Three cities, one week, zero filler. This trip hits Colombia's highlights without dragging you through endless bus rides. Bogota's museums and mountain views, Cartagena's walled city and Caribbean light, Medellin's transformation story and the colourful streets of Comuna 13. It's a solid first look at a country that rewards repeat visits.
GOLD · WALLS · GRAFFITI
Favourites of Colombia
8 days / 7 nights, Three cities, one week, zero filler. This trip hits Colombia's highlights withou
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
Trip highlights
Explore Bogota's La Candelaria district, the Gold Museum has the largest pre-Columbian gold collection on earth
Ride the funicular up Monserrate for a 360-degree view of the Bogota basin at 3,152m
Walk the pastel-coloured streets of Cartagena's UNESCO-listed walled city
Visit San Felipe Castle, the largest Spanish fort ever built in the Americas
Take the guided graffiti tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin and hear the neighbourhood's transformation story
Optional day trip to Guatape to climb El Penol Rock (740 steps, worth every one)
DAY BY DAY
Your itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Bogota
Airport transfer and hotel check-in in the Zona Rosa or La Candelaria neighbourhood. Rest and acclimatise, Bogota sits at 2,640m so take it easy. Evening free to find dinner nearby.
Day 2: Bogota City Tour
Morning walking tour of La Candelaria, cobblestone streets, street art, the Botero Museum (free entry) and the Gold Museum. After lunch, take the funicular or cable car up to Monserrate church at 3,152m for panoramic views of the city. Back at ground level, browse the Usaquen flea market if it's a Sunday.
Day 3: Fly to Cartagena
Morning transfer to the airport for the 90-minute flight to Cartagena. Check in to your hotel inside or near the walled city. Afternoon free to wander, get lost in the narrow streets, find a balcony bar overlooking Plaza de Santo Domingo, and watch the sunset from the old city walls.
Day 4: Cartagena City Tour
Guided tour of the walled city: the Clock Tower gate, Plaza de los Coches, San Pedro Claver church and the Palace of the Inquisition. Visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle, an enormous hilltop fortress with tunnel systems you can explore. Afternoon visit to La Popa Convent for the best viewpoint in Cartagena.
Day 5: Cartagena Free Day or Optional Excursion
Day at leisure. Spend it at the beach (Bocagrande or Playa Blanca on Isla Baru), take an optional boat trip to the Rosario Islands for snorkelling, or browse the boutiques and galleries of Getsemani neighbourhood.
Day 6: Fly to Medellin
Morning flight to Medellin. Check in to your hotel in El Poblado, the city's leafy, walkable neighbourhood packed with restaurants and cafes. Afternoon orientation walk along the Parque Lleras area.
Day 7: Medellin City Tour & Comuna 13
Morning city tour covering Plaza Botero (23 oversized bronze sculptures), the metro system, and the botanical garden. Afternoon guided tour of Comuna 13, once the most dangerous neighbourhood in Colombia, now a colourful open-air gallery of street art, hip-hop and community projects. The outdoor escalators built into the hillside are an engineering story in themselves.
Day 8: Departure or Optional Guatape
If your flight is in the evening, take the optional day trip to Guatape (about 2 hours east). Climb the 740 steps of El Penol Rock for one of Colombia's most photographed views, a reservoir dotted with tiny green islands. Back to Medellin for airport transfer.
What's Included
- 7 nights with daily breakfast in well-located hotels
- Airport transfers in Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin
- Guided city tours in all three cities
- Monserrate funicular tickets
- San Felipe Castle and La Popa entrance fees
- Comuna 13 guided graffiti tour
- English-speaking local guides
- Shared service (join-in group)
What's Not Included
- International flights to/from Colombia
- Domestic flights: Bogota to Cartagena, Cartagena to Medellin (typically £50-80 each on Avianca or LATAM)
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional activities: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, Rosario Islands boat trip, Guatape day trip
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Bogota to Cartagena and Cartagena to Medellin flights typically cost £50-80 each when booked a few weeks ahead on Avianca or LATAM. We can book these for you or advise on timing if you'd prefer to do it yourself.
Interested in This Trip?
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Real reviews
What our customers say
From travellers who visited Colombia with us
“
Colombia had been on my list for years and it didn't disappoint. Medellín's transformation is remarkable, the cable cars over the hillside barrios, the botanical gardens, and some of the best street food I've had anywhere. The only small hiccup was a delayed internal flight but Travelfab's team sorted alternative arrangements within the hour. Genuinely impressive service and a brilliant country.
Nigel P.
“
We spent two weeks in Colombia and honestly didn't want to leave. The combination of Bogotá's energy, the tranquility of the coffee triangle, and finishing up in Cartagena was perfect pacing. Our guide in Salento took us to a small family finca where we picked and roasted our own coffee, a memory we'll treasure. Travelfab's local contacts made all the difference; we felt looked after the whole time.
Emma & Dan S.
“
Colombia was a revelation. Cartagena is stunning, the Cocora Valley with its towering wax palms was surreal, and the coffee region was pure bliss. We felt completely safe throughout.
Laura & Ben C.
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