Bogota & Cartagena 7-Day Tour
A week-long tour to two of Colombia's urban & Colonial highlights: Bogota & Cartagena.
Private transfers & excursions; accommodation in distinctive, comfortable properties.
Overview
Colombia is rapidly emerging as a red-hot destination for travel cognoscenti. For those on a limited timeframe, this two-centre itinerary offers a fulfilling snapshot.
Starting in Colombia's capital city, Bogota, located at some 2,640 metres (8,660 ft) above sea level, in the Andes mountains, with its impressive monumental architecture and museums, before moving to the steamy, Caribbean port city of Cartagena de India, whose Colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
In both cities, there are guided tours, as well as time to explore on your own and enjoy the traditional hospitality of the Colombian people, who are delighted to welcome overseas visitors to their country.
Additionally, the regular flights between Lima and Bogota, makes Colombia an ideal destination to combine with a visit to Peru.
Bogota & Cartagena: 7-Day Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Arrive Bogota. Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey.
Day 2: Half-Day Bogota City Tour. Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey.
Day 3: Half-Day Zipaquira Tour. Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey.
Day 4: Fly to Cartagena. Overnight at Don Pedro de Heredia.
Day 5: Half-Day Cartagena City Tour. Overnight at Don Pedro de Heredia.
Day 6: Free Day in Cartagena. Overnight at Don Pedro de Heredia.
Day 7: Transfer to Cartagena airport.
For a more in-depth exploration of Colombia's scenic, cultural, biological and geographical diversity, have a look at out 12-day Colombian Highlights itinerary.
Prices
Below prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
NB. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand, and so are not included.
| Itinerary | Length | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | £566 / $724 |
Included in the above price:
Accommodation in stated properties, subject to availability.
Meals as stated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
Transportation in private vehicle
Private excursions as stated
English-speaking guide for transfers and excursions.
Entrance fees.
Not Included:
Itinerary
Bogota & Cartagena Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Please note that the below itinerary can be customized according to your timeframe and interests.
Day 1: Bogota (B)
On arrival at Bogota Airport, we welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey, or similar.
This modern, environmentally-aware hotel is located near El Virrey Park, and close to Zona T, which is one of Bogota's main shopping, dining and nightlife districts.
Day 2: Bogota City Tour (B)
After breakfast, we take you on a half day tour of Bogota's historic centre, La Candelaria.
This historic Colonial neighbourhood is of great architectural and cultural heritage, made up of large Spanish-built buildings with iron windows, thick and sturdy wooden doors, balconies and internal patios, with beautiful, hidden gardens.
We visit the Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great liberator Simon Bolivar is located.
This Plaza, originally called the Plaza Mayor, was used for civil and military purposes, as a marketplace, and at one time as a bullring and a gallows.
Bogota Cathedral in Plaza de Bolivar.
The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza, is constructed on the remains of the first church built in Bogota in 1539 and houses an important collection of religious artefacts, collected over four centuries.
The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows Renaissance and Neoclassical influences with its carved stonework and tall columns, and is the first Republican piece of civil architecture.
Around the Plaza de Bolivar are the Palacio de Justicia, the Mayor's office (Edificio Liévano), the oldest school in the county - San Bartolome - and the Casa de los Comuneros.
The visit continues with the Botero Museum, a Colonial house filled with works of art by and from the great Colombian artist, Fernando Botero. As well as his own work, there are alsopieces by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti.
NB. The Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Next is the Gold Museum which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 jewels, ceramics and textiles from the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures.
The Museum, in operation since 1939 - and fully refurbished in 2007 - is considered one of the most important museums of its type internationally.
NB. The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays.
Free afternoon for individual activities. We recommend visiting Bogota’s various other museums, or taking the funicular railway or cable car up to the church on top of Monserrate Mountain.
Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey, or similar.
Day 3: Bogota - Zipaquira Salt Cathedral (B)
NB. This day is not included in the 5 & 6-day itinerary.
