Colombia - Great Magic and an Explosion of Color...

Day 01. Bogota. Arrival to Bogota. Colombia's capital is located in the geographical centre of the country at 8500 ft (2600 meters) above sea level. Meet up at the airport, transfer to your hotel and lodging for two nights. Your hotel is in La Candelaria, it is Bogota's historic center, a network of cobblestone streets, it is Bogotá's heart and soul. Look out on to endless views of the colonial red tile roofs and the domes of the Church of San Ignacio. Admire from your balcony the facades of the San Carlos's Palace. All around are aristocratic mansions, unexpected beautiful churches, museums, universities and theaters. Here for five centuries the cultural and academic life of Colombia has taken center stage. Get a relax at the hotel's unique spa with Turkish bath, sauna, massages and beauty room, gym, and heated pool.

Day 02. Bogota - Monserrate Hill - Historic Center - La Candelaria. Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will see the best of Bogota during our author's full day tour. After breakfast you will transfer to Monserrate Hill, the main symbol of Bogota located at 10300 feet (3.152 meters) above the sea level. Prepare for a great ride by a scenic cable car up there where is home of the Monserrate Sanctuary, a famous pilgrimage site. From the Hill you will appreciate the beautiful Bogota views and landscapes. Take a moment to look at the Stations of the Cross: all in all lovely. Here is the Monserrate Sanctuary. The Governor of the New Kingdom of Granada, what the majority of Colombia was called in the 17th century, Mr Juan de Borga authorized the building of a church in the name of Monserrat's Morena Virgin whose sanctuary was located in Barcelona, Spain. Enjoy this very beautiful place of peace and harmony. Then you will transfer to the historical district La Candelaria with Bolivar Square. The historic centre of Bogota is best seen on foot. Fun walking along the little streets in La Candelaria, a vibrant section of the city with small shops, ancient churches and a lot of history. There are old houses and building of Spanish colonial and baroque styles. You will make a tour through the historic Quinta de Simon Bolivar, the place where the liberator lived. You will visit the Gold Museum, home of the world's largest collection of pre-Hispanic goldsmith and visit the Botero's museum which contains a stunning collection of works by Fernando Botero and many other globally recognized artists. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 03. Bogota - Zipaquira - Guatavita - Villa de Leyva. Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will drive out of Bogota to the visit a magical and spiritual underground Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira built some 600 feet (180m) within a salt mine with some small chapels representing the Stations of the Cross. The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is one of the 7 wonders in Colombia. Then you will get panoramic tour around Zipaquira main square. Continue to the charming Andalusian-style town of Guatavita. Here there is a Guatavita Lake within the crater of a volcano that was sacred to the ancient Chibchas, and home to one of the legends of El Dorado. Guatavita Lake was a sacred lagoon for the Chibchas aborigens. The legend of El Dorado has its origin in the myth through which the Zipa (Chibchas' chief) submerged in this lagoon with his body covered with gold dust, stickled with honey, meanwhile offering beautiful gold pieces to the god of the lagoon. Many of the pieces showed at the current Gold Museum were found in this place. Continue to the beautiful traditional town of Villa de Leyva where time stands still. Villa de Leyva was declared a national monument. If it were not for the cold climate, upon arriving at Villa de Leyva, you would think that you are in the heart of Andalucia. The impression is very similar. White façades, wooden windows and doors, and lovely balconies with a Moorish influence are the characteristic accents of the Hispanic tradition of the town. Villa de Leyva was founded in 1572 and built according to Spanish architectural norms. Lodging in Villa de Leyva for one night. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 04. Villa de Leyva-Santo Ecce Homo Convent - Bogota-Cartagena. Breakfast at your hotel. Walking tour through the enchanting cobblestone streets. Villa de Leyva is a charming place full of history, architecture, bohemian environment for all tastes. You will get a surprise with it breathtaking scenery. Sip coffee or a cold beer and soak in the history and colonial architecture from the impressive main town square, to the patios of stylishly restored colonial houses such as La Guaca or La Casa de San Juan Castellanos. You will visit Casa Terracota, an enormous building of irregular shapes, colors and textures. Besides from being the biggest piece of pottery in the world, Casa Terracota is a matchless work of art: it merges not only architecture and design, but also all the arts and crafts known. Then you will go to Santo Ecce Homo Convent, one of the most beautiful architectural legacies of colonial times. Originally built as a cloisters by Dominican fathers, it houses a collection of religious paintings, particularly the Santo Ecce Homo, Christ with his eyes closed, painted in such a way that gives the sensation of having them open. Experience the mysterious charm of this convent, which is now a historic site. Explore the outdoor garden area while observing the exquisite architecture of the building. Then you will head back to Bogota passing through the town of Raquira with its own unique character, where you can see brightly colored buildings and visit a number of craft shops, which the town is well known for, such as pottery, hammocks and baskets. When the evening lights illuminate the Eeastern mountains, you will check in for your flight to Cartagena, the Caribbean coastal city and the most beautiful colonial city in Colombia. Time of flight is just 1:20 and you will be met at the Cartagena's airport. Transfer to your hotel and lodging for two nights. (Breakfast included)

