Colombia: Culture, Coffee & Caribbean

15 days
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Small Group Tour
The majesty of Colombia lies in its contrasts. Here, cities moving at a blur meet time-stood-still colonial towns and ancient archaeological sites yet to fully reveal their secrets. It has the biodiversity to match: bottle-green hills, tropical river valleys, ochre desert, coastal forest and rippling mountains. And there’s a culture so deep it can only be ful...
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$5,508
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Ponder stone carvings and tombs in San Agustín
    • Wander the colourful streets of Cartagena
    • Walk through tropical forest and along wild beaches in Tayrona National Park
    • Learn about the culture of the Arhuaco indigenous people
    • Stay on a hacienda in the coffee region
    • Visit the Gold Museum in Bogotá and nearby Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

What's this trip about?

    The majesty of Colombia lies in its contrasts. Here, cities moving at a blur meet time-stood-still colonial towns and ancient archaeological sites yet to fully reveal their secrets. It has the biodiversity to match: bottle-green hills, tropical river valleys, ochre desert, coastal forest and rippling mountains. And there’s a culture so deep it can only be fully appreciated in person. Join this highly varied adventure to experience the many faces of Colombia: navigating vibrant Bogotá, tropical Cali and colonial Cartagena; staying at a traditional hacienda in the coffee region; discovering the enigmatic San Agustín archaeological park; exploring the wilds of Tayrona National Natural Park; and meeting the indigenous Arhuaco community.Combine urban and rural, modern and ancient, bustling and tranquil in South America’s most diverse destination

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBogotá
End CityCartagena

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • South America

Attractions

  • Cartagena

Activities

  • Culture
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Domestic flights (Bogota to Neiva; Pereira to Santa Marta)

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Bogotá

Welcome to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, sat high on a plateau in the Andes. There’s plenty packed into this trip, but today we settle in and rest, ready for the adventures ahead. Aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening (arrival in the early hours of the...

Day 2 Free morning; walking street food tour of Bogotá; visit Gold Museum; play tejo

Following our welcome briefing, in which we meet our tour leader and go over the trip, we get to know the city with a walking street food tour in the early afternoon. On our adventure, we sample the flavours of Colombia’s different regions at market stalls, snack bar...

Day 3 Monserrate, Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, Botero Museum and Bogotá city tour

This morning, we take the cable car up Monserrate (10,340ft/3,152m), a mountain from which there is a spectacular view of the city and surrounding plateau, allowing us to orientate ourselves in this vast metropolis. Our day continues as we head out of the city and vi...

Day 4 Fly to Neiva; Tatacoa Desert; to San Agustín

Early this morning, we are driven to Bogotá Airport and fly for an hour south to the city of Neiva, the capital of the Huila department and much lower in altitude and warmer than Bogotá. From Neiva Airport, we drive to the Tatacoa Desert, about an hour away, an ochre...

Day 5 San Agustín and La Chaquira

We start the day with a short drive to the Unesco-listed San Agustín Archaeological Park, a vast complex housing an extraordinary and mysterious collection of pre-Columbian stone figures and tombs. The park is nestled amid lush hillsides and picturesque forests, which...

Day 6 Magdalena River, sugar mill visit, Obando and Bordones waterfall viewpoint

We spend today exploring the countryside around San Agustín. We start with the Estrecho del Río Magdalena – here the mighty Magdalena River passes through a section of rocks only 7.2ft (2.2m) wide. The landscape around the river is exceptionally picturesque. Only a fe...

Day 7 To Popayán via Alto de los Ídolos Archaeological Park

A scenic drive today takes us from San Agustín to Popayán – an 85mi (140km) journey that takes around four hours (including two hours on unpaved roads). Shortly after leaving San Agustín, we make a side trip to Alto de los Ídolos Archaeological Park. After San Agustín...

Day 8 To Cali; Cali city tour

We drive about 2hr 30min from Popayán to Cali this morning. Modern, cosmopolitan Cali is a tropical metropolis with a zest for life and an historic quarter with beautifully restored colonial buildings, numerous parks and tree-lined boulevards. On our city tour, we vi...

Day 9 To the coffee region; coffee cultivation tour

We drive for three-four hours this morning heading into the countryside and coffee region, where we stay for two nights in a hacienda with a coffee plantation. On arrival, we have a tour to learn all about the coffee cultivation, harvesting and production process. We...

Day 10 Cocora Valley, Salento and Filandia

We start our day with a drive to the Cocora Valley, home to Quindío wax palm trees – the national tree of Colombia – which can stretch up to 195ft (60m) tall, making them the tallest palms in the world. This is an area of picturesque cloud forest and we have time for ...

