Cultural Colombia from Colonial Cities to Caribbean Coastline | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Cultural Colombia from Colonial Cities to Caribbean Coastline

PRIVATE TOUR - 9 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 3274

Private Tour Highlights

  • Meandering through the quaint cobblestone streets of Villa de Leyva while admiring the Spanish-style houses and plazas of the town.
  • Exploring Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, on a private city tour encompassing the beautiful colonial architecture in La Candelaria, the Emerald Museum and Gold Museum; to name a few.
  • Admiring sweeping views of Bogotá and beyond from the top of Monserrate Hill, before visiting the old country home of Simon Bolívar at the foot of the hill to see the exquisite gardens and museum.
  • Stepping foot in the beguiling Salt Cathedral just outside of Bogotá in Zipaquira, carved 120 meters underground from an old salt mine.
  • Lapping up the extraordinary atmosphere of Cartagena, the picturesque walled city awash with cobbled streets and pretty plazas.
  • Hopping over to the beautiful Rosario Islands, a National Park brimming with vibrant marine life, for a few relaxing days of swimming and snorkeling.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Make your way to the beaches of Colombia before too many other travelers catch on to this up-and-coming travel destination with Yampu’s Cultural Colombia from Colonial Cities to Caribbean Coastline trip. Tour Bogotá, Colombia’s capital; Villa de Leyva, a small and colonial town declared a national monument by Colombia in the fifties; and Cartagena, an classic Colombian city filled with rich history, culture and architecture. This tour also includes a visit to Rosario Islands.

On this tour, you’ll spend 2 days in Bogotá (where you’ll visit La Candelaria, Plaza Bolívar, Monserrate and el Museo del Oro). You’ll visit the beautiful colonial city of Villa de Leyva and Zipaquirá’s Underground Salt Cathedral. Then you’ll spend 3 days in Cartagena (where you’ll take a trip to the Rosario Islands and tour the old, walled city center), and after that, you’ll spend 2 days in the beautiful Islas del Rosario. You may choose to add a few nights in Tayrona National Park or Santa Marta.

Inclusions
Prices include: Domestic air transportation from Bogotá to Cartagena, private airport transfers including one piece of luggage, land transfer to Villa de Leyva, hotel accommodation including breakfast, meals where specified, group tours with bilingual guide and entrance fees. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. You may have to pay a surcharge if you book a trip during late December, early January or Easter.
Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

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Package Price: From £$ 3274

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Bogota

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

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

Day
2

City tour of Bogota with Monserrate

First, 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, 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.

Upon leaving this area, 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: Travel by cable car up to 10,500 feet to the top of the Mountain that looks over Bogota; museums closed on Monday.
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Monserrate-Colombia
Day
3

Bogota – Zipaquira – Villa de Leyva

While heading to the Salt Cathedral, 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. The visit there begins in a tunnel that exhibits the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross and leads to the dome from where one can observe the great cross sculpted in low relief. 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.

Afternoon transfer to Villa de Leyva. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Founded in 1572 by Andrés Díaz Venero de Leyva (by order of the kingdom of Granada), Villa de Leyva boasts Spanish style houses, small alleys, cobblestone streets and the Plaza.
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Salt-Cathedral-Colombia
Day
4

Villa de Leyva – Bogota – Cartagena

Morning at leisure to tour Villa de Leyva’s historic city center. Transfer back to Bogota and visit the Convento Ecce Huomo on the way. Upon arrival in Bogota take a flight to Cartagena. Then transfer to the hotel. Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia and an important 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.

Morning at leisure to tour Villa de Leyva’s historic city center. Transfer back to Bogota and visit the Convento Ecce Huomo on the way. Upon arrival in Bogota take a flight to Cartagena. Then transfer to the hotel. Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia and an important 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.

Dusk-Cartagena-Colombia
Day
5

Cartagena 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.) 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 one can find hand-crafted souvenirs. Afternoon at leisure.

Guided walk along the walled old town. (The walled, colonial city center of Cartagena was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.) 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 one can find hand-crafted souvenirs. Afternoon at leisure.

Plaza-Santo-Domingo-Cartagena-Colombia
Day
6

Cartagena

Day at leisure to tour Cartagena. One may also want to add an excursion to the Totumo Volcano, for a mud bath (known for its medicinal properties) followed by a regular bath at El Totumo Lagoon. Totumo Volcano is just 50 minutes from Cartagena.

Day at leisure to tour Cartagena. One may also want to add an excursion to the Totumo Volcano, for a mud bath (known for its medicinal properties) followed by a regular bath at El Totumo Lagoon. Totumo Volcano is just 50 minutes from Cartagena.

TotumoVolcano-Cartagena-Colombia
Day
7

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. There will be a chance to swim and snorkel. Lunch Included. Overnight on Rosario Island.

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. There will be a chance to swim and snorkel. Lunch Included. Overnight on Rosario Island.

