Day 1 – Bogota (D)
Arrive in the Colombian capital and get transferred to your hotel to no doubt get some rest after your long flight.
Day 2 – Bogota (B, L, D)
First things first, we will start with a meeting and a presentation of the trip and answer any questions you may have. We then commence a walking tour of the city centre. You will discover the colonial district of la Candelaria, Bogota’s historical centre and its squares and markets. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and to understand their way of life.
After Discovering more of the Bogota districts and practising some street photography, we will visit the famous Gold Museum and Botero Museum where we will be able to admire the masterpieces of the renowned Colombian painters and sculptors. Then, after a short break at the hotel, we’ll head to the highest tower in Bogota to photograph the city during the Blue Hour.
Day 3 – Bogota => Villa de Leyva (B, L, D)
This morning we’ll leave for the town of Villa de Leyva with a stop at Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. Zipaquira was declared a national Colombian heritage site and is well-known for its Salt Cathedral that was built inside of a salt mine. We will then continue onto Villa de Leyva.
After checking into our hotel, we’ll commence a walking tour of Villa De Leyva, another National Historic Heritage Site and one of the oldest colonial sites in Colombia. We’ll explore the Plaza Mayor (one of the largest and most beautiful squares in South American). From the small streets to the white houses of this timeless little town, you will be captivated by the gentle pace of life and encounters.
This evening after some blue hour photography we’ll enjoy dinner in the main square of Villa de Leyva.
Day 4 – Villa de Leyva => Raquira => Villa de Leyva (B, L, D)
After visiting Villa de Leyva’s local market we depart for the monastery of Saint Ecce Homo, and the fabulous house of Casa Terra Cota.
After lunch, we’ll arrive at the village of Raquira where you will have some free time to buy souvenirs. This afternoon we’ll visit the village of Raquira. This village specialises in pottery, an ancestral tradition that comes from the pre-Columbian civilizations. We’ll be visiting many pottery workshops for some photography. Our sunset shoot will be back in Villa de Leyva.
Day 5 – Villa de Leyva => Barichara (B, L, D)
This morning after breakfast we leave for Barichara, a traditional town located in the Andes also called the “Red Town” due to the colour of its bricks. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of the town before lunch.
Considered the “most charming” village in Colombia, we visit Barichara this afternoon and stroll through its alleyways. We will then stop by the church of Santa Barbara, the viewpoint of the Suarez Canyon, the Central Park and the Sculpture Park. We also visit the workshops of artisans and artists of the region (painting, sculpture, paper, tobacco). We’ll end our day with a photoshoot in Barichara Square at sunset and blue hour.
Day 6 – Barichara (B, L, D)
This morning we’ll walk to the village of Guane where life seems to be cradled by an ancestral rhythm. Its whitewashed mud houses, stone streets and small archaeological museum are beautiful. We’ll then return by tuk-tuk from Guane to Barichara to enjoy some street photo photography. Our sunset shoot will be at a location with a nice view over Suarez Canyon.
Day 7 – Barichara => Barlovento (B, L, D)
We’ll leave Barichara this morning and head to Panachi – Chicamocha National Park. On the road, we’ll admire the impressive Chicamocha Canyon that crosses Boyaca and Santander. This 227-kilometre long natural marvel will leave you breathless!
In order to optimize your experience of the Chicamocha Natural Park, we will take the “teleférico” (cable car) until Mesa de los Santos. This gives us another view of the amazing scenery that surrounds you. We’ll also explore a small village nearby before heading to the airport to catch our internal flight.
Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel in Tayrona Park area before heading out for a shoot at sunset.
Day 8 – Tayrona Park (B, L, D)
We’ll leave our heavy suitcases behind and pack a small overnight bag for our 2-hour hike through the park. This hike in Tayrona Park will take you to a magical place located between mountains, tropical forest and the sea. You will discover the most beautiful white sand beaches of the country and ancestral volcanic rocks in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. During the tour, you will see an abundance of wildlife and especially birds.
En route, we’ll have a picnic and at La Piscina which is a beautiful beach. Tonight we will be camping just 50m away from the most iconic beach of in Colombia – Cabo San Juan. There will be free time in the afternoon to enjoy the beach or the crystal clear waters before a sunset shoot on the beach.
Day 9 – Tayrona Park (B, L, D)
This will be a relaxed day in our trip! We will start with a photo session at sunrise but then you will have free time to enjoy Cabo San Juan.
This afternoon we’ll be heading back into the forest to see more of the amazing wildlife. This evening if conditions allow, we’ll try to get some night shots of the stars.
Day 10 – Tayrona Park => Minca => Mundo Nuevo (B, L, D)
This morning we’ll be heading to a different viewpoint at sunrise to capture more photos of Cabo San Juan del Guia. After breakfast will we walk back to the park entrance to take our private transport to the village of Minca located high in the Sierra Nevada.
In the afternoon, time permitting we’ll visit a Cacao Farm to meet an indigenous family living here. We’ll spend a bit of time practising our portrait photography before retiring back to the hotel for a photo session at sunset from the hotel’s viewpoint.
Day 11 – Mundo Nuevo => Nueva Venecia => Cartagena (B, L, D)
This morning we’ll leave early to visit a place located in Cienaga Grande. It’s a small village of fisherman living on the water at Nueva Venecia. This is a place that has escaped tourism and so it has kept its authenticity.
It is the widest lagoon and the most important in Colombia and it is also one of the main fishing resources of the northern coast. It is considered a strategic point of vital importance for the planet.
We will take a private boat to reach the mangrove and observe some of the local birds before arriving at the small village of Buena Vista where we will meet fishermen to learn more about them. We will also visit the local school (subject to opening times) and interact with the Palafitos inspired by afro culture.
Lunch will be by the Lagoon. Then we will leave for the city of Cartagena where we will enjoy an afternoon walk around the city.
Day 12 – Cartagena (B, L, D)
Today we’ll follow in the footsteps of famous pirates and discover the “Pearl of the Caribbean”. This is a city rich in culture, diversity and heritage. We will get up early to witness the beautiful historical centre of Cartagena without the tourists. We will meet a Palenquera (fruit Seller) to capture maybe the most iconic shots of your trip!
This afternoon we’ll head over to a beautiful district of Cartagena – Getsemani district. This district has remarkable architecture and we’ll so more of the authentic side of the city.
There will be some free time this afternoon or we can return to the city centre to see street dancers in the main square.
It’s our last night together so we’ll meet early for a sunset cocktail before enjoying our farewell meal together.
Day 14 – End Of Tour (B)
Our trip ends together so after breakfast you’ll be transferred to Cartagena airport for your onward journey.
