Colombia Explorer

If you wish to experience cultural elegance, ancient and mysterious archaeological sites, and undisturbed colonial towns, then this is the tour for you! You’ll discover all the charm and diversity of Colombia wrapped up in just eleven days of exploring as you travel through lush landscapes and peaceful villages. Bogotá city, the underground Salt Cathedral, San Agustin’s forests and archaeological sites, and the charm of colonial La Neiva will all delight you. Stay in small haciendas and restored colonial homes. A relaxing, in-depth discovery of the beauty of Colombia!

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

2007 Prices:  $1835

• Plus local airfares Bogotá -Neiva- Bogotá approximately $325, subject to change
• Rates are per person, based on double occupancy. 2-4 travelers.
• 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 the Hotel de la Ville. Check in for a three night stay.

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: Today enjoy full day tour to Sabana de Bogotá and the underground Salt cathedral. Departure from your hotel in a northerly direction through the eastern mountains that surround Bogotá , from where you will have the opportunity to admire a magnificent view of the northern area of the city. Short stops for photographs at the towns of La Calera and Sopo and continue through the beautiful landscape and fertile plateau until we reach the town of Zipaquira. Lunch included. Afterwards visit to the salt mine and world famous underground salt cathedral. Afternoon return to Bogotá . (B, L)

Note: On Mondays the cathedral is closed.

Day 4: After breakfast you are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Neiva. You’ll be met on arrival by your private guide, and depart for a leisurely drive of about 5 hours, travelling through the Magdalena Valley and on tothe town of San Agustin. Some stops will be made to observe tobacco, grape, rice and cacao plantations .The mountain landscape, valleys and canyons like the Pericongo are marvellous as you climb from 400 meters above sea level (1200’) to 1.700 (5100’) where San Agustin is located. On arrival check in to the Hotel Hacienda Anacaona for a three night stay. (B)

The little town of San Agustin is located at the “Macizo Colombiano“, a geographical area from where the three mountain ranges of the Colombian Andes branch off. The access to it, from Neiva the nearest airport in operation, can only be accomplished by road, taking five hours to get there. In San Agustin, one can find hundreds of carved stone statues, fountains, tombs and monolithic sarcophagus holding mysteries that confuse the mind. The cavers of these gigantic and well finished stone statues, lived from 500 B.C. to 1600 A.C. and among scientists it is one of the most interesting ancient cultures to be studied.

Day 5: After breakfast depart from your hotel for a full day of archaeological explorations to the nearby sites. This morning you will tour the Archaeological Park, with visits to Mesitas A. B and C, the Lavapatas Fountain, the fascinating Forest of Statues, and the Archaeological Museum. Afternoon visit to the “Alto de los Idolos“, a site of special interest for researchers and visitors. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 6: Today you can choose from one of three programs to do during the morning:

• Walk to the straight of the Magdalena River
• Horseback riding to different archaeological points.
• Rafting along the Magdalena River.

Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 7: After breakfast depart on the return drive to the airport in Neiva (approximately 5 hours) and your flight to Bogotá . On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon free for sightseeing, shopping, and exploring. (B)

Day 8: After breakfast, depart northward through the plateau of Bogotá and the magnificent mountain scenery to our first stop at Puente de Boyaca, where Simon Bolivar defeated the Spanish forces and assured the Independence of Colombia in 1819. After this visit, we take a secondary road - unpaved for a few kilometers - but full of landscapes and beautiful views in order to arrive in Samaca, on our way to the beautiful colonial town of Villa de Leyva. On arrival, check in to the Hotel Posada de San Antonio for a two night stay. The afternoon is dedicated to a walking tour of Villa de Leyva. The city was founded in 1572 and famous because despite of the passing of centuries, it has kept its typical colonial tow flavor. Here you’ll find one of the largest plazas in the Americas surrounded by cobblestone streets draped in colourful flowers. The quiet atmosphere together with the solitude of its streets and the easygoing life of its inhabitants, make you think you are in another era. (B)

Day 9: If today is Saturday, there is a possibility to visit the local market. At mid-morning, departure from the hotel for a full day of cultural diversity. First visit to a "Fosil", a kind of crocodile which is said lived 130 million years ago. Continue to the convent of the Ecce Homo located in the desert area of La Candelaria. Return to Villa de Leyva and during the afternoon visit to the nearby town of Raquira , where some of the best known earthenware pottery in Colombia is produced. Time to stroll through this small town & visit the local craftsmen. (B)

Day 10: American breakfast and morning visit to the Paleonthological Museum where various ancient specimens can be observed and which are proof that this region was an interior sea many millions of years ago. Return to the hotel. Afternoon departure for your return trip to Bogotá , passing by the colonial town of Tunja. Arrival in Bogotá is approx. 6:30PM. Check in to the Hotel de la Ville. (B)

Day 11: Transfer to the Airport to take flight for the next destination. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip notes:

• This trip begins and ends in Bogotá, which can be reached by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Order of tours may by switched due to operating hours of museums and archaeological sites.
• Domestic flights Bogotá -Neiva- Bogotá are required for this itinerary. Approximate cost is $325, subject to change.
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.

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.