Creature Comforts Colombia

First-rate wildlife and nature experiences at some of Colombia's best boutique and wildlife lodges.

'Creature Comforts Colombia'

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.

Bogota's Botanical Gardens

A feast of plants in beautifully-designed gardens and modern conservatories.

The Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is a lush oasis in the capital. Spanning 20 hectares, it features themed gardens, including Andean, Amazon, and páramo ecosystems. Visitors can explore vibrant orchids, towering palms, and tranquil water features. There is an extensive set of well-designed glasshouses.

Chingaza National Park

Escape into the high Andes

Chingaza National Park, near Bogotá, is a high-altitude Andean sanctuary of páramo landscapes, glacial lakes, and rich biodiversity. Home to spectacled bear, deer, and countless bird species, it preserves vital ecosystems that supply water to Bogotá. With scenic hiking trails and breathtaking mountain views, Chingaza offers an escape into the world of the high Andes.

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.

Medellin

The city of resilience, transformation, development and creativity

Colombia's second-largest city, Medellin, is known for its transformation from a violent past to a vibrant, innovative hub. Sprawling across the Aburrá Valley, it has a pleasant 'eternal spring' climate all year. Rich in culture, with Botero Plaza, Pueblito Paisa, and Jardín Botánico, Medellín is also a leader in sustainability and urban development. With its warm hospitality, Medellín is a city of growth, creativity, and resilience.

The Flowers of the Silleteros

Flowers, flowers and more flowers

Medellin holds an annual festival of flowers in July or August, known for a stupendous, colourful and joyful floral super-abundance drawn from small flower farms around the city. At its zenith is the 'Desfiles de Silleteros' ('parade of the silleta bearers') where the farmers themselves carry on their backs the most elaborate, impactful and downright funny displays of flowers on the 'silleta' traditionally used to carry heavy loads. At other times you can visit them on their farms and see how it's done.

El Peñol

Massive granite rock and popular tourist attraction

El Peñol, near Guatapé outside Medellin, is a massive granite rock offering breathtaking panoramic views. Visitors can climb its 740 steps for views of stunning lakes and rolling landscapes below - a very popular tourist attraction.

Santa Fe de Antioquia

Elegant echo of Colombia's colonial era

Santa Fe de Antioquia is a historic town renowned for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, beautifully preserved white-walled houses, charming plazas, and ornate churches. Founded in 1541, it was the original capital of Antioquia. With a warm climate, rich history, and vibrant festivals, Santa Fe de Antioquia elegantly echoes Colombia's colonial past.

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 Savanna Orinoquia Lodge
4 Savanna Orinoquia Lodge
5 Savanna Orinoquia Lodge
6 Bogota
7 Medellin
8 Medellin
9 Medellin
10 Cartagena
11 Cartagena
12 Cartagena
For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Creature Comforts Colombia'

DAY 1

Bogota

Arriving in Bogota in the early morning on an overnight flight, there will be some time to rest before you are taken on a guided walking tour of the historic La Candelaria district blending history, art and culture after which you will spend the afternoon in the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá botanical garden, a lush peaceful oasis in the middle of Colombia's bustling capital, landscaped to reflect Colombia's diverse ecosystems with an avenue of tall wax palms, a wetland area with water lilies, papyrus and aquatic grasses, a pretty rose garden, a huge modern glass house replicates the warm and humid conditions of tropical rainforest and an Andean garden planted with high-altitude species such as bromeliads, cacti and shrubs suited to cooler, drier climate.

DAY 2

Chinganza National Park and a hummingbird observatory

Taking advantage that you are probably still adjusting to Colombia's time zone, you have an early start ascending by vehicle through elfin forest up to the paramos of the Chingaza National Park, the source of the majority of the drinking water for Bogota. Here amid constant mist epiphytes and stunted, compact, miniature trees thrive and the landscape has a fairytale appeal. Ascending higher the landscape gets more dramatic—vast, open moorlands dotted with Andean grasses, tall furry, silver Espeletia plants commonly known as frailejones (big monks) and glistening lakes. Keep your eyes peeled for Andean condors soaring high overhead, or perhaps the spectacled bear, a rare sight but a true symbol of the high-altitude forest. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including ducks, eagles, as well as mammals like deer and pumas. On your return towards Bogota call in at a private home where the garden is filled with hummingbird feeders including species such as the sword-billed hummingbird, Amethyst-throated sunangel, great sapphirewing, blue-throated starfrontlet and coppery-bellied puffleg.

DAY 3

Los Llanos

A morning flight to Yopal, gateway to the eastern plains of 'Los Llanos'. From Yopal it is then 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 that are 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 stand out as a captivating and essential part of Colombia's national identity.

DAY 4

BLD

Nature spotting and relaxation

Choose from a menu of activities, mostly of 2 hours each, including horseback rides, trail walking or birding, taking a bongo (a canoe) along the Caño Canacabare, bonfire on the beach, or river fishing. Each is accompanied by local llaneros. They speak only Spanish but can usually convey everything needed for a very enjoyable time. (With advance notice we can arrange English-speaking guides at additional cost.) Each bungalow around the lodge has a private pool with sunloungers for relaxation in the heat of the day.

