GT-507 – HIGHLIGHTS OF COLOMBIA

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

ITINERARY

DAY 1: 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 Hotel Movich Chico 97 (Superior Room)

DAY 2: Bogota city tour

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 Museo 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 artefacts 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.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Movich Chico 97 (Superior Room) (B)

DAY 3: Bogota / Pereira

Breakfast in the morning and transfer to the airport of Bogota to take the flight to Pereira.
Arrival in Pereira, meet be greeted by the tour guide and transfer to hotel.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Movich Pereira (Standard Room) (B)

DAY 4: Pereira – Salento & Cocora Valley

Breakfast and continue to Salento. This town is a typical ‘Paisa’ town in the Coffee Region where some of the best examples of bahareque architecture in the area can be found. Take in the sights and sounds of Antioquian life and breath the fresh air of the Andes.

Later visit COCORA National Park. The Cocora valley which is tucked into the foothills of the central Andean range is the home of the Wax Palm Tree, the National symbol of Colombia. The importance lain on the tree has rendered Cocora a sanctuary by the Colombian Government. The valley, which is also a wildlife sanctuary, is part of the bigger Parque Nacional de los Nevados and boasts a menagerie of wildlife including the Speckled Bear and the Andean Guan, a fowl species. Navigating along the valley on horseback, which is recommended, the regal Wax Palm trees can be seen standing tall and proud, as if guarding over this most stunning of valleys. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Movich Pereira (Standard Room) (B)

DAY 5: Pereira / Cartagena

Breakfast in the morning and transfer to the Airport of Pereira to take the flight to Cartagena
Arrival in Cartagena meet be greeted by the tour guide and transfer to hotel.
Overnight accommodations at Hotel Movich Cartagena de las Indias (Superior Room) (B)

DAY 6: Cartegena – City tour and Monuments of Cartagena

Breakfast. 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 Movich Cartagena de las Indias (Superior Room) (B)

DAY 7: Depart Cartagena

Breakfast in the morning and transfer to the Airport of Cartagena to take the flight to your next destination. (B)

RATE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: From: $1,397.00

RATE INCLUDES:

Two night hotel accommodations in Bogota. Two nights in Pereira and two nights in Cartagena including daily breakfast at selected hotels. Hotel taxes. All transfers in Bogota, Pereira and Cartagena based on private services. Tours in Bogota, Pereira and Cartagena based on private services fully escorted by English speaking guides. Entrance fees and activities as described in the program. Permanent 24/7 assistance by our representatives in each city.

NOT INCLUDED:

International and local air to be quoted separately on request. Meals and other services not described in the itinerary. Tipping to guides and hotel staff. Airport departure fees in Colombia. Expenses of personal nature.