Islas-del-Rosario-Colombia
Day
8

Islas del Rosario

Day at leisure to explore the Rosario Islands.

Day at leisure to explore the Rosario Islands.

Rosario-Island-Colombia
Day
9

Cartagena – Bogota

Return to Cartagena and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bogota. Upon arrival connect with the international flight back home.

Return to Cartagena and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bogota. Upon arrival connect with the international flight back home.

Villa de Leyva - Boyaca, Colombia

Bogotá - Bogota, Colombia

Cartagena - Bolivar, Colombia

Isla Del Rosario - Magdalena, Colombia

Places You'll See

  • Plaza-de-Bolivar-Bogota-Colombia

    Bogota

    Located in the center of Colombia, the city of Bogota appeals to all types. The La Candelaria area draws in the lovers of art and culture with its many museums including the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum. Other notable attractions include botanical garden Jose Celestino Mutis, the National Observatory, and over 100 shopping malls.

  • villa-de-leyva-colombia

    Villa de Leyva

    The charming city of Villa de Leyva is full of original and authentic history. It is one of the few Colombian towns able to preserve nearly all of its colonial architecture. Visit one of the numerous museums scattered throughout the town, including Museo Paleontoligico for its fossil collection or the Museo del Carmen for its collection of beautiful religious art.

  • Cartagena-Colombia

    Cartagena

    The walled city of Cartagena, with its cobblestone streets and gorgeous colonial architecture, is full of exciting and engaging sites and activities. Visit the Palacio de la Inquisicion, where the Spanish Inquisition condemned men accused of crimes against religion. Or spend the day at the Playa Blanca beach, enjoying the surf and the sand.

  • Rosario-Islands-Colombia

    Isla del Rosario

    These Islands are a National Natural Park consisting of a group of coral islands surrounded by a crystal clear sea. The 23 coral islands were formed by volcano activity causing the seabed to rise creating ideal conditions for the development of coral reefs. This area is a great natural habitat for a large variety of marine fauna.

Hotel Options

3 Star Properties

Bogota : Hotel Casa Deco

Bogota : Abadia Colonial

Villa de Leyva : Getsemani (Mediterranea)

Cartagena : Alfiz

Cartagena : Hotel Bantu

Isla del Rosario : Isla del Pirata

4 Star Properties

Bogota : Hotel de la Opera – standard Room

Bogota : Andino Royal

Bogota : Sonesta

Villa de Leyva : Getsemani (Mediterranea especial)

Cartagena : Sofitel Santa Clara (Classic)

Cartagena : Hotel Casa Pestagua

Cartagena : Bovedas de Santa Clara

Isla del Rosario : San Pedro de Majaqua (junior suite)

5 Star Properties

Bogota : The Orchids Real – Suite

Bogota : Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia – Superior Room

Villa de Leyva : Hotel la Posada de San Antonio (Suite Chiminea)

Cartagena : Ananda Hotel Boutique

Cartagena : Sofitel Santa Clara (Superior)

Cartagena : Casa del Arzobispado

Isla del Rosario : San Pedro de Majaqua (suite)

Luxury Properties

Bogota : Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia – Suite

Bogota : Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

Villa de Leyva : Villa de Leyva Casa Terra

Villa de Leyva : Hotel la Posada de San Antonio (Suite Chiminea)

Cartagena : Charleston Santa Teresa

Cartagena : Hotel Casa San Agustin

Isla del Rosario : Punta Faro – standard Room

Testimonials

Caroline T.

Traveled January, 2016

Our trip was excellent!

Highlights from our trip: Bogota museums and the Sunday bike ride (absolutely fabulous guide for that), Hotel in Villa de Leyva (the best!), Medellin (wonderful Aquarium, also visit to Level 1 neighborhood, also great restaurant), Botero sculptures and museum, walking around in Cartegena, hotel in Cartegena, great restaurants in Cartegena, snorkeling.

Traveled To

Edoardo

Traveled February 2016

It was a most memorable trip and we enjoyed every minute of it

It was a most memorable trip and we enjoyed every minute of it, thanks to the impeccable Yampu’s organization and the great support offered by your local agents.
Claudia is feeling much better and thinks it was thoughtful of you to send her some teas.

Traveled To


Claudia ed Edoardo

Traveled February, 2016

It was a most memorable trip

And we enjoyed every minute of it, thanks to the impeccable Yampu organization (it is not a novelty…) and the great support offered by your local agents. Excellent guides, interpreters and drivers. Remarkable choice of hotels. To sum it up: a fantastic trip. Would you please convey our deepest thanks to all of your local agents for their generous assistance and their willingness to satisfy our requests.
A special grateful thank you to you, Wendy. I did appreciate your unstinting support, your professional approach and your astonishing ability to interpret and develop your customer’s project.
We do not say addio but arrivederci, hoping to travel with Yampu again.

Traveled To

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Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit your wishlist - We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit your budget and taste.

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