Bogota - Los Llanos - Cartagena - 10 days
|
A sample VIP itinerary. The idea is to get outdoors and get active, with tours focusing on things like nature, local culture… visiting small towns or farms, hiking, relaxing and mindfulness, with small and boutique hotels.
|
|
Day 1:Bogota- North of Bogota
You will have a private transfer with an English-speaking guide from the airport to your selected hotel in Bogotá. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. You will spend the night at Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina in a Premier Room. Day 2: Bogota- Nemocon- North of Bogota Today you will visit the salt mine of Nemocon with private transport included. This adventure leads you 60 meters underneath the ground with shafts of a total length of 2500 meters. Be amazed by impressive rock and salt formations, the mirror like lakes and fond of wishes. Furthermore you will visit the chapel “La Virgen del Carmen” and the heart of the Nemocon mine. On top of that you will be able to see the movie set of "La 33". This movie is about the mining tragedy taken place in Chile which was recorded in the salt mine Nemocon. Entrance fees and local guide included. Lunch. You will spend the night at Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina in a Premier Room. Included: transport (private) , entrance fees , English speaking guide , private excursion , lunch , breakfast , room Day 3:Bogota- Yopal You will have a private transfer from your hotel to the airport in Bogotá. You will have a domestic flight from Bogota to Yopal The Orinoquia of Colombia is a unique region, almost unexplored and full of richness in fauna and flora. Colombia shares the Orinoquía with Venezuela and historically is the region where the process of independence from Colombia began. In the plains, the 19th-century royalist armies of Colombia and Venezuela fought great battles against the Spanish Empire, resulting in the independence of the colonies of South America. The Llanos region is characterized by vast plains, flowing rivers, thousands of bird species and a variety of ecosystems. In the Llanos, you will find the Colombian cowboys, farmers who are dedicated to cattle raising, animal husbandry, horses and fish. Corocora Camp is located in the department of Casanare, whose capital is the city of Yopal. After taking a charter flight you will arrive in Yopal. Once at the Yopal airport a bilingual host and driver will be waiting to take you to Corocora Camp. Please note that travel time from Yopal to Corocora is 2 hours on paved roads and approximately 45 minutes inside the reserve on unpaved roads. On this first day, you will do an ecological walk in the reserve of Corocora Camp. You will explore the reserve in search of local fauna including deer, capybaras, howler monkeys, and giant anteaters, or partake in one of the camp’s included experiences: bird watching, canoeing, or artisanal fishing. Included: bottle of water , departure transfer , domestic flight , English speaking guide , private excursion , local guide , snack , transport (private) Day 4: Riding with Llaneros (Half Day) Spend the morning or afternoon riding with a local llanero cowboy and an English-speaking naturalist guide. Experience the essence of the llanero riding culture and explore the most inaccessible and natural parts of the reserve. Recommended 5:30 am - 10:00 am and 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, when the sun and heat are low, and the animals are more active. 4x4 Expedition • Onboard a 4x4 or tractor, explore more remote areas of the reserve. The expedition combines driving and walking to view more wildlife and explore inaccessible areas such as gallery forests. Please note that the type of vehicle will be adapted depending on the weather and road conditions Included: bottle of water , English speaking guide , private excursion , full board , local guide , snack , transport (private) Day 5: Yopal - Llanero Traditions Spend the early morning hours with llanero cowboys experiencing their traditions: barefoot horseback riding, herding and corralling cattle, using a lasso, and singing to call and ease cattle. Witness why llanero chants were declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Recommended 5:30am - 10:00am when llaneros do their daily activities. Parrando Llanero - Music (1 hour) • Conclude the day with a traditional parrando, which consists of a bonfire dinner and live music: harp, guitars, and maracas. Llanero songs recount stories of adventure, love, nature and traditions. Included: Activity , bottle of water , English speaking guide , private excursion , full board , local guide , snack Day 6: Yopal- Bogota- Cartagena Learn about the conservation initiatives such as visiting the camera traps to do maintenance and acquire recent footage, and learn about the tracking systems. Transfer to Yopal airport with an English-speaking Host and a driver You will have a domestic flight from Yopal to Bogota. You will have a domestic flight from Bogota to Cartagena. You will have a private transfer with an English-speaking guide from the airport to your selected hotel in Cartagena (Centro or Bocagrande). Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. You will spend the night at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa in a Premium Balcony Room. Included: English speaking guide , local guide , transport (private) , domestic flight , breakfast , room Day 7: City Tour Cartagena Cartagena de Indias is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in America. Its historic downtown, walled by the fortifications built in the colonial time, still preserves its original architecture and nowadays the walled city is shown in an endless number of colors that fill it with life and Caribbean charm. His fascinating history as one of the pearls of that time, a place where treasures were stored and the largest port for slaves, gives Cartagena, the city declared heritage of humanity by UNESCO, enormous importance. Stories about severe pirates attacks remain present in numerous fortresses that remain intact until today. The city tour starts visiting the hill of La Popa, an old Augustinian convent located at 150 meters in the highest point of the city. From here we have the best view of Cartagena and we can learn the strategies applied to defend the city in the colonial times in relationship with the surrounding topography. Then we visit the greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies, San Felipe the Barajas. In an one hour tour, we can appreciate this military architecture masterpiece built in Coraline stone. Then we explore the historic downtown, wherein a walk of about 2 hours we meet the most representative and beautiful squares, churches and streets. You will spend the night