Magic Colombia Program + Ext Isla del Encanto (Without Flights)

Arrival at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Transfer and check-in at the hotel BH BICENTENARIO OR SIMILAR. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Historic Center of the City called “La Candelaria”. The course begins with “Street Art”, then the church of El Carmen, a small church built in the mid-17th century and rebuilt in 1926 in larger, to accommodate the growing number of faithful to the Virgin del Carmen. On the way to the Bolívar Square, enjoy the Nariño palace, home of the President of Colombia, and gardens in the heart of which is an astronomical observatory. The austere facade of the church Santa Clara today contains a museum of Colonial Art. Around the Bolivar Square is located the National Capitol, the Courthouse, the City of Bogotá, but also the Cathedral Primada, the Chapel del Sagrario and the Archbishop's Palace. Lunch not included. Visit of the Gold Museum (Closed on Mondays) This Museum is part of the Bank of the Republic; it was created at the initiative of Julio Caro and Luis Angel Arango to avoid the disappearance of many pre-Columbian treasures. Since the museum was created in 1939, the Bank of the Republic has purchased authentic items directly to private collectors as well as from “guaqueros”, grave robbers. Today there are about 36000 pieces of gold and splendid emeralds. It is the largest collection ever assembled of pre-Columbian gold items. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Tour options & excursions available

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Paloquemao Market or Codabas or similar. Departure at 8:00 to Bogota’s largest food markets, which are open daily, and supplies the ingredients for most of the city’s best restaurants. Tasting of a fresh juice. Departure to Zipaquirá, a small Andean town located 1 hour drive from Bogotá. Visit of the Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá is a small town fifty kilometers north of Bogotá. In addition to its well-preserved old town, Zipaquirá is especially famous for its salt cathedral, the only one in Poland along with two other salt cathedrals. Built underground in a salt mine, the religious site is over 120m long and made entirely of salt. Even the crosses and other sculptures are made of salt. Underground corridors connect the different stations of the cross, which represent the crucifixion of Jesus. The unique atmosphere inside the salt mine is further intensified by the irradiation of colored lights in certain sculptures and rooms. Lunch not included. Transfer to El Dorado International Airport to take the flight to Medellín, in the heart of the Antioquia region. (Flight suggested: BOG/MED – flight 9546 – 18h33-20h10. Flight subject to change – not included). Arrival at the airport and welcome by your guide. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel BH EL POBLADO*** OR SIMILAR. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. City Tour of Social Transformation : The tour starts at El Poblado Park and Lleras Park. Afterwards, you will go to Pueblito Paisa for cultural interpretation and gastronomic tasting. Then, transfer to the Commune 13, one of the most affected places in the 90s and a clear example of the social transformation lived in the city, there, you will walk the electric stairs. After, start the journey in Metro Cable and Metro to go to the center of the city. You will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Junin commercial passage, Botero Square to have a look at the famous statues from the artist and visit the Museum of Antioquia to admire several of these works. Finally, visit of the “Pueblito Paisa” then continue to the “Sabaneta” sector with discovery of the main square. Lunch not included. Cultural tour in a coffee plantation The “Farm Capilla del Rosario” will tell the history of Colombian coffee and at the same time invite you to discover all the stages of the preparation of the beans: sorting, roasting and grinding. You will learn how to make Colombian coffee in the rules of the art and of course you will enjoy the national drink in a picturesque setting. Return to the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Santa Fe de Antioquia. Visit Santa Fe de Antioquia. Built between 1887 and 1895, the wooden Western Bridge, which is suspended over the Cauca River, welcomes visitors to Santa Fe de Antioquia, a Colombian Heritage Village founded on December 4th, 1541, by Jorge Robledo and considered the “cradle of the paisa (Antioqueño) people.” This town of cobblestone streets and colonial architecture is located 35 miles northwest of Medellín. Transfer to the typical town of Santa Fe de Antioquia. On the way there will be two scenic stops. Once we arrive at the town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, we walk through its colonial streets, visit its churches, entrance to the Juan del Corral museum and craft workshops. Visit to the Western Bridge where we will appreciate the wooden architecture of this hanging bridge icon of this Antioquia area and gastronomic tasting. Lunch and dinner not included. Return to Medellin. