Colonial cities

When you arrive at the airport, we'll meet you and take you to your hotel in Bogotá. There, you'll receive all the documentation you need for your stay. This is your chance to rest before starting your program the next morning.

We kick off our stay in style with a visit to Bogotá's historic district, La Candelaria. You'll be seduced by the charm of its colorful streets and colonial architecture. All set against a highly developed street-art culture. Take the opportunity to discover the renowned Gold Museum, a testament to the wealth and traditions of yesteryear. Bogotá is also renowned for its gastronomy, blending fusion cuisine, local products and tropical flavours. The Paloquemao market offers an exceptional variety of fruit and vegetables.

A few kilometers away, don't miss the village of Zipaquirá and its famous Salt Cathedral, voted the First Wonder of Colombia.

Three hours from Bogotá, discover the radiant colonial town of Villa de Leyva, declared a national monument in 1954. With its cobbled streets, white facades and Plaza Mayor, one of the largest squares in the country, it's definitely a charming place to visit! A must-see: the pozos azules, or blue pools. Five small lakes with emerald waters, immersed in an unparalleled natural setting.

For your first day in Leyva, we recommend a hike to the pozos azules. These are splendid emerald lakes. This particular color is due to the action of salts and minerals found in the soil. The Pozos Azules are located in Santa Sofia, just 3 kilometers from Leyva

On your second day in Leyva, we recommend a visit to the Marquis winery: the Villa de Leyva region also produces wine. The Marquis vineyard is located in Sutamarchán, 12 km from the town center. If you're interested, it's possible to visit the vineyard and cellars and learn all about the winemaking process. Among the wines produced here is the famous Cabernet Sauvignon.

You can also continue your visit to Leyva with a visit to Casa Terracota. Did you know that the world's largest ceramics factory is located in Colombia? This original building, made entirely of clay, was designed by architect Octavio Mendoza. No less than 400 tonnes of clay were needed to build this house, which spans almost 500 m2. Located a 20-minute walk from downtown, Casa Terracota is open to visitors every day.

Not very touristy, the village of Guadalupe is nonetheless charming, with its small houses, pennant-adorned alleyways, central square crowned with gigantic palm trees and sublime church. Tranquillity reigns supreme here, and that's good for you! But Guadalupe is also known for its proximity to the Las Gachas river, one of the region's great sights, sometimes nicknamed Santander's "Caño Cristales". And with good reason: with its red hues and numerous pozos (rock hollows), the Las Gachas river is very reminiscent of its big sister to the south. Perfectly circular in shape, these hollows are nicknamed "jacuzzis" here. Ideal for a moment of relaxation. Enjoy a guided tour of the river and meet its inhabitants.

A peaceful colonial village in the heart of the mountains, Barichará captivates with its orange bricks, striking windows and unfailing tranquillity. It's well known that Colombian coffee is one of the best in the world. That's why we're taking you on a tour of an authentic cocoa plantation. A gourmet visit concluded by a delicious tasting. The town is also renowned for its handicrafts, from ceramics to weaving. Don't hesitate to push open the door of a workshop for a short course or a visit.

On this second day in Barichara, you'll visit the city from a different angle: you'll do so on board a motorcycle, an original way of approaching the city.

We also recommend a visit to its places of worship: the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Santa Barbara Chapel are well worth a visit. The latter, perched high on a hill, offers a magnificent panorama below.

Last but not least, the town boasts 2 parks: the Moncora eco-park and the Parc des Arts. Parc Moncora, as its name suggests, is an ecologically-initiated park where only natural fertilizers are used, the idea being to raise awareness among locals and, above all, tourists of a more environmentally-friendly alternative. The fauna is extremely varied.

For your last day in Colombia's most beautiful village, we recommend a visit to Salto del Mico.

Situated at the far end of the town, el salto del mico is a veritable mirador offering breathtaking views of the valley and mountains. You can also take beautiful photos of the landscape and enjoy the tranquility of the place.

Finally, we'd like to suggest a hike just outside town, the Camino Real. If you love nature and hiking, Barichara is the place for you. The Camino Real (also known as the Guanes trail) links Barichara to the nearby village of Guane. The 9km path is completely paved, and the hike lasts between 2 and 3 hours, depending on your pace. It will take you to the town of Guane, from where you can admire some magnificent scenery. This trail will enable you to learn more about the Guanes, the local indigenous population, since at the end of the trail you can visit the Guane archaeological and paleontological museum. If you wish, you can also visit the church of Santa Lucia.

