Culture, Action and Relaxation

Kick off your exciting Colombia vacation in Bogotá, the vibrant capital brimming with heritage, art and delectable cuisine. You’ll stay in style at the chic B.O.G hotel, your base for exploring the bustling metropolis. Don’t miss the captivating colonial old quarter, La Candelaria; the extraordinary Gold Museum; and the astounding Zipaquira Cathedral during your stay here.

Swap the city for the countryside and fly up to the enchanting Coffee Triangle, a bucolic wonderland carpeted in lush forests and home to aromatic coffee plantations. Your hideaway will be the Hotel Salento Real Eje Cafetero, in the heart of sleepy Salento. We’ll take you on a tour of the Cocora Valley where you’ll get to witness its incredible biodiversity. The following day, saddle up and ride through the Risaralda Valley with a local guide, taking in the glorious landscape and visiting local communities.

The next stop on your Colombian adventure vacation is Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city, and you'll be staying at the Park 10 Hotel. Get a real sense of how far Medellin has come with a visit to the Casa de la Memoria museum, or take a stroll down Calle 52, a wonderfully chaotic street oozing a quintessential Latin American atmosphere with its trinket vendors, hole-in-the-wall empanada shops and colourful food carts. We’ll also take you on a full day tour of Guatape, where the 10 million-ton rock ‘La Piedra del Penol’ is found. You can climb to the top for amazing views of the surrounding reserve, and wander through the picturesque village of Guatape with its colourful facades.

After a week in the heart of Colombia, it’s time to hit the beach. You’ll fly from Medellin to Nuqui, a small fisherman’s town caught between the mountainous area of Baudo and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The waters at Nuqui are teeming with humpback whales, so wildlife watching is a must. Unwind at your intimate eco-friendly retreat, El Cantil Eco-lodge, enveloped by jungle and perched above the beach. While away the days surfing, diving, fishing and kayaking, or head inland with a nature guide to discover the native flora and fauna, as well as natural hot springs.

Next you’ll experience Colombia’s other coastline with a visit to Cartagena, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This just might be South America’s most attractive city, with its kaleidoscopic colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and beautiful squares, plus its laidback Caribbean culture makes it a delight to visit. After days out unearthing its gems, retreat to the gorgeous Ananda Boutique Hotel – a 16^th century hideaway bedecked in wooden beams and Baroque-style finishings.

A scenic journey winding along the Caribbean coast will take you to South America’s oldest surviving city, Santa Marta. You’ll stay for a night at Hotel Casa del Faro, just steps from the town’s Cathedral and with lovely outdoor pools. Be sure to get lots of rest tonight ahead of your expedition into the Sierra Nevada tomorrow!

Venturing into the Sierra Nevada is like stepping into another world. Deep in the forest lies the Ciudad Perdida – literally, the ‘Lost City’ – which was abandoned after the Spanish colonised Colombia, and was only stumbled upon in the 1970s by a group of grave-robbers. Today the only way to reach this archaeological site is on foot, taking an intrepid hike through the mountains over 5 days. On your exhilarating trek you’ll see the first Wiwa indigenous camps, swim in waterfalls and witness the extraordinary wildlife of the area, accompanied by expert guides who provide meals and hammocks – your makeshift accommodation!

From the rugged and extraordinary Sierra Nevada, we’ll take you back to 21^st century civilisation in Santa Marta, returning to Hotel Casa del Faro where you can toast your expedition on the rooftop terrace.

Your luxury Colombian adventure has almost come to an end, but first it’s time to reward yourself with some beach R&R in the exotic islands studded in the Caribbean Sea. You’ll fly to San Andres via Bogota and stay at the Cocoplum Beach Hotel, a tropical bolthole encircled by coconut palms and tropical gardens.

Although we are very fond of San Andres, we recommend making that extra effort to fly over to Providencia for your final few days in Colombia, as this is where to disconnect from the world and get your own slice of paradise. The island exudes a laidback vibe, so you can sit back, relax and escape from everyday life -  the small boutique hideaway, Deep Blue, is perfect for this. What’s more, Providencia is home to the world’s third largest barrier reef, which teems with turtles, reef sharks and tropic fish. Don't miss the snorkelling and diving at Crab Caye, McBean Lagoon or Almond Bay to discover a remarkable underwater world.