DISCOVERING COLOMBIA 24 FEBRUARY – 8 MARCH 2020 FROM £4,690 PER PERSON Tour Leaders: Robin & Louella Hanbury-Tenison PICTURESQUE CITIES AND LUSH LANDSCAPES Colombia still lies largely undiscovered, but with direct flights with Avianca from London to Bogotá, now is the time to visit. Our tour starts in the thriving modern and affluent city of Bogotá where we explore the historic centre known as La Candelaria with its old casonas or grand colonial Spanish houses with iron windows, thick wooden doors, balconies and internal patios that hide beautiful gardens. From here we travel, via the impressive salt cathedral at Zipaquirá, to the village of Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in the area which was founded in 1572 and declared a national monument in 1954. We continue to Pereira in the Coffee Region, where there is a day trip to the Valle de Cocora to see the amazing wax palm trees that can reach a height of 60m and the neighbouring towns of Salento and Filandia. We also see one of the plantations set on the steep hills which are typical of this area. We then travel to Santa Marta which is our base from which to dip into the Tayrona National Park, with its 37,000 acres of lush mountain landscape in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and perfect sandy beaches. We also undertake a day’s excursion into the foothills to visit a community of the Kogi, descendants of the Tairona culture who flourished before the Spanish conquest. We will meet one of their priests, known as Mamo, who rarely interact with the modern world in order to preserve their traditional way of life. Our journey ends in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cartagena de las Indias, built within the largest fortifications in the Americas to protect it from the constant attack of pirates and buccaneers, and explore the city’s picturesque streets and plazas and wealth of 16th- and 17th-century buildings and churches. Santa Marta Streets of Cartagena Corcora Valley 14-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 24 FEBRUARY 2020 24 February London / Bogotá en route at Zapiquirá, a name which monument in 1954. At 14,000 square evokes Zipa, chieftain of the Muiscas metres, the Plaza Mayor is the Suggested flight (not included in community and absolute master of country’s largest and is surrounded by the cost of the tour) Avianca flight the area’s rich salt mines. Here, visit charming cobblestone streets. Here AV121 departing London Heathrow the impressive Catedral de Sal, an see the cathedral (Iglesia Parroquial) at 20.40 hrs. underground cathedral built within from the outside and visit the House the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres of Congress where, on 4th October 25 February Bogotá underground. It is a magnificent work 1812, the first Congress of the United Arrive in Bogotá at 03.50 hrs and of engineering, starting with a tunnel Provinces of Nueva Granada took transfer to the Hotel Cité where rooms showing the Stations of the Cross, place. Also visit the house of Antonio are ready for immediate occupation leading to the dome with a great cross Nariño, home to the Independence and where one night is spent. This sculpted in low relief, then to the hero, and the home of Antonio modern, chic hotel is located in the La three naves of the cathedral joined by Ricaurte, who fought under Bolívar Rosa district, known for its designer openings that represent the birth and and is known for his heroic sacrifice boutiques and varied gastronomy. death of Christ. during the battle of San Mateo. Morning at leisure. Lunch at Refugio del Sisga restaurant. Lunch at Antique restaurant. Drive Lunch at Las Margaritas restaurant On arrival at Villa de Leyva, check out of Villa de Leyva to visit El Fósil followed by an afternoon tour of into the Hotel Posada de San Antonio (The Fossil) museum which has Bogotá including the historic centre where two nights are spent. The hotel an almost complete kronosaurus of La Candelaria. The focal point is is situated in a beautiful colonial dinosaur fossil on display, in the same Plaza Bolívar which has a statue of house built in 1860 and classified as place in which it was found in 1977; Simón Bolívar, El Libertador, in the a national monument. It is situated and El Infiernito (Little Hell), an old centre. Close by is the cathedral, on on an attractive plaza close to the astronomic observatory consisting of the site of Bogotá’s first church built spectacular Plaza Mayor of Villa cylindrical stone monoliths. Dinner in 1539, and the white stone Capitolio, de Leyva. Dinner at Mercado at Artesa restaurant. built between 1847 and 1926, which Municipal restaurant. houses meetings of the Congress, 28 February Villa De Leyva / Pereira the House of Representatives and the Visit the Convento del Santo Ecce Senate. Also situated on the Plaza Homo, founded by the Dominicans Bolívar are the Palace of Justice and in 1620. Of special note here is the Edificio Liévano, which is the the pavement made of local stone seat of the Mayor or Alcaldía. Visit embedded with fossils, and the the Museo del Oro, which features chapel’s magnificent golden nearly 34,000 gold objects and altarpiece with a small Ecce Homo 20,000 in stone, ceramic, textiles and image. Transfer to Bogotá. precious stones of the Quimbaya, Calima, Tairona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Cartagena Lunch at Balu restaurant en route. Tumaco and Magdalena cultures, Fly from Bogotá to Pereira in the and is considered the most important Coffee Region and transfer to Casa collection of its kind worldwide. 27 February Villa De Leyva San Carlos Lodge where three nights Dinner at the hotel. Full day walking tour of Villa de Leyva, are spent. The small luxury hotel one of the most beautiful colonial has modern décor designed by local 26 February Bogotá / Villa De Leyva towns in the area which was founded artisans, a swimming pool, Turkish Depart for Villa de Leyva with a stop in 1572 and declared a national bath and Jacuzzi. There are wonderful 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Bogotá Traditional rustic houses of indigenous Kogi people Tayrona views of the surrounding mountains overseas and by the top hotels, which 12,000 are on land and 3,000 are and lakes and nature trail on which restaurants and bars of Bogotá. See maritime with bays, unspoilt beaches, you can see brightly coloured birds each stage of production, from the coral barriers, lush vegetation and such as hummingbirds. Dinner at sowing of seeds through the growing mangroves, all set against a backdrop the hotel. of the crop and harvesting and finally of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta the roasting process. Enjoy a coffee mountains. Drive to Palangana, the tasting session with a Master Taster. entry point for the park, and on to 29 February Pereira Playa de Neganje. Take local fishing Early morning departure for an Lunch at Hacienda San Alberto. Visit boat to the beautiful Playa Christal excursion to the Valle del Cocora. the colonial town of Pajao, including where you can enjoy free time on the Located within the central mountain some of its historic houses and their beach to rest or swim. range, it is part of Los Nevados beautiful gardens and its central National Park, the ideal spot to square. Dinner at Octavo restaurant Lunch is included during the excursion. admire the palma de cera del in the Sonesta Hotel. Return to Santa Marta the same way. Quindío (Ceroxylon quindiuense), Dinner at the hotel’s Eli’s restaurant. Colombia’s national tree which can 2 March Pereira / Santa Marta reach a height of 60 metres and was 4 March Santa Marta & Tungueka worshipped by the local indigenous Transfer to Pereira airport for a flight Early start for a full day excursion to people. Numerous bird species via Cartagena to Santa Marta. meet Kogi indigenous people, related inhabit the area among which are the to the ancient Tairona civilization, hummingbird and the orejiamarillo Packed lunch en route. Transfer all living in the foothills of the or palmero parrot (Ognorhynchus to the Hotel Casa Carolina where Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Its icteroti), which is in danger of three nights are spent. The boutique population is estimated at about extinction. Take a ride on a hotel is located in a calm area of the 10,000 members who inhabit the traditional Willys jeep. historic centre of Santa Marta and facilities include two terraces, two Palomino valleys and Don Diego, San Miguel and Rio Ancho rivers. Lunch at El Escobal restaurant. Visit Jacuzzis, a swimming pool, spa and From Santa Marta drive through the town of Salento, famous for its a gourmet restaurant. Afternoon the coastal road to Rio Ancho town streets of old and colourful houses city tour of Santa Marta starting at (approx. 2 hrs). From here start a 9 (many housing handicraft shops the Monument of the Tayrona Gods km walk (approx. 2 hrs) accompanied where you can buy a poncho or followed by the Quinta de San Pedro by a community guide through the Panama hat) that trace their origin to Alejandrino, the house in which humid tropical forest, along some colonial times. Continue to another Simón Bolívar died in 1830. There parts of Ancho River until you reach typical town of Filandia, famous for its will also be the chance to visit the the village of Tungueka. After a tour antioqueño architecture, as well as for hacienda’s Botanic Garden and around the village, where you will basket weaving.