COFFEE · WAX PALMS · CARTAGENA
Exploring Colombia
13 days / 12 nights, This is the big one. Nearly two weeks from the capital to the coast, with the Co
Your trip
Your 13 days in Colombia
This is the big one. Nearly two weeks from the capital to the coast, with the Coffee Region and Medellin in between. You'll hike among 60-metre wax palms in the Cocora Valley, taste single-origin coffee straight from the farm, explore Medellin's reinvention, and end in Cartagena with time for islands and old city wandering. It covers the full spectrum of what Colombia has to offer.
At a glance
13 days12 nights
Private tripJust your own party
ModerateActivity level
Flights includedATOL protected
Flexible datesYou choose when you go
ColombiaOur destination guide
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
Trip highlights
The Cocora Valley
Hike the Cocora Valley among Colombia's national tree, towering wax palms reaching 60 metres
Coffee in the Eje Cafetero
Tour a working coffee farm in the Eje Cafetero and taste beans from plant to cup
Salento and Filandia
Browse the colourful balconied streets of Salento and the basket-weaving village of Filandia
Comuna 13, Medellín
Take the guided Comuna 13 graffiti tour in Medellin
El Peñol, Guatapé
Climb El Penol Rock in Guatape for one of Colombia's most iconic panoramas
Cartagena
Spend four nights in Cartagena with time for the old city, beaches and optional island trips
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1Arrive Bogota
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. Take it easy at altitude, hydrate and rest. If you feel up to it, explore the Zona Rosa restaurant district on foot.
Day 2Bogota City Tour
Walking tour of La Candelaria: Gold Museum (over 55,000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold), Botero Museum, Plaza Bolivar and the presidential palace. Ride up to Monserrate for city views. Afternoon free to explore Usaquen or Chapinero neighbourhoods.
Day 3Fly to Pereira, Coffee Region
Morning flight to Pereira, gateway to the Eje Cafetero. Transfer to your finca (country estate) in the coffee zone. Afternoon coffee farm tour, learn the process from seedling to cup and taste freshly roasted beans with the farmer who grew them.
Day 4Cocora Valley & Salento
Drive to the Cocora Valley for a morning hike among the towering wax palms, Colombia's national tree, some over 60m tall. It's an easy-to-moderate trail through cloud forest. Afternoon in Salento, a postcard-perfect town of painted balconies, trout restaurants and artisan shops. Optional visit to Filandia, a quieter village known for basket-weaving.
Day 5Fly to Medellin
Transfer to Pereira airport for the short flight to Medellin. Check in at El Poblado. Afternoon free to walk the neighbourhood, good restaurants and leafy streets everywhere you look.
Day 6Medellin City Tour & Comuna 13
City tour covering Plaza Botero, the metro cable (great views of the valley), and the botanical garden. Afternoon guided tour of Comuna 13, street art, outdoor escalators, hip-hop performances, and the stories of how this neighbourhood turned itself around.
Day 7Guatape & El Penol Rock
Day trip to Guatape, about 2 hours east. Climb the 740 steps of El Penol Rock for the panoramic lake view that decorates half the postcards in Colombia. Wander the colourful zocalos (painted tile facades) of Guatape town. Return to Medellin in the evening.
Day 8Fly to Santa Marta
Morning flight to Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. Check in and explore the waterfront promenade and the old centre. Santa Marta is Colombia's oldest city, founded in 1525. Afternoon at the beach or Taganga fishing village.
Day 9Santa Marta City Tour
Guided city tour covering the cathedral (where Simon Bolivar was first buried), the Gold Museum, and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino estate. Afternoon free, optional trip to Tayrona National Park for jungle trails and hidden beaches.
Day 10Transfer to Cartagena
Scenic drive along the coast to Cartagena (about 4 hours). Check in to your hotel in or near the walled city. Evening free to explore Getsemani and find a rooftop bar.
Day 11Cartagena Historic Tour
Guided walking tour of the walled city: Clock Tower, Plaza de los Coches, San Pedro Claver, the Palace of the Inquisition. Visit San Felipe Castle and La Popa Convent for elevated views. Afternoon free for shopping, galleries or beach time at Bocagrande.
