Colombian Odyssey

Probably the best all-round trip for the best of Colombia.

'Colombian Odyssey'

What makes this trip special?

Bogota

Bogota is the nation's capital and its travel hub. It is big, exploding in a century from tens of thousands to 8 million now. Like most Latin American metropoli there are historic areas, government and business zones, prosperous neighbourhoods, and sprawling suburbs. There is a lot for visitors to see: historic and contemporary, art and architecture, gold and gardens, streets and markets.

Llanos wildlife

Wide horizons, ranches, cowboys and lots of wildlife

Vast grassland plains with meandering rivers and gallery forests that are home to an extraordinary array of wildlife - capybaras, anteaters, jaguar, armadillos, crocodiles, anacondas, turtles, monkeys and more. The birdlife is colossal. A scattering of nature reserves welcome visitors alongside traditional cattle ranching and the cowboy way of life.

Salt Cathedral

A place of imagination and passion

Walk through a simple tunnel into a sequence of enormous caverns left from a salt mine now transformed into atmospheric galleries, chapels and large nave-like spaces, with dramatic lighting, sets of sound and light displays, all building into a hugely intense and memorable experience.

Guatavita Lagoon

The source of the El Dorado legend?

Set in a volcanic crater, the Guatavita Lagoon is a sacred place where Muisca chiefs, bathed in honey and coated in gold dust, set out on a raft with gold and precious stones to be cast into the water for the goddess Chie. The lagoon became a focus for Spanish conquistadors obsessed by the El Dorado legend.

Villa de Leyva

A step back into Colombia's history

One of several places in Colombia that remind you, in the best way, of the Cotswolds. Villa de Leyva's historic prosperity lives on with a constrained country elegance and more than a dash of sheer beauty. A lovely place to spend time, perfect for week-enders and the occasional movie star, and a fine complement to Bogota.

Coffee zone

Beautiful landscapes for growing the best coffee

Spread between Andean ranges, Colombia's Coffee Zone (which has UNESCO World Heritage status) has an excellent climate for high quality coffee, with proud farmers working closely with their local conditions for the best results. Visitors are welcomed everywhere, at classic haciendas, in vividly painted small towns that celebrate their traditions, and high valleys where elegant wax palms grow to immense heights.

Cartagena

Caribbean Magic

Set beside the Caribbean, Cartagena's role in the shipment of colonial gold to Spain, its grand buildings, and the fortifications needed to keep British pirates at bay, created the spell-binding old city that inspires all who know it - including Gabriel Garcia Marquez himself. It's a magical place to visit: lively, stylish, bohemian, quixotic and full of joy.

Itinerary

Day Overnight
1 Bogota
2 Bogota
3 Bogota
4 Yopal
5 Yopal
6 Yopal
7 Bogota
8 Villa de Leyva
9 Villa de Leyva
10 Manizales
11 Manizales
12 Cartagena
13 Cartagena
14 Cartagena
15 Cartagena
For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Colombian Odyssey'

DAY 1

Arriving in Bogota

Several airlines fly from the UK into Bogota via Europe and arrive in the afternoon or evening. If you are taking one of these flights you are met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel in La Candelaria, the historic quarter of Bogota, for a 3 night stay. The rest of your day is free. (You could also fly in overnight, arriving early in the morning of Day 2 of this itinerary with enough time to settle in, leave your bags and meet your guide for that day's activities.)

DAY 2

Bogota

This morning your local guide comes to your hotel and takes you on a leisurely walking tour of the photogenic historic area of the city - a first introduction to the city’s culture and people. You walk by the Plaza Bolivar, the city's huge, cobbled main square bordered by its most important and grand buildings: the nation’s Capitol building, the huge modern Palace of Justice, the fine Cathedral with the exquisite Capella del Sagrario beside it, the very fine buildings of the College of San Bartolome, and the Leviano Palace, a large building in the French style that is now the mayor’s HQ. Spend some time at the Botero Museum, whose collection includes much by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most prominent artist, with many others. You also visit Bogota's rather fabulous Gold Museum, which has the world’s largest collection of gold artifacts and a swathe of archaeological treasures from pre-Columbian times.

