On this trip travelers will cross the entirety of Colombia from the mountainous metropolis of  Bogota to Cartagena’s Caribbean coast. One of the most welcoming countries on Earth, Colombia is gaining a reputation for its world class culture and picturesque landscapes. The trip begins in the Colombian capital of Bogota, where one can visit world renowned museums such as the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) and Museo Botero (which houses the works of world-famous Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero) and see city’s dynamic street art (Bogota is one of the world’s greatest street art cities). From there, travelers will visit the Quindio coffee-growing region near the city of Armenia and enjoy fantastic landscapes and an informative coffee tour while staying in a relaxing hacienda.  A day of hiking at the Valle of Cocora offers spectacular views of the tallest palm trees in the world and plains full of grazing horses. The trip includes a stay in the quaint town of Salento, which is home to a town square, colonial tour and fun restaurants, bars and cafes. Then onto Medellin, the “City of Eternal Spring.” There is lots of time in Medellin to choose between optional day tours and free time to explore fun shops and nightlife. Among the optional tours are the famous Comuna 13 neighborhood, which revitalization has saved from a criminal past and is now famous for street art and breakdancing, and a tour of the neighborhood still named for drug lord Pablo Escobar. Travelers can also partake in a day trip to the most brightly painted lakeside town in Colombia, Guatape, where tasty restaurants and charming storefronts can be viewed from the little tuk-tuk vehicles that whiz around the town. The final stop is the Caribbean walled city of Cartagena.

This is a 9 day trip organized by the small group tour company G Adventures. The price is $2,149, and includes all lodging, transport and select meals. All G Adventures tours are led by a local CEO (Chief Experience Officer) who provides great insight into the culture and community; trip expenditures are directed back to local communities.

To read more about this trip, check out CATALYST PLANET’s Founder Amy Schrier’s article, Colombia Unveiled: My Journey from Mountainous Bogota to Caribbean Cartagena.