Colombia Panorama: Deserts, Mountains & Cities - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Neiva, Transfer to Villavieja, Tatacoa's Astronomical Observatory

Welcome to Colombia! Upon arrival at Neiva Airport, you'll get your first taste of warm Colombian hospitality as you're escorted to your accommodations in Villavieja, the gateway to the Tatacoa Desert. After settling in, take an evening tour to Tatacoa's Astronomical Observatory, where you're invited to relax lying on the desert floor looking at the sky while listening to an interesting talk about astronomy.

 

Tatacoa's skies are wonderfully clear thanks to its proximity to the equator and the absence of light pollution here. You'll be able to see various celestial bodies more closely from the observatory's telescopes and get a chance to take incredible photos.

Day 2: Day Trip to the Tatacoa Desert

Today your adventure really begins, with a guided tour through the Tatacoa Desert. From Villavieja, you'll take a tuk-tuk up to the entrance of the desert for a two-hour horseback ride to admire the landscapes of this tropical dry forest and learn about the different species of vegetation. Continue to the mineral water pool where, if you wish, you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the middle of this arid landscape.

Return to Villavieja with your guide for a spot of lunch and a rest before heading out to explore the Río Magdalena by boat, accompanied by a local who will share their fishing secrets. After the boat ride, walk through the gray and ochre parts of the desert and wait for sunset to hit the rainbow path. You will also pass one of the most interesting areas where your guide will show you formations created by water and wind, including the Cathedrals, the Tower, the Wishing Tree, and the Labyrinths. At nightfall, you are invited to enjoy a glass of cactus wine at a viewpoint while gazing up at the starry desert sky.

Day 3: Transfer to San Agustín, Campesino Experience

Take a private transfer southwest from Villavieja to the lovely little town of San Agustín. Here, you have the chance to see what traditional local life is like during a half-day campesino (farmer) experience. Visit a rural house where coffee, milk, fruits, and food are produced. Your hosts will welcome you into their home with a freshly brewed cup of coffee before telling you about their daily jobs and your upcoming activities.

 

Then you'll tour the farm, learning about the management of organic crops of coffee, beans, bananas, herbs, and medicinal plants. If there's a harvest, you'll help collect some food for the preparation of the meal you'll share together. You're invited to cook and learn a little about Colombian cuisine. After eating and tasting various local fruits, prepare and enjoy another cup of coffee before returning to San Agustín.

Day 4: Visit the San Agustín Archaeological Park, Horseback Archaeology Tour

Today it's time to visit the impressive San Agustín Archaeological Park on a half-day tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a number of pre-Columbian statues and artifacts, so there's plenty to see. Start with a visit to the archaeological museum followed by a walk in the park where you can wander among the gigantic stone idols and sacred tombs that peek out from the jungle. 

Next, enjoy the most famous horseback ride in San Agustín, led by an expert local guide who will take you on a circuit that runs through four archaeological sites. You'll cross the town's rural area to reach La Pelota, where there are three statues located close to where they were originally found. Several feet away you'll find El Purutal where there are four more statues, two of which retain the original coloration believed to have been characteristic of other monoliths in the area.

Continue to El Tablón, an archaeological site where five statues classified as female are exhibited. There's also a small ethnographic museum organized by the residents of El Tablón township. Next is La Chaquira, an archaeological site with different human and animal figures carved into volcanic stone that look toward the impressive Río Magdalena canyon, one of the most spectacular views in San Agustín.

Day 5: Transfer to Popayán, Gastronomic Tour

Your driver will take you directly from your hotel to the next stop: the colonial-era city of Popayán in western Colombia. This culinary city has held the National Gastronomic Congress since 2003, attracting more than 30,000 visitors, and is a designated UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy—the first in the world.

 

Head out on a foodie tour on foot through the city center's historic streets to learn more about the gastronomic culture of the Payanese. You'll get to taste mouth-watering pipián empanadas (baked pastries filled with potatoes and peanuts), carantantas (corn fritters), aplanchados (sugar-glazed pastries), Eduardo Santos (a fruit dessert named after a former president), and salpicones (fruity cocktails). With all these delicious treats to try, it's best just to have a small lunch!

Day 6: Transfer to Cali, Salsa Tour & Class

Travel north to Cali, an energetic city and the salsa capital of Colombia. A salsa tour here is a must. Start at the Jairo Varela Salsa Museum, a small museum dedicated to one of the great salsa dancers, to see everything salsa-related, from clothes to records, trophies, photos, and musical instruments.

Then visit a workshop where local artisans make musical instruments, before continuing to the Barrio Obrero neighborhood to see the statue of salsa singer Piper Pimienta Díaz and visit the traditional salsa bar, Chorrito Antillano. Finish with an hour of salsa dancing at a class taught by former world champions at one of the most recognized dance schools.

Day 7: Farallones de Cali National Park, Pico de Loro Hike

Jump in a 4WD to make the one-hour journey from Cali to the entrance of Farallones de Cali National Park in the village of El Topacio, where you'll take a spectacular hike to the peak, known as the Pico de Loro. You'll be taken through a short warm-up before starting the 5.5-mile (9 km) hike, ascending from 5,250 feet (1,600 m) to 9,380 feet (2,860 m) above sea level. 

The hike is classed as intermediate, with some tricky but fun sections where you'll use tree branches and roots for support. After crossing through a beautiful and well-preserved cloud forest, you reach the Pico de Loro where, if the weather allows, there will be an incredible panoramic view of the Central and Western Andes ranges, the Río Cauca, the city of Cali, and even the Nevado del Huila. Take time to soak up your surroundings before making the descent, then return to Cali for a relaxing evening.

