El Presidente
Colonial Heritage
Exploring El Dorado!
Arrive to Bogota, Colombia’s vibrant capital, cradled by the Andes Mountains. The city is a comfortable blend of modern and colonial architecture and during a two night stay here you can have some time to rest and recuperate after a long flight, combined with time exploring Bogota’s traditional attractions such as out from the Plaza de Bolivar. Perhaps go to a concert at Teatro Mayor, peruse the Paloquemao market with your guide, or climb the Monserrate Hill.
Next up, make your way to Los Llanos, the 550,000-square-mile region of flooded grassland and savannah that is often dubbed as the ‘Serengeti of South America’. Stay for three nights at Corocora Camp, a stylish tented camp on a private reserve partly run as a traditional cattle ranch where you can explore the area on horseback, by four-wheel drive, in a canoe or even helicopter to spot capybaras, anacondas, anteaters, howler monkeys, giant otters and maybe if you’re lucky, ocelots and pumas!
Journey across to Barichara, the Spanish colonial town saturated with atmosphere, filled with cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings with red-tiled roofs constructed up to 300 years ago. During your three-night stay explore the local area with your guide and with some time at leisure, as well as making a visit to the town of San Gil and hiking to Guane for lunch.
For the final part of your itinerary, head to UNESCO World Heritage Cartagena for three nights where you can explore the Old Town, its huge churches, cobbled streets, castles, convents, bastions, colourful buildings, food, perhaps its beaches and colourful reef, and don’t forget to sample the local rum.
You will love
- Enjoy Colombia’s foodie scene
- Off the beaten track with the Llaneros
- Hike through stunning scenery to Guane
- Walk about white-washed colonial Barichara
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
12 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.
DAY 1 | BOGOTA
Arrive to Bogota and transfer to your accommodation. Check in and some time is at leisure before heading out with your driver to visit the Gold Museum – the world’s largest collection of pre-Colombian gold. Evening at leisure.
DAY 2 | BOGOTA
A full day tour is organised for your today to explore the highlights of Bogota walking through the historic centre of La Candelaria, visiting the Botero Museum and taking the cable car up to Monserrate Sanctuary to enjoy unrivalled views over the city. Time is free for lunch in the middle of the day.
DAY 3 | LOS LLANOS
Fly from Bogota to Yopal, then take a road transfer for just under three hours to reach the camp. Check in and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
DAY 4 | LOS LLANOS
Included in your stay are experiences to embark on such as nature walks, birdwatching, canoeing, artisanal fishing and learning about the conservation program.
DAY 5 | LOS LLANOS
Enjoy more of the activities included in your stay or elect to pay a supplement to ride with the llaneros, spend time with locals and learn about llanero traditions, have a bonfire, take part in a river expedition and traditions at a local ranch, head out for a four-wheel drive expedition, or on a helicopter deep into the Los Llanos reserve.
DAY 6 | BARICHARA
Road transfer back to Yopal, then fly to Bucaramanga. Upon arrival drive to Barichara. After a long day of travelling, check into your accommodation and the late afternoon and evening is at leisure.
DAY 7 | BARICHARA
Spend the morning with your guide on a walking tour of Barichara exploring the pretty colonial streets. Later head to the town of San Gil for a walkabout and for lunch. Return back to Barichara late this afternoon.
DAY 8 | BARICHARA
After a leisurely breakfast, hike from Barichara to Guane, approximately a two-hour, mostly downhill journey with stunning scenery. Enjoy lunch in Guane and return with your driver to Barichara in the afternoon.
DAY 9 | CARTAGENA
Road transfer to the airport and fly to Cartagena. After check in, your guide will take you for a short orientation walk near the hotel to get acquainted with the surroundings and identify the recommended restaurants, cafes, shops and other places of interest.
DAY 10 | CARTAGENA
This morning meet your guide and head out to explore Cartagena’s colourful historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk past and learn about the iconic plazas, cathedrals and colourful houses that characterise El Centro and Getsemani. Learn about Spanish colonisation, pirate sieges, Cartagena’s festive culture and taste the exotic fruits and traditional snacks found along the way. The afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 11 | CARTAGENA
Meet your guide and head out for an exotic fruit and Colombian cacao tasting. After some free time for lunch, enjoy a Colombian rum distillation and tasting, learning about how different rums are processed and aged, in order to recognise their unique characteristics.
DAY 12 | END OF ARRANGEMENTS
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and end of arrangements.
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