Colombia's Hidden Highlights Tour

Colombia‘s capital of Bogotá is as recognisable and enjoyable as any other in this continent. There’s beautiful architecture, charming historical districts, museums recounting ancient to modern treasures and times, to sophisticated restaurants, shopping malls, local markets and much more. Your travel designer will advise you on how best to spend your time here and what aspects of Bogotá would suit you.

We highly recommend that you’re first excursion is with one of our friendly local hosts. They’ll be able to help you get orientated in the city by exploring the trendy neighbourhoods surrounding your hotel, peeking into quirky cafés, sample local treats, stroll along streets lined with designer boutiques and experience how locals truly enjoy Bogotá.

Villa de Leyva is one of Colombia’s most charming towns. Literally suspended in time, having been declared a national monument in 1954, the original whitewashed mansions and cobbled streets are marred by not one bit of modern architecture. This striking town is steeped in history. From the Muiscas people who built their astronomical observatory here before the Spanish arrived, to the Dominican Santo Ecce Homo Convent built with local stones embedded with fossils. It is also home to one of the largest Plaza Mayors (main squares) in all Latin America.

Spend your days enjoying a variety of activities after an initial introductory tour with one of our brilliant local hosts. Our hosts are experts in the area and will show you all the highlights, personalising the tour to your own interests too.

Barichara means ‘place for rest’ in the indigenous Guane language. Spend your time soaking up the laid back atmosphere, visiting the well-preserved churches and trying your hand at paper-making in a small local factory.

Adventure activities include hiking the old Camino Reales or horseback riding in the hills. There are lots of lovely cafes and squares where you can relax and appreciate rural Colombian culture.

Cartagena is Colombia’s most romantic city. The warm Caribbean breeze gathers up sounds of salsa music and the scent of the flowers that cascade down from the balconies of the rainbow-coloured houses that line its cobbled streets. Steeped in colonial and nautical history, Cartagena boasts impressive ramparts, forts and bastions as well as plenty of Spanish-style architecture.

This is a city made for exploring: wind your way through the historic centre passing carts laden with juicy fruit and women selling coconut candies under the shade of the arches that ring the plazas. There are also fortifications to explore, museums to discover and lots of rooftops from which to sit and watch the world go by.

High up in the cloud forests of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta you’ll stay in your own private house with your own personal chef and dedicated host, how you choose to spend your time is up to you. There are lots of hikes that start from the house, fantastic birdwatching opportunities and horse riding. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included and you can join the chef in the kitchen if you want to pick up some Colombian cooking tips. Casa Galavanta’s terrace overlooks the forest, the town of Sierra Nevada and the ocean and the sunsets here are epic.