Colombia, between sea and mountains

BOGOTA
Flight to Bogota. Welcome at the airport by your French-speaking guide.

Situated on a vast high plateau 2,600 m above sea level, Bogota is a metropolis of more than 8 million inhabitants, drawn from every region of Colombia — a city as diverse as the country itself. Its architecture reflects more than four centuries of history. The Andean capital, gateway to the Amazon, will charm you with its colonial quarter as well as La Candelaria, a neighbourhood of brightly coloured houses. Bogota’s artistic reputation owes much to Botero, who made the city his muse; the foundation bearing his name is well worth a visit. Two nights here are not too many to fall for the architecture, the craftsmanship, and the atmosphere of this city.

VILLA DE LEYVA
The particularly warm climate of this village and its Moorish-influenced architecture give the impression of being in Andalusia.

Villa de Leyva was founded in 1572 and built according to Spanish architectural standards. Its stone streets lend it the magical character of a world steeped in history and legend. The main square is vast, covering 14,000 m². Arriving in Villa de Leyva, you will walk through the past along cobbled streets, admire the patios of period houses, and take in this authentic colonial village where religion, architecture, lush landscape, and the passion of Boyacá converge — an unforgettable experience, a return to the source.

TAYRONA NATIONAL NATURAL PARK
In the Sierra Nevada, along the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Tayrona National Park is a nature reserve home to numerous animal and plant species. It is also a refuge for peasant communities and indigenous peoples such as the Kogui. These are among the indigenous populations most attached to their traditions — the Kogui, Kankuamo, Wiwa, and Arhuaco survived in these mountains not only the Spanish invasion but later the greed of large landowners and the civil war.

Our favourite:
Ecohabs is a superb lodge located at the heart of Tayrona National Park, in the Cañaveral area, one of the finest establishments in the country. Inspired by traditional Tayrona construction, the 14 bungalows are built from materials sourced locally while offering all the essentials of modern comfort. Set within a remarkable stretch of greenery facing the Caribbean Sea, Ecohabs is the perfect place to unwind, disconnect from the world, observe nature, and enjoy the coves, beaches, and coral reefs of Tayrona Park. To complete the relaxation, the establishment offers its guests a wide range of facial and body treatments and massages.

EL DORADO RESERVE
El Dorado is one of the largest bird reserves in the Americas. A 4×4 will take you up San Lorenzo mountain, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada glacier and the Caribbean Sea — a striking contrast. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a unique massif entirely separate from the Andes range, holds the greatest concentration of continental bird species in the world. The reserve also has one of the highest concentrations of amphibian species; nearly all its flora and most of its fauna are endemic. Yet the Sierra Nevada remains remarkably little known, despite at least two new bird species discovered since 2007.

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS
A UNESCO World Heritage city, Cartagena de Indias faces the Caribbean Sea and was, for nearly four centuries, where the gold of the Americas was stored. Repeatedly attacked by pirates, it is also the most heavily fortified city in the Americas. Cartagena de Indias, the Creole pearl of Colombia, combines an impressive colonial heritage with unmistakably Caribbean energy. Above the Andalusian-arabesque houses of the colonists who plundered Inca gold rise the bell towers of churches, built in thanksgiving for such opulence. The Spanish turned it, through monumental fortifications, into the most jealously guarded city of their empire — before independence covered it in opulent palaces in the 19th century. A beauty today adorned in the warm colours of the Caribbean. Wander its streets and plazas to the rhythm of cumbia colombiana.

In summary:
– 3 nights in Bogota
– 1 night in Villa de Leyva
– 2 nights in Tayrona
– 2 nights in El Dorado
– 3 nights in Cartagena