Colombia
Forget what you think you know about Colombia and come enjoy our private Colombia tours to see why the Colombian tourism board says “the only risk is wanting to stay!” South America’s forgotten gem has become one of the world’s top destinations (honored by New York Times). It has everything: wild jungle, mountain hiking, charming colonial towns and tropical coastlines on both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Colombians are incredibly friendly; dancing and music are coded into their DNA; and the weather here is nearly perfect year-round.
Colombia’s growing capital, Bogota, and its second city, Medellin (or City of Eternal Spring), are full of great food, interesting neighborhoods, outgoing people and have become top destinations in South America for the business and technology industries. On our private Colombia tours, though, we recommend venturing out to discover Colombia’s natural splendor through its many trails and treks. From the jungle-rich, alluring Tayrona National Park to the unique wax palms forests of the Coffee Region, there are thousands of options for exploring on foot or horseback.
Each of our private in Colombia tours is masterfully choreographed with special local access and impeccable service.
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At any hour of the day, be swept away by the Old Town’s maze of cobble-stoned streets filled with vibrant 400-year old houses drenched in cascading bougainvillea. Around the corner, be mesmerized by sparkling emerald-encrusted jewelry and sleek leather goods. Escape to the New Town (Ciudad Nueva) where luxury condominiums are overtaken by blaring cumbia and salsa bands until the wee hours of the morning in Castillogrande, Lagito and Bocagrande, Cartagena’s Miami Beach. Window-shop and sip fresh Colombian coffee among the chic hip cartagenos in trendy open-air cafes by day and return for exquisite five-star dining at night. Then be whisked away on a private one-hour boat ride to the clear waters of Islas del Rosario, where coral reefs sway and delight, or Isla de Barú, where white-sand beaches and palm trees encourage the perfect getaway and recharge after an entrancing visit in Cartagena.
Here you can drink in the comforts of boutique fincas (farms) and eco-luxury haciendas amidst cooler temperatures and a higher altitude. This exquisitely vast 350,000-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site is marked by the three main cities: Pereira, Armenia and Manizales. In Periera, take in the luxurious Botanical Gardens, enjoy a thrilling water-based sport along the Rio Barragan, saunter by horseback through Santa Emilia’s lush national park and nature reserve, and relax in the thermal baths at Santa Rosa de Cabal. At night, enjoy the region’s best nightlife. Wonder at the Quimbaya tribe’s archaeological artifacts in Armenia’s award-winning architectural museum masterpiece before idling in the surrounding beautiful gardens. Discover the highly biodiverse Otun-Quimbaya reserve, which spans 489 hectares and is home to howler monkeys and over 300 species of birds! Manizales boasts exquisite baroque-style architecture of the stunning Governor’s Palace, the towering Bolivar Condor monument and majestic Basilica de Manizales Cathedral located in the heart of Manizales, the central Bolivar Square. Feast on dizzying panoramic views, a restored railway station and the stunning Los Yaruma ecological park.
Float through Colombia’s second largest city’s dramatic skyline of rugged Andean peaks, tall skyscrapers, and ancient cathedrals on the modern metro-rail or new cable-car network. Take in Medellín’s fashion-forward boutiques and try on original apparel from the city’s annual fashion show, Colombiamoda. Marvel at the city’s colorful array of gorgeous fresh cut flowers, dizzying textiles, and Botero sculptures dotting the dazzling city plazas and award-winning art galleries of this Antioquian city. Walk barefoot in the Zen Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Park). Enjoy the stylish middle-class neighborhood of El Poblado. Partake in a mesmerizing tour of Comuna 13, a historical neighborhood that was the original recruiting grounds for Pablo Escobar. Bask in Medellín’s year-round summery climate, nearby forests and bird reserves. Enjoy less pollution, thanks to the novel eco-árbol, a tall, hi-tech tree-like structure that purifies 22,000 cubic metres of air every hour by removing carbon dioxide and traffic toxins. Attend one of the many festivals and understand firsthand why this valley-nestled city is a more desirable destination for upscale travel. Don’t delay. Experience Medellín’s magic today!
Marvel at the hustle of ever-stylish Bogotános alongside stealthy emerald traders from inside an elegant cafe. Escape the noisy haze of honking cars in La Candelaria, a cobble-stoned barrio (neighborhood) with eclectic, brightly painted 300-year old homes and colonial-era landmarks, such as the neoclassical Teatro Colon and 17th century Iglesia de San Francisco. Drink in Bogotá’s hypnotic collection of pre-Columbian gold at the Museo del Oro before taking in Latin America’s most-recognized artist, Fernando Botero’s exaggerated paintings and sculptures at Museo Botero. Snake past hurried workers and the warm hues of the civic buildings to catch a teleferico (cable car) ride up to the picturesque Cerro de Monserrate (Monserrate Peak) where inviting fresh air, a soothing calm and breathtaking near-panoramic views of Bogotá’s sprawling expanse await you. Duck into the 17th-century white church, perched 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above sea level, and snap a photo of the quaint shrine to El Señor Caido (The Fallen Lord), who watches over the bustling downtown city centre. Descend back into exhilarating Bogotá to lunch at a stylish patio in the trendy, tree-lined streets of north-end Zona Rosa and Zona G. This barrio, burrowed in the base of the Andes, is where upper class Bogotáns shop for up-to-date fashions at upscale malls and boutique hotels. Expect cooler climates at nighttime here and don your fashionable finds for some all-night dancing. Be sure to share some Agua Caliente, the beloved national liquor, by drinking from the bottle’s cap while captivating rhythms of cumbia drown your senses. On Sundays, leisurely stroll Bogotá’s infamous Ciclovía, or Open Streets, a weekly closure of more than 70 miles of roadways from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here some of Bogotá’s normally dangerous, car-laden streets can finally be experienced at ease. Relax with an ice cream and take in the pretty Nuestra Señora de Torcoroma Church. Pleasing white stalls house beautiful artisan leather goods, wooden kitchenwares, delicious sweets, and captivating artwork by local artists at the attractive Mercado des Pulgas (flea market).
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These itineraries are known as ‘Best Value’ because they have been meticulously crafted, thoroughly tested, and vetted by our team. By choosing a “Best value” itinerary your trip will include private tours, seamless transfers, and knowledgeable guides, all while enjoying comfortable accommodations of high quality. To offer you the best possible pricing, these trips are priced as they are. However, should you wish to make any changes to the itinerary such as changing a destination, our team can customize the trip.
If you are seeking something around your interests or something unique, you can ask one of our specialists to create a unique trip just for you!. No detail is too small. From upscale accommodations and food to the guides chosen for you, all our partners exemplify a high-end approach to customer service. Let us stitch together a masterful itinerary with seamless travel connections.
Mike and I want to thank Eric for arranging our trip to Colombia. The plan was thoughtfully prepared, as we were able to visit 4 very different areas, experiencing the varied regions and cultures. In addition, each of the hotels Eric chose were wonderful – we very much enjoy staying in luxury accommodations! There were so many activities that Eric planned for us, that it is hard to tell which we preferred more — but, to mind, we particularly enjoyed the Botero Museums in both Medellin and Bogota, the Favela in Medellin, the market and cooking class in Cartagena, the coffee tour, the hike and fruit tasting, and the Botanical Garden in Armenia. Thank you, again. I hope to work with Eric again to plan a trip to Argentina and Patagonia!”