After breakfast, we depart from Bogota and head north, towards Zipaquira, travelling through Bogota's savannah (paramo), past many fields of flowers. Ornamental flower production is an important industry in the region.
After a journey of an hour and a half, we reach the impressive 'Salt Cathedral', a true feat of engineering.
The name Zipaquira refers to Zipa, the leader of the Muisca tribe, who was chief of these rich salt mines.
The excursion begins in a tunnel that passes the fourteen Stations of the Cross, and continues on to the dome, which is lit in such a way as to allow contemplation of the Universe and the relationship between Man and Nature.
A cross in Zipaquira Salt Cathedral.
In the central nave is the main altar, above which is the largest cross made from salt in the world, measuring 16 m (52 ft) in height and 10 m (33 ft) in breadth. It was created by the Colombian artist Carlos Enrique Rodriguez.
Next we visit the mine, where there is an excellent auditorium that can seat up to two hundred people, host film screenings and events such as fashion shows.
The trip ends at a mirror of water, which creates amazing visual effects of water on carved saline rock.
We return to Bogota in the early afternoon, and the rest of the day is free for personal exploration.
Overnight at Hotel B3 Virrey, or similar.
Day 4: Bogota - Cartagena (B)
Transfer to Bogota airport for flight to Cartagena.
Upon arrival, transfer and hotel check-in.
Located in the beautiful district of San Diego, inside the walled city, Hotel Tres Banderas is the ideal base for exploring Cartagena. The hotel is a converted, 200-year-old, Colonial-style house that is just 50 m (55 yds) from Plaza de San Diego and Santo Toribio Church.
Along with 24 comfortable air-conditioned rooms, Hotel Tres Banderas also boasts two spacious patios and a rooftop terrace.
Overnight at Hotel Tres Banderas, or similar.
Day 5: Cartagena Panoramic Tour (B)
A view of La Popa Church amongst more modern Cartagena buildings.
We start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio & Iglesia de La Popa, from where we can enjoy 360º views of the city and the sea, including the port, which is one of the most important in the Caribbean.
Constructed in 1606, at an altitude of 140 m (460 ft) above sea level, the church resembles the stern of a galleon.
We continue to San Felipe Fortress, which was built on San Lazaro hill, in order to defend the city from pirate attacks.
We walk around the fortress, learning about the castle construction, engineering, tunnels, underground galleries and passageways.
Then, we go to the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) to visit the Convent & Church of San Pedro Claver.
We then go to Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments, and then later as a prison in the 19th century. Nowadays it is an artisan centre offering local handicrafts.
Free afternoon for individual activities.
Overnight at Hotel Tres Banderas, or similar.
Day 6: Cartagena: Free Day (B)
NB. This day is not included in the 5-day itinerary.
Free day for individual activities.
Overnight at Hotel Tres Banderas, or similar.
Day 7: Cartagena: Departure (B)
After breakfast, we make the transfer to Cartagena airport for your onward flight.
END OF SERVICES
NB. Hotels mentioned are subject to availability.
Map
Reviews
What our clients say about Bogota & Cartagena:
“Thank you for another brilliantly organised trip that once again exceeded all our expectations.
The Ananda hotel in Cartagena was great and in an excellent location. We had a large, airy room and access to a swimming pool, which though small, was lovely .
(As an aside, we had the best massage there, and we’ve had quite a few in our time). The staff were really friendly and helpful.
We went on two tours - the city tour was fine, and took us to the top of a castle and into a monastery that we would not have climbed on our own.
The real highlight, however, was the “Marquez and food” tour, which was wonderful. So much depends on the guide - and our guide was charming, passionate, well-informed and just lovely!
I don’t know how you found the tour (I tried to find it online without success) but we’re really grateful. It was just perfect for us. We both reread Love in the Time of Cholera while we were there and the walking tour went to many of the locations described in the novel.
... So once again thank you for understanding what sort of trip we’re looking for, and for delivering it so splendidly”