at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa in a Premium Balcony Room. Included: entrance fees , local guide , insurance , transport (private) , English speaking guide , breakfast , room Day 8: Coffee and Cocoa in los Montes de María - Tourism and Peace Project The Montes de Maria is a region that has been characterized by the prosperity and fertility of its land. Starting by being the home of the great Zenú goldsmiths to then having an economic bonanza based on the production and export of tobacco, coffee, and cotton. Being known locally as the dollar producing region, the history changes radically with the arrival of the armed conflict, causing more than 50 massacres between 1990 and 2005. But its residents, determined not to consider themselves as victims, set out to move forward and once they have reconstructed their history. We will be transferred to where the tour begins after approximately 2 hours of travel from Cartagena, in the town square of San Jacinto, where our local guide will be waiting to show us the community museum, where its inhabitants have reconstructed their historical memory, from pre-Columbian times to the present, showing their crafts, music, and traditions, but also their pain with a room dedicated to the conflict, its causes and the thousands of victims. The journey continues this time onboard a 4x4 vehicle (the only way to get there) to enter the forest where the peasant farms are located, who will tell us how they have found in coffee and cocoa a way to support their families. Their version of the facts and how their coffee that grows surrounded by banana, avocado, yucca, and chili, has the best flavor. To drink the coffee we will roast it in a pot with a wood fire and refine the cocoa with corn as it has been done for centuries in these lands. When we return, surely a cup of coffee or chocolate will not be the same, but above all, we will return with the happiness of seeing people working day by day to rebuild their lives and therefore rebuild and heal a country. This experience lasts around 12 hours. You will spend the night at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa in a Premium Balcony Room. Included: Activity , bottle of water , local guide , insurance , lunch menu , transport (private) , English speaking guide , breakfast , room Day 9: Private Boat Trip to Rosario Islands The Rosario Islands are located approximately 40km (approx.1 hour by boat) south-west of Cartagena. They consist of 27 islands and 20 hectares of coral islands and reefs. Some are swampy and consist mainly of mangrove and coconut trees. Let yourself be amazed by the Caribbean and explore this impressive and beautiful landscapes of Islas Del Rosario with its clear waters and gentle breezes. Today, the entire marine area, including the Islas de Barú and the Islas de San Bernardo are protected areas.You will have a private boat at disposal to take a panoramic tour in the islands. You will have a pre-set menu for lunch before you head back to Cartagena in the afternoon. You will spend the night at Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa in a Premium Balcony Room. Included: bottle of water, lunch menu, snack , breakfast, room Day 10: Cartagena You will have a private transfer from your hotel (Centro or Bocagrande) to the airport in Cartagena. Included: departure transfer , English speaking guide |
Sample low season 2021 prices per person with 2 people in double occupancy: US$4987 with local flights included (flight prices can change) Included
Prices without the Colombian VAT (19%) The prices shown are without the extra 19% VAT on top as foreign tourists do not have to pay this tax. We can therefore only guarantee this price if we have copies of the passengers´ passports as proof of their nationality. Not included
Hotels
Hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina
This landmark building, faced with stone columns and an exquisite brick façade, remains true to its origins, retaining wooden beams, wrought-iron accents and hand-crafted doors, all offset by white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. Just steps from the vibrant “Zona Gourmet,” a neighbourhood boasting many of the city’s best restaurants, Casa Medina is right in the bustling centre of the financial district, equidistant from the designer boutiques of the Zona T and the historic buildings of the colonial quarter, each just 20 minutes away by car. Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa
When you’ve explored the sites, relax in the sumptuous guest rooms, unwind in Cartagena’s most luxurious hotel spa then experience the magic of a Caribbean sunset over dinner in La Terrazza, one of the best restaurants in Cartagena. Lovingly restored by expert craftsmen, the reverence of this former cloister demands an insistence on quality and attention to every tiny detail. The proud Colombian heritage is immediately evident from the stately splendor of the facade to the warm personal welcome of the staff. Whether you are looking for a unique corporate event venue in Cartagena, a premier corporate hotel in Colombia, the prefect dream Cartagena wedding or you simply want to revive your body and soul in a hotel spa, at one of the top Caribbean resorts; the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa will refresh, restore and inspire you. Corocora Camp This is an exclusive tented camp with four spacious tents, adorned with fabrics and handcrafts from different regions of Colombia, showcasing the country’s artisans and captivating cultural diversity. Each tent has:
There is also a social tent, which provides a shared space with comfortable sitting area and main dining space with
Corocora Camp funds conservation projects to protect vulnerable wildlife in Colombia, by working with local foundations and communities, implementing sustainable practices and collaborating in research projects. With the use of solar panels, water filtration systems, compost and recycling programs, and biodegradable, lightweight materials, the campsite has a minimal use of plastic and waste, and reduced impact on the environment. Program Llanero Life 4 days / 3 nights: included: All chef-prepared meals, natural fruit juices, tea, and coffee, Filtered water (refillable glass water bottles with Natura filters), personal English-speaking naturalist guide with scientific knowledge of wildlife, bird watching, and conservation (8 hours per day), personal llanero guide specialized in local culture and horses, with an empirical understanding of nature and wildlife (8 hours per day), rubber boots and rubber poncho for excursions, full access to a 9,000-hectare private reserve. Optional to get there: Fly 25 minutes in a helicopter from Yopal (Bell 412 helicopter) $3840 USD round trip total per 2 people. |
