– Bogotá to Cartagena

Trip Summary Be one of the first to experience Colombia’s stunning beauty and old-world charm. Get swept up in vibrant Colombian culture as you walk along cobblestone streets under colorful colonial facades. Learn how to brew the perfect cup of coffee from picking ripe beans off the trees all the way to roasting, grinding, and finally brewing and drinking. Hike, bike, and canoe Colombia’s unique landscapes ranging from Caribbean beaches to snow-capped mountains. This nine-day tour will acquaint you with one of the most stunning and least-visited countries in South America.

Itinerary Day 1: Bogotá Arrival Arrive at the International Airport El Dorado in Bogotá • You will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel • After a brief orientation, you are free to explore Bogotá and enjoy a delectable local meal on your own • Overnight at Cité Hotel (No meals)

Day 2: Paloquemao Market / Monserrate Hill This morning we'll take in the sights and scents of the Paloquemao Market, mingling with locals stocking up their pantries with a shocking array of fruits and vegetables • Afterwards we will visit the famous and well-preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria • A funicular ride up to Monserrate Hill to “Cerro de Monserrate” a white Catholic church located at the top that has been a site of worship since 1657, will provide spectacular views of the city • Tour the “Museo del Oro”, the most important gold museum in the world and a ‘must see’ when traveling to Bogotá • Visit the “Museo de Botero,” housed in a renovated colonial mansion • Overnight at Cité Hotel (B, L)

Day 3: Chicaque Natural Reserve This morning takes us to the beautiful sub Andean forest, Chicaque natural reserve dedicated to environmental conservation and education, which keeps a significant portion of this area native vegetation • Explore a forest full of ferns, oaks and native orchids, following the tracks of the Spanish conquerors that used part of these paths to reach Bogotá’s plateau from the valley • Overnight at Cité Hotel (B, L)

Day 4: Bogotá / Pereira After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a plane for the short flight to Pereira • You will be met by our representative and will be taken to your hotel • Explore the “Zona Cafetera” or Coffee Triangle, Colombia’s principal coffee growing area where you can sit back and relax while sipping on the freshest coffee you’ve ever tasted • Enjoy a delicious meal back at the hotel • Overnight at Hacienda Combia (B, D)

Day 5: Filandia / Valle del Cocora / Salento / Bosques de Palma Natural Reserve After a hearty breakfast, mount your bicycle and head to Filandia • Explore the Plaza de Bolívar, pedaling along colonial streets, viewing the local houses and typical “fondas” • Take in the beautiful Cocora Valley located in the department of Quindío • Be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of fauna and flora that you will encounter throughout the valley • Visit the town of

1 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Salento with its well-preserved examples of Bahareque architecture • Walk to Bosques de Palma Natural Reserve and take in the landscape • Overnight at Hacienda Combia (B, L, D)

Day 6: Otún Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary / Pereira Just outside of Pereira we visit the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, a protected area of 1200 acres characterized by rainforest vegetation and sub-Andean forest • Look for the 259 species of flora (including many species of orchids and bromeliads) while watching for colorful birds, butterflies and small mammals • Enjoy a hearty lunch and make sure to try the local trout • Hike to a lovely waterfall and take a dip if you feel up to it! • Overnight at Hacienda Combia (B, L, D)

Day 7: Pereira / Cartagena Board a plane to Cartagena • Our guide will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel • From there, spend the afternoon exploring by foot Cartagena de Indias with its historic charm, narrow cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages • Hotel Bantú (B)

Day 8: Boquilla Mangroves / Getsemani / San Felipe Fortress After breakfast, visit “La Boquilla,” a traditional fishing village with a deep history in the slave trade • Wander along the narrow beach separating the from "Ciénaga de la Virgen" Lake • Paddle a traditional wooden canoe through tunnels made by towering mangroves • From there, explore San Felipe’s Fort and take a walking tour of Getsemaní with its colonial architecture and acclaimed restaurants • Hotel Bantú (B)

Day 9: Cartagena Departure Adiós Colombia! • Your guide will transfer you to Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez Airport approximately three hours prior to your departure time • No overnight (B)

* This trip is operated by Metropolitan Touring in partnership with Austin Adventures.

** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Metropolitan Touring.

2 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Activities

Hiking/Walking: 1 to 4 miles per excursion exploring cities, nature reserves, markets and more. Easy to moderate terrain. Sometimes multiple shorter hikes will be completed within one day.

Biking: Up to 10 miles on Day 5. Terrain is pavement and mostly flat.

