Off the Beaten Track Holiday in Colombia

Your adventure begins in Bogota, Colombia’s vibrant capital. From the plazas and characterful restaurants of historic La Candelaria to unique attractions such as the dazzling Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) and a cathedral made of salt, this city offers an ideal introduction to Colombia. Take the cable car up to the top of Mount Monserrate for panoramic views over the city, framed by mountains, and for a dose of culture, follow in the footsteps of some of Colombia’s most famous sons, artist Fernando Botero and novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 

Your home for two nights is the elegant Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia, which sits in the heart of one of the city’s most exclusive areas, near excellent bars and restaurants.

It’s time to head into the countryside to Los Llanos and Corocora Camp, where you’ll sleep in a private reserve in the heart of the plains where llaneros (cowboys) roam. As well as saddling up and exploring on horseback like the locals, you’ll also get to herd cattle and head out on wildlife-spotting nature walks and game drives. It’s not just about the horses here - the savannahs, wetlands, palm groves and forests of Los Llanos are full of wildlife such as capybaras, jaguars, howler monkeys, white-tailed deer, caimans and giant anteaters, as well as birds such as the Corocora, or scarlet ibis, which gives the camp its name.

Return to the camp for a hearty barbecue and traditional music around the campfire in the evening, accompanied by vivid sunsets across the plains - a magical way to end a day in the wilderness.  

After saying goodbye to the horses, you’ll make your way to the historic town of Barichara to explore its attractive cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, terracotta-tiled roofs and hilltop churches, which have been, unsurprisingly, a popular setting for Spanish-language films and telenovelas. The town’s name means ‘place of relaxation’ and this is an ideal setting to unwind in after a few days of horse riding - but if you still have a thirst for adventure, keep the adrenaline pumping on a paragliding, rapelling or rafting trip in the Suarez River Canyon. 

In Barichara, you’ll stay at the characterful Hotel Alto del Viento, which has pretty interiors adorned with local works of art and a pool on the terrace overlooking the town.

It’s hard not to fall for the irresistible Caribbean charms of Cartagena. Colourful buildings surround plazas where you can sip a cup of fine Colombian coffee and watch the world go by, or have an ice-cold beer on the historic city walls overlooking the sea. Music and dancing go on well into the long tropical nights, and horses and carriages clip-clop along the streets. If you fancy some beach time, there are stretches of pristine sand fringing the city centre, or you can take a boat out to islands nearby.

Your hotel here is the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, a historic and beautiful gem not far from the sea, with a tropical palm-filled courtyard and a lovely pool that’s perfect for cooling off in.