DAY 5

BLD

Wildlife viewing

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

DAY 6

Return to Bogota

After a final dawn for nature observations you have a return transfer to Yopal airport, in time for afternoon flight back to Bogota. On arrival in Bogota you will be met and transferred to a nearby airport hotel for a positioning night.

DAY 7

Medellin - orchid and hydrangea nursery

Catch your hotel shuttle back to the airport for an early flight direct to Medellin. You are met on arrival and taken to visit an orchid and hydrangea nursery before being transferred to your hotel in Medellin where you stay for 3 nights.

DAY 8

Sillateros flower chairs, Metrocable, Botero Plaza & Antioquia Museum

Known for its perfect climate and hardworking people, Medellín is the proud capital of Antioquia's flower growing. This morning you are driven an hour out of town to the village of Santa Elena, home to the celebrated 'silleteros', who showcase their stunning floral creations each year at the Feria de las Flores held in Medellín each August. These intricate, large-scale flower displays, called 'silletas', are crafted by local farmers from their own gardens, then proudly carried on their backs in the grand parade. It’s a highlight of the festival, a vivid display of tradition, and an authentic symbol of the region’s deep cultural roots. You visit a family-run farm that has been growing flowers and participating in the event for generations to walk in their garden and hear about the story of the silleteros and their roots in colonial times when it was the Spanish nobility that were being carried on wooden chairs by enslaved workers - a painful memory that evolved into the art of carrying flowers celebrating life, beauty, and resilience. You ride the modern, state of the art, Metrocable down from the Arvi Park station all the way to downtown Medellin with panoramic views of the city en route. Once back in the city you visit the 'Botero Plaza' (Plaza de las Esculturas) for the 23 outdoor sculptures the artist donated to his native city in 2000. At Antioquia Museum you will find a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art.

DAY 9

Guatape and El Penol rock or Santa Fe de Antioquia

You choose between a full day tour heading east from Medellin to visit the massive granite monolith of El Penol and the colourfully painted town of Guatape, including a boat tour on the reservoir (all very popular with locals, especially at weekends and holidays). If you would prefer a more sedate step back into colonial times we can take you west from Medellin to visit Santa Fe de Antioquia. Here you stroll along its narrow cobblestone streets, flanked by whitewashed building adorned with colourful wooden balconies and ornate doors and appreciate its properous history as the state capital under the Spanish. Engineering enthusiasts can stop on the way to see the Occidente Bridge - an early suspension bridge spanning the Cauca River.

DAY 10

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 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 with a steamy tropical vibe that puts you immediately into the magical realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It is your base for three nights.

DAY 11

Pirates and fortifications: La Popa view point and San Felipe Fortress

To appreciate how and why Cartagena developed here this morning you are taken by vehicle up to the high point of Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Perched on a hill it offers a terrific vantage point from which to appreciate the historical context for the location of this fortified city. Continue to the San Felipe Fortress on San Lazaro Hill with mighty walls and a complex system of tunnels, underground galleries, and passageways it was built to defend the city from pirate attacks. Next, venture into the heart of the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) to discover the Convent and Church of San Pedro Claver. Constructed in the mid-17th century, this beautiful church is dedicated to the “Apostle of the Slaves”. The tour ends in the Las Bóvedas, a series of archways built into Cartagena’s city wall. Originally constructed to store armaments in the late 1700s and later used as a prison in the 19th century, and today is where you will find local handicraft stalls. After which you will be free to wander. .

DAY 12

Caribbean dry forest

This morning you are driven for about an hour to visit "Agricola Camelias" surrounded by tropical dry forest in the Turbaco hills in the department of Bolivar. Originally a farm this is now a sustainable tourist initiative offering birding, hiking and organic agricultural products which are grown on site including lemon, banana, purple corn, Valencia orange and organic papaya and beekeeping activities . There is a 3km hiking trail which provides a great opportunity to enjoy the local flora and fauna and perhaps spot or hear some of the more than 235 species of birds which can be seen including manakins, motmots, stripe-backed wrens, and the endemic chestnut-winged chachalaca. On the way to Agricola Camelias pass by the Cartagena Botanical Garden where they are busy germinating seeds for large scale native species reforestation projects.

DAY 13

Return to Cartagena, depart Colombia

At the appropriate time you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Cartagena airport for your chosen onwards flight

Route map for Colombia 'Creature Comforts Colombia' holiday

Guide prices for 'Creature Comforts Colombia'

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:

Prices do not include:

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

Customer reviews for 'Creature Comforts Colombia'

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 'Creature Comforts Colombia'

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	Savanna Orinoquia Lodge	33°C	11mm
4	Savanna Orinoquia Lodge	33°C	11mm
5	Savanna Orinoquia Lodge	33°C	11mm
6	Bogota	19°C	31mm
7	Medellin	24°C	59mm
8	Medellin	24°C	59mm
9	Medellin	24°C	59mm
10	Cartagena	31°C	2mm
11	Cartagena	31°C	2mm
12	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 'Creature Comforts Colombia'

Select your preferred accommodation option

Days 1 - 2

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 3 - 5

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 6

Movich Buro 26

BOG airport

Days 7 - 9

Hotel Patio del Mundo

Days 10 - 12

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.