GT-506 – CLASSIC COLOMBIA

Bogota and Cartagena
Six Days / Five Nights
Five Star hotel accomodations in Bogota and Cartagena
Minimum two persons
Valid for Friday departures from the USA between May 1 and November 15, 2014

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Friday – Arrival in Bogota

Welcome to Bogotá and Colombia. Upon arrival at the international airport El Dorado, our representative will greet you and take you to your selected hotel, giving you a short briefing on Bogotá and the country in general.
Overnight accommodations at 116 Hotel or Hilton Bogota

DAY 2: Saturday – Bogota, city tour, Gold Museum and Zipaquira’s Salt Cathedral

Breakfast and transfer to the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; so take the opportunity to record the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogotá. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. The Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall are all located here, so soak in the ambiance of this quarter. The tour takes in all aspects of some of the most famous buildings from the Congress Palace, the Presidential Palace Antonio Nariño to the colonial church of San Agustin.
The tour then continues for a further two hours and offers up arguably the most important gold museum in the world and ‘must see’ the Museum del Oro where one of the world’s greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold artifacts are displayed. Visit strong-room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, and where the installation is overwhelming as ancient sacred gold artifacts are systematically illuminated and the voice of an ancient people transports the mind to another time. The museum also has exhibitions displaying geographical and social aspects of both pre-Columbian and contemporary Colombia.
Later, driven through the northern residential area of the city and through the fertile plateau to the small colonial town of Cajicá, where there’s a short stop at the main plaza. Lunch included. After a hearty lunch the tour continues to the town of Zipaquirá famous for its underground salt cathedral. Experience the sights extraordinary architecture where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. Though a popular tourist destination, it is still a place of pilgrimage for the local community. Return to Bogota.
Overnight accommodations at 116 Hotel or Hotel Hilton Bogota (B/L)

DAY 3: Sunday – Bogota / Cartagena

Breakfast in the morning and transfer to the Airport of Bogota to take the flight to Cartagena
Arrival in Cartagena meet be greeted by the tour guide and transfer to the selected Hotel
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Capilla del Mar or Hotel Hinton Cartagena (B)

DAY 4: Monday – Cartagena city tour and monuments

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel to visit the most important monuments of Cartagena. The first stop is at La Popa, Convent of La Candelaria, built in the early seventeenth century on top of the hill with the same name, from where we have a stunning view of the city and bay. Then we head to San Felipe Fort which was built on the seventeenth century to protect the city from pirates. After a tour of this fortress, we go to “Las Bóvedas” (The Vaults) which were used as dungeons in days of yore and now we find shops and craft stores. We then continue our way to Plaza San Pedro Claver whose name honours the Spanish monk, known as the ‘Slave of the African slaves’. Time at leisure to take some photos before returning to the hotel
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Capilla del Mar or Hotel Hinton Cartagena (B)

DAY 5: Tuesday – Cartagena

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at Leisure to enjoy the magic of the city.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Capilla del Mar or Hotel Hinton Cartagena (B)

DAY 6: Wednesday – Depart Cartagena

Breakfast at the hotel. Trasnfer frokm hotel to airport on time to take your flight to your next destination. (B)

RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: FROM $1,060.00
Based on double occupancy at 116 Hotel in Bogota and Capilla del Mar in Cartagena.

RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOULE OCCUPANCY FROM $1,195.00
Based on double occupancy at the Hilton Hotel Bogota and Hilton Hotel Cartagena

Please check with us for air fare quotes in combination of this tour from over 50 USA cities.

INCLUDES:

All airport transfers listed in the itinerary on private basis. Five Star hotel accommodations and hotel service charges and taxes. Daily breakfast. Baggage handling at airports and at hotels. All tours and excursions indicated in Botota and Cartagena on private basis. English speaking guides. All entrance fees and transfers needed to operate tours and excursions.All meals indicated in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED:

International air between USA and Colombia; local air Bogota/Cartagena. International departure taxes. Expenses such us beverages on meals, tips, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses are not included. Passport and visa and reciprocity fees expenses.