A Tale of Two Cities: Bogotá and Cartagena Vacation | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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A Tale of Two Cities: Bogotá and Cartagena Vacation

PRIVATE TOUR - 7 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 2892

Private Tour Highlights

  • 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, reached by cable car and promising unforgettable vistas.
  • 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 an exciting day of swimming and snorkeling.
  • Going for a dip in the mud baths at Totumo Volcano, which are known for their healing properties, offering a fantastic way to unwind within nature.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

With A Tale of Two Cities: Bogotá and Cartagena Vacation, Yampu Travelers can tour two exceptional, and distinct, Colombian cities where new meets old! 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.

Inclusions
Prices include: Domestic air transportation from Bogotá to Cartagena, private airport transfers including one piece of luggage, 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

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 2892

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, airport reception and 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, airport reception and 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

Today, enjoy a private visit to the Colombian capital. It starts at the Plaza de Bolivar (the city’s main square), which is surrounded by federal government buildings, and continues into the old colonial part of the city better known as "La Candelaria". Also visit the San Francisco Church, the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays) and the Emerald Museum. Seek higher grounds by taking a cable car to the top of the Monserrate Hill, which offers a spectacular view of the city. The tour finishes in the north of Bogota in a shopping center called Hacienda Santa Barbara in Usaquen, which is a small colonial village now surrounded by the city. ...read less

Bogota-PlazadeBolivar-Colombia
Day
3

Zipaquira's Underground Salt Cathedral

Leaving Bogota to the north, cross the savanna landscape to the town of Zipaquira, about 50 km away. Upon arrival, visit the fully functioning Salt Cathedral. This unique building was constructed approximately 120 meters underground in a former salt mine. The trip ends with a visit to Zipaquira’s charming central square. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Leaving Bogota to the north, cross the savanna landscape to the town of Zipaquira, about 50 km away. Upon arrival, visit the fully functioning Salt Cathedral. This unique building was constructed approximately 120 meters underground in a former salt mine. The trip ends with a visit to Zipaquira’s charming central square. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Salt-Cathedral-Colombia
Day
4

Bogota – Cartagena

Transfer read more...

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival transfer to the 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
Get carried away by the incredible and majestic tour of the Old City and discover the enchantment of the Cartagena nights. Live it up and be surrounded by the mysticism of its narrow streets and plazas filled with stories and discover the meaning of their names. Don’t hesitate to participate and enjoy this walk as the best alternative to discovering even more of the charm of the "Corralito de Piedra".
...read less

Cartagena-Colombia
Day
5

Islas del Rosario

Today, have a private full day tour to the 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. Return to Cartagena.

Today, have a private full day tour to the 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. Return to Cartagena.

Islas-del-Rosario-Colombia
Day
6

Totumo Volcano

Today, 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, return to the hotel and have the evening free to relax. ...read less

Totumo-Volcano
Day
7

Cartagena – Bogota

Today, be picked up from the hotel for the transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bogota and connect with the international flight back home (transfer is with a driver only, no guide).

Today, be picked up from the hotel for the transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bogota and connect with the international flight back home (transfer is with a driver only, no guide).

Bogota, Colombia

Cartagena - Bolivar, 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.

  • 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.

Hotel Options

3 Star Properties

Bogota : Hotel Casa Deco

Bogota : Abadia Colonial

Cartagena : Hotel Bantu

Cartagena : Alfiz

4 Star Properties

Bogota : Hotel de la Opera – standard Room

Bogota : Andino Royal

Bogota : Sonesta

Cartagena : Sofitel Santa Clara (Classic)

Cartagena : Hotel Casa Pestagua

5 Star Properties

Bogota : The Orchids Real – Suite

Bogota : Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia – Superior Room

Cartagena : Ananda Hotel Boutique

Cartagena : Sofitel Santa Clara (Superior)

Cartagena : Casa del Arzobispado

Luxury Properties

Bogota : Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

Cartagena : Hotel Casa San Agustin

Cartagena : Charleston Santa Teresa

Testimonials

Barbara

Traveled February 2016

First and foremost, we had a fabulous trip!

Thank you and the whole local team so much!! We truly appreciate the immediate attention and swift action due to the missed flight connection. It was handled very professionally with lots of communication, so we had no anxiety, and while we missed some sleep since we arrived in San Agustin quite late, we were very pleased not to have to sacrifice any of the planned tour as a result of it.

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

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


Let Us Customize This Trip For You

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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