Do you have clients unsure whether Colombia would meet their needs as a destination? Our writer speaks to four top operators to find out which Colombia itineraries would suit solo travellers, groups, nature enthusiasts, luxury travellers, foodies and those with a special interest or on a budget.
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Intrepid’s Cafe Colombia is the supplier’s most popular itinerary for solo travellers, allowing them to explore the country’s landscapes and culture with a group of likeminded travellers. Starting in the highlands of the coffee region, travellers will master coffee roasting techniques on a traditional plantation and explore the town of Salento. Next they’ll experience the city of Medellin, famous for its art scene and nightlife, before concluding the trip in Cartagena. Along the way, travellers will enjoy a guided hike through the Cocora Valley and have a go at Colombia’s national sport, tejo.
Book it: 9 days from £1,536pp
If your client has two weeks to spare, G Adventures’ Classic Colombia will take them to the national parks, beaches, village communities and cities. Plus, there’s no better place to be if you’re looking to try delicacies such as fresh seafood on the beaches of Cartagena and delicious coffee from the Calarca.
Book it: From £ 2749pp excluding international flights
Journey Latin America’s Weaverbird: Spirit of Colombia adventurous group journey will see your clients discover the mysterious archaeological park at San Agustin, enjoy a farm stay in Colombia’s bucolic coffee country, lie back on Caribbean beaches at Tayrona National Park and then dip into the culture of Cartagena. This one could also be appropriate for solo travellers looking for company.
Book it: 16 days starts from £2,904pp
Nature lovers will love Journey Latin America’s Off the Beaten Track Colombia: Colonial Towns to the Llanos, which sees visitors wander through enchanting colonial towns in the highlands east of Bogota, spotting an array of wildlife on the floodplains of Los Llanos, among the less-visited regions.
Book it: 13 days from £4,300pp
Intrepid’s Explore Colombia 10-day trip takes in Tayrona National Park’s natural beauty with its beaches and jungle, and explores the scenic trails and hidden swimming holes in the Guachaca region. Your clients will visit the streets of Barichara and the adventure hotspot of San Gil. In Cartagena, they can bathe in therapeutic mud at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo and rinse off in a nearby lagoon. The group will also stay in a family-run jungle guesthouse in Guachaca, where they’ll learn about pre-Hispanic Tayrona culture, meet an indigenous community member, and contribute to a reforestation project.
Book it: 10 days from £1,478pp
For your luxury travellers, Journey Latin America’s Magdalen River Cruise: Colombia’s Hidden Gems incorporates an expedition cruise along Colombia’s mythical Magdalena River through historic colonial towns pulsating with Latin rhythms.
Book it: 13 days from £4,200pp
The 10-day Colombia: Andean Vistas to Guatape & the Caribbean from G Adventures’ ‘Geluxe’ Collection takes in the sweeping panoramas of Medellin from a cable car to Parque Arvi for a hike, then heads out on a half-day boat and snorkelling trip in Baru. Clients will then sip some of the best coffee in the world with a local expert, feel the spray from the thundering waterfall of Salto del Buey, and cap off their experience in the historic walled city of Cartagena. This curated adventure includes a stay at the lake-front Hotel Luxe in Guatape.
Book it: From £3149pp excluding international flights
For the culture vultures, Journey Latin America’s innovative Off the Beaten Track Colombia: San Agustin and the Amazon to southern Colombia takes in the the mysterious pre-Columbian statues of San Agustin, the colonial city Popayan and the remote communities of Amazonia.
Book it: 12 days from £2,930pp
Travellers can discover the rich and diverse flavours of Colombia with Latin Routes’ 14-day Flavour of Colombia tour. This immersive journey offers a blend of hands-on cooking experiences, market tours and exclusive tastings, including an intimate cooking class to prepare bandeja paisa, a hearty regional dish, coffee tasting and a Gabriel Garcia Marquez literary menu tour. Travellers will visit Bogota, the Coffee region, Medellin and Cartagena.
Book it: 14 days, from £3,899pp including international flights, 11 night’s accommodation, 13 meals plus tours, transfers and domestic flights
Intrepid’s Real Colombia for 18-35-year-olds lasts 12 days, taking travellers on a walking tour of Bogota’s historic La Candelaria, to Salento to play a traditional Tejo game in Salento, and on to Paloquemao market. Other activities include a hike through the Cocora Valley, learning Spanish with an informal lesson, and visiting a coffee plantation in Manizales to see production up close. In Medellin, the Barrio Transformation Tour provides insight into the city’s remarkable renewal, all while keeping costs low.
Book it: 12 days from £1,230pp (18-35-year-olds only)