11 Days in Colombia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Colonial Colombia - Bogotá to Cartagena

Discover Colombia's colonial history, from cobblestoned plazas to historic coffee plantations, on this tour around the country.

Arrive in Bogotá. You'll go on a city tour on day two before moving onto a visit to the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. Transfer to the colonial village of Villa de Leyva and spend some time exploring the surrounding area: highlights include El Infiernito, an ancient grouping of stone fertility monuments, and El Fosíl, a small fossil museum. Then travel to the village of Barichara. On day six, hike to another colonial village, Guane, then return by moto-taxi, enjoying the scenery of the Río Suarez Canyon.

The tour continues on the plateau of Mesa de los Santos, where you'll go on a tour of the coffee plantations of Hacienda El Roble. Wander the cobblestoned streets of colonial San Juan de Girón, then continue onto Bucaramanga to spend the night. From there, you'll catch a flight to Cartagena de Indias, widely considered Colombia's loveliest colonial gem. Tour the city on the last full day, strolling through pretty plazas, visiting the Monastery of San Pedro Claver and the Basilica Minor cathedral, and having a fresh-squeezed juice while enjoying sea views by the old city ramparts. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Caribbean Coast & Island Adventure

On this tropical adventure that features speedboat rides and snorkeling excursions, you'll see Colombia's beautiful northern coastline and idyllic islands.

Begin the trip in the seaside city of Santa Marta. Relax on the beach, then make the short trip to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona National Park) for two days of hiking through pristine coastal landscapes. After a sailing trip on day four, you'll return to Santa Marta for an evening of fresh seafood and local nightlife. Then drive to the village of Minca, where you'll visit a coffee farm and go on an early-morning birdwatching trip before moving onto Cartagena de Indias. 

Spend days seven and eight exploring the colonial plazas and colorful architecture of Cartagena. Then you'll go on a kayaking excursion around Barú Island, looking for wildlife from manatees and turtles to hummingbirds and herons. Relax on beautiful Playa Blanca beach in the afternoon. Finish up the itinerary with a day trip to the Rosario Islands, located just offshore the mainland, to sunbathe on Playa Azul beach, kayak or snorkel through crystal-blue waters, and indulge in a leisurely lunch. You'll have one last night on the town in Cartagena before you catch a flight out of Colombia. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ancient and Modern Cultures in Colombia

This comprehensive itinerary takes travelers to ancient ruins, national parks, colonial fortresses, and Colombia's historic coffee-growing region.

The adventure begins in the coastal city of Santa Marta. Make the short trip to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, where you'll spend several days exploring the windswept beaches and native forest of the park. Take a guided tour on day two, then visit the park's pre-Columbian archaeological ruins of Pueblito Chairama on day three. The following day, you'll float down the lazy Río Don Diego river on a tubing excursion. Then, on day five, catch a flight out of the region. Your next destination is the Zona Cafetera (coffee region). Tour a coffee farm to learn about the process of harvesting beans, then visit the Valle de Cocora, a valley named afer a pre-Hispanic chieftain's daughter.

Midway through the trip, you'll go mountain biking in the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Otún-Quimbaya (keep an eye out for red howler monkeys) and birding in the rainforest. Then move onto the Parque Arqueológico Nacional de Tierradentro (archaeological park of Tierradentro), known for its painted underground burial chambers. Dating from around 700 CE, the park features four key sites you can hike to: Alto de San Andrés, Alto de Segovia, Alto del Duende, and El Tablón. Spend the night in the village of San Andrés de Pisimbala and visit the colonial city of Popayán before heading back to the city to catch a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Cities & Coffee Region

Coffee enthusiasts and urban adventurers alike will love this colorful trip plan featuring an overnight on a coffee farm, hiking through Cocora Valley, the art scene in Medellín, and nightlife in Bogotá.

Spend some time getting to know Bogotá at the beginning of the trip with a city tour and some free time for strolling and sipping coffee in outdoor cafés. It's good preparation for the next leg of the trip: you'll transfer to Zona Cafetera, the coffee-growing region, for a tour of a traditional coffee finca (farm). Sleep in Pereira and spend days four and five on hiking and driving tours of the area, stopping at fruit stands to taste local pineapple and at viewpoints over the banana plantations below for photo ops.

On day six, you'll catch a flight (or make the journey overland) to the busy city of Medellín. Day-trip to the lakeside town of Guatapé, a crown jewel of Colombia's Antioquia region, for a private tour. Spend the night on the town in Medellín, then take a flight to Cartagena de Indias. You'll go on a guided walk through the historic Old Town and take a cooking class where you'll learn to prepare traditional Colombian dishes. Finish the adventure with a day trip to the beautiful Rosario Islands, then head back to Cartagena, where you'll catch a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Bogotá, Medellín, & Zona Cafetera Trek

On this active itinerary, you'll start in Bogotá and end in Medellín, passing through Los Nevados National Park, Colombia's coffee region, and the central Andes along the journey.

The journey starts in Bogotá, where you'll tour the city and take a food tour of the Mercado de Paloquemao to sample locally grown fruits. Dine in style at Andrés DC before the next day's trip to Zona Cafetera, Colombia's coffee-growing region. Learn about the process behind your morning cup of coffee during a tour of a family-run finca (farm), then spend the night in Pereira. On day four, you'll start a two-day trek through Valle de Cocora, spotting interesting flora and fauna along the way — look for the espeletia plant, which resembles both a cactus and a sunflower. 

Halfway through the trip, continue trekking through Parque Regional Natural Ucumarí towards Refugio Ecológico La Pastora, where you'll camp. Hike to Otún Quimbaya wildlife sanctuary, then go birding near Manizales and soak in the natural hot springs at Termales El Otoño. You'll get up early on day nine to make the trip to Nevado del Ruiz, a snow-capped "stratovolcano" made of layers of lava, ash, and pumice. Take a dip in the Termales del Ruiz thermal pools while enjoying views of Laguna Negra lake. Then head back to Medellín for more sightseeing and fine dining before you catch a flight home. Learn more

More Great 11-Day Colombia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Colombia trip? Check out these other 11-day Colombia itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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