10 Days  •  9 Nights

Colombia & the Amazon

Bogota (2N) - Amazon/Leticia (3N) - Cartagena (4N)

Tour Includes

Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
Transfers
Local Guide
Activities
Overview

About the Trip

Colombia offers the extraordinary chance to combine Andean cities and Caribbean charm with the wildlife of the Amazon, and this ten-day journey brings them together. You begin in high-altitude Bogota with its gold museum and culture, then fly deep into the Colombian Amazon around Leticia, on the triple frontier where Colombia, Peru and Brazil meet. There you cruise jungle rivers and creeks, walk rainforest trails, stay at a jungle lodge, and spot monkeys, pink river dolphins, caimans, sloths and countless birds, meeting indigenous communities along the way. Finally you unwind in colonial Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, with its walled old town and island beaches. Combining Andean culture, Amazon wildlife and Caribbean colour, it is a wonderfully varied journey through Colombia's astonishing diversity.
Highlights

Trip Highlights

  • High-altitude Bogota and its gold museum
  • The wildlife-rich Colombian Amazon
  • Jungle river cruises and rainforest walks
  • Pink river dolphins, monkeys and caimans
  • Indigenous Amazon communities
  • Colonial Cartagena and Caribbean beaches
Itinerary

Day by Day

A detailed day-by-day plan for this 10-day journey.

Day 1

Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the capital. Take it easy to adjust to the altitude, with a welcome dinner of Colombian cuisine.

Your Journey This Day
Bogota Airport
Arrival · Private
Bogota hotel
Meals Included
Breakfast|Dinner
Day 2

A guided tour of Bogota, the historic Candelaria, the Gold Museum, the Botero collection and the funicular up Monserrate for city views.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3

You fly deep into the Colombian Amazon to Leticia, on the triple frontier, then travel by boat to a jungle lodge, with a first river excursion and caiman spotting after dark.

Your Journey This Day
Bogota
Flight & boat · Domestic and river
Amazon lodge
Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
Day 4

A full day exploring the Amazon, cruising jungle creeks, walking rainforest trails and canoeing among flooded forest, spotting monkeys, sloths and countless birds with expert guides.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
Day 5

A day of river safaris in search of pink river dolphins, a visit to an indigenous community, and the Amacayacu forest, immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
Day 6

You fly north to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Settle in and take an evening stroll through the walled old town as it comes alive with music and colour.

Your Journey This Day
Leticia
Flight · Domestic
Cartagena
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7

A guided walking tour of Cartagena's UNESCO-listed old town, its colourful mansions, plazas, churches and the San Felipe fortress.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8

A day trip by boat to the Rosario Islands for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing on white-sand beaches, with a fresh seafood lunch.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch
Day 9

A free day to enjoy Cartagena, its Getsemani district, rooftop bars and cuisine, with a farewell dinner.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 10

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, having journeyed from the Andes to the Amazon and the Caribbean.

Your Journey This Day
Cartagena
Departure · Private
Cartagena Airport
Meals Included
Breakfast
Route Map

Where You Will Travel

Package

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and full board at the Amazon lodge
  • Airport and internal transfers
  • Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
  • Domestic flights as specified
  • National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
  • a Bogota tour, an Amazon jungle programme, a Cartagena old town tour and domestic flights

Exclusions

  • International airfare
  • Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
  • Drinks unless specifically stated
  • Optional excursions and experiences
  • Personal expenses and gratuities
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Best Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Colombia (Amazon and Caribbean)
Conditions
Mild, drier
Daily max temperature
19°C
Monthly rainfall
50mm
Weather data is based on monthly averages. Popularity rating
Good to Know
  • Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
  • Currency: The currency is the Colombian Peso; cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but carry cash for markets, small vendors and the coffee region and coast. We advise on current money matters
  • Diverse climates: Colombia sits near the equator, so temperature depends more on altitude than season, Bogota is cool, Medellin is the 'city of eternal spring', and the Caribbean coast is hot year-round; pack for the range in your itinerary
  • Best time to visit: Colombia is a year-round destination; the drier months (December to March and July to August) are ideal, though the coffee region and coast are lovely throughout, with occasional rain
  • Getting around: Colombia is large and mountainous, so itineraries use domestic flights between regions such as Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin and the coffee region; these are arranged and included where specified
  • Safety: Colombia has transformed in recent decades and is a warm, welcoming and increasingly popular destination; we use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions, and most visitors find it friendly, safe and easy in the areas we visit
  • Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon and some jungle and coastal areas; bring insect repellent and sun protection, and drink bottled water outside the main cities. We advise on current requirements
  • Culture & power: Colombians are famously warm and welcoming; a little Spanish goes a long way, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 110V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

A yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and sometimes required, for Colombia's Amazon region. We advise you to check current requirements well before travel, and to bring insect repellent and appropriate clothing for the jungle.

What is the Amazon lodge like?

You stay at a comfortable jungle lodge reached by boat, with full board and expert guides. It offers an authentic Amazon experience with river cruises, jungle walks and wildlife spotting, and options range from rustic to more comfortable; we tailor it to you.

What meals are included?

Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a coffee-farm lunch. Colombia's food, from fresh Caribbean seafood to hearty Andean fare, is a delight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.

Are domestic flights included?

Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Bogota to Cartagena or the coffee region, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.

Is Colombia safe to visit?

Colombia has transformed in recent decades and is a warm, welcoming and increasingly popular destination. We use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions throughout, and most visitors find the areas we visit friendly, safe and easy.

Do I need a visa for Colombia?

Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.

When is the best time to visit Colombia?

Colombia is a year-round destination; the drier months (December to March and July to August) are ideal, though the coffee region and coast are lovely throughout. Temperature depends on altitude, so pack for the range in your itinerary.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, coast, coffee region and jungle, add the Amazon or Tayrona, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.