Natural Colombia

Day 1 : Bogota

Arrival at Bogota El Dorado International airport.

Transfer to your hotel in the Candelaria district and enjoy some free time to explore Colombia´s capital city at your own pace. Here you’ll find modern districts, the historic center, lush green parks and urban architecture.

Overnight at Casa Deco hotel in Standard room.

Day 2 : Bogota

Transfer to Bogota airport for your domestic flightto Yopal. Arrive Yopal Airport and depart towards the town of Pore. This little village is steeped in history and offers an excellent opportunity stop to and stretch your legs.

Another half hour drive will take you to Hato Berlín, a typical Llanos farm. Take a walk around the lagoon and into the forest where you’ll discover capybaras, spectacled caimans, howler monkeys, turtles, various herons, storks, ibises and iguanas. Lunch at the farmhouse, followed by a hammock break.

Embark on a canoe tour in the afternoon to observe capybaras, caimans, groups of hoatzins, various species of kingfishers, black skimmers, birds of prey fishing, wood storks, roseate spoonbills and many more.

Transfer to your hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Posada El Diamante hotel in a Standard room.

Day 3 : San Luis de Palenque

After breakfast, transfer to the natural reserve of San Luis. Here you’ll embark on a classic 4WD safari to see hundreds of capybaras, deer, spectacled caimans, tortoises and fascinating birdlife. With some luck you might even see an anteater, an anaconda (especially during dry season in February and March) or an armadillo!

Crossing the large farm in a 4WD vehicle gives you the opportunity to get close to an astonishing amount of wildlife. The wide open scenry of Llanos provides you with a taste of the region’s landscapes and culture. Or you can opt a walks along the lake to enjoy the sights of caimans and colorful birds.

Lunch at the farm’s main house followed by some relaxation in a hammock. In the afternoon the game drive continues until night fall.

Accommodation and dinner at the farmhouse.
Overnight at Posada El Diamante hotel in a Standard room.

Day 4 : San Luis de Palenque

After an early breakfast set out for a horseback ride into the savannas and wetlands. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!

Note : Depending on your ability and interest this tour can last up to 4 hours.

Or opt for an observatory walk to discover wildlife and birds. Lunch will be enjoyed at the farm’s main house, followed by a rest in the hammock to contemplate the day’s adventures.

In the late afternoon explore the forest edges for wildlife and enjoy the atmospheric golden hour. Take a nocturnal walk to uncover anteaters and nocturnal species such as reptiles, amphibians, armadillos, porcupines, opossums and nighthawks.

Accommodation and dinner at farmhouse.
Overnight at Hotel Hato Altamira in a Standard room.

Day 5 : Yopal

Take a walk the sun rises to look for anteaters and other wildlife more active during the early hours. You can also opt for piranha fishing at the lakes of the reserve – fried, they make a delicious snack!

After lunch, relax before your return transfer to Yopal’s airport. Domestic flight to Bogota. Domestic flight to Leticia.

Arrival to Leticia and transfer by private boat on the Rio Amazonas to reach the Eco-lodge (1h30 minute boat ride). Check into your Eco-lodge into your lodge.

Arrival to Leticia and transfer by private boat on the Amazon River to reach the lodge (around 1h30).

After dinner, you have a night walk to soak up the noises of the jungle and spot animal species that only come out at night.

Located in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, the lodge is Eco-friendly: use of rain water and electricity only permitted between 3 PM and 11 PM. Meals are prepared according refueling and fishing trips.

The day’s activities are generally organized as follows: a 9 AM morning excursion with a return to the lodge late morning, lunch at the lodge, a second excursion between 3 – 5 PM. The order of activities may be reorganized with your guide depending on weather conditions or your interests.

Day 6 : Calanoa Reserve

Overnight at Calanoa Lodge in a Bungalow. After breakfast, visit the indigenous community of El Vergel.

This community is mainly home to the Tikunas people.

Discover with the indigenous ancestral culture and handicrafts. Lunch at the lodge.

In the afternoon take a walk in the nature reserve surrounding the lodge. Your guide will show you the secrets of the flora and fauna, medicinal plants, and giant trees. You might come across families of micos (monkeys), parrots, armadillos and tropical birds.

Then return to the lodge by canoe, through the Quebrada Matamata, at the edge of the Amacayacu Park.

Note 1: Donations of school supplies and light clothing are welcome in the village El Vergel.

Note 2: About a two hour walk.

Note 3: Due to rain, the canoe trip back not be possible from July to November.

Note 4: Other possibilities for half-day excursions include: a visit of the village of Puerto Nariño, a pink dolphins safari, a ceramic and braided basket making workshop and fishing.

Overnight at Calanoa Lodge in a Bungalow.

Day 7 : Leticia

After breakfast, departure for Leticia in a private boat. Note: Depending on your flight schedule, you can include a visit to the city of Leticia. You can then reach the airport (located 10 minutes from the city) by Cocotaxi. Domestic flight to Bogota. Domestic flight to Santa Marta. Arrival at Santa Marta airport.

Transfer to your hotel near Tayrona National Park, nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean sea. Enjoy the end of the day as you look out towards landscape of the Sierra Nevada.

Overnight at Villa Maria hotel in a Standard room with jungle view.

Day 8 : Tayrona National Park

In the morning, transfer to the Neguanje playa in Tayrona Park. A little motor boat called a lancha will help you reach a pristine beach.

Surrounded by mountains, a long stretch of white sand awaits you for a perfect day of relaxation.

Transfer back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight at Villa Maria hotel in a Standard room with jungle view.

Day 9 : Tayrona surroundings

Departure for the Sierra Nevada.

Board a lancha, a small motorboat, to travel down the Don Diego river until you reach the Tayronaka reserve. Tayronaka is the lost city of the Tayrona indigenous people. A mythical city, it is here Robert de Niro filmed the movie The Mission. Accompanied by a guide, you will retrace the history of this ancient civilization.

After a short visit of the natural reserve, you’ll go tubing down the Don Diego river! Look for howler monkeys and exotic birds on the way. Arriving at the ocean is breathtaking!

A boat will take you back to the reserve to have lunch in the heart of the jungle.

*Note 1: 1 hour ride down the river to the ocean*

*Note 2: Don’tforget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and sun hat*

Overnight at Villa Maria hotel in a Standard room with jungle view.

Day 10 : Tayrona surroundings

Departure for Cartagena de Indias, the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast.

Transfer to your hotel in the historical center which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Free time to enjoy the end of the day at your own pace.
Overnight at Bantu Hotel in a Superior room.

Day 11 : Cartagena de Indias

Half day dedicated tos visiting the historic center and the main sites of Cartagena. Walk along the cobbled streets and discover the past and present of Cartagena by visiting the most beautiful monuments of the city such as the Clock Tower or Don Pedro de Heredia.

Notice the different architectural influences – Romanesque, Moorish, Colonial, Military, Arab, Spanish and North American – that have shaped Cartagena.

Discover the Palace of the Inquisition, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, or the San Pedro Claver sanctuary, formerly dedicated to Spanish priests and missionaries.

Free afternoon to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Overnight at Bantu Hotel in Superior room.

Day 12 : Cartagena de Indias

Transfer to the Cartagena de Indias airport for your international flight.