Cobbled streets, 16th, 17th and 18th century buildings, .... In Girón, a real journey through time awaits you. In addition to its splendid architecture, the village is also renowned for its breathtaking landscapes of coffee and tobacco plantations. Along the way, be sure to stop off at the magnificent "El Salto de los Duendes" viewpoint at Mesa de Los Santos. This is one of the most incredible views of the Chicamocha Canyon.

Still little known to tourists, the town of Playa Belén is nonetheless one of Colombia's real gems. Contrary to what its name might suggest, it's not a beach, but a charming colonial village in the Santander region, declared a National Monument in 2005. The village is also famous for its Areá Unica Los Estoraques rock formations, one of Santander's most beautiful natural sites. Immense stone sculptures rise into the sky, immersing visitors in a rather unreal atmosphere.

On your first day here, we recommend you try your hand at pottery. In this village, clay is the ideal material for artistically shaping the landscape. In fact, much of its pottery production is inspired by Los Estoraques, in different themes and sizes. Pottery is also used to make useful objects such as lamps, candlesticks, crockery and decorative elements. The craftsmen's aim is to maintain the tradition of traditional potters.

You can also visit the Church of San Jose, the only Catholic church in La Playa de Belén. It stands on the only square in the Ángel Cortés park, next to a white arch lined with flowers. This is the shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, patron saint of the village, whose image was brought here from Barcelona (Spain) in 1932.

On your second day in Playa de Belén, we recommend you visit the town's various viewpoints. There are two of them: The Mirador de Santa Cruz: a great place to admire the landscape from the village. The cemetery / mirador de los muertos: you might not think of visiting a cemetery. However, situated on a plateau over 150 metres high, the village cemetery is well worth a visit. When you arrive on the hill, you quickly realize that the scenery is a real reward. And indeed, you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire village, including its urban center!

We also recommend a visit to Los Pinos Park. Los Pinos is a special place that has been reforested with pine trees, as the name suggests. It's an ideal place to take beautiful photographs of the forest, or simply to relax and have a good time. What's more, it's only a 30-minute drive from Los Estoraques.

A colonial city dating back to the 16th century, Mompox has preserved its history and way of life. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists and cars are a rare sight here, unlike the many traditional fishermen's pirogues that ply the Magdalena River. A moment out of time and off the beaten track that won't leave you indifferent!

On your first day here, you'll take a boat tour to discover the local flora and fauna. After this excursion, you can take a stroll through the town's historic center, which is well worth a visit. The town is still as it was in colonial times: with its typical architecture and narrow, cobbled streets, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time!

For this second day in Mompox, we recommend visiting the churches, of which there are 6, so you'll be spoilt for choice. However, we'd advise you to see the red San Francisco church, which stands out from the other 5. You can also continue your stroll, passing through Santa Barbara Square and Conception Square, where you can stop for a coffee.

For this third day in Mompox, we recommend discovering Mompox by water. There are boat excursions on the Pijinos River, which we recommend you take in the afternoon to watch the sun set over the water - a magical moment!

Finally, we recommend a visit to a goldsmith's workshop. A true art form, this is the town's specialty, especially gold filigree, which is highly developed in Mompox.

The tour continues with a must-see: the city of Cartagena, nicknamed the Pearl of the Caribbean. Stroll through the streets of the historic center and let yourself be carried away by its singular architecture, colors and flower-filled balconies. Fans of street art? Take a trip to Getsemani, Cartagena's trendy district. Lose yourself in the galleries of San Felipe Castle, the largest fortress built by the Spanish during the colonial period. In the evening, enjoy the city's festive atmosphere and show off your salsa skills!

On your second day in Cartagena, discover the Castillo San Felipe: Encircling the entire historic city over a length of 11 km, the Castillo San Felipe is one of the largest and best-preserved ramparts in South America. Special mention must be made of the extraordinary view from the castle over the entire city and the Caribbean Sea in the distance.

You can also create your own handcrafted Coco souvenir: we know Coco for its refreshing and aromatic virtues, but what is less well known is that it is an excellent material for creating a variety of accessories. Jewelry, boxes, belts... Let your imagination guide you as you participate in a beautiful project. This workshop is the work of the DAMARTES (Damas y Madres del Arte) project, an association formed by 7 women, making them the first women in the La Boquilla region to generate their own income.

Enjoy a final stroll around Cartagena before boarding a flight to Bogota for your return journey.