Day 12Cartagena Free Day
Full day at your pace. Options: boat to the Rosario Islands for snorkelling, visit the Volcan de Lodo (mud volcano), explore the street food of Bazurto market, or simply stroll the old city streets with a coconut lemonade.
Day 13Departure
Breakfast, then transfer to Rafael Nunez International Airport for your departure flight.
Your price covers
What's included
Flights
Return flights from London, booked with your holiday and ATOL protected
We can also book other airlines, including flights with one stop, to suit your dates and preferences.
Internal flights
Domestic flights included: Bogota to Pereira, Pereira to Medellin and Medellin to Santa Marta
Accommodation
12 nights with daily breakfast in well-located hotels and fincas
Transport
Private transfers between all cities and airports
Guides and tours
- Guided city tours in Bogota, Medellin, Santa Marta and Cartagena
- Comuna 13 guided tour
- English-speaking local guides on all excursions
Experiences
- Coffee Region excursion including Cocora Valley hike and coffee farm tour
- Guatape and El Penol Rock day trip
Medical assistance
Medical assistance card for the duration of the trip
ATOL protection
Your holiday is ATOL protected (ATOL 10898). You get an ATOL Certificate when you book.
Not included: Lunches and dinners · Optional activities: Tayrona National Park, Rosario Islands, Filandia · Travel insurance · Personal expenses and gratuities
Your next step
Dates and price
No commitment, we reply within one working day
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Three internal flights: Bogota to Pereira, Pereira to Medellin, and Medellin to Santa Marta. These are short hops (45-90 minutes each), and all three are included, booked with your holiday.
It's moderate. The main loop takes 4-5 hours and involves some uphill sections through cloud forest. The path is well-maintained. You don't need special equipment, just comfortable walking shoes and a rain jacket. There are shorter options if you'd prefer an easier walk.
If you like beaches and jungle, yes. It's a 45-minute hike from the entrance to the best beaches (Cabo San Juan). The water is warm, the setting is dramatic, and you can spot howler monkeys in the trees. It's a full-day activity and park entrance is about £15.
December to March is the driest period across most of the route. The Coffee Region can get afternoon showers year-round, but they're brief. June to August is also good, less crowded and still mostly dry on the coast. Avoid October and November if possible (wettest months).
This is a tailor-made itinerary, so we can adjust it. Some people skip Santa Marta and spend more time in Cartagena. Others add a night in the Coffee Region or swap Guatape for the Salt Cathedral near Bogota. Tell us what matters to you and we'll rebuild the route.
Interested in This Trip?
We price this trip to your dates and your party, with your UK flights booked by us, so the whole holiday is ATOL protected. Tell us who is travelling and when, and we will send you a tailor-made quote.
Real reviews
What our customers say
They organised excellent accommodation and transfers from airport to destination and between destinations which was seamless and gave us peace of mind for our trip. We stayed in the nicest casa particular in Havana right on the outskirts of the major hustle of the old town but within walking distance to every site and lots of lovely restaurants. Our hotel in Varadero had 5 a la carte restaurants which were delicious and wonderful beaches! Would definitely go back to Cuba and use TravelFab again.
Annabelle
Excellent service. Fabien responded to all our queries promptly and efficiently and was always willing to spend time talking to us. The itinerary was well-considered and well-organised with an adequate amount of time in each location. Locations were varied and interesting. The service provided by the B&B owners was good to outstanding. The organisation of the coach services for transfers from one destination to another was super with comfortable journeys in clean, air-conditioned coaches. Thanks, TravelFab!
David
I was very impressed with Fabian's dedication, patience and professionalism in organising a group of 8 young persons (over 60's) to get to Cuba. The whole experience has been a very positive one. Despite having to relocate to another hotel at the last minute, that change over went very smoothly. Our accommodations were excellent. We will definitely book with TravelFab again. Thank you!
Yvette T
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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
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