Bogota to Tayrona - 10 days

Bogota to Tayrona - 10 days

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Bogota to Tayrona - 10 days

10 Days Starting in Bogota, Colombia and ending in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Visiting: Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Zona Cafetera, Cartagena, Tayrona National Park

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1846/BOTA

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 10-day journey from Bogota to Tayrona National Park, exploring Colombia's rich culture and stunning landscapes. Begin in Bogota with a city tour, visiting Paloquemao Market, La Candelaria, and the Museo del Oro. Marvel at the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira and the colonial charm of Villa de Leyva. Discover the artisan town of Raquira and the lush Cocora Valley, where you can plant a wax palm. Experience the vibrant city of Cartagena with its colonial architecture and indulge in a culinary tour. Finally, unwind in the breathtaking Tayrona National Park, with its pristine beaches and diverse ecosystems. Enjoy guided tours, local cuisine, and comfortable accommodations throughout this unforgettable adventure.

Highlights

  • Tayrona National Park - Enjoy free time in one of Colombia's most stunning national parks with mangrove swamps, green forest, mountain peaks, and a spectacular coastline.

  • Bogota – Enjoy a tour of Colombia’s capital city, taking in Paloquemao’s Market, the colonial quarter of La Candelaria, and the prominent Plaza de Bolivar.

  • Zipaquira – Marvel at the spectacular Salt Cathedral and Stations of the Cross, all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains.

  • Raquira – Visit this artist town, famous for its pottery, colorful buildings, and colony of artisans.

  • Villa de Leyva – Explore this colonial town and its beautiful architectural features, from wooden balconies and arches to heavy wooden and brass-laden doors.

  • Cocora Valley – Sample the local cocktail of canelazo and plant a wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest variety of palm tree in the world.

  • Cartagena – Join a walking tour including stops at the Convento de la Popa, the Castillo de San Felipe, and a stroll through the markets of La Bovedas.

  • Botanical & Butterfly Garden – Stroll through this garden home to over 1500 butterflies and a variety of local flora and bird species.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Bogota

Location: Bogota

Accommodation Name: hotel

Upon arrival in Colombia you will be met at El Dorado International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Colombia’s thriving capital city at your own pace. In the evening check out Bogota’s many bars and restaurants.

Day 2: Bogota City Tour

Location: Bogota

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today a guided sightseeing tour introduces you to some of the city’s culture and history. Your first stop will be an early morning visit to the colourful Paloquemao Market, one of the largest and important in the country. Here you can witness the interactions between seller and buyer, as you browse the variety of fruit, vegetables, cheeses and medicinal herbs on offer. You’ll also get to enjoy a sampling of exotic fruits and small snack.



Continuing on, your guided tour takes you to the famous and well-preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. If you fancy yourself a bit of whizz behind the lens, these picturesque streets make the perfect subject for stunning travel photos. As you stroll through the streets you’ll pass such sights as the library of Luis Nagel Arango and the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogota. Surrounding the square are remarkable historical buildings, including the Cathedral, Congress Palace, Independence House, Palace of Justice and City Hall.



Your next stop will be Monserrate Hill, referred to locally as the Cerro de Monserrate. This forested mountain has a charming white catholic church sitting upon its summit, where on a clear day you can enjoy a stunning view over the city below. Continue on to the Museo del Oro - where you can learn about the history of gold in Colombia, followed by Museo de Botero - displaying a selection of artwork from a variety of world-renowned artists.

Day 3: Villa De Leyva

Location: Villa de Leyva

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bogota – Villa de Leyva. Leaving Bogota behind your journey continues to the small town of Zipaquira, famed for its extraordinary salt-hewn Stations of the Cross. Crafted from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains, this impressive architectural feat boasts three naves, numerous sculptures and cavernous pools and is a popular local pilgrimage site. From here you’ll travel to the small town of Satatausa where you’ll explore its quaint colonial church, which displays a selection of 17th century paintings by anonymous artists.



A break for lunch will be followed by a visit to the artisan town of Raquira, renowned for its pottery and colourful architecture. Your first stop here will be to one of the many factories on the outskirts of town where members of the local community produce clay pots and decorations. Here you’ll have the chance to observe the process of creating these handicrafts. Later you’ll head into the town centre for some free time to wander around its quaint and colourful streets. Nearby is the Monasterio La Candelaria, which dates back to 1604 and was the first convent to be built in Latin America. Enjoy a short tour of this convent before continuing to Villa de Leyva in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Villa De Leyva

Location: Villa de Leyva

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Villa de Leyva – Zona Cafetera. Get acquainted with Villa de Leyva today with a morning walking tour. Originally founded in 1572 Villa de Leyva is brimming with remnants from its colonial era, with its wooden balconies, decorative arches and wooden and brass laden doors. This quiet town has an easy going ambience that is quick to charm. After a break for lunch, drive to Bogota airport for your flight to the Zona Cafetera.

Day 5: Zona Cafetera

Location: Zona Cafetera

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning embark on a full day guided excursion to some of Colombia’s most charming villages and small towns, plus the truly spectacular Cocora Valley. Your first port of call will be the traditional village of Filandia, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the small town centre with its colourful Plaza de Bolivar, quaint colonial streets and typical fondas, or restaurant-bars, where you can sample the local liquor. Just outside of town is the Colina Iluminada viewpoint where you can enjoy views of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle.