DAY 3

Monserrate cable car and Quinta de Boliva

La Candelaria is set below Monserrate, which at 3,100m is one of the highest of the Andean peaks that skirt the city. With your guide you set off by cable car to visit the gardens and church near the top of the mountain with great views across almost the whole of Bogota. Returning to the bottom, you step into the nearby 'Quinta Bolivar' a colonial house with a lovely garden that was given in gratitude to Simon Bolivar, the Liberator. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city by yourself, or we could arrange something for you if you prefer.

DAY 4

BLD

The Llanos

A morning flight to Yopal, the gateway to the eastern plains of 'Los Llanos'. From Yopal it is a drive of about 2½ hours to reach Savanna Orinoquia Lodge where you stay for 3 nights full board. The Llanos is a region of vast grassland plains characterized by meandering rivers and gallery forests. It is home to a rich array of wildlife including capybaras, anteaters, jaguar, green anaconda and nearly 700 bird species, alongside traditional cattle ranching. Its 'llaneros' cowboys are renowned for their horsemanship and folk music, which contribute much to the region's cultural heritage and make the Llanos an essential part of Colombia's identity. It offers a great mix of wildlife and the way of life on a ranch.

DAY 5

BLD

Wildlife viewing

Choose from the lodge's menu of activities, mostly of 2 hours each. Options typically include horseback rides, trail walking, birding, taking a bongo (a canoe) along the Caño Canacabare, bonfire on the beach, or river fishing. Each is accompanied by local llaneros who speak only Spanish but can usually convey everything that's needed for a very enjoyable time. (We can arrange English-speaking guides in advance at additional cost.) Each of the bungalows set around the lodge has a private swimming pool with sunloungers - very welcome in the heat of a Llanos day.

DAY 6

BLD

Wildlife viewing

A second full day in the Llanos with your choice of activities.

DAY 7

Return to Bogota

Return transfer to Yopal to fly back to Bogota and then on to your hotel in a different zone of the city.

DAY 8

Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, Guatavita Lagoon to Villa de Lleva

Start the day with a visit to the extraordinary 'Salt Cathedral' at Zipaquira. Transformed from a former salt mine, the enormous caverns left by the miners have been turned into atmospheric galleries, chapels and cathedral-sized chambers, dramatically lit for visitors. Then continue through rich countryside for the moderate hike up to Guatavita Lagoon, set in a volcanic crater. The lagoon is sacred to Colombia's Muisca people. When a new Muisca chief was chosen he was bathed in honey, coated in gold dust, and sent on a raft to the centre of the lagoon with offerings of gold and precious stones to be cast into the water. A ceremony that may have been the origin of the legend of El Dorado. You are later driven onwards to the relaxed upmarket atmosphere of the historic colonial town of Villa de Lleva, your base for 2 nights.

DAY 9

Surroundings of Villa de Lleva - fossils and El Infiernito pre-hispanic Muisca site, monastery

Explore the sights in and around Villa de Leyva. There are rich fossil sites with marine reptiles, fish, plants and ammonites, 'El Infiernito' or little hell - a Muiscan archaeoastronomical site dating from 600-1600AD (Alexander Von Humboldt suggested that two parallel rows of pink sandstone pillars are positioned precisely to align with the moon, sun, and stars), and the nearby Convento del Santo Ecce Homo founded in 1620 by Dominican monks to bring Christianity to the region. There should be time in the day to enjoy walking the cobbled lanes of Villa de Lleva itself.

DAY 10

fly from Bogota to the Coffee region

Return drive to Bogota airport for your flight to the Coffee Region, where you are met on arrival and transferred to stay at a working coffee hacienda for 2 nights.

DAY 11

Coffee tour

A coffee tour and time to relax at the hacienda and explore its well-tended grounds. There is some good birdwatching here too.

DAY 12

Cartagena

Today you fly direct to the sensational city of Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Cartagena is wonderfully exciting, with a very atmospheric, attractive and civilised historic quarter, walled by the Spanish to protect its wealth and grand buildings from British pirates who targetted gold shipments sailing via Cartagena to Spain, with much that is intact from that time. It is a bustling, vibrant rather lush place echoing Havana in Cuba and Casca Viejo in Panama City. Its quirky tropical mood puts you immediately into the magical realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, tempered by a scattering of small designer shops and classy restaurants. It is your base for three nights.

