8 Day Colonial Colombia

Today, we will head out on a half-day visit to the historical centre of Bogota, also known as La Candelaria. This historical suburb is of great significance to the country ́ due to its cultural heritage and its stunning Spanish colonial architecture. The city’s main Plaza is the Plaza de Bolivar, where the statue of Simon Bolivar is found. The plaza was originally used for civil and military purposes The Cathedral found on the plaza's eastern side is constructed on the same spot where the first-ever church was built in 1539. Th...

Today we will leave Bogota to travel to Zipaquirá, the spectacular Salt Cathedral. The name Zipaquirá refers to Zipa, the leader of the Muisca tribe and the chief of these rich salt mines. We will head through a tunnel in the cathedral, taking us to the dome. After we will reach the enormous cross carved into the saline rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. In the central nave is the main altar, with the huge cross made by the Colombian artist Carlos Enriqu...

Today we can enjoy Villa de Leyva by visiting its cultural and ecological attractions. There are many important museums such as the Colonial Art Museum and the Museum of Maestro Acuña, which exhibits works of this important painter, sculptor and writer. The Fossil Museum, founded in 1977, was built in exactly the same place where a kronosaurus, a marine reptile of more than 120 million years old,  was discovered. On the outskirts of the town, there is also "El Infiernito", a pre-Hispanic Muisca site, where around 30 megal...

After breakfast, we will head back to Bogotá, stopping at the Convento del Santo Ecce Homo along the way.  Founded by the Dominicans in 1620, this was an important point of evangelization in a region populated by Indigenous communities. On arrival in Bogota, we will head to the airport our flight to Cartagena and will be taken to our hotel for the evening.

Today, we will visit Cartagena's colonial district, starting in The Parque Bolívar, surrounded by large trees and four impressive fountains, with a statue of El Libertador as the centrepiece. Around the square, the Gold Museum exhibits pre-Hispanic objects, and the Palace of the Inquisition, with its impressive baroque entrance. This building housed the prison and torture chambers for the alleged opponents of the Catholic Church. The visit continues to the Santo Domingo church and the cathedral to end at the Museo de Las Forti...

After breakfast, we will head to San Basilio de Palenque, recognized by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage site. The town’s name comes from the Palenques, communities of escaped slaves from the colonial period of the 17th century.  This community has survived in San Basilio with their practices, customs and traditions. The inhabitants have retained their African influences in their daily routines, including their “palenquera” tongue which blends elements of Spanish with the African dialects of Bantu. We will visit the...

After breakfast, we will head to the airport for your ongoing flight home or to your next exciting destination!