Discovery: Colombia is a country that is so steeped in colonial charm that it appears lost in time. Narrow cobblestone streets and an unhurried atmosphere harken back to a less complicated era. The lush landscape is filled with ancient archeological sites that rival Machu Picchu in both mystery and architecture. Colombia’s landscapes offer more diversity than almost any other, ranging from sandy Caribbean beaches to lush hillside coffee plantations to snow-capped peaks with the unique high-altitude vegetation of the páramo. While there is plenty to draw a traveler in, it’s the Colombian people’s legendary hospitality that makes you want to stay. Colombians love their country and have an unparalleled desire to share it with visitors, creating an opportunity for visitors to see a place that few others have explored.

Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.

Meals The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.

Our Partner – Metropolitan Touring Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with Metropolitan Touring. With a base in Ecuador, Metropolitan constantly innovates and invests to make sure your experience is top-notch from start to finish. Metropolitan’s origins lie as pioneers of travel in the Galapagos Islands but they have expanded to Peru and Colombia in the last decade. For over 60 years, they have had the pleasure of sharing transformational journeys with guests, pampering them, protecting them and accompanying them on fascinating adventures. Each guest is unique, like the iconic locations featured on all their voyages. Relax while you learn, marvel while you distance yourself from the humdrum and the mundane and enter a new realm of discovery!

3 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Distinctive Accommodation

Nights 1 – 3: Cité Hotel Blending modern design with residence-style warmth and comfort in the heart of Bogotá, Cité Hotel provides the perfect urban retreat for holiday travelers. Boasting a chic, contemporary sophistication, with expansive windows with views of the city, Parque El Virrey or Mountains, the luxurious rooms offer the full complement of amenities, including flat-screen televisions and marble bathrooms with rain showerheads, fluffy bathrobes and slippers.

Nights 4 – 6: Hacienda Combia Hacienda Combia is a family-owned agricultural farm and colonial-style hotel, located in a unique natural environment, surrounded by green coffee trees. The hotel, located on 96 acres, has 33 comfortable rooms, a convention hall, a panoramic swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and sauna.

Nights 7 & 8: Hotel Bantú Hotel Bantú’s architecture fits perfectly into Cartagena’s old-world cityscape of colorful colonial buildings, narrow streets and towering mission steeples. This hotel puts you in the heart of the city, allowing you to explore at your leisure. Boasting a 5-star hotel category, Hotel Bantú offers an avant garde interior design, eighteenth-century colonial architecture and unique services: colonial courtyard, chill-out terrace, solarium area and swimming pool, spa, bar, restaurant…a tailor made accommodation.

4 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Arrival & Departures On Day 1, arrive to Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport where you will be met in the Arrivals Hall and transferred to Cité Hotel for check-in. On Day 9 you will be transferred to Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez Airport approximately three hours prior to departure time.

Trip Price From $2,798

Trip Length 9 days/8 nights

2020 Dates June 5 – 13 October 16 – 24

Host City Start: Bogotá (BOG) End: Cartagena (CTG)

Reservations & Availability

1-800-575-1540

Experience colorful colonial charm and legendary hospitality during this nine-day Colombian adventure!

5 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Trip Reservations

Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin Adventures with your choice of trip and dates. A $750 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Some Custom and International programs may require additional deposits. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods: Toll free: 800-575-1540 Phone: 406-655-4591 Online: austinadventures.com Email: [email protected] Mail: Austin Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT 59108 * You may also book your Austin Adventure with your preferred travel professional. ** We accept most major credit cards and personal checks (U.S. funds made payable to Austin Adventures). Please do not send cash.

Included in the Trip Price • Double occupancy rooms with private baths. • Meals as listed in itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. • Private services with local English-speaking guide. • Any necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained. • Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip. • Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service. • Pre -departure and packing information.

• Entrance fees and activities as described in program.

Not Included in the Trip Price

• Gratuities for guides and hotel staff.

• Local flights. • Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities. • Meals as not listed in itinerary. • Pre -and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses. • Air and land transportation to/from host cities. • All types of personal insurance. • Personal expenses.

Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.

6 The toughest part is going home.SM

Colombia – Bogotá to Cartagena

Private Custom Trips Maybe your vacation schedule doesn’t fit our list of trips and dates. Or perhaps you’d prefer a slightly different itinerary or level of luxury and activity. A Custom Adventure is the perfect answer. You pick the date and destination and brief us on the size of your group, what activities you want, your “must haves” and just how you like to relax and unwind. No detail is too small, no idea too outrageous. Our staff of experts will help create a tailor-made vacation that’s just right for you and your group. In short, if you can dream it, we can make it happen.

Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional charge, referred to as a “single supplement.” If you’re traveling alone and wish to share a room, make the request at the time of booking. Austin Adventures will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you. If you book 90 days before the trip and we cannot find you a suitable roommate, we will take care of the single supplement. *some restrictions may apply

Minimum Age The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is sixteen years old.

Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure – Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation 61-90 days before trip departure – Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation 31-60 days before trip departure – 50% of the trip payment is refunded Cancellation 0-30 days before trip departure – No refund is given

Our Guarantee

Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund.

7 The toughest part is going home.SM