DAY 13

Full day tour of Cartagena

Start the day with a short drive to the hilltop La Popa convent for a panoramic view across the city and tour the massive fortifications of San Felipe. You return to explore the streets of Cartagena's Getsemini district and take an walking tour in the afternoon to get to know the colourful, lively historic quarter itself.

DAY 14

Free day in Cartagena

A free day to enjoy Cartagena for yourself. You might spend the morning exploring, shopping, and perhaps relaxing beside your roof top pool. Or you could catch a boat to one of the Rosario Islands for a few hours at a beach club - your toes in the sand while the bar plays the latest salsa and regaeton.

DAY 15

Departure

At the appropriate time you are transferred to Cartagena airport for your onwards flight.

Route map for Colombia 'Colombian Odyssey' holiday

Guide prices for 'Colombian Odyssey'

options	based on	all year	low season	mid season	high season	peak season	other season
Guide price	2 people sharing	£call

Prices are per person and include:

all travel in Colombia
all accommodation
meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
local guides as indicated

Prices do not include:

international flights
items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
any optional excursions you may buy locally
travel insurance
airport and departure taxes if these are not included in the flight ticket

Customer reviews for 'Colombian Odyssey'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'Colombian Odyssey'

Select your month of travel:

Along this route in January

Day	Location	Max °C
1	Bogota	19°C	31mm
2	Bogota	19°C	31mm
3	Bogota	19°C	31mm
4	Yopal	29°C	24mm
5	Yopal	29°C	24mm
6	Yopal	29°C	24mm
7	Bogota	19°C	31mm
8	Villa de Leyva	22°C	40mm
9	Villa de Leyva	22°C	40mm
10	Manizales	24°C	127mm
11	Manizales	24°C	127mm
12	Cartagena	31°C	2mm
13	Cartagena	31°C	2mm
14	Cartagena	31°C	2mm
15	Cartagena	31°C	2mm

Typical weather for January

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Colombian Odyssey'

Select your preferred accommodation option

Days 1 - 3

GHL Hotel Bioxury

High rise hotel with contemporary design located in the upscale El Retiro residential/commercial neighbourhood just outside of Bogota's pedestrianised T Zone with its wide range of upmarket restaurants and amenities.

There are 94 rooms each with modern, elegant design, floor-to-ceiling windows and city views, A/C, cable TV, laptop sized safe, minibar and wifi. Twin rooms are 27m2 and have two double beds, superior rooms are 30m2 and have a king sized bed. More spacious deluxe rooms are 35m2 and have easy seating.

Facilities include two restaurants, a bar area, fitness centre, spa services.

Part of the GHL hotel group.

Days 4 - 6

Savanna Orinoquia Lodge

bank of the Cravo Sur River, Casanare

A top range lodge approx 3h drive from Yopal, set on the bank of the Cravo Sur River, surrounded by grassland savanna, seasonal lagoons, river channels with gallery forest. The final 1hr of the journey, from El Algarrobo onwards is unpaved.

The lodge comprises 6 private bungalows each with its own private swimming pool and sun loungers. The bugnalows have a king-size bed, a living room area with two single sofa-beds, TV, safety box, mini bar, private bathroom, hot water, outdoor showers, fan, hammock.

Guests stay on a full board basis and choose from a 'menu' of excursions (subject to availability) led by Spanish only speaking local guides. This list alters a little with the season but typically includes options or birdwatching, horseback riding, learning about the daily life of a cowboy, boat excursions and fishing. In the dry season there is usually a beach bonfire one night with star gazing opportunities too.

A bilingual guide can be arranged at additional cost.

Arrival by land must be in daylight so anyone arriving in Yopal after 4pm will need to spend a night in Yopal prior to transferring to the lodge the following day.

The lodge has its own private airstrip.

Dry season (Nov-Mar) is hot and windy with wildlife drawn to the few remaining watering holes.

