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1. Day 1 Arrive Bogota, Colombia

   Meet Andean Discovery staff and transport to hotel

   Touch down in Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá, where Andean Discovery staff will transport you to your hotel. Colombia’s cultural and commercial center, Bogotá’s urban chic, evocative historic center, and its unique positioning between snowcapped Andean peaks have enchanted travelers for generations. With La Candelaria’s splendid cafes, shops, and bars, to the historic Cerro de Monserrate towering overhead, it’s an accessible city to fall for, accelerating your impending love affair with Colombia starting from day one.

   Meals: On your own

   Standard Lodging Bioxury Hotel

   Superior Lodging EK Hotel Bogotá

2. Day 2 City Tour of Bogota & Monserrate

   Tour colonial Bogotá and the Monserrate sanctuary

   Properly introduce yourself to Colombia on your first full day with a tour of La Candelaria, the colonial district and colorful neighborhood famous for its cafes and shops. Knowledgeable local guides will take you from the grand Plaza de Bolivar to the sweeping La Cathedral, where you’ll feel the buzz of city life and the echoes of Colombia’s colonial past as you pass these historic landmarks. Next, you will visit the Palacio de Justicia to glimpse the country’s government and learn about how the new generation is leading Colombia into a brighter future. Then, you will stop at the renowned Museo del Oro to hear how gold has affected the colonization and development of Colombia. In addition to a history lesson, you will see how this precious metal is incorporated into modern-day folklore, artisanal goods, and music. After a morning on the ground, elevate your Bogota experience with an aerial tram ride to Monserrate sanctuary. Here, you will enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city as you sip steaming canelazo, a South American specialty. Watch the sunset over the city and clink your glasses to the start of your Colombian adventure.

   Meals: B, L

   Standard Lodging Bioxury Hotel

   Superior Lodging EK Hotel Bogotá

3. Day 3 Fly to Pereira and explore Coffee Country

   Tour the Coffee Triangle

   Now that you are acquainted with Bogotá, broaden your understanding of Colombia by flying to the famous coffee-growing axis. The part of the country that contains Manizales, Armenia, and Pereira is known as The Coffee Triangle. The Arabica coffee beans grown here produce some of the finest coffee in the world. After landing in Pereira, we will transfer to Hacienda Castilla, a plentiful and peaceful natural zone that contains over 300 bird species, exotic fruits, and intricate orchids. You will have time to wander the grounds and dine on a lunch made with local ingredients before visiting a coffee plantation. Here, you will learn how the beans are grown, harvested, dried, and exported across the globe. Then it’s time to taste one of Colombia’s most famous exports for yourself.   You will be guided through a coffee tasting where you’ll learn how to analyze the aroma and flavor and appreciate the body of a truly sophisticated Cup of Joe. Interested individuals can participate in an optional, traditional Temezcal Ceremony in the evening.

   Meals: B, L, D

   Standard Lodging Hacienda Castilla

   Superior Lodging Casa San Carlos Lodge

4. Day 4 Visit Cocora Valley and Salento

   Visit Cloud forests in the Cocora Valley

   Wake up to the smell of the coffee before leaving Pereira to venture into the Cocora Valley, part of Los Nevados National Park. Known as Colombia’s valley of the palms, this region hosts ethereal cloud forests brimming with natural gifts. You will encounter the wax palm, Colombia’s national tree, and marvel at its dizzying height and its incredible ability to survive at such altitude. You will witness the importance of the wax palm when local indigenous Quimbaya people bless a new crop of seedlings before planting them in the rich Andean soil during a sacred Colombian ritual. We return to Pereira in the afternoon via Salento, a gorgeous town known for the skillful artisanry of its locals. You’ll know you are in Salento because of the vibrant balconies that adorn its downtown.

   Meals: B, L, D

   Standard Lodging Hacienda Castilla

   Superior Lodging Casa San Carlos Lodge

5. Day 5 Fly to Cartagena

   Tour the city of Cartagena

   Experience Caribbean Colombia, we fly from Pereira to Cartagena, Colombia’s famous port city and gateway to the world. This attractive coastal city retains much of the colonial charm it cultivated during the Spanish colonial era. You will feel the diverse and eccentric cultural blend of this Cartagena when you taste its food, hear its music, and visit its museums.

   An afternoon tour will lead you through the 16th-century San Felipe Fort and the archway shops of Las Bovedas, which have been repurposed from their past purpose as dungeons. A traditional horse-drawn carriage ride will escort you to dinner in the old city, as a unique way to start your evening.

   Meals: B, L, D

   Standard Lodging Voilá Centro Historico

   Superior Lodging Santa Clara Hotel

6. Day 6 Tour the city of Cartagena

   Tour the colonial center of Cartagena

   Your second day in Cartagena will be devoted to exploring Ciudad Amurallada, the UNESCO World Heritage site colonial center. Let your imagination run wild as you enter this area flanked by military walls from the days of pirates, cannonballs, and warfare by sea. Walk along the 12-foot-high protective embankments and meander the cobblestone streets that crisscross to lovely plazas adorned with fresh flowers and lush gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring Cartagena on your own. This evening, learn about the history of music and dance in Colombia and opt for a Salsa and Cumbia class with local dancers.

   Meals: B, L

   Standard Lodging Voilá Centro Historico

   Superior Lodging Santa Clara Hotel

7. Day 7 Tour Cartagena

   Full Day Rosario Islands

   Along with your local naturalist guide, take a one-hour speedboat ride from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands, located in Corales del Rosario y San Bernardino National Park. Snorkel among precious coral reefs and observe multicolored fish and learn about research and conservation efforts at the Oceanography Institute. Late afternoon arrival in Cartagena.

   Meals: B, L

   Standard Lodging Voilá Centro Historico

   Superior Lodging Santa Clara Hotel

8. Day 8 Depart

   Transfer to the airport for your international flight

   This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight.

   Meals: B