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to El Nuevo Peñol and Guatapé Excursion to the oriental part of the department and visit of the typical villages of El Nuevo Peñol and Guatapé. The houses with walls painted with scenes of the daily life of the inhabitants give a particular cachet to the streets of colonial architecture and have made the reputation of this village. The main sites of interest are the “Calle de los Recuerdos”, the place “Peñol de Guatapé”, the park of the “Culebra” and the island of the Sun. Visit of the huge monolith La Piedra del Peñol and its 750 stairs to reach the top from where the visitor can appreciate the amazing view of the reservoir that surrounds it. Lunch not included. Return to Medellín. Transfer to José María Córdova International Airport to take the flight to Cartagena. (Flights suggested: MDE/CTG – Flight 9566 – 17h59-19h15. Flight subject to change – not included). Arrival at the airport and welcome by your guide. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel NACAR CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON**** OR SIMILAR. Cartagena de Indias : Undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast is a fairy-tale and legendary city, whose romantic charm has been beautifully preserved within 13 km of impressive and ancient stone walls. Its old town, a veritable maze of cobbled streets, with balconies full of bougainvillea and large churches that shade old squares, has been included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage sites. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of Cerro de La Popa The “Cerro de la Popa” is the perfect place to be able to enjoy Cartagena but also the sea, the island of Tierrabomba, the tourism sector, the historical center and “La Boquilla”. Cartagena City Council found it necessary to find a convent on the summit of “Cerro de la Popa” for the faithful of the region who themselves participated in the cleanup of the area. Visit San Felipe Castle The castle of San Felipe, initially called Castillo de San Lázaro, the largest Spanish military building of the New World; the original construction dates of 1536 and was enlarged as required until 1657. The visit of the castle leads from the “Plaza de Armas” to the residence of the Lord through the kitchens and other sites of interest. He was a loyal defender of the city until it fell to the hands of the Baron de Pointes. Lunch not included. Walking Tour in the Historic Center The walk takes passengers along the colonial streets of the historic center to admire the major attractions of the old city. The tour begins at the “Torre del Reloj”, the “Iglesia San Pedro Claver” through the “Plaza de la Aduana”. The tour continues to the “Plaza Santo Domingo”, very lively at night, and its spectacular church. The “Parque Bolívar” pleasantly shaded by large trees. Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. At 9:00 transfer to the pier to embark for a day at the Rosario Islands (about 1h by boat) – in regular service. The Rosario Islands are located 45 kilometers southwest of the Bay of Cartagena. It is an archipelago of coral formation with crystal clear water. It is a paradise located less than an hour away from the city of Cartagena where the beaches of fine white sand alongside turquoise waters shelter a rich tropical faun and fish. The archipelago holds 27 islands; they are part of the National Natural Park that protects the largest coral formation of the Colombian Caribbean. Isla del Encanto at The Rosario Islands is located at the tip of the Baru peninsula. The island welcomes tourists for the day but has its own private area for hotel residents. Around 15:00 the island regains its absolute calm to make you enjoy unforgettable moments on the Caribbean Sea and its turquoise waters (depending on weather conditions). The hotel is equipped with a large private swimming pool reserved only for hotel residents. Installation on the island at the hotel ISLA DEL ENCANTO. Lunch and dinner included at the restaurant of the island. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at the Isla del Encanto. From the hotel, various activities can be offered (with an additional cost) such as discovering an open sky aquarium located on another of the Rosario Island or snorkeling or diving. Lunch and dinner included at the restaurant of the island. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free to discover the island and surroundings. Lunch included at the restaurant of the island. By mid-afternoon return to Cartagena (about 1h by boat – in regular service). Arrival and transfer back to the hotel NACAR CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON**** OR SIMILAR.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rafael Nuñez International Airport to take the flight to Bogotá and the international flight (NOT INCLUDED). Lunch and dinner not included. END OF OUR SERVICES