Wet season (Apr-Oct) when the rivers flood and animals seak refuge on pockets of higher ground

Notes:

- Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended here

- Ttelephone and internet coverate is limited

-The local airline, Easyfly, which operates the route between Bogota-Yopal allows just 15kg of luggage per person

Day 7

B.O.G Hotel

A modern, high-end design hotel located in the well-heeled, residential La Cabrera district of Bogota between the Parque 93 and Zona Rosa neighbourhoods. Here striking architecture featuring lots of natural stone, glass and aluminium combines with a luxe colour palate of emerald and gold and interiors by renowned Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva. There are 55 rooms and suites each with a contemporary minimalist style and custom made furniture by Colombian and international artisans, A/C, flatscreen TV, minibar, desk, coffee/tea making facilities, soundproofing, high speed wifi and luxury Loto del Sur bath amenities. Superior rooms are 31m2 with either a queen or two twin beds, some with balconies or terraces and internal or building views. Business king rooms are 42m2 with a small living area, some also have Victoria & Albert bathtubs or a terrace with city views. The B.O.G suite is 74m2 and located on the top-floor with spectacular city views and a separate living area.

Facilities include a rooftop pool and bar with stunning city views, fitness centre, 'Emerald' spa offering a range of treatments and therapies, 'B.O.G lobby bar, and onsite 'Restaurant B.O.G' serving creative Mediterranean inspired dishes with a Colombian flair.

Days 8 - 9

Hotel Casa Terra

A charmingly restored property fusing colonial charm with contemporary design located in the heart of Villa de Leyva's historic centre but in a tranquil area 350m from the main square.

There are 10 bright and spacious rooms and suites elegantly decorated with a mixture of traditional/modern design and Colombian artwork and textiles set over the ground and first floor. Each has garden views, private bathrooms with rainforest showers, queen or king beds with orthopedic matresses, safe, cable TV and wifi. Some larger suites have living rooms and terraces or balconies.

A daily breakfast is served in the central 'Fountain Courtyard' within the hotel gardens.

Days 10 - 11

Hacienda Venecia

10km outside Manizales

A charming authentic coffee farm which has been in operation growing Arabica coffee for over 100 years. Three different styles of accommodation on the estate each catering for a different generation:

- Hostel for back packers in the former coffee picker's accommodation block

- 11 rooms in stylish, purpose built Coffee Lodge (1 King or 2 singles) own balcony

- 5 rooms in the colonial Main House "Casa Principal"

On-site:

Hiking Trails, Vine shaded hide for bird photography

Three Coffee workshops (Cupping, Aroma, Baristas)

Cacao workshop (bean to bar)

Rum workshop (juice, ferment, distill)

Plantains Patacones

Beginner birding sessions and bird list.

260 species seen in the grounds

Owner's peacocks have multiplied here over decades

They roost at 18.00 and start to call between 07.00-8.00am [loudest at Easter - mating season]

[Scenes from Netflix's popular telenovela "Café con la Aroma de muer" were filmed here - 400 million viewers, released in English as The Scent of Passion]

Av temp Spring like 17-24C all year

80% humidity year round.

Rainfall heaviest Mar-May and Sep-Nov

Days 12 - 14

Charleston Santa Teresa

Old City

This elegant upmarket hotel fusing historic colonial charm and contemporary cool has a fantastic location overlooking Plaza Santa Teresa in Cartagena's historic quarter. There are 87 rooms and suites set either in a 'colonial' section within a former 17th century convent or a 'republican' section with more classic décor. Each has A/C, a flat screen smart TV, Nespresso coffee machine, rainforest shower heads, black out blinds, laptop size safe, luxury 'Loto del Sur' bath amenities and bathrobe and slippers and city, courtyard or sea views. Some higher category suites have upgraded features such as living rooms, dining rooms and panoramic views.

Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace and restaurant 'La Terraza' with stunning wrap around views out over the city, alfresco 'Plaza Santa Teresa' restaurant serving Cartegana cuisine, 'Harry's' restaurant', full service spa offering a range of massages and treatments, fitness centre, onsite 'Bauer' jewellery store, tours desk.