Discover the beauty of Colombia, an underrated travel destination, during this comprehensive two-week tour. From national parks and pristine beaches to village communities and vibrant cities, there is so much to see in this beautiful country. Indulge in fresh seafood on the beaches of Cartagena and savor delicious coffee from the region of Calarcá. Learn about the customs and traditions of the indigenous communities, and then explore the dynamic culture and art scenes of Bogotá and Medellín. Join us on this revitalizing journey and return with a treasure trove of stories to share.
Arrive in Bogotá at any time. Due to the potential for flight delays or cancellations, we recommend that you plan to arrive in South America at least a day in advance. This will also give you time to rest and adjust to any time difference. We can book extra hotel nights for you in Bogotá before and/or after the trip. Please note that check-in at the hotel is usually around 2:00-3:00 p.m. There are no planned activities until an intro meeting around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., usually in the hotel lobby. Check for a sign or ask at the reception desk about the exact time and location of the group meeting. Please make every effort to arrive in time for this meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up tomorrow. After the meeting, you might choose to get dinner at a nearby restaurant with your traveling companions and your tour leader to further get to know one another. Accommodation: Hotel Regina (or similar) * For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
After breakfast in Bogotá, catch a flight to Armenia in Colombia's coffee-growing region. Spend the next two nights in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm to get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful Eje Cafetero. Approximate travel time: 1 hr by plane Accommodation: Hostal Mi Monaco (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Visit Armenia town and the historic, bustling market. Frequented daily by Armenia's residents and chefs alike, Armenia Market offers everything from new-age ingredients to traditional Colombian staples. Get caught up in the whirlwind of food stalls, flower shops, boutiques, and cafés before determining your route through the market to sample the best the city has to offer. Then, head out to a local coffee farm to learn more about the production of this important crop and its route from seed all the way to your coffee cup. Savor a taste of this famous Colombian export. Accommodation: Hostal Mi Monaco (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Head into the Cocora Valley by 4x4 and take in the magnificent views. Get active with a 2- to 3-hour hike through the area and learn more about this fertile region. Approximate travel time: 30 minutes by private vehicle Accommodation: Hotel Salento Real (or similar)Hotel Meals included: Breakfast
Drive to Medellín, passing through beautiful landscapes of the Andes Mountains, coffee plantations, and small towns along the way. Opt to explore Medellín in the evening. Approximate travel time: 8-9 hrs by local bus Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Really get to know Colombia’s second-largest city during a neighborhood tour. Medellín has been revitalized since the issues with drug cartels in the 1980s and 1990s, and it is now one of South America’s most innovative and artistic cities. Explore the city’s varied barrios filled with shops, parks, museums, churches, markets, and delicious cuisine. You will have the afternoon free, with plenty of optional activities to choose from, such as a visit to the famous rock El Peñol or a ride on a sightseeing bus. Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy another free day and opt to visit the nearby town of Guatapé, with its colorful houses and famous rock, El Peñol, a giant monolith formed approximately 70 million years ago. Or ride the metrocable, a cable car that is part of Medellín’s public transportation, for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains. Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Arrive in Cartagena after a morning flight from Medellín, and spend the afternoon exploring the old walled city. Your tour leader will take your group on an orientation walk before setting you loose to see the city on your own. Opt for a group dinner and a night out in this lively town. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by plane Accommodation: Casa Villa Colonial (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in beautiful Cartagena. Opt to pre-book the Totumo Mud Volcano as an optional activity; the mud is packed with rejuvenating minerals. Accommodation: Casa Villa Colonial (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
This morning, learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide during a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa, and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church. Afterward, spend your free time taking in the Caribbean vibe of the city and beach. See the optional activities section below for some suggestions on what to do during your free time. Accommodation: Casa Villa Colonial (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Travel by private vehicle to the tiny, off-the-beaten-path, mountain town of Minca, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air. Enjoy some free time to explore, go looking for unique birds, explore the area on foot, or hang out at a local café by the river. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Hotel Minca La Casona (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Visit the Katanzama community, located 30 minutes from Tayrona National Park, near Buritaca. Made up of approximately 80 Arhuaco indigenous families, you will visit and experience firsthand their ceremonial center, houses, coca and cacao plantations, and daily way of life. Your experience here will be led by a local Arhuaco guide, and you will enjoy a traditional textile weaving demonstration. Next, transfer to your accommodations just outside Tayrona National Park, where you will have free time to enjoy the property and its amenities. Relax in a nearby hammock, find a local restaurant for dinner, and enjoy the cool ocean breeze. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Posada Villa Margarita (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
During a 3- to 4-hour guided hike of Tayrona National Park, learn more about the region's biodiversity and natural heritage. Lunch is included during your hike. Spend your free time in the evening unwinding after a full day of exploring the beautiful park. Approximate travel time: 1 hr by private vehicle Accommodation: Posada Villa Margarita (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Travel to Taganga, where you will take an orientation walk through this traditional fishing village and get acquainted with the main sites. Soak up the Caribbean feel of this coastal town with some free time. Be sure to indulge in the area's fantastic fresh seafood or hang out in one of the many cafés along the beach. Approximate travel time: 45 min by private vehicle Accommodation: Ocean Taganga (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
With a free day at leisure, tour Taganga on foot or don a snorkel and mask to explore the water. In the evening, travel to Santa Marta and join your group for an optional evening out on the town. Approximate travel time: 30 min by private vehicle Accommodation: Hotel Tayromar (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Santa Marta at any time. If you wish to extend your stay in Santa Marta, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can work with you to find a trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any additional tours that you book. Meals included: Breakfast