Departing Filandia, continue your journey to the majestic Cocora Valley home to the wax palm – the tallest variety of palm tree in the world and Colombia’s national tree. Prepare to be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of flora and fauna here before enjoying a warming local cocktail called canelazo, a popular tipple across most of South America. Later a guided tour will take you through the forest landscape to learn about the importance of conservation in the area. You can even do your part in protecting the environment by planting your very own wax palm with the Ritual de la Palma. Enjoy a traditional lunch of smoked trout before continuing to your next stop, Salento.



Dating back to 1842, Salento is one of the area’s first settlements and is today home to centuries-old buildings housing restaurants, bars, handicraft shops and souvenir stores. There’s free time to explore this charming town before journeying back to the Zona Cafetera and your hotel for the evening.

Day 6: Coffee Tour & Butterfly Garden

Location: Zona Cafetera

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Zona Cafetera – Cartagena. As you wake in the heart of Colombia’s Zona Cafetera, what better way to spend the day than by learning about the country’s production of this aromatic bean? Start the day with a visit to the Hacienda Combia coffee farm where you’ll embark on a unique nine stop interactive tour that recreates the essential elements, environmental conditions and technical processes required to grow Colombia’s high quality coffee.



After a break for lunch continue on to a Botanical and Butterfly Garden. Stretching across ten hectares of Andean forest, this garden is home to 180 species of butterfly along with 850 varieties of local flora and 126 species of bird. Enjoy a walking tour here before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Cartagena.

Day 7: Cartagena

Location: Cartagena

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend today getting familiar with the colourful city of Cartagena, where the cobble-stone streets are lined with beautiful colonial architecture and artisans ply their trade to the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages. Begin today with a walking tour of the city starting with the Convento de la Popa, a 17th century convent nestled on a hilltop overlooking the city below, followed by a visit to the Castillo de San Felope – a once-powerful fortress built in the 1600s under Spanish colonisation.



Your tour continues with a walk through La Bovedas, a series of vaults that were first built for military purposes in the 18th century and today house colourful craft market stalls. Your walking tour ends with a stroll through the cobbled streets of this charming city, so that you can admire its many colonial houses, flower-adorned balconies, pretty squares and bustling plazas.



This afternoon a different kind of tour awaits, one that that is bound to get your taste buds tingling. Join a gastronomic walking tour of Cartagena led by a local guide, where you’ll have the opportunity to get a real taste of Colombian cuisine as you make stops at seven authentic food vendors, each with a different delicious tasting.

Day 8-9: Tayrona National Park

Location: Tayrona National Park

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cartagena – Tayrona National Park. On the morning of day 8 you’ll be transferred to your next and final port of call – the impressive Tayrona National Park. With a spectacular coastline, beautiful beaches, mangrove swamps, green forest and verdant mountain peaks, it is no wonder why Tayrona is considered one of Colombia’s most precious natural treasures. The variety of flora and fauna is extraordinary here, as is the presence of several indigenous communities. Spend the remainder of today and tomorrow enjoying the history, activities and nature this national park has to offer.

Day 10: Tayrona National Park

Location: Tayrona National Park

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today your touring arrangements in Colombia come to an end. After breakfast and hotel check-out you will be transferred to Santa Marta airport for your onward travel.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Standard (superior and deluxe available on request)

  • 9 breakfasts and 3 lunches

    The tour includes 9 breakfasts and 3 lunches during your stay.

  • 9 nights 3-4 star hotels

    Accommodation for 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels is included, with an option to upgrade to superior accommodation upon request.

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer

    Airport arrival and departure transfers are provided on day 1 and day 10.

  • Services of local English-speaking specialist guides

    The tour includes services of local English-speaking specialist guides.

  • Entrance fees to all sites and activities

    Entrance fees to all sites and activities as described in the itinerary are included.

  • All relevant transfers and transportation

    All relevant transfers and transportation during the tour are included.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas

    International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.

  • Domestic flights

    Domestic flights are not included.

    South American airpasses are available with LATAM and other airline carriers when booked in conjunction with international flights, offering significant savings on domestic flights.

Age Policy

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 10, along with all relevant transfers and transportation during the itinerary, ensuring seamless travel between destinations.

Accommodation

Enjoy 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels with the option to upgrade to superior accommodation upon request, ensuring a comfortable stay throughout your journey.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels, with an option to upgrade to superior accommodation upon request.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    Yes, airport arrival and departure transfers are included on day 1 and day 10 of the tour.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 9 breakfasts and 3 lunches.

  • Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour price?

    Yes, entrance fees to all sites and activities described in the itinerary are included.

  • Is there a guided tour of Bogota included in the itinerary?

    Yes, there is a guided sightseeing tour of Bogota, which includes visits to Paloquemao Market, La Candelaria, Plaza de Bolivar, Monserrate Hill, Museo del Oro, and Museo de Botero.

  • What activities are available in Tayrona National Park during the tour?

    In Tayrona National Park, you can enjoy the spectacular coastline, beautiful beaches, mangrove swamps, green forests, and verdant mountain peaks. The park offers a variety of flora and fauna and the presence of several indigenous communities.

  • Is there a coffee tour included in the itinerary?

    Yes, the tour includes a visit to the Hacienda Combia coffee farm, where you will embark on a nine-stop interactive tour to learn about the production of Colombian coffee.

  • What is the age policy for this tour?

    The tour is not recommended for children under 5 years old.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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