Discover Colombia's Culture & Cuisine in Luxury - 14 Days

Highlights

• Tour the grand colonial buildings and plazas in Bogotá and Villa de Leyva
• Enjoy fine dining experiences across Colombia, from Bogotá to Cartagena
• Stroll the coffee fields of the Zona Cafetera and hike the Valle de Cocora
• Immerse yourself in colonial Cartagena with music classes, city tours, and more

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bogotá, Dinner at El Chato

Welcome to Colombia! If you know little about this country, you're in for a treat because, over the next two weeks, you'll discover its most beautiful and exciting highlights. Your trip starts in the capital of Bogotá, which is nestled in the Andes Mountains at an impressive 8,660 feet (2,640 m). At this altitude, the weather is crisp and the environment is defined by cloud forests and highland páramo ecosystems. 

No need to worry about the chill, as this luxury itinerary includes all creature comforts. At the airport, your personal driver will be waiting to transfer you into the city and Hotel Casa Medina. This is a stellar 5-star option in the Four Seasons suite of luxury hotels, and it occupies a historic (and culturally protected) building dating to 1946. You'll feel the elegance as you settle into a suite with high-beamed ceilings and hand-carved wooden furniture. If you like, visit the spa for a luxury body treatment or pampering manicure/pedicure to unwind after the long flight.

Later, get ready for a swanky culinary experience at El Chato, one of the best restaurants in South America. Located in the trendy Chapinero neighborhood, chef Alvaro Clavijo serves a gourmet menu celebrating locally sourced produce. 

Day 2: Bogotá Market & City Tour, Visit Cerro Monserrate, Dinner at Elcielo

Bogotá is fast becoming a prime destination for foodies, and ground zero for all the fresh produce and culinary staples here is Mercado Paloquemao. Taking up an entire city block, this massive municipal market supplies the produce and ingredients for many of the top restaurants in the city. Along with a guide, you'll browse the labyrinthine maze of food stalls and produce vendors, meet local purveyors, and sample an array of exotic fruits like guayaba (guava), lulo (little orange), carambola (star fruit), maracuyá (passion fruit), and others.

After the market, transfer to the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, in the city center, for a tour. First up is the Museo d'Oro (Gold Museum). One of the finest museums in South America, it offers a staggering collection of over 34,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts. Continue to the Museo de Botero, which features a collection of over 200 works donated by renowned Colombian sculptor/painter Fernando Botero. Wind up at nearby Plaza Bolívar, the expansive central square where the city was founded in 1538. It's home to the Parliament, Supreme Court, and the 19th-century Catedral Primada de Colombia.

Capping the day is a trip up Cerro Monserrate, the most famous lookout point in Bogotá. There are various options to ascend this 2,690-foot (820 m) Andean hill, the quickest being a four-minute cable car ride to the top. Once at the summit, you can visit Monserrate Sanctuary, a Catholic church dating to 1657, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. In the evening, you have another premium dinner reservation. This time, it's at Elcielo, the famous restaurant that made its mark with a molecular gastronomy approach to transforming local ingredients into artistic dishes.

Day 3: Day Trip to Usaquén, Chocolate Workshop & Coffee Tasting, Dinner at LEO 

In the morning, transfer to the northern outskirts of the city and Usaquén. This historic neighborhood was once a township (later incorporated into Bogotá) and is filled with well-preserved colonial churches and plazas. After a walking tour, you'll pop in at a chocolate workshop where a local artisan will teach you how to make tasty confections. An added treat is a 45-minute coffee tasting to sample some of Colombia's finest brews.

After some time to relax at the hotel, you have another premium dinner reservation, this time at LEO. Discover why this eatery is ranked one of the world's best restaurants while enjoying an inspired tasting menu celebrating ingredients across Colombia's diverse ecosystems.

Day 4: Transfer to Villa de Leyva, Dinner at Mercado Municipal

Say goodbye to the capital this morning as you meet your private driver for the transfer north through the highlands to Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia's most beautiful colonial villages. Famous for its cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings, its biggest attraction is the main square, Plaza Mayor, which covers a whopping 3.4 acres (1.4 ha). You'll be staying steps from here at Hotel Casa Tierra. This hacienda-style retreat occupies a colonial building dating to the 1800s, and its comfy rooms and suites feature king beds with 450 thread count linens. 

In the evening, you'll dine at Mercado Municipal. This restaurant has racked up awards as the best eatery in the Colombian state of Boyacá, and it's hard to make a case against it. Located on the corner of the main square, it serves local and international comfort food that ranges from barbecue ribs to rack of lamb. Dine on the romantic patio and enjoy fresh juices (and maybe some key lime pie for dessert) as you enjoy the meal accompanied by live music.

