Buenos dias! Welcome to Colombia. After you have settled into your hotel, meet up with your group and enjoy a short orientation walk of the colorful, cobblestone streets of Bogotá. Your welcome dinner this evening will take place at a much sought-after local restaurant run by a renowned Colombian chef. 

Get to know the sights and delights of vibrant Bogotá this morning on a walking tour of the city. You’ll visit the Gold Museum which boasts the largest pre-Hispanic gold collection in the world. Followed by the Botero Museum to view one of the most important collections of international art anywhere in Latin America. And finally take a cable car 10,000 feet up to the summit of Monserrate, a mountain once held sacred by the indigenous Muisca who once roamed these lands, for stunning views across the city. Lunch will be a typical Colombian ajiaco, a hearty soup made from potatoes, corn, and guascas - a Colombian herb. Enjoy a beer this afternoon and a Tejo tournament (a traditional Colombian throwing game), followed by dinner at a funky bistro specializing in native dishes. 

Today you’ll meet the inspiring people behind Breaking Borders, a charity project located in the Egipto Barrio, a neighborhood once rocked by gang violence. The aim of Breaking Borders is to train and empower vulnerable local people who have been affected by crime, teaching them practical skills that will help them to earn money and lead a normal life. You will take part in traditional weaving and wood carving workshops and learn about traditional Colombian crafts. Afterwards, you’ll take to the city streets to discover the fantastically clever and vibrant street art of Bogotá. Your evening is free to explore at your leisure.

Your morning is free to continue your exploration of Bogotá, we recommend trying the legendary tamales at the tiny, 200 year old snack shop La Puerta Falsa. You’ll then hop on an afternoon flight to Medellín, known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring.’ Dinner this evening will consist of elevated local cuisine at a beautifully decorated restaurant with a rooftop patio and a speakeasy vibe.

Today you’ll get to know Medellín, Colombia’s second largest city located in the picturesque Aburrá Valley. Once famous as the most dangerous place in the world, known as the stomping ground of Pablo Escobar, the city has undergone a drastic regeneration process in recent years. Get a sense of the history of Medellìn on a walking tour with a local guide; enjoy panoramic views of the city, explore the famous sculptures of Plaza Botero, and take the Metrocable to Santo Domingo, a neighborhood once dominated by gang violence. Learn how the innovative installation of escalators in Comuna 13, a community located high up on the city’s hillside, has transformed life for residents here.

Explore Medellín's Moravia neighborhood, once the city’s municipal garbage dump and home to its poorest people. Today it is known for its strong community spirit, and as an epicenter of art, culture and entrepreneurship. Take a walk around with a local who has seen the transformation of the area firsthand. In the afternoon, get to grips with Colombian coffee culture at a coffee farm in the mountains. Wander through the plantations, learn all about coffee ‘from plant to cup,’ and enjoy spectacular views across the mountains towards the city. A free evening in Medellín awaits.

Join a cooking class and with lunch included at a community-based social transformation project, empowering low-income Colombians to cook and sell healthy food at affordable prices using local produce. A Canadian chef created this unique food project several years ago and all funds generated through your visit are reinvested back into the community. In the afternoon you’ll take a short flight to Cartagena, the oldest city in the Americas. Dinner will be at a historic restaurant that celebrates Colombian coastal ingredients and gastronomy. 

Head out of Cartagena to savor fantastic views over the whole city from La Popa Convent, and admire San Felipe de Barajas, one of the biggest fortresses in South America. Back in the city, you’ll learn about the origins of Cartagena, hear stories of pirates and buccaneers and visit some of its most important landmarks, such as the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower), and the Monument of Don Pedro de Heredia, founder of Cartagena de Indias. Take a Champeta dance class, and learn the basics of this joyful Afro-Colombian dance style. Later in the afternoon, find out why Colombia is famous for producing some of the world’s best coffee and chocolate, as you indulge in a rum and chocolate tasting with a top mixologist. Enjoy a solo evening exploring Cartagena. 

Today you’ll visit La Boquilla, a fishing village with Afro-Caribbean roots, where you’ll canoe your way around two big lagoons with a local fisherman by your side. A wide variety of fish - sea bass, sea bream, mullet, clams, shrimp, crawfish and lobster - are caught here everyday via traditional techniques. Visit one of the fisherman's houses to cook your catch and enjoy lunch together. In the afternoon, you’ll discover the secrets of Afro Colombian folk music during a convivial Drum Workshop. End your day with a sumptuous farewell dinner at one of Latin America’s top 50 restaurants.

Your Colombia adventure ends today. A private transfer to Cartagena airport will take you on to your next destination. If you plan to continue your travels throughout this beautiful and thought-provoking country check out the Atlas Obscura Guide to Colombia for further inspiration.