Magical Colombia

Magical Colombia joins four of the country's great destinations in a single trip: Bogotá and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, the Coffee Cultural Landscape around Salento, Filandia and Marsella, Medellín and El Peñol, and Cartagena with a day on the Rosario Islands.

Our drivers meet you at every airport and take you to your hotel, and each city has its own guided day tours.

Day 1 · Arrival in Bogotá

Start time: according to your scheduled flight.

Our driver will be waiting for you at El Dorado International Airport to take you to your hotel.

Day 2 · Zipaquirá

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: 5 hours.

Discover one of the country's wonders. One hour from Bogotá, the town of Zipaquirá is home to an extraordinary work of architecture and engineering: an old salt mine turned into an impressive cathedral 180 meters underground. You'll walk past the Stations of the Cross carved into the salt rock and see a 3D light and sound show.

Places to visit: the town of Zipaquirá, the Salt Cathedral and Miners' Square.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), private transportation, medical assistance, hydration and entrance to the Salt Cathedral.

Good to know: lunch and time for lunch are not included. If you'd like them, they're quoted separately.

Day 3 · Bogotá City Tour and Monserrate

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: approximately 5 hours.

Bogotá is one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America, with activities for all ages and interests at any time of day. This tour gives you a panoramic view of the city and covers its most representative landmarks.

Places to visit: La Candelaria, the Gold Museum or the Botero Museum, Bolívar Square, Chorro de Quevedo, the Primatial Cathedral and Monserrate Hill.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), private transportation, medical assistance, hydration and entrance fees.

Good to know:

• The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays.
• The Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
• Guides in other languages are available on request.

Day 4 · Transfer from Bogotá to Pereira

Start time: according to your scheduled flight.

Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to El Dorado International Airport. When you land in Pereira, our driver will be waiting at Matecaña International Airport with a sign with your names to take you to your hotel.

Day 5 · Charm of the Andes: Salento and Filandia

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours.

The Coffee Cultural Landscape is as rich as its contrasts, and this day shows it. In the morning we walk beneath the tallest wax palms on the planet in the Cocora Valley, climbing into the mountains to discover the mysterious cloud forests. Along the way, the architecture of these charming towns stands out for its authenticity.

We visit Salento to see its architecture up close, the shapes and bright colors of the houses on its main street, all the way up to the town viewpoint. After a traditional lunch we head to Filandia, where we stroll its main streets among buildings made of bahareque, visit natural viewpoints and stop at the "From Vine to Basket" interpretation center to learn about the plant-fiber craft behind its traditional basket weaving. At the end of the day we take you back to the starting point.

Includes: transportation, guide, meals (lunch and hydration) and medical assistance.

Good to know: services not specified in the plan are not included.

Day 6 · Chocolate and Ancestral Knowledge

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours.

Marsella is one of the most beautiful towns in the Coffee Cultural Landscape, and the road there is lined with stunning mountain views. Admire the architecture of its main square, its impressive house of culture and its colorful houses. We take you to coffee-growing country, with postcard viewpoints, to discover the flavor of fruit paired with the finest organic chocolate among the green mountains. Walk among the cacao trees, taste the sweet mucilage and combine it with oranges, mandarins and aromatic herbs. Lunch is on the farm, with the flavors of the countryside.

You'll also take part in making the chocolate: harvesting the seeds, roasting them and melting them into a rich cocoa cream to prepare your favorite sweet or drink. On the way back, a walk around the town and the drive home give you the chance to enjoy an unforgettable coffee-country sunset.

Includes: guide, medical assistance, hydration, private transportation, and lunch, chocolate and coffee.

Good to know: services not specified in the plan are not included.

Day 7 · Transfer from Pereira to Medellín

Start time: according to your scheduled flight.

Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to Matecaña International Airport. When you land in Medellín, our driver will be waiting at José María Córdova International Airport with a sign with your names to take you to your hotel.

Day 8 · Full-Day Medellín City Tour

Start time: 9 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours.

How do you make the most of a day in Medellín? This is the tour for it. In the morning we visit the city's must-see landmarks and stop for a traditional lunch. In the afternoon we explore Medellín's social transformation in one of its most unique neighborhoods, guided by people who lived through the change.

Places to visit: Botero Plaza, the Museo de Antioquia, the Metrocable, Comuna 13 and Pueblito Paisa.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), private transportation, medical assistance, entrance to the Museo de Antioquia and the Metrocable, typical lunch, artisan ice cream, hydration and a local guide in Comuna 13.

Good to know: the Museo de Antioquia is not open on Sundays or public holidays.

Day 9 · El Peñol and Guatapé

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours.

Our main attraction in Antioquia is the Peñol Rock. This 220-meter monolith offers 700 climbing routes you can try while you take in the stunning view. You can be the star of a great photo session, from the top of the rock to the colorful cobblestone streets of Guatapé.

Places to visit: the Peñol Rock, a shared boat ride, the replica of old Peñol and the town of Guatapé.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), medical assistance, private transportation, hydration, entrance to the rock, shared boat ride and a typical lunch in Guatapé.

Good to know:

• The climb is not recommended for people with reduced mobility or respiratory problems, older adults, or children under 5.
• The drive to El Peñol takes approximately 2 hours.

Day 10 · Transfer from Medellín to Cartagena

Start time: according to your scheduled flight.

Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to José María Córdova International Airport. When you land in Cartagena, our driver will be waiting at Rafael Núñez Airport with a welcome sign to take you to your hotel.

Day 11 · Private Cartagena City Tour

Start time: 2 PM. Duration: approximately 4 hours.

A panoramic tour of the city's most emblematic sites: San Felipe Castle, La Popa Convent, Las Bóvedas, a stroll through the old town, and a drive around the modern area of Bocagrande and its bay.

Places to visit: San Felipe Castle, La Popa Convent, Las Bóvedas and the old city.

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), medical assistance, hydration, private transportation and entrance fees to the sites mentioned.

Day 12 · San Pedro de Majagua Island

Start time: 8 AM. Duration: approximately 8 hours. Transportation: hotel – pier – hotel.

Hotel San Pedro de Majagua is on Isla Grande, one of the 31 islands of the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park, a valuable group of ecosystems.

At 8 AM we leave by boat from the La Bodeguita pier and enjoy a panoramic view of the archipelago. Then we arrive at Majagua, where you'll have free time to relax on its beautiful beaches.

Includes: round-trip transportation on shared speedboats (from the pier), a typical Cartagena lunch, and beach access with chairs.

Not included: food consumption tax, and the departure (zarpe) tax of approximately USD 7 per person, paid directly at the pier.

Good to know: the return to the city is approximately between 3 PM and 3:30 PM.

Day 13 · Departure from Cartagena

Start time: according to your scheduled flight.

This day is set aside for your transfer from the hotel (Dann Cartagena in the recommended plan) to Rafael Núñez International Airport. Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to the vehicle. This is where our services end.

• Bogotá: Best Western
• Pereira: Sonesta
• Medellín: Dix
• Cartagena: Dann Cartagena

If you need accommodation, you can add it when you book.

Cancellation

• If you cancel, the initial 50% payment is subject to a 10% administrative fee, plus any other administrative costs of the cancellation.
• 30 days before the start of services: 20% penalty.
• Up to 15 days before the start of services: 50% penalty.
• Less than 5 days before the service: 100% penalty (non-refundable).

Flight changes and airport transfers

• Any flight change must be reported at least 3 hours before the scheduled service.
• Waiting time at the airport is 1 hour if no flight change has been reported. After that, additional waiting hours are charged.
• If a change of flight time or flight number is reported only 1 hour before the service, the waiting time is charged, or the service is treated as a no-show and a new service has to be scheduled.
• After 2 hours of waiting with no prior notice, the service is treated as a no-show.

Payment methods

• Bank transfer to Colombia Travel Operator's Bancolombia account. We send you the bank details individually. Please send us the proof of payment by email.
• Credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners. Card payments carry a 5% surcharge on the listed rates and are charged only in US dollars. We send you the authorization form individually; ask us for the amount in dollars.
• PayPal: payments carry a 5% surcharge on the listed rates. We send a payment request to the email of your PayPal account; ask us for the amount in dollars.
• International bank transfer: the transfer fee is paid by you directly to your bank (it varies by bank and country) and is not included in our rates. This method can take up to 5 business days to be reflected. Please send us the proof of transfer by email.

Other conditions

• Our rates do not include international or domestic flights.
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers between 9 PM and 5 AM carry an additional night surcharge.
• If the travelers are Colombian nationals, 19% VAT must be added.
• Accommodation rates apply to low season. If you'd like to upgrade your hotel category, contact us.
• If you buy flights, accommodation or any other activity on your own, any issue or unforeseen event related to those services is beyond the responsibility of Colombia Travel Operator.