Day 5: Half-Day Villa de Leyva Tour, Optional Activities

Wake up early and head out on a half-day tour in and around Villa de Leyva. During colonial times, the village was used as a summer retreat for the rich, as the region reminded the Spanish of Madrid's vast plateau. For centuries, it has drawn all kinds of people, from artists and monks to tourists and retired politicians.

You'll learn all about its history as you visit highlights such as the 17th-century Santo Ecce Homo Convent, the Blue Wells lagoons, the Fossil Museum (which exhibits dinosaur fossils), and the Casa Terracota, an adobe-style home built from a massive boulder. After the tour, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore on your own. One of the best activities is people-watching from the terrace of a restaurant overlooking the Plaza Mayor.

Day 6: Transfer to Bogotá, Fly to Pereira, Private Cooking Class

Say goodbye to the Colombian highlands as you transfer back to the Bogotá airport this morning. There, you'll catch a one-hour flight to Pereira, one of the three main cities in Colombia's Zona Cafetera (Coffee Triangle). Situated at an ideal altitude in the Andes, this region enjoys a mild climate that creates the perfect ecosystem for growing coffee.

You'll learn all about it when you transfer from the airport to Hotel Boutique Sazagua. This cozy, family-run hacienda is surrounded by tropical forest—perfect for disconnecting and lounging in hammocks. Here, you can admire the tropical gardens, stroll amid local trees and palms, swim in the glimmering blue-tiled pool, and relax in well-appointed rooms with comfy beds and handcrafted furniture. 

Day 7: Day Trip to Valle de Cocora, Salento & Filandia

Discover Colombia's renowned coffee culture this morning on a tour of the Coffee Triangle. Meet your guide for the hour's drive south of Pereira to the famous Valle de Cocora. Here, you'll hike under towering wax palms—an icon of the region—as you ascend into misty cloud forests. There will be plenty of time for breaks and photo ops before hiking back down to the trailhead.

Later, transfer to nearby Salento. Founded in 1850, this colorful town is a shining example of traditional colonial architecture denoted by whitewashed, one-story buildings with red-tiled roofs and wooden balconies. You can admire its architecture, visit its busy plaza, and stop at a café or restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Finally, you'll visit Filandia. Even more colorful than Salento, no corner of this well-preserved Spanish-colonial marvel lacks splashes of bright paint. While here, you can visit Plaza de Bolívar (the main square) and stroll the cobbled streets up to viewpoints affording wide panoramas of Filandia and the surrounding countryside. You can also stop at a basket-weaving workshop and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Coffee Farm Tour & Massage

Rise and shine! You'll meet your bilingual driver/guide this morning and visit a real working coffee finca (farm). During this half-day tour, you'll see the birthplace of coffee production in Colombia, stroll the fields, and sample some of the country's best coffees.

It's a memorable experience that takes place at a family-owned farm, which opens its doors for an authentic glimpse of the lives of traditional coffee farmers. Moreover, you'll learn about each stage of the coffee-making process, from handpicking the coffee, roasting the beans, and brewing the final cup.

After the tour, you'll return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day relaxing. One more item on the itinerary today is a massage treatment arranged by the hotel. You'll have the choice between Swedish massage to relieve tension, a therapeutic option utilizing medicinal herbs, or a massage designed for total relaxation and improving well-being.

Day 9: Nature Reserve Hike & Horseback Riding in the Coffee Region

It's another day to immerse yourself in Colombia's natural splendor. In the morning, you'll transfer to the Barbas Bremen Nature Reserve, located a short drive north of Filandia. It's an unspoiled mountain wonderland filled with lush forests, gently running rivers, cascading waterfalls, and exotic animals like monkeys and tropical birds. You'll have a few hours to hike around this oasis, enjoying the scenery as your expert guide points out the local flora and fauna.

Later, you'll get to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Coffee Triangle on horseback. Near to Armenia is the El Palomar Nature Reserve, where you'll meet your guide and hop in the saddle. Then, embark on a half-day ride around the mountains, with sweeping views of the Valle de Maravelez below. During the experience, you'll trot along coffee fields, cross rivers, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the countryside. In the early afternoon, return to your hotel in Pereira. 

Day 10: Fly to Cartagena, Sunset Cocktails & Dinner at Candé

It's time to leave the coffee fields of the central Andes behind and continue north to the Caribbean coast. This morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Pereira and board a 1.5-hour flight to Cartagena. Situated on Colombia's Caribbean coast, it's one of the most well-preserved fortress cities in the Americas. Many Spanish-colonial landmarks remain, including Cartagena's ancient city walls.

