Highlights of Colombia

Discover the cultured Andean city of Bogotá, exploring its historical and modern districts. Visit the world famous Gold Museum, tour a coffee plantation, and enjoy the lush scenery of the cloud forest. A short flight takes you to Cartagena, one of Latin America’s most vibrant and beautiful cities. Several forts and an old walled city, complete with charming restaurants, shops and plazas invite you to wander for hours. Enjoy the tropical climate as you leisurely visit the historical sites, museums, and the white sand beaches of nearby islands.

2007 Departures: Daily on request.  We recommend arrival on Monday thru Friday, to allow for best museum visits.

2007 Prices: 

• 3-4 star hotels $1175
  • In Bogotá -Hotel de la Ville; in Cartagena-Casa de Curato
• Deluxe hotels $1895
  • In Bogotá -Hotel Charleston; in Cartagena- Sofitel Santa Clara

Surcharge for holidays March 31-April 8 & Nov 1-15: add $40 for 3-4 star hotels, and $325 for deluxe

• Plus local airfares
• Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
• Single supplement available on request
• Prices valid until Dec 15, 2007

Note: This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bogotá . After clearing customs and immigration, you are met by our local representative and transferred to your select hotel.

Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia. The city is located on the high plateau called ‘Sabana de Bogota’, at an altitude of 2640 meters (8600 feet) above sea level, surrounded by the eastern range of the Andes. It was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Since that time and mostly since the end of World War II, Bogotá has grown rapidly to a real metropolis. The actual population of the city is about 7 million inhabitants. Because of the fast growing development of Bogotá , you will see many contrasts, such as skyscrapers standing side by side with old houses of one level or high-powered automobiles sharing a modern expressway with mule carts.

Day 2: This morning you’ll enjoy a half-day city tour of Bogotá . Drive through the colonial section of La Candelaria, short stops for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogota. Here you will see the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall. Visit to the famous Gold Museum, which houses the world greatest collection of pre-hispanic Indian gold crafts. Afterwards visit the Fernando Botero Museum that contains paintings and sculptures of this famous contemporary Colombian artist. The tour lasts approximately 4 ½ hours. Return to your hotel with free time to explore the city on your own. (B)

NOTE : The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Day 3: Full day tour of Coffee land Fusagasuga and Orchid Gardens. Depart from Bogotá driving through the southern industrial area of the city \and down to the western slopes of the eastern mountain range of the Andes. Admire the lush tropical vegetation as we travel to the temperate area where Colombian coffee grows. You will have the opportunity to see the difference between the flora of the cold climate like Bogotá and the many tropical flowers of this area. Continue to the town of Fusagasuga where on Sundays a stop in the market will be made. Following the tour, visit to a coffee finca where you can see how Colombia's famed mild coffee is grown and an excellent coffee liquor is made. Lunch will be provided at a restaurant near by. Mid-afternoon return to Bogota. (B, L)

Day 4: Morning Transfer to the Airport to take flight to Cartagena. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your select hotel. In the afternoon you’ll have a half day introductory tour of this beautiful city. Driving from the hotel through Bocagrande, the modern residential district, we will reach the Convent of La Popa, built at the beginning of the XVII century on the hill of the same name. From here a beautiful view of the city and the bay can be seen. Continue your tour with a stop at San Felipe's Fort, built in the 17 th century to protect the city. After a careful look at the construction, continue to the walled colonial city and stop at the handicraft stores of Las Bovedas. From there a walk along the streets will be made to admire the old houses and beautiful balconies . A tour of the Convent of San Pedro Claver is also included. Return to the hotel. Evening free to discover the many fine restaurants and nightlife of the area. (B)

Although the Colombian Coast was already known since 1501, the city of Cartagena de Indias was only founded in 1533 because the Spaniards had great problems finding fresh water in the region. The original Indian name of the area was ‘Calamari’, which means ‘Area of Crabs’. From its beginning, Catagena was the only port in South America until Buenos Aires was founded. Every year big Spanish fleets stopped there, to take gold and other products from many South American countries. The city became a center for the Inquisition and the biggest slave market on the continent.

Because of its richness, the city was a great temptation for English, French and Dutch pirates; for that reason Cartagena had to be protected by fortresses and walls. Today Cartagena is Colombia’s fifth largest city, has the best preserved colonial architecture in the country and is one of the most famous vacation resorts. Recently it was declared ‘Patrimony of Humanity’.

Day 5: This morning you’ll continue your sightseeing with a half-day tour of the city’s excellent museums. Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and you’ll drive to reach the walled area of the city arriving at the Plaza de Bolivar for a visit to the Gold Museums, which houses samples of prehispanic indian gold crafts, proceeding mainly from the Sinu and Tayrona Cultures. Across the square we will visit the Inquisition Palace, main court of the Grand Inquisotor in charge of judging those who went against the Catholic faith. His jurisdiction covered not only Cartagena but also the Island of Cuba, Santo Domingo, Santa Fe, Popayan and other areas of the New Kingdom. This palace was the site of the Tribunal, the jail, and there, the tortures and executions of the condemned took place. Continuing with the tour we will take a five minutes walk to the famous church of Santo Domingo that was built at the end of the XVI century and well known for its baroque style altars. At last a visit to the Museum of Fortifications where passengers can see for what the inner part of the walls was used. Remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beaches, or explore Cartagena on your own. (B)

NOTE : Daily tour except Mondays.

Day 6: Today you have a full day at leisure. Optional tours are available, or you can relax at the beach, or wander around the old city of Cartagena. (B)

Day 7: This morning you’ll be met at your hotel for an early transfer to the pier and your full day tour to Puertonaito Beach. Departure from the main pier and travel by big motor vessel to the island of Barú, located 1 ½ hours from Cartagena. Portonaito offers 270 meters of white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, a large coral reef to snorkel, a lake with quite waters, tents, chairs to take the sun, canoes to paddle, and volley ball court at the beach. Limitless open bar with national drinks and non alcoholic soft drinks, fruits at disposal as well as hamburgers , hot dogs , fish soup and mixed brochetes. In the afternoon return to Cartagena, and transfer back to your hotel.

NOTE : This is group style tour. Daily departures except Mondays. (B, L)

Day 8: Transfer to the Airport to take flight for the next destination. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip notes:

• This trip begins Bogotá and ends in Cartagena. Both cities can be reached by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Order of tours in Cartagena may by switched due to operating hours of museums and beach tour.
• Domestic flights Bogotá -Cartagena are required for this itinerary. They can either be included in your international ticket, or issued separately
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.

Description of Hotels:

Bogotá:

• HOTEL CHARLESTON. Deluxe hotel located in the northern residential and commercial area of Bogotá in the "Zona Rosa", very close to shopping centers, restaurants and discotheques. It's a modern building of 4 floors, 65 rooms in three towers, and decorated in a most attractive european style. Located here is one of the most famous restaurants of Bogotá "La Biblioteca" with its stained glass windows, classical paintings and its collection of unusual and interesting
  books. Bar, business center. Member of the French chain Relais & Chateaux.

• HOTEL DE LA VILLE. Hotel in Art Nouveau style located in the northern area of the city. 40 minutes from the airport. 32 rooms w. Bath, minibar, safetybox, phone, TV, restaurant, bar.

Cartagena:

• SOFITEL SANTA CLARA . Located in the colonial walled city, the construction was a colonial convent built in the XVII century. It was restored as a hotel in 1993 and today it is considered as a jewel of colonial architecture. The hotel covers the convent and a republican style construction that used to be a military school. It has 180 nicely decorated rooms, restaurants, bars, a beautiful swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a big terrace facing the walls of the city and the sea. As it is located in the middle of the old city it is surrounded by very good restaurants, plazas with open air cafes and antique shops.

Other hotels in Bogotá and Cartagena can be substituted on request.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.