de Isnos – San Agustín
Full-day, private visit to two other parks listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites: Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras. After that, you'll see the Colombian Massif, Mortino waterfalls (180 meters) and Salto de Bardones (320 meters). Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5

San Agustín – Tierradentro
After breakfast head off to the Tierradentro archaeological area. You'll ascend the central mountain range and continue along the banks of the Páez River until you come to the town of San Andrés de Pisimbala. Upon arrival check-in in a “casa campesina” or simple peasant house. Dinner included.

Day 6

Tierradentro
After breakfast you'll take a private tour of Parque Arqueológico Tierradentro and to see the underground tombs in Alto de Segovia and Alto del Duende. These large underground temples showcase pre-Columbian funerary art; many of the columns and ceilings of the tombs are decorated with geometric motifs and even murals. In the afternoon you'll visit the Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico. Dinner included.

Day 7

Tierradentro – Popayán
After breaktast you'll begin a 5-hour private trip to Popayán. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

Known as the White City (on account of its white gesso facades), Popayán's prime location—between Cartagena and Quito—made it a key player in colonial trade. Though the 1983 earthquake damaged the original town (founded in 1537 by Sebastián de Belalcázar), all of the historic buildings have since been completely restored. (Popayán is famous for its Easter celebrations, a tradition that dates back to colonial times.)

In the afternoon you'll walk through the colonial center and visit the Casa Museo Valencia, the colonial art museum, several churches and the Humilladero Bridge.

Day 8

Popayán – Purace National Park – Popayán
Half-day private tour to Silvia, a small, mountain town with quaint houses. Each Tuesday, on market days, the Guambiano Indians, dressed in their traditional “anacos,” or blue knee-length skirt-like wraparounds, come to town to sell their fruit & vegetable products and craftsmanship. After you've explored Silvia, you'll return to Popayán.

Day 9

Popayán – Bogotá – Cartagena
After breakfast transfer to the airport to take your flight to Bogotá. Transfer to your flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Day 10

Cartagena City Tour
After breakfast you'll set off on a private tour with a panoramic view of the city from the monastery and church of La Popa. You'll have the chance to check out the church of La Popa. Built in 1606 and perched on the area’s only noteworthy elevation, the church used to be known as “La Popa del Galeón” on account of its strong resemblance to the stern of a galleon.

Next up: a visit to the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, built on the San Lázaro hill in order to defend the city from pirate attacks.

From there, you'll head to the old town to visit the convent of San Pedro Claver and the artisan center in Las Bóvedas. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11

Cartagena
Day at leisure. We recommend an excursion to Islas del Rosario.

Day 12

Cartagena
After breakfast transfer to the airport to take your flight to Bogotá, where you'll take your flight back home or overlap with an add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Bogota
3-star	Dann Norte
4-star	Morrison
5-star	Sofitel Victoria Regia
Deluxe	Charleston Bogota
San Agustín
Standard 2 nt package	Package 3/2. 2 nights in San Agustin - simple hotel + transfers + HD archaeological park; HD Isnos +Full Board
Standard 3 nt package	Package 4/3. 2 nights in San Agustin - simple hotel & 1 night Neiva + transfers + HD archaeological park; HD Magdalena River; HD Tatacoa; HD Isnos +Full Board
Popayan
3-star	Hotel La Plazuela
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.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star	Deluxe
Double	£3530	£3699	£3980	£4198
Single	£4840	£5355	£5840	£6277

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