Upon arrival, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Walled City (historic center) and Casa San Agustín. This 5-star boutique hotel is set in a colonial-era mansion that doesn't skimp on luxury. Its many amenities include a shimmering courtyard pool, a swank bar and restaurant, and personalized concierge services. After checking in, you can visit the hotel's Arum Spa for a body scrub, Moroccan hammam treatment, or "luxury love" experience with Jacuzzi, Champagne, and chocolate strawberries.

In the late afternoon, you might want to head over to the Hotel Movich. Also located in the historic center, its rooftop bar offers some of the finest views in the city and is a great place for a sundowner. Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at dinner at Candé, which features a menu of Caribbean classics and fresh seafood accompanied by live music and dancing. After the meal, stroll down the cobbled streets of Cartagena's historic center before retiring to your hotel.

Day 11: City Tour, Rum & Chocolate Tasting, Dinner at Alma

Hit the cobbled streets after breakfast on a walking tour of Cartagena. Your local guide will lead you to Convento de la Popa, a convent founded in 1607. Then proceed to nearby San Felipe de Barajas, a massive hilltop castle built by the Spanish in 1536. Upon returning to Cartagena's UNESCO-listed Walled City, you'll stop at key sites like Plaza de la Aduana, Parque Bolívar, and Plaza de Santa Teresa. Don't miss the canary-yellow Convento Santo Domingo, which dates to 1552.

Afterward, say goodbye to your guide and walk over to the bohemian neighborhood of Getsemani. There, another local expert will lead you on a tasting tour of some of the best Caribbean rums—all paired with decadent chocolate to enhance the sensory experience. In the evening, the culinary theme continues with dinner at Alma. Translating to "soul," that's exactly what this restaurant puts into every dish, which includes regional classics like seafood casserole and ceviche. 

Day 12: Mangrove Fishing Tour, Percussion Workshop, Dinner at Carmen

The coast around Cartagena is dotted with colorful fishing villages, home to locals who earn their living in the nearby mangrove ecosystems. After breakfast, you'll transfer by private car to one such village, La Boquilla. During a two-hour stop, you'll meet friendly locals and hop in a boat to join them in their daily work. Learn some traditional fishing techniques as you marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna on display, which includes waterbirds like herons, frigatebirds, and ospreys.

Later, take an immersive journey into the lifeblood of Colombia: music. The nation is home to dozens of distinct genres, but what they all have in common is the uniquely Latin American thrum of percussion instruments. Discover these rhythms firsthand when you participate in a music workshop led by a group of young people from La Boquilla at a local drum school. This one-hour experience is a great way to connect with the rhythms of Afro-Colombian folk music, and there's no need to be shy—as locals say: "Play even if you don't know how; dance even if you don't move at all."

Afterward, transfer back to Cartagena in time to enjoy dinner at Carmen. This renowned eatery is consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in Colombia, serving contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on Colombian flavors (think coconut rice risotto and pasta with plantains and coffee). These creative plates are a celebration of the country's rich biodiversity.

Day 13: Day Trip to Tierra Bomba & Beach Club, Dinner at Celele

You've seen the city, and now it's time to enjoy Cartagena's fine beaches. Leave around 9 am from your hotel and transfer to the port. There, you'll board a water taxi for the brisk 15-minute ride to Tierra Bomba. During the colonial era, this island served as a strategic location for defense against pirate attacks and was equipped with forts and military installations. Several well-preserved forts remain, including the San Fernando and Bateria del Ángel San Rafael. The latter dates all the way back to the 16th century.

Besides the history, travelers flock here to enjoy the island's unspoiled beaches, which is exactly what you'll be doing. Specifically, you'll head right to the Makani Beach Club, where a sunbed awaits with your name on it. Spend the day in total relaxation, swimming (in the pool and/or the ocean), sunbathing, soaking in the Jacuzzi, and having a nibble at the on-site restaurant. You can also take advantage of the club's spa facilities with a relaxing treatment.

At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to the Getsemani neighborhood and snag a table at Celele. This intimate restaurant specializes in modern Caribbean cuisine with a menu of traditional dishes as well as reinvented classics. Feast on the freshest ingredients, which include seasonal fish, local crab, prawns, mussels, lobster, and more. 

Day 14: Depart Cartagena

Unfortunately, you've reached the end of your luxury sojourn in Colombia. No doubt you've created memories to last a lifetime. After one last decadent breakfast at your luxury hotel, transfer to the airport via private car and catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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