Following the footsteps of Alexander von Humboldt

Welcome to Colombia! Over the next few days, let yourself be inspired by the hospitality and the small everyday treasures of Colombia, try typical delicacies and the fresh fruit!

Transfer from Bogotá airport to the hotel.

Take a walk to get to know the contrast between the modern and historical part of the city of Bogotá. Walk through the passages of the Paloquemao market, full of merchants offering fresh products from the countryside that gives this region, taste a delicious fruit juice that calls your attention and be impressed with the colors of the outdoor flower market. Walk through the mythical district of La Candelaria, decorated with its colorful colonial houses, located in the old center of the city, in its main square or Plaza de Bolívar. There you will find the government district, the Primate Cathedral of Colombia, the Palace of Justice, the Parliament and the Mayor’s Office, an important place for its historical events.

Visit the famous museum of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, where you will find from his sculptures in different materials, to the paintings that have made him a recognized artist, additional know an exceptional collection of contemporary art, with artists like Monet, Picasso, among others. Walk through the halls of the Gold Museum, to see a unique collection of pre-Columbian gold jewelry, made by the indigenous communities that inhabited Colombia. If the weather is good, a short cable car ride will take you to the hill of Monserrate. From the top, you will be amazed by the impressive size of the city, which is home to more than eight million inhabitants.

Continue through a very diverse landscape, passing through the different climatic zones of the Andes, down into the Magdalena Valley to Honda, also known as “The City of Bridges”. Its closeness to the Magdalena River allows you to see impressive landscapes along the way. On the way you will stop at the Piedra de Capira, from where already Alexander von Humboldt could enjoy the magnificent view.  When you arrive at this city you will be able to enjoy its architecture and history. If you interested try to visit the museum of the Magdalena river which will provide you with a lot of interesting facts regarding the importance of the river.

The route leads to Circasia in the coffee region. Depending on which route you choose, the road winds its way from the valley of the Río Magdalena over steep hairpin bends past the Nevado del Ruiz to the Alto de Letras pass. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the snow-capped volcano during the journey. Otherwise, drive south along the Río Magdalena via Ibagué to the coffee zone.

Start your trip to two iconic places in the Coffee Culture, Cocora Valley and Salento. Live a peaceful day with a gentle walk in the middle of the mountainous valley located in the Colombian Andes and admire the majestic Wax Palm, Colombia’s emblematic tree. Walk through the colorful coffee architecture, discover the Calle Real in one of the most picturesque villages of Colombia, Salento.

Enjoy its gastronomy and the softest coffee in the world at Alto de las Cruces where you can enjoy the view of this place. You will have an authentic coffee experience guided by experts. You will learn about the extensive process required to produce real coffee. Live a real immersion in the coffee culture and experience the process of a specialty coffee, from the planting of the seed, until it is served in the cup.

From the coffee zone, you continue your journey along the Cauca River over the central Andes Cordillera. Your route takes you through the Cauca Valley past rice fields to Popoyán, also known as the ‘white city’.

In this cultural exchange tour you will leave from Popayan to visit the town of Silvia and the native reservation of the Mizak ethnic group. You will share their culture in native houses of traditional musicians, artisans and later you will taste typical foods with a family from the community. With this deep exchange with the ancestral spirituality that is still preserved in the Mizak community, you will be imbued with their wisdom in this temple of culture.

Transfer from the hotel to Popayán airport. Flight from Popayán to Bogotá. Transfer from Bogotá airport to the hotel.

Transfer from the hotel to Bogotá airport. Flight from Bogotá to Puerto Inírida. In the following days you will have an adventure at the mountains of Mavicure, also you will get to know other natural and archaeological attractions in the department of Guania.After your arrival in Puerto Inírida, you will travel about 2 hours by boat upstream to the mountains of Mavicure, Pájaro and Mono, which belong to the indigenous reserves of “El Remanso” and “Venado”.

On site you will be welcomed in the community of “El Remanso”. After lunch you will have the opportunity to make a first hike along the Mavicure Canal through the white sand savannah to reach a small rocky outcrop.to reach a small rocky outcrop and watch the sunset. You will then spend the first night in the indigenous reserve of the community “Venado” (simple cabin accommodation).

Today will bring you very close to the three mountains of Mavicure, Pájaro and Mono. At daybreak, you will set out to climb to the top of Mount Mono (Tepuy). The hike up the lowest of the three sugarloaf-shaped mountains takes about 1.5 hours. You will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the rainforest. In the afternoon you can take a trip by curiara (traditional indigenous boat) to the small arms of the river to observe the fish fauna. With a little luck you can also admire the pink river dolphins.Overnight in a simple cabin of the indigenous community “Venado”.