Day 11 Fly to Santa Marta; to the coast

We are driven to Pereira or Armenia airport this morning and fly to Santa Marta, a city on the Caribbean coast. There is usually a change of plane in Bogotá. On arrival in Santa Marta, we are driven east to our hotel near Palomino about 1hr 40min away. Accommodation: Finca la Jorará (or similar) – please see accommodation section for more information

Day 12 Tayrona National Natural Park

We leave our hotel in the morning and drive a short way along the Caribbean coast to El Zaino, the main entrance to Tayrona National Natural Park. Beginning the walk with our local guide, we reach Cañaveral beach, a wild and beautiful place, and from the top of a smal...

Day 13 Arhuaco cultural exchange; to Cartagena

We start the day with a cultural exchange with an Arhuaco community. The Arhuaco are one of the many indigenous groups in Colombia, and mostly live in the coastal mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Arhuaco grow coffee and sugar and raise animals. From...

Day 14 Explore Cartagena; rum tasting

We have a full day in Cartagena, a city jam-packed with stories, fascinating sites and colonial architecture. We begin with a visit to the church of San Pedro Clavér and the Castillo de San Felipe, a massive fortress where legends and secrets are hidden in its stone v...

Day 15 End Cartagena

Our adventure ends in Cartagena this morning. If you’d like more time in this beautiful, intoxicating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,080
Price per day$272
Last Updated: 4/26/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double Standard
Availability
18 May 2024
01 Jun 2024
$4,080
8 spots left
14 Sep 2024
28 Sep 2024
$4,560
8 spots left
09 Nov 2024
23 Nov 2024
$4,800
7 spots left
23 Nov 2024
07 Dec 2024
$5,250
Limited
08 Feb 2025
22 Feb 2025
$5,175
8 spots left
15 Mar 2025
29 Mar 2025
$5,250
8 spots left
26 Apr 2025
10 May 2025
$5,250
8 spots left
05 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$5,250
8 spots left
13 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025
$5,250
8 spots left
15 Nov 2025
29 Nov 2025
$5,250
8 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Exodus Travels.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
What they’re known for
Global trips to both classic and exotic destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and discovery of local culture.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Optional dance class in Cali

Accommodation

,The accommodation on this tour of Colombia has been chosen to give a varied and authentic experience of the country. In many of the cities we visit, we stay in characterful, historic three-star hotels in the heart of the old towns. In more rural locations, we have selected countryside retreats that hark back to a more traditional way of life. Our accommodation near Tayrona National Park is at a simple hotel that gives visitors the chance to stay in harmony with nature. Below is a selection of some of the places we stay: San Agustín: Akawanka Lodge Set in lush gardens on the outskirts of San Agustín, Akawanka Lodge is the perfect place to relax after busy days exploring. Rooms are simple yet thoughtfully decorated with hand-painted murals and wooden furnishings. The lodge restaurant uses ingredients from the gardens and orchard, and views from the terrace are spell-binding. Coffee region: Hacienda Combia Hacienda Combia is a colourful converted farmhouse dating to 1887. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and heated Jacuzzi, both of which look out over the verdant natural landscape, plus a spa to ensure guests' complete rest and relaxation. The hacienda also has a coffee plantation and offers visitors authentic coffee experiences in the heart of the coffee region. Cartagena: Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia With an enviable location within the walls of Cartagena old town, Don Pedro de Heredia is a charming hotel and great base for our time in the city. Rooms are decorated in a simple, traditional style with antique wooden furniture and exposed beams. The hotel has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views across Cartagena . Worth knowing In several of our accommodations, rooms vary in size, style and decoration. It is common for bathroom sinks in Bogotá to have only cold water available. For two nights in Palomino (near Tayrona National Park), we stay in a delightful but simple hotel surrounded by forest. The climate here is hot and humid. Rooms have a fan but there is no air-conditioning or hot water. WiFi is only available in the communal areas of the property.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts are included on this trip. Breakfast usually consists of eggs (fried or scrambled), bread or arepas (thick corn pancakes), cheese, fresh local fruit, tea or coffee and fruit juice. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Colombia and portions can be large. Expect to see plenty of rice, plantain, beans, avocado, local fish and chicken on the menu. Pasta is also regularly available, often served with fresh vegetables. Options for vegetarians are limited, but it is still possible to eat well. Note that soups are often made with a meat base or products.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Seven nights in three-star hotels, three nights in a comfortable lodge, two nights in a coffee hacienda, two nights in a simple hotel
  • Some moderate walks (longest is three to four hours)
  • Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
  • Travel by internal flight and private minibus
Trip ID
exodus-AAC

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