Day 05. Cartagena. Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will see the best of Cartagena during our author's full day tour. The magic of Cartagena lies in its massive fortifications, the warmth of the people, and the richness of the architecture and the infinite range of cultural expression of a doughty and valiant people. The city is full of romance, and there is the setting for many a tale of times past in every street and square, and along the walls that bound it, waiting for the sunset to evoke past struggles. It is a unique atmosphere that captivates the visitor and takes him back to times past and forgotten, in a horse and carriage. Founded in 1533, Cartagena was the only port in Spanish South America. Visit the Convent of La Popa, on a hilltop overlooking the bay; visit the monastery and the chapel of "La Virgin de La Candelaria." Visit the enormous fortifications at San Felipe built in the 17th century to protect the city from English, French and Dutch pirates. The walled city has the best preserved colonial architecture, declared a "Patrimony of Humanity." Here you will visit Las Bovedas (the old dungeons) but now boutique shops and handicraft stores, numerous plazas, churches, and restaurants. Enjoy the soft, warm breezes as you pass through the squares and plazas. (Breakfast included)

Day 06. Cartagena - Baru Island. Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the pier where you will get a speed boat to the Baru Island which is just 1 hour sea trip from Cartagena. Arrive at your All Inclusive hotel and lodging for 3 nights. Beginning your free beach relax. (All Inclusive)

Days 07-08. Baru Island. Full Beach Relax on the Caribbean coast. (All Inclusive)

Day 09. Baru Island - Cartagena - Bogota. Breakfast at your hotel. Speed -boat transfer from the Baru Island to Cartagena's airport. Flight to Bogota. Meet up at airport and transfer to your hotel in the Modern Bogota. Panoramic tour to the north of the city and see places like District Planetarium, Bullring, the international centre, Plaza de Lourdes which has a beautiful church built in Gothic style, the G zone where take place the best gourmet food restaurants, the financial center where there are complex and modern buildings in which they carry out major economic activities in the country, "The Zona Rosa", fifteen avenues and 93 park sites suitable for taking a beer, walking or simply enjoying a delicious Colombian coffee. Culture, beauty and harmony are what you'll find in this part of Bogota. (Breakfast included)

Day 10. Bogota - Go Home Flight. Breakfast at your hotel. Now here is the big decision: Go home... or stay on? If you must return home, then enjoy the morning in your hotel... later in the morning check out and be transferred to the airport of Bogota for your return flight HOME. (Breakfast included)

Rates p/person This price varies according to the number of people booking the tour. The bigger the group of people, the less you will pay per person:
Double occupancy DBL	Request
Single occupancy SGL	Request

Price includes:

• 6 nights at charming hotels with breakfast.
• 3 nights at All Inclusive hotel on the Baru Island.
• 2 full lunches.
• Surface and overland travel as indicated.
• Daily transport according to the program.
• English speaking guide on transfers and tours. Russian or Spanish guide - by inquiry.
• Entrance fee according to the program.
• Luggage handling at airport.

Price does NOT include:

• International flight. The cost is confirmed during the tour reservation.
• Airport Tax departure. Travelers leaving by plane must pay an exit tax at the airport in cash. Some airlines include all or a portion of this tax in the cost of your airline ticket; check with your airline to find out how much you will have to pay at the airport. In some cases where foreign travelers have been in the country for less than 30 days, they have been able to obtain an exemption from this tax by taking their documents immediately to the Aeronautica Civil desk (usually booth no. 19 in the El Dorado international terminal) and requesting the exemption.
• Meals NOT mentioned in the program.
• Cost of additional tours and visits along the route.
• Tips to drivers, guides, hotel bellboys.
• Tour insurance. Offered for an extra charge.

On the other hand, if you decide to stay on, that's great, you are so close to... and there is a lot to choose from:

• Caño Cristales - the "river of seven colors," "the river that ran away from paradise," and "the world's most beautiful river."
• Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park with a trekking to The Lost City.
• Bahia Solano and Gorgona Island.
• Pereira - Salento - Cocora Valley - Santa Rosa de Cabal thermal natural pools - Armenia
• Cali - Popayán - Guambiano indians - Tierradentro Archaeological Park - Pasto - San Agustín - Tatacoa desert - Neiva.
• Guajira Península.

This is a simple program. Combine it with other programs, add days or destinations. Milavia International will design your trip just for you.

We recommend extending the program in any direction - Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, or any other Latin American country.

Our pictures from tours in Colombia: http://www.milaviainter.com/en/colombia1.php

Reservation Form