After breakfast you leave the community “Venado” and hike up the Cerro Flauta. Afterwards you head to the source of the Great Orinoco. Here the river star Inírida and the tributaries Inírida, Guaviare, Atabapo and Orinoco can be seen. On the way you will enjoy a bath in the waters of the Atabapo River in the Piedra de Maviso border area with Venezuela to finally reach the MORU Nature Reserve. Overnight stay in the nature reserve MORU in simple multi-bed cabins.

On your last morning in Guainía Department, you will have the opportunity to hike through the MORU Nature Reserve to explore the Mataven Jungle Forests in neighboring Vichada Department. Another option is the in-house canopy, the tour begins with a climb into the treetops to reach the first platform in the treetops. Here begins the exploration of the treetops on a 160m long path through the forest of the northeastern Amazon over bridges between the trees at dizzying heights of 15 meters. You will be transferred back to the airport in Puerto Inírida in time for your flight. Flight from Puerto Inírida to Bogotá. Transfer from Bogotá airport to the hotel.

It’s time to leave the capital to go to the old colonial city of Zipaquirá. You visit its impressive underground church, entirely carved in salt stone, and know more about the history of the salt of the region from the indigenous time until today. Then continue on the main road towards Guatavita lake, This is an opportunity to learn more about El Dorado: a ceremony in which a man covered himself with gold, throwing emeralds and gold objects into the lake.

The typical flora of the region, and especially the famous frailejones, a very important tree for the water reserves of the region.Arrival in the late afternoon at Villa de Leyva, the former summer residence of the bishops of Tunja. Take a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets and head towards the Plaza Mayor to end the day with a delicious meal.

Today you continue your journey towards warmer lands in the direction of Barichara. You cross lush pastures and then follow a gorge that stretches towards the Suárez river. You can make a few stops to visit a traditional refinery, taste a typical guava mousse, or taste the Cuajada con Melao, a cheese cream with sugar molasses. Arrive at Barichara located at 1300 m above sea level with a pleasant temperature all year round. Feel free to stroll through the cobbled streets and the colonial architecture of this perfectly preserved village, declared the most beautiful village in Colombia.

Today enjoy an easy walk accompanied by your guide, begins from Barichara to the small village of Guane (about 2 hours). You will pass through tobacco fields and pastures along this road called the Camino Real. Appreciate the fabulous view of the Suarez River valley and the surrounding mountains. Take advantage of a stop at the Guane Fossil Museum to discover the relics of the indigenous tribe of the same name. If you want to refresh yourself after the effort, try the local specialty: Sabajon. A liquor made from milk, jam, and brandy. Surprising but unavoidable once you arrive in Guane! To return to Barichara, you will take the bus or a tuk-tuk, typical transport in the area.

In the early morning you leave Barichara and drive to San Vicente de Chucurí. The path that passes through the Canyon del Chicamocha, where, if conditions permit, you can cross the canyon by cable car and enjoy a fantastic view of the deep gorge. You will have the opportunity to look back over the canyon and after a short break you will go to San Vicente de Chucurí. The route to San Vicente del Chucurí is marked by the Topocoro reservoir, created in 2014. The lake is part of the Hidrosogamoso Project, a large hydroelectric power plant that generates energy from the Sogamoso River.

A newly built road runs along the eastern shore of the reservoir and offers an impressive view of imposing bridges. The new road has considerably shortened the travel time, so that San Vicente, the center of Colombian cocoa cultivation, is now easily accessible.

Today’s program is a gourmet tour to the cocoa plantations. Accompanied by a local producer, you will discover the different colors of the cocoa fruits, from yellow to purple and green, and learn all about the transformation of a precious bean into delicious chocolate. You will be able to grind your own chocolate and take a sample home with you. After this great experience, you return to your hotel. In the early afternoon transfer from San Vicente de Chucurí to Barrancabermeja in the Valley of the Rio Magdalena where you will spend the night. Barrancabermeja is an industrial city located just 75 meters above sea level. It is one of the hottest cities in the country with an average temperature of 32°C.

