8-Nights Colombia: Bogota to Cartagena - Marco Polo Journeys from $10,210

Abercrombie & Kent: Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena

DAY 1 Bogotá, Colombia

Arrive in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, where you are metand privately transferred to your hotel. Tonight, gather for afestive welcome dinner.

Explore Paloquemao market with a guide, sampling localdelicacies as you go. Peruse the flower market before headingto Monserrate, a 10,000-foot peak you ascend by funicularrailway or cable car. Explore La Candelaria, the oldest partof Bogotá, distinguished by its many colonial-era buildings.Visit the Plaza de Bolivar and the Gold Museum, viewing itsvast collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts. Throughout yourday, listen as your Resident Tour Director explains crucialaspects of Colombia’s history, including the build up to the Peace Agreement (signed in September 2016) that endedmore than 50 years of conflict. In turn, gain insight intothe current moment, which is setting the foundation for abright future. Tonight, savor dinner at Harry Sasson, one of thecountry’s finest restaurants.

Venture to the Salt Cathedral near Zipaquira. Descend intothis amazing underground church built in a salt mine, passingnaves depicting the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, andenter the 82-foot-high main cathedral. Afterward, enjoylunch at a local restaurant before trying the indigenous sportof Tejo. Then, taste viche, a liquor originated by colonial-eraslaves that’s become a symbol of modern Afro-Colombianculture.

Fly to Medellín, to visit the Parque San Antonio and viewsculptures by Fernando Botero, and continue to the Museumof Antioquia to marvel at its pre-Columbian treasures. Next,ride on the Metrocable gondola lift system for views overthe once-notorious neighborhood of Santo Domingo Savio,and now an example of the social transformation the city hasundergone. Stop in the Comuna 13 neighborhood to learnmore about public renovation projects undertaken here andvisit a business they positively impacted. Then, Ride Like aLocal by tram and cable car, which have greatly improvedcommunity accessibility. Tonight, dine at renowned El CieloRestaurant.

Journey to picturesque Guatape, admiring breathtaking Antioquia along the way. Stroll Guatape’s cobblestonedstreets past colorful pastel-painted buildings and viewmassive Peñol rock. Meet with a local silletero (flowervendor) to learn about life at their organic flower farm.

Fly to Cartagena to indulge in a private tasting of a variety ofrums paired with chocolate and local bites, as you listen tocolorful tales of pirates. Dine this evening at the hotel.

Discover the best of this exuberant city. Start at La Popahill, taking in surrounding vistas. Continue to Cartagena’scolonial walled city and walk its picturesque streets andplazas. Then, visit the Castle San Felipe Barajas, built todefend the city from pirates. Proceed to the church of SanPedro Claver with its fine collection of stained-glass windowsas well as the Naval Museum. Stop at the Inquisition Palaceto view its Baroque entrance hall and finish at the city’s16th-century cathedral. Dine in the enchanting Getsemanídistrict.

Explore the peaceful waters of La Virgen swamp, a coastallagoon separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrowbank of sand and inhabited by dense mangrove forests aswell as over one hundred species of birds. Board a boat tonavigate tunnels of overhanging vegetation that lead toa paradise of native crustaceans. There, in the midst of ashallow mirror of water, cast a fishing net or pull up trapsto access some of the abundant seafood, such as blue crab, dwelling here. Back on shore, gather at a kitchen to watchhow a traditional fishermen and local food concierge preparewhat you’ve caught during a cooking class that highlightslocal ingredients and the catch of the day. Savor the resultsfor lunch to culminate a richly authentic Chef ’s Tableexperience. This evening, transfer to a private catamaran fora harbor cruise and enjoy a Scenic Sundowner while takingin the views of the city. Once back on shore, celebrate yourextraordinary Colombian adventure with a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departingflight.