Discover Colombia in a week: Bogotá and Cartagena

  • Stroll through the colourful streets of Cartagena
  • Take a day trip to the tropical Rosario Islands in Colombia | Travel Nation

    Take a day trip to the gorgeous Rosario Islands

  • Explore the colonial centre of Bogota in Colombia | Travel Nation

    Explore the colonial centre of Bogota in Colombia

  • Visit the underground Zipaquira salt cathedral in Bogota | Travel Nation

    Visit the underground Zipaquira salt cathedral in Bogota

  • Wander through the bright streets and alleys of Cartagena | Travel Nation
  • Cathedral, Bogota, Colombia

    Cathedral, Bogota, Colombia

  • Get a taste of Colombia's traditions in Cartagena | Travel Nation

    Get a taste of Colombia's traditions in Cartagena

  • Stroll through sun-drenched plazas in Cartagena | Travel Nation

    Stroll through sun-drenched plazas in Cartagena

Trip ideas

Duration(in days): 6

From: Bogotá

To: Cartagena

From

£1,065

Exc. International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing)

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See more ideas for: Colombia

Colombia is a country of colourful contrasts, and this itinerary is an excellent introduction to two of its most beautiful cities. First, you’ll visit cosmopolitan Bogotá, cradled by chilly Andean peaks and boasting sophisticated urban cool. You’ll spend two days exploring the charming historic centre of Bogotá before heading to Cartagena, the undisputed queen of the Caribbean. Here, you can wander through the cobbled colonial streets, bathed in the tropical sunshine and surrounded by the bright blue waters of the ocean.  It’s a brilliant way to get a taste of Colombia in a week.             

This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements, so please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a tour of La Candelaria, the historic centre of Bogotá        
  • Visit the famous Gold Museum in the Colombian capital             
  • Soak up panoramic views of Cartagena from the Monasterio de la Popa              
  • Buy souvenirs at the artisan centre in the Bovedas
  • Stretch out in the Caribbean sunshine on the Rosario Islands

 

Itinerary in brief:

  • 2 nights in Bogotá           
  • 3 nights in Cartagena    

Day 1: Arrive Bogotá      

Upon arrival at El Dorado airport, you will be met and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.            

Day 2: Full day city tour and Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral      

After breakfast today, you will be picked up by your guide and taken on a full day tour of the main highlights of Bogotá and its surroundings. Your first stop is the magnificent Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, just over an hour outside the city. Buried within the deep tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres underground, it’s a real achievement of engineering. After a tasty local lunch, you will return to Bogotá in the early afternoon, and explore La Candelaria, historic suburb of the city. You will end the tour at the famous Gold Museum. After the trip, you will be taken back to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the day.

Day 3: Travel to Cartagena  

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to the airport, where you will catch a domestic flight to Cartagena. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel, where you will check in and enjoy the rest of the day. 

Day 4: Half day panoramic tour    

You’ll begin today with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. From here, you can see the entire city and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The tour will then continue to the Ciudad Vieja (Old City), a maze of cobbled streets, outdoor cafes and bougainvillaea tumbling over the balconies. You will finish the tour at the Bovedas archways, nowadays an important handicraft market packed with colourful artworks. The afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish.           

Day 5: Full day Rosario Islands tour

Today, you’ll take a full-day tropical excursion to the Rosario Islands. Soak in the warm Caribbean sunshine, snorkel or sunbathe on the sandy beaches. Less than an hour by boat from Cartagena, the Rosario Islands are surrounded by beautiful blue waters. Buy a cocktail, laze in the shape of a coconut palm and cool off in the clear Caribbean.

Day 6: Depart Cartagena

Today you will be transferred to Cartagena airport to catch your onward flight.               

Cradled by the Andes, Bogotá enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year, with cool days and crisp nights. On sunny days, the temperatures can rise to the mid-twenties, but the heat is generally gentle. In Cartagena, the climate is very warm and tropical, with bright Caribbean sunshine. The rainy season runs from May to November, although this usually means a daily heavy shower to clear the air.

We've done a similar trip

If you'd like to get a feel for this trip, read our blog post, 'Visit Colombia: it's safe, it's beautiful and here are my top 6 spots', written by one of our consultants who has been there.

This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements. Please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.

What's included
  • Meals as per the itinerary           
  • Private transfers
  • Guided excursions with bilingual guide
  • Domestic flight from Bogotá to Cartagena
Not included
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary   
  • Tips and expenses of a personal nature               

5 nights in 3* standard accommodation.

Hotels in this category include:

  • Hotel B3 Virrey
  • Hotel Tres Banderas