Colombia Botanical Tour

Begin your adventure in the cosmopolitan capital, Bogotá. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to your hotel. After unpacking your bags, venture outside and explore the city streets nearby. Don't worry if you don't have much time to explore, as you will take a guided city tour tomorrow. At night, make sure to taste the local cuisine of Bogotá. It's mix of new restaurants, and old-school street snacks are sure to make your taste buds dance.

Begin your Colombian adventure with a half-day city tour starting in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar (the main square) and continue to the government buildings before entering Candelaria, the colonial city center.

In the afternoon, enjoy an authentic lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your tour to the Botanical Gardens. Escape the hustle of the city and discover native flowers and plants. Follow pathways around the garden towards exhibits that showcase an abundance of plants. The rose garden is a favorite amongst many, wich has more than 70 varieties of colorful roses to smell and admire. If you have time, check out the Andean forest and admire the tall oak trees before leaving.

End the day with a cable car ride to the summit of Monserrate hill, Bogotá’s best-known landmark, enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the surrounded landscapes. Return to your hotel for a delicious dinner and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

After eating breakfast at your hotel, travel north towards Chingaza National Park, about 50 km (30 mi) from Bogotá. The park covers more than 504 square kilometers (195sq mi) and sits on the Eastern slopes of the Andes. The vegetation ranges from forest to moorlands and lagoons. Along the tour, your local guide will point out different flora particular to the páramo ecosystem. One of the more beautiful plants unique to the region is the frailejón, commonly known as espeletia, a high altitude shrub found in Andean climates. Walk through the park and admire the variety of páramo plants and blooming flowers.

In the evening return to your hotel and spend the rest of the night at your leisure.

Note: Chingaza National Park is open to the public Friday - Sunday.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and transfer from Bogotá to Pereira, a beautiful destination in the coffee region. Tour some of the quaint local coffee farms and learn the technical process of growing coffee, from harvest to cup. Continue to the Quindio Botanical Garden, Armenia's beautiful gardens of palms, ferns, orchids and heliconias. Admire the magnificent butterfly garden, flora and waterways. Colombia has the second largest number of butterfly species in the world, making the butterfly garden particularly impressive.

In the afternoon, return to your hacienda in the coffee region and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Today your journey continues through the "Coffee Triangle" of Colombia. Visit the Cocora Valley and Salento where you will see the impressive palm trees "Palma de Cera," Colombia's national tree.  These plan trees are some of the tallest in the world and look like something you would see in a fairytale. Take some photos before continuing to Salento, a picturesque village sitting amongst coffee farms and surrounded by verdant scenery.

Rise early and transfer to Medellín, nicknamed the "City of Eternal Spring", for its annual flower festival and comfortable weather. Today your local guide will take you to the nature reserve Arví. While here, ride the cable car and enjoy panoramic views of the nature preserve and Aburrá Valley. Later, continue outside the city to Santa Elena, a small village where many traditional flower farmers live. Tour an organic flower farm and learn about Medellín's week long Feria de Las Flores (Flower Festival) social event. After touring the flower farm enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant.

Finish your day with a visit to the Metro Cable Santo Domingo and stroll through the busy downtown past the famous Botero Plaza where you can see the Colombian artist Fernando Botero's work.

In the evening return to your hotel and reflect on your cultural excursions in the "City of Eternal Spring."

Today, head to Guatape, a quaint and picturesque city near Medellín. Guatape is a quiet town with colorful colonial streets surrounded by lush green landscapes. Visit the famous Church and climb the 200-meter high Peñol Boulder, one of the tallest boulders in South America, for a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and sparkling blue lakes. After working up an appetite, stop for an authentic Colombian lunch along the waterfront of the Guatape reservoir.

End the day with a scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands of Antioquia and return to your hotel in Medellín.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before flying from Medellín to Cartagena. Cartagena is known as one of the most romantic cities in South America for its colonial and colorful architecture. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and get ready for a city tour in the afternoon. Start your tour in the city center and venture to La Popa Convent where you can enjoy a spectacular view over the city. From there, visit the San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, the largest Spanish built fortress in South America. Afterward, continue to historical landmarks of Cartagena, including, the official entrance to the "Walled City," the Clock Tower and see the Monument of Don Pedro de Heredia, the founder of Cartagena.

Finish the day with a visit to the Bazurto market for some traditional Colombian dishes and fun trinkets. They say the best way to experience a new city is to explore the local markets. In the early evening, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the night on your own.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before departing for Aviario Baru Island. Colombia has 1,903 bird species, equivalent to 20% of the bird species on Earth. Among them, scientists have counted 197 species of migratory birds and 71 endemic species. Sitting near Cartagena on the peninsula of Baru is the largest aviary on the continent. During your visit to Aviario Baru Island, walk past different environments including, tropical rainforest, coastline, and desert. Look for some of the various bird species including the Harpy Eagle, toucans, pink flamingos, crane crowns and maybe even the condor.

In the evening transfer to your hotel on the Peninsula of Baru and relax before a fun and entertaining cooking class. Gastronomy is an important part of the local culture and what better way to learn the culture than to cook and eat like a local? Enjoy a delicious dinner of Ceviche, fresh fish, plantain, coconut rice and more.

Today you will take a private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta to explore Tayrona National Park. Tayrona National Park is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and extends outward to the gorgeous Caribbean coast. Known for its palm-shaded coves, lagoons, and wildlife, this is the perfect place to spend some time.

Relax in your private bungalow and choose how you will spend the rest of your day. Lounge on the beach or hike through the lush green Sierra Nevadas to the remaining ruins of the Tayrona tribes. The options are endless in Tayrona National Park.

Today is another free day in Tayrona National Park. Choose from a variety of activities that include, bird watching, trekking the hills or swimming in the crystal clear Caribbean waters. With an endless amount of activities, there's never a dull moment in Tayrona National Park.

Wake up early and prepare for your departure from Colombia. Your guide will escort you to the Santa Marta Airport for your flight home, or continue to your next destination in South America.