Day 8: Transfer to Salento, Botanical & Butterfly Garden Tour

Continue heading north to the valley town of Salento, one of the most picturesque spots in Colombia's UNESCO-listed Coffee Triangle. Here, take a tranquil tour of the Quindío Botanical Garden & Butterfly Garden, which has protected some of the most threatened species in the region for decades. Walking in the company of a heritage interpreter, you'll marvel at the imposing trees, the diversity of flowers, and the colors of the forest.

 

Climb up to the observation tower to understand the structure of the trees and their canopy, listen to the birdsong, and try to spot the birds flitting throughout the foliage. Then head to the butterfly farm to take a look at hundreds of different butterflies. If you stay still, the butterflies will land close to you, and you'll be able to see the intricacy of their shapes and colors.

Day 9: Valle del Cocora Day Trip

Today you'll head into the Valle del Cocora—a beautiful protected region inside Los Nevados National Park in the Central Andes. This is the best place to see Colombia's national tree, the Quindío wax palm, as well as a great variety of endangered flora and fauna. First, you'll visit Filandia, visit the Quindío viewpoint, make a stop at a basket-weaving workshop, and enjoy a drink and dessert at a local restaurant. Then it's time to venture into the Valle del Cocora to appreciate some of Colombia's most beautiful scenery. After a welcome cocktail, a Cocora eco-guide will introduce you to the Cocora Natural Reserve.

 

Walk along a path lined by towering wax palms and plant a palm seedling to conserve the national tree. There's also the chance for activities such as horseback riding and hiking to lesser-visited locations in the valley. After a delicious traditional lunch, transfer back to Salento and Café Jesus Martin to see how the country's coffee scene is changing. Then take a walking tour of Salento's colorful colonial-era streets backed by lush mountain peaks.

Day 10: Transfer to Manizales via Hot Springs, Plantain Cooking Workshop

Transfer north today, stopping at the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal before continuing through the mountains until you reach the Santa Rosa Hot Springs, where a series of four thermal pools lie hidden in the Andean cloud forest. The beautiful waterfall that cascades down the forested mountains behind the springs adds to the relaxing vibe. On the way back to Pereira, taste chorizo santarrosano (cured sausage) served with arepa (ground corn pancake).

Next, get back on the road and continue north to Manizales, where you'll get settled in and spend the afternoon at a plantain cooking workshop. At first sight, it's easy to mistake a plantain, called plátanos here in Colombia, for a banana. Although they are a close relative, plantains are very different, and during this hands-on cooking class, the culinary team will show you different ways to prepare both maduros (ripe plantains) and verdes (green plantains) to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

Day 11: Transfer to Jardín, Heritage Village Tour

Today you'll be driven from Manizales to the quiet heritage town of Jardín in the northwest. Jardín is known for its colorful houses and balconies nestled into the Andean hills. The area is one of Colombia's major coffee-growing regions, and you'll enjoy a scenic ride through the lush green mountains into the coffee-growing region of Antioquia's southwest.

 

On a village tour, visit the Clara Rojas Museum, located in an old house, to learn about the local history. After tasting award-winning sweets at Doña Mariela's sweet shop, a traditional cable car whisks you to the other side of the valley where you can take a lovely walk back to the village center.

Day 12: Transfer to Jericó, Cultural Tour: Chapels, Arts & Crafts

Take a private transfer from Jardin to the off-the-beaten-path heritage town of Jericó. On arrival, you'll be immersed in the idyllic world of Antioquia's coffee-growing region. Jericó's town center, with its 16 chapels, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Antioquia. It's also known for its handicrafts and the manufacturing of small leather goods.

 

Set off on a tour of Jericó's historical center to see traditional facades and visit local carriel (small leather satchel) workshops. These Colombian bags are handmade here and are the perfect gift for friends and family. Afterward, walk through the Botanical Garden up to the Cristo Rey ("Christ the King") monument to take in the beautiful view of the town and the surrounding mountains, valleys, and rivers.

Day 13: Transfer to Medellín, Transformation Tour

Your next stop is Medellín, a colorful city with a thriving art scene. A little over 25 years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to the presence of Pablo Escobar, the founder of the Medellín Cartel. Since his death in 1993, the city has experienced a total resurgence, thanks to heavy investment in infrastructure and public education. Today, the "City of Eternal Spring" is one of the most innovative cities in the world.

 

Join a guided tour of Medellín to learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. The tour highlights an area of the city called Comuna 13, which was plagued with violence in the '80s and '90s. Since then, locals have transformed the area, and it now offers graffiti art and street murals that climb the mountainside. Don't miss the giant escalator that scales the mountain in six sections, helping to link residents that were once isolated to the rest of the city below.

Day 14: Piedra del Peñol & Guatapé Boat Trip

Today, your guide will take you on a scenic drive through the eastern highlands of Antioquia to Piedra del Peñol ("Peñol Boulder"). This stunning 650-foot (200 m) monolith can be reached by climbing 740 steps. At the top, you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Around 30 minutes from Peñol Boulder, explore the village of Guatapé, with its church and brightly painted buildings. Eat lunch along the waterfront of Guatapé Reservoir, and explore the lake on a boat ride.

Day 15: Street Food & Market Experience, Depart

On your final morning, head to the authentic neighborhood of Envigado just outside Medellín. Here, set out on a street food tour to experience the most authentic Colombian flavors. Explore different stores, markets, and restaurants with your local guide, while tucking into flavor-packed fried food, juicy fruits, and colorful vegetables.

Then sadly it's time to leave captivating Colombia. Your driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home or on to your next destination. Safe travels! 

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Colombia? Check out these other Colombia itineraries, explore different ways to spend 15 days in Colombia, or discover the best time of year to visit Colombia.