The boat trip from Barrancabermeja (in the department of Santander) to El Banco (on the Magdalena) is a unique experience along the Magdalena River, one of Colombia’s main rivers. This tour allows you to enjoy natural landscapes, the fauna and flora of the region, and to observe riverside communities. The trip can last between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the type of boat, speed and river conditions. Along the way, you can observe beautiful natural landscapes and the rich biodiversity of the region, with birds, fish, and even animals such as iguanas and otters. You will also pass through several communities that depend on the river for their livelihood.

It is advisable to bring sunscreen, water, a raincoat (in case of rain) and some mosquito repellent. This trip is a special way to get to know an important part of Colombia’s river culture, especially in the Magdalena Medio region. From El Banco, the route takes you two more hours by car to Mompox, a magical colonial town in the north of Colombian, which teaches you a lot of history, romance, and nostalgia in every corner of this village.

Walk among the antiquated streets through the main sights of this town, where it is possible to appreciate and study the colonial architeture, unique due to its blend of mudejar and baroque styles. The “Calle Real del Medio” stands out with its whitewashed walls and stately homes behind imposing wooden doors with latches and knockers all of varying styles and the finely carved wooden balconies that spill over with the flowering plants. The scenic Calle de la Albarrada runs alongside the river.

Visit the colonial churches in town, the most striking of which is the Iglesia Santa Barbara in front of a plaza by the same name and beside the river. Constructed in 1630 contrasts with its yellow and white paintwork and is unique in Colombia in that it has octagonal Moorish and baroque bell-tower with balconies at the top. The Iglesia San Agustin houses the ornate golden Santo Sepulcro which is carried through the streets on the shoulders of the Nazarene Pilgrims during the Semana Santa processions. Continuing to the Cementerio  Central, perhaps the most interesting and atmospheric place to visit. Here it becomes clear that the old tales from Mompox are still very much alive. The white tombs are lined up one above the other and form walls of memories around a central chapel. On the trail of filigree metal art, you will get to know two traditional places that use this ancient technique in the city. Get to know the museum house of Luis Guillermo Trespalacios, the emblematic goldsmith artist of Mompox. You will discover old tools developed in the city’s forge workshops, machines and other elements in which the artist’s creativity fills what technology is replacing today. Visit a workshop where the ancestral and traditional filigree art is worked with contemporary concepts and tools, without forgetting the path followed by the forerunners of the old art.

The drive from Mompox takes you through a landscape characterised by cattle farming to Cartagena de Indias on the Caribbean coast. On the way you can stop in San Jacinto and admire (or buy) the most beautiful colourfully woven hammocks in Colombia or Turbaco to take a look and maybe even inmerse yourself in the mud volcanos which already Alexander von Humboldt was interested in.

OPTIONAL:

Get to know the picturesque streets of Cartagena, its republican and colonial architecture full of history such as the Plaza de la Aduana, where the slave market, the Plaza de Bolívar and the Gold Museum used to be, admire the Inquisition Palace and appreciate the architecture of the Heredia Theatre. In the old city meet the convent and church of San Pedro Claver with its construction of the mid-seventeenth century, walk through Las Bóvedas place that houses a colorful craft market. Visit the Castle of San Felipe, one of the most important forts in the city built on the mountain by the Spanish, during the tour you will be able to contemplate a spectacular view of the city and its coasts. Climb to the highest point of the city to visit the old Convent of La Popa and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.

OPTIONAL: Tour to the Mud Volcano of Totumo (5h) Visit the Totumo Mud Volcano, a mythical volcano filled with mud located an hour away from Cartagena. Take a mud bath and enjoy its curative values. The legend says that one day, a monk spilled holy water in the volcano, full of lava. The lava turned into a soft thick mud having the power of curing and rejuvenating. You will witness wonderful muddy landscapes – a peculiar geographical formation that turned into one of the most visited places in Colombia, you cannot miss it! On arrival, you will climb a rustic wooden stairway that will take you to the summit of the volcano – 20 meters high and 2.000 meters deep. You will then bathe in the volcanic mud, where you will feel like if you were floating while enjoying a panoramic sight of the Santa Catalina region. After your mud bath, you will get to know Manzanillo del Mar, a beautiful beach where you will be able to bath in the sea.  Enter the volcano, have a mud bath, spend an extraordinary day and come back home younger than ever after having lived some of the best travel experiences of Colombia. (Private transport with Spanish speaking driver, bilingual guide and entrance fees to the attractions.)

Transfer from Cartagena airport to the hotel.

It’s time to say goodbye to Colombia. You will leave your hotel in order to return to the airport where you will wait for your international flight.