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Colombia, 10 Days · Tour including beach holiday
Bogotá and Cartagena de Indias
From
€3,690
Departure on 26/10/2024 from Dublin
A country full of surprises, lapped by two oceans and where different landscapes and climates meet
This is a very diverse country, where its geography hides many varied landscapes, from the coasts lapped by the Caribbean Sea to its Andean peaks, preserving ancient peoples who in turn look after its indigenous and colonial buildings, and where its history and cultural wealth are evident.
Departure date
Departures from June 2024 till December 2024
From
Dublin, Knock, Galway, Shannon, Donegal, Cork, Kerry county...
Travel details
City of origin - Bogotá
Departure with destination Bogotá. Night on board.
Bogotá
Arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.
Bogotá
Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour around the city, stopping at the Plaza de Bolivar and all the important buildings surrounding the square, such as the Palacio de Justicia, the Capitolio Nacional, the Alcaldía Mayor de Bogotá, the Casa de Nariño and the Catedral Primada. Onward to the Museo del Oro, which is famous for its exclusive collection of pre-Columbian gold. After this, there'll be a walking tour through the streets of the colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria. And finally, a cable car ride up to the Monserrate Sanctuary, from where you'll get to admire a stunning view of the city.
Bogotá - Zipaquira - Bogotá
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll cross the Bogota savanna to reach the city of Zipaquirá. Located just a few kilometres from the capital, this is one of the main salt-mining centres in Colombia. Its name means City of Our Father in the Chibcha language, but it's also known as the City of Salt. Even in pre-Columbian times, this region's salt deposits were mined to produce salt that was then used a hard currency for trading with the Muiscas. Over the years, advances in technology led to the opening of mines and tunnels to extract larger quantities of salt. These underground tunnels are home to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, located at a depth of 180 metres. There's also a small miners' chapel in homage to Our Lady of The Rosary of Guasá ('Guasá' being the word for 'mine' in the Chibcha language). At the end of the visit, return to your hotel in Bogota. Time at your leisure for the rest of the day.
Bogotá - Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel. At the prearranged time, transfer to the airport for the flight to Cartagena de Indias, on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Welcome and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure. The city was founded in 1533 on the shores of the Caribbean, ultimately becoming one of the biggest ports in America throughout the Spanish Empire. It was also often raided by pirates and buccaneers, which explains why it became South America’s most heavily-fortified city. Its delightful colonial architecture can still be seen in the well-conserved historic quarter.
Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel and start of a sightseeing tour of Cartagena. During the tour, you'll pass through the modern districts of Bocagrande and Barrio de Manga, where you'll see the oldest houses dating back to the early twentieth century. Next stops will be the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, built by the Spaniards in an attempt to fend off English attacks during the seventeenth century. We continue with a short walk through the historic center of this beautiful city, the tour ends by visiting the Emerald Museum. After the visit, return journey to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Cartagena de Indias - Rosario Islands - Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you'll be taken to the port of Cartagena to catch a boat across the Caribbean Sea to the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Park. Located about forty-five kilometres to the southwest of the Bay of Cartagena, the park was created to protect unique ecosystems such as the coral reef, seagrass, mangroves, sandy beaches, and rocky shores, which together make up a vast underwater collection of habitats and communities. These are mainly inhabited by corals that are home to a myriad of colourful fish of all shapes and sizes, crustaceans, molluscs, anemones, sea-urchins and starfish. What's more, the park features a wide range of seabirds.This is a day to enjoy a stunning cruise with the opportunity to swim, snorkel across the seabed, sunbathe and savour a typical lunch (included). After the tour, return journey to the hotel in Cartagena. Overnight stay.
Note: The Islands included on this day are Isla del Encanto or San Pedro de Majagua.
Cartagena de Indias
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to do some activities and walks locally, and enjoy the hotel facilities. This city has a host of attractions. Cartagena has museums, shopping areas, bars and restaurants along its streets and in its colonial houses in the historic centre, as well as in the hotel area. You can also take advantage of tours out of town to enjoy its nature. La Cienaga de la Virgen is a favourite spot for bird watching and also to take a boat trip through the mangroves to the fishing village of La Boquilla. The Totumo Volcano is a place where you can enjoy the thermal mud baths. The Botanical Garden is ideal to get an insight into typical flora of Cartagena and the region. At dusk the city is is full of lights and colour with its street cafes, restaurants where you can sample the varied cuisine, bars with live music and discos. One of the unique attractions is the night walk in Chiva with its typical music, offering a lively stroll accompanied by salsa and rumba rhythms.
Cartagena de Indias - City of origin
Breakfast at the hotel and, at the prearranged time, airport transfer. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.
City of origin
Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
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Return flight.
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Internal flight.
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Accommodation in selected hotels or similar category.
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Transfers as per itinerary.
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Visits in a guided tour that are detailed in the program and not considered as optional.
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English-speaking local guides.
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Diet: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch.
Your trip doesn't include
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Tips.
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Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
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Insolvency protection.
Destinations Visited
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Flight
Overnight stay on board.
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in Colombia are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Colombia.
Special regular service applying all biosecurity protocols and with vehicles with reduced capacity to guarantee due social distancing.
The Gold Museum and Quinta de Bolívar are closed on Mondays; instead you will visit the Botero Museum.
On Sundays, the visit to the Cerro de Monserrate is made on request since it is operationally difficult due to the number of parishioners who come to it this day.
Access to the Gold Museum may be subject to availability since it has reduced its capacity, so its availability must be reconfirmed well in advance.
Salt Cathedral is not recommended for the elderly or those with mobility restrictions.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.