Colombia Express

After breakfast, half day visit to the historic centre known as La Candelaria. This antiquated barrio is of great architectural and cultural heritage and has beautiful architecture. 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, a bullring and a gallows. Then visit the Museo Botero, a colonial house filled with works of art (that includes pieces by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. Next is the Museo del Oro which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics and textiles. The Museo del Oro is considered as one of the most important museums of its type internationally and it has been functioning since 1939. Free afternoon for individual activities (we recommend visiting the city’s various museums).

Transfer from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. Salt Cathedral is included. (Private Car, Bilingual Guide)

After breakfast depart from Bogotá to the north, towards Zipaquirá. Travelling through the Sabana de Bogotá the scenery is made of greenhouses used for the cultivation of carnations and roses; flower production is an important industry for the region. After a journey of roughly 1.15 hours reach the impressive Salt Cathedral, a true feat of engineering. You will reach an enormous cross carved into a rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. The trip ends at a mirror of water. Continue on a 2 hour trip to Villa de Leyva in the afternoon. Villa de Leyva is one of the area’s most beautiful towns, it was founded in 1572 by Hernàn Suàrez de Villalobos who named it after Andrès Dìas Venero de Leyva, the first president of Nueva Granada. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Transfer to the airport for your flight out of Bogota. (Private car – bilingual guide)
On arrival in Cartagena, transfer to you hotel (private car, bilingual guide)

Start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa, you will continue to the San Felipe fortress, built on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around the fortress and know how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then, go on to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Church of the San Pedro Claver compound which was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the “apóstol de los esclavos”. Lastly, follow to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan centre to appreciate local handcraft

Free day in Cartagena to relax or explore.

Transfer from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park (private car – with English-speaking guide). Tayrona National Park entrance fee included.

Free day for individual activities.

Transfer from Tayrona to Santa Marta airport (private car/guide)