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Colombia & Brazil Holidays: Cartagena + Medellin + Cocora Valley + Amazon + Rio de Janeiro

Colombia + Brazil: Cartagena + Medellin + Amazon + Rio de Janeiro

18 NIGHTS FROM:

$4,163

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

GRM18B

• Colombia & Brazil Holidays

• Cartagena

• Medellin

• Cocora Valley

• Bogota Gold Museum

• Salt Cathedral

• Amazon Basin

• Rio De Janeiro

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Christ the Redeemer

Our tailor-made Colombia & Brazil holidays combines rich culture with unforgettable wildlife experiences. Begin in the charming walled city of Cartagena, then explore vibrant Medellín and the lush Cocora Valley, home to towering wax palms and colonial villages. Visit Bogotá’s Gold Museum and the underground Salt Cathedral, then fly to the Brazilian Amazon. End your holiday in exciting Rio de Janeiro, soaking up the views from Corcovado Mounatin & relaxing on famous Copacabana Beach.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Cartagena Airport and transferred to this tropical port city, situated on the Caribbean coast.

Check into your hotel in this colourful city, whose magnificent 16th century walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 2

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the city of Cartagena de Indias, starting with a walk up to the 17th century La Popa Monastery situated outside the Old Town on a hill that marks the highest point in the city, with spectacular views over Cartagena Bay and the modern high-rise city, as well as the Old Town. Dedicated to Our Lady of La Candelaria, this charming Augustinian monastery has a beautiful chapel with an ornate gold altar.

We then visit San Felipe Castle located on San Lazaro Hill, the largest Spanish military building in the New World dating back to 1536. It was built to guard the city’s landward side from invasion and has a complex system of tunnels connected to the Old City, used to distribute provisions and for a possible evacuation. The tunnels were built so that any noise would echo along them, making internal communications easier and allowing the citizens to hear even the slightest sound of an enemy advance.

Afterwards we enter the old walled city and walk through Las Bóvedas, a series of 23 vaults built in the 18th century and considered the last major military colonial construction within the city walls. The vaults were used as storerooms for munitions and provisions by the Spaniards and later they became jail cells. Nowadays they are used as crafts markets where you can find handicrafts, antiques, galleries, jewellery, clothing and souvenirs.

Our last stop is the church and convent of San Pedro Claver, built in the early 17th century by the Jesuits in honour of Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who spent his whole life ministering to slaves brought from Africa. This lovely baroque church has an imposing stone facade and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where Pedro Claver lived and died.

The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the charming Old Town independently.

Note: Short skirts should not be worn when visiting churches, monasteries and religious shrines. Colombia is the world’s largest producer of emeralds, so let your guide know if you would like to buy one and he will take you to a reputable store.

Day 3

Transfer to Cartagena Airport for your onward flight..

You will be met at Medellin Airport and transferred to your hotel in this cosmopolitan city that is the second largest in Colombia and has a pleasant climate all year round.

Once known for the notorious drug cartels that controlled the city, today Medellin is transformed and is a major centre for art, fashion and culture. It is also a significant international flower-producing region.

Day 4

Today enjoy a full day private tour of Medellín - the 'City of Eternal Spring' situated in a valley between the central and western Andes mountain ranges, at an altitude of 4,900 ft (1,495 m).

Your tour starts starts in downtown Medellin, with a walking tour around Berrío Park where local musicians play traditional 'guasca' music. This was the historic heart of the city during Spanish colonial times but sadly none of these buildings have survived and today it is an urban plaza that is a meeting point for local residents. We stroll through street markets and past the lovely Gomez murals that portray the history of Medellin to the Botero Plaza. Here you can admire an amazing display of 23 famous sculptures of ’fat’ men, women and animals donated by Fernando Botero to his home town. About 100 examples of his work can be seen in the Antioquia Art Museum opposite this plaza.

We can also view the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, the oldest church in Medellin, Park of Lights, City Hall and old Railway Station.

We then take the cable car up to Comuna 13, which was once a notorious area of gang violence. Here you will see the results of one of the most successful city regeneration projects in the world, with the introduction of motor cycle paths, elevators and cable cars, combined with various community projects. You can admire the marvellous street graffiti and watch young people performing break dancing. While enjoying spectacular views of the city, you will learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world, known for its political violence, drug lords and narco trade, into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with wonderfully warm and friendly people.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, you can either return to the Antioquia Art Museum, or visit the Botanical Gardens (pay entrance fee locally).

Note: Let your guide know if you would like to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world, as it closes at 10.30 am (so you will need to visit this first).

Day 5

Today we drive 2-hours from Medellin through the lush agricultural farmlands of the eastern highlands of Antioquia, to the photogenic village of Guatapé.

Along the way we stop to view the enormous 656 ft (200 m) El Peñol Rock, a gigantic granite boulder with 654 steps that wind up to the top, offering sweeping views over the green islands of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. About half way up there is a shrine to the Virgin Mary and once you reach the top you can watch black vultures soaring on the thermals. If you do not wish to undertake this strenuous climb, which takes about 1-hour for the round trip if taken slowly, you can view the rock from the car park.

We then continue to Guatapé where you can wander around this small lakeside town viewing its lovely church on the main square and its many colourful houses, each with individually decorated ’zocalos’ - hand-crafted friezes representing something of importance to the owner. Some are simple such as sunflowers, lambs or doves; some represent businesses such as bread on a bakery, and others tell complicated stories. Afterwards relax on the lake shore and enjoy an included traditional ’bandeja paisa’ lunch - an interesting version of a fried breakfast that includes avocado and plantain. You can also try one of the refreshing local fruit juices.

In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat ride on this enormous man-made lake that was created as part of a major hydro-electric scheme, which now provides 30% of Colombia’s electricity. The dam flooded the original village of El Penol, which was relocated and you can see a recreation of this village. You can also see the remains of Pablo Escobar’s luxury lakeside mansion. We then return to Medellin.

Day 6

Transfer to Medellin Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met by your guide at Pereira Airport and transferred to your hotel in the extremely fertile Coffee Region, with its year-round greenery, over-sized palm trees and magnificent bamboo forests.

Situated in a high valley between the central and western Andes mountain ranges, this verdant region receives a high rainfall and is an abundant producer of coffee, bananas, plantains, papaya, avocados and many other agricultural products. Farmers from this region are known as Paisas and have a reputation for hard work and getting things done.

Day 7

Today enjoy a full day private tour to the cloud forests of the Cocora Valley and the colourful colonial towns of Filandia and Salento, high in the Andes.

Our first stop is at the charming village of Filandia, where you can climb an observation tower for 360 degree views over the whole valley. Enjoy wandering through the cobbled streets to the town square, which is surrounded by brightly painted houses and has a beautiful church. The film ’One Hundred Years of Solitude’ based on the book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez was filmed here, as well as a popular soap opera called ’Coffee, with the Scent of a Woman’.

We then continue 1-hour to the striking landscapes of the Cocora Valley, where Colombia's national symbol - the gigantic wax palm - can be seen. These are the largest palm trees in the world, measuring up to 200 ft (60 m) and living for more than 120 years, making for spectacular scenery. Enjoy a 2-hour hike through this magnificent reserve to a view site where, if you are fortunate, you may see Bolivia’s national bird - the enormous Andean condor - soaring on the thermals. The critically endangered yellow-eared parrot is also found here.

After an included restaurant lunch we drive back to Salento, one of the first settlements in Quindío state. Here you can explore the Plaza de Bolivar with its church and colourful balconies and the main street, Calle Real, with its many handicraft shops. This town is famous for its annual Yipao festival, when farmers parade and perform acrobatic tricks in their iconic (and hugely overloaded) Willys Jeeps.

Note: Wear good walking shoes today, as the descent from the view site is down a steep hill. If you do not wish to do the hike, you can still view the palm trees along the first part of the trail. Alternatively you can ride most of the way to the viewpoint, if requested in advance. A full day 7-hour hike is also available, including three viewpoints and seven hanging bridges, but this needs to be booked in advance and you will not have time to visit Filandia. Try and avoid weekends, when the park is very busy with local visitors.

Day 8

This morning we drive to a Coffee Farm to give you more insight into how coffee is grown and the lifestyle of the workers. Colombia prides itself on producing the finest Arabica coffee in the world, all of which is hand-picked. Learn how the plants are cultivated and how the beans are harvested, processed, sorted, dried and ultimately roasted before enjoying an excellent cup of Colombian coffee.

Your aftrernoon is at leisure to relax at your lodge in the Coffee Region.

Note: The coffee fields are located on a mountain slope, so let us know in advance if you have any walking difficulties and we will arrange for you to be driven in a vehicle. Your driver today will only speak Spanish.

Day 9

Transfer to Pereira Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Bogotá Airport and transferred to your hotel in this high altitude city, located in a valley between the eastern and central Andes mountain ranges at 8,660 ft (2,640 m).

Check in and relax in this sprawling city that is the capital of Colombia.

Day 10

Today enjoy a full day private tour of Bogotá, with an included