Gastronomy, culture, history and jungle of Colombia

Transfer from the airport to your selected hotel in Bogotá. At your arrival, look for a sign with your name on it.

This tour gives you an entire idea about Colombia's capital context. You will never get bored because we will talk about different topics, interact with locals, visit the most important spots in the city and get the max of the artistic and historical value of all the streets and alleys we walk through. Candelaria district is the oldest and most important neighborhood in Bogotá. We will talk about history, geography as well as the current social and political situation in Colombia. We get involved with our culture by drinking chicha, a traditional fermented drink that is part of our indigenous heritage. Also, we will try some local snacks (arepas) made with corn, when finally ending up playing the gunpowder game, better known as Tejo, a funny drinking game played in the prehispanic times. *Notes: Available schedules: 10h30-13h30 Colombia is the second most bio-diverse country in the world, and this diversity is also expressed in our cuisine. Thousands of varieties of vegetables, fruits, tubers, meats, and flavors. In this tour, you will experience Colombia through your mouth by having 8 different foods from the 5 Colombian different regions: Amazon, Andes, Caribbean coast, Pacific coast, and Orinoquia. Join us in this delicious and cultural experience, learning about the gourmet background of each region by filling up your belly. All restaurants are located in Candelaria District (walking tour). *Note: It is recommended to start at 13h30. 5 meals, coffee tasting, coca tea tasting, fruit tasting.

You will have a full day private transport from Bogotá to Guatavita, Zipaquirá and then back to Bogotá. The spectacular Guatavita Lagoon is located close to Bogotá, approximately 1.5 hours by car. In the Colombian history and culture this place is considered one of the most important because it is a direct reference of the El Dorado Legend, and a sacred place for the indigenous community "Muisca" that has inhabited this territory for hundreds of years. On the trip, you will discover the history of the ancestral indigenous rituals that took place in the lake and the reason why it was a place of interest throughout the colonial era. The Spaniards were the first to arrive in the region, and the knowledge of the ancestral offerings started a gold fever, which made the "El Dorado Legend" famous. Explorers from different regions of Europe and the world tried to find gold and other treasures in this place. You will learn a little about the mysteries and stories of this region and the gold fever during the colonial era. In addition to the impressive history, enjoy the landscape and the surroundings, as the lake is located in a protected natural reserve at about 3,000 meters above sea level, so you will appreciate the vegetation of the high Andean forest and the sub-paramo, a spectacular ecosystem found only in the Andes. The tour lasts approximately two hours. *Note: The Guatavita Lagoon is closed on Mondays. Zipaquirá is a historical village in the Bogotá Savanna, famous because the first wonder of Colombia is located there: the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral. This spot has a geological background that goes back millions of years. Pre-Columbian indigenous communities inhabited the region before the Spanish colonization and used the resources of the salt mines to trade with other Native American communities.

Transfer from your selected hotel in Bogotá to the airport. You will have a domestic flight from Bogotá to Medellín. Transfer from José Maria Córdova airport to your selected hotel in Medellín. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it. Pablo Escobar - A Historical Perspective (Half day)Private service Pablo Escobar Gaviria is sadly the most famous son of the city of Medellín. Nevertheless, the history of Escobar and the “Cartel of Medellín” is a unique example of how organized crime organizations impact a whole country. During the 1980s, Escobar controlled huge parts of the international cocaine traffic. Due to impressive financial revenue, he was able to create a powerful network of corruption and social control over the population of Medellín. In the early 1990s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellín's drug cartel was at its peak, but it came to its end with his death in 1993. Get some insight on the historical dimension of the phenomenon of Pablo Escobar, visiting some of the most emblematic sights of Pablo Escobar’s life. Understand better why Pablo Escobar is still the most controversial person in Colombia's recent history. Trip Highlights Get to know the history of Pablo Escobar and his impact on Medellín Visit several emblematic spots of Pablo Escobar’s life Learn how the people of Medellín think about Escobar

Medellín - the “City of Eternal Spring” – located in the Andean highlands of Antioquia, is nowadays the most innovative city of Latin America. Its recent past was strongly related to the life of Pablo Escobar and violent gang fights. During the last twenty years, Medellín went through some drastic changes. An innovative program of urban development that combines modern means of public transport and the construction of public parks and areas of recreation for the local people turned Medellín from the most dangerous city in the world into a modern example of urban transformation. Explore the Andean capital of Colombia on a full day tour. Get an insight of the history of the city, visiting the “Pueblito Paisa” and enjoy perfect views of the city. Explore the famous Botero Plaza downtown with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose sculptures have become a landmark of the city. Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area of gang violence in Medellín. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population. At the Comuna 13 district, with its unique escalators, you observe another innovative project that improved the quality of life of the people of Medellín.

The densely populated neighborhood of Moravia was once Medellín's municipal rubbish dump with an open-air mountain of trash surrounded by a large shanty town, whose residents used to live in almost absolute poverty. Due to Colombia’s armed conflict and the number of displaced refugees, more and more people arrived in Moravia, located right next to the city center. Moravia nowadays is considered to be the most populated “barrio” of Medellín. The neighborhood is known for its strong community spirit and the positive attitude of its people. Plenty of local community-run projects have transformed Moravia into a model urban center, with the mound of trash turned into a garden-covered hillside and represents one of the landmarks of social and urban transformation of Medellín. Explore the area guided by community leaders and get insights on this unique story of social and urban transformation. Directly support the local community projects. This tour lasts around 4 hours. Trip Highlights Visit the most populated neighborhood of Medellín Get to know the social transformation of Medellín made by the communities themselves Explore the streets of Moravia and experience the unique history of the community firsthand Walk over the former garbage hill transformed into a beautiful garden Support local community projects The City of Medellín offers a great variety of urban arts due to the city’s transformation of the last 20 years. Nowadays, the city is so full of countless artistic expressions of street art that the local authorities declared urban art a cultural landmark of Medellín. Graffiti is not only about strong artistic and cultural elements, it is a way of political expression. See the graffiti of the Comuna 13 guided by some local artists themselves.

The Peñol Boulder is one of the most spectacular destinations in the surrounding area of Medellín. The 200-meter-high monolith can be climbed through a staircase of 740 steps. Enjoy breath-taking views over the stunning surroundings full of green mountains and blue lakes. The village of Guatapé is famous for its church and its beautiful, colorful paintings that decorate the houses of the village. On this day trip, we will take you on a scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands of Antioquia. You can climb the Peñol Boulder, enjoy a delicious typical Colombian lunch on the waterfront of the Guatapé reservoir, explore the lake on a boat ride and take time to stroll and relax. Trip Highlights: Climb the Peñol Boulder and enjoy breathtaking views Explore the lake on a boat ride Scenic drive through the Eastern highlands of Antioquia Enjoy the laid-back village lifestyle and a stroll along the charming waterfront of the Guatapé reservoir

Transfer from your selected hotel to the José Maria Córdova airport in Medellín. You will have a domestic flight from Medellín to Santa Marta. Transfer from the airport to your selected hotel in Santa Marta. Please be aware of the sign with your name on it.

On the first day we will be picking you up at your hotel, then we’ll go for an adventurous 2 and a half hour drive by 4x4 to the small countryside town of Mamey. After having lunch, we’ll set off for a hike, taking about 3 hours to reach our first sleeping area. All together, you will climb up 520 meters during the hike. There will be some stops to have a snack and a short break. When you have arrived at your first camp, you have a candlelight dinner. Please keep in mind that Teyuna is a sacred place for Native people, so remember to respect the past and the customs of the town: Respect the privacy of farmers and indigenous, don’t come into their houses or take pictures without asking them first. Take into account that it’s a raining, humid and tempered zone with cold nights between 18° and 22°. Please take just the essential stuff, the weight of your backpack is an important factor for your comfort. Make sure to feel fit. Bring all the garbage back to Santa Marta, the Park and the zone don't have any garbage recollection service. Inside the park there is no signal for mobile phones, so inform your family and friends that you will have communication once you get back to Santa Marta. Please follow the guide’s recommendations.

We will leave the first cabin very early, approximately at 6:00 am to continue our journey. We will pass by the Wiwa camp where we will have lunch and refresh ourselves in the pleasant waters of the Buritaca River. Then the tour continues bordering Mutanyi, an indigenous village inhabited by the Kogui ethnic group and where the guide will make a stop to give information about the indigenous cultures of the Sierra Nevada. Then we will go to Paraiso Teyuna camp, where we will spend the second night. This camp is only 1 hour from Ciudad Perdida. The approximate trip of the second day is about 15 km (9 miles) of 8 to 9 hours of adventure and wonderful landscapes.

This is the day we finally arrive at Teyuna; we will climb 1200 steps and as we advance we will find terraces built more than a thousand years ago, until we finally reach the archaeological remains that were the foundation of the main settlement of the extinct Tayrona culture. During this guided tour we will learn more about Ciudad Perdida and enjoy the landscape that nature offers us. It is also possible to enjoy a swim in the well of youth, a place that, according to legend, has wonderful properties. At the end of the tour, we will descend to Paraiso Teyuna for lunch and then we will start walking to the place where we will spend the third night: the Wiwa cabin. In it we will live an experience of cultural exchange and this approach will allow us to know its cosmovision, lifestyle and crafts.

Our magnificent experience in the middle of nature comes to an end; very early in the morning we start our way from the Wiwa cabin to Mamey, a trip of 8 to 9 hours approximately. Upon arrival in Mamey and before getting into the jeep to take the road to Santa Marta, we will enjoy a delicious homemade lunch and take advantage of the company of new friends we have met in this beautiful adventure.

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range on earth, dip their toes right into the sea, in which bays and coves of singular beauty are to be found. The white sandy beaches in this park are boarded on one site by tropical dry forests and on the other side by the crystal clear and blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, making the Tayrona Park one of the most beautiful in the country. We leave Santa Marta to take the scenic coastal road and reach the western entrance of the park approximately 30 minutes later. From here we take an unpaved road through the tropical dry forest of the foothills of the Sierra to the bay of Neguanje. (Approx. 1 hour). And from here it’s about a further 20 minutes’ walk to reach our final destination, the most beautiful Playa Cristal beach. As its name suggests, the water here is crystal clear, and we have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Caribbean Sea. At about 4pm, we start our return to Santa Marta. Note: For tourists who do not want or cannot manage the walk, we can take a boat from Neguanje Bay to Playa Cristal and back. This transfer has a minimal additional cost and lasts approximately 8 minutes.

Transport from Santa Marta to Cartagena. Bring your appetite and an adventurous attitude. We hit the streets to experience food the way Cartageneros do. Whether you are searching for a stopover snack or something more substantial, a healthy platter or a sweet dessert, Cartagena's streets provide everything! One of the very best ways to gain an insight into the daily lives and culture of the locals is to experience their culinary culture. This 2-hour tour will get you up close and personal with the real Cartagena as the street sellers fill our bellies with their delicacies and warm our hearts with their hospitality. Note: It is recommended to take the tour in the afternoon. Now some examples to stimulate your appetite: Exotic tropical fruits like lulo, granadilla, nispero, papaya and guayabana Fried arepas, papas rellenas, empanadas, caribañolas Bollo de mazorca Agua de coco Raspao, Cocadas, arequipe and enyucado and much more!

The City-Tour begins with a visit to the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, the largest fortification built by the Spanish in their colonies. In a one-hour tour we will be able to appreciate this masterpiece of military architecture in coral stone, an we will learn about the defense strategy of the city in relation to its topography. Then we will go to the historical center to visit the San Pedro Clavér Convent Museum, former Jesuit Cloister (1605) and home of the so-called "Slave of the Slaves". To finish, we make a tour of approximately 2 hours through the main squares, churches and streets of the city. We will also walk over the city walls to have the best views of the city and to know the most important bastions. *Note: after the visit to San Felipe Castle and before returning to the Old Town, you will visit the La Popa and its old monastery located at 150 meters above sea level. This is the highest point of the city where the panoramic view of the city can be seen. If you visit La Popa, the visit to San Pedro Claver Monastery is skipped. The visit to La Popa has an additional cost. It does not apply to groups of more than 15 people. You will be picked up from your hotel and start our tour by walking to the bar, where an expert mixologist will tell you about the history and characteristics of this drink. This journey of flavors will take you to taste different Colombian rums, some of them cataloged as the best in the world. You will learn their secrets and discover how wide and rich the world of Rum can be and how small changes in the process give life to so many different flavors and emotions.

The Bazurto market is a traditional market offering fish, meat, fruit, clothing and is as important in Cartagena as the La Popa Convent or the Castle of San Felipe. It is a very traditional market, barely visited by tourists. We can buy food or traditionally prepared Colombian dishes, or just enjoy the local market of Cartagena in the early hours. Let this “underground” part of Cartagena enchant you; it is ideal for an adventure. We will walk through a maze of alleys, where the tour guide will introduce you to all kind of fruit, herbs, vegetables, fish, seafood and meat. There are also a spice market and natural healing pharmacies. Gastronomy is an important part of the local culture, and the Cartageneros are proud of their Caribbean cuisine. Apart from tasting it, what would be better than learning how to prepare seafood, coconut rice and other specialties of Cartagena's cuisine? The cooking class takes place in a colonial house in the city center or in Getsemaní. The Chef will give us a presentation about the ingredients before showing us how to prepare typical dishes. The class takes about three hours. Afterwards, we will eat together. Notes:*This activity includes : Guide, visit to Mercado de Bazurto & Cooking Class lasts around 5 hours, transfers, visit to the market with the guide and the chef and chef-led cooking class.*The meal is: Ceviche / fish soup, seafood rice or fried fish with plantain and coconut rice and salad, mango or passion fruit mousse as dessert and fresh juice of the season *It is important to be physically fit to walk (not canes or wheelchairs). Because it is a market, strong fish smells may be present at the beginning of the tour. Inform in advance if you are allergic to seafood or any special food.

Transfer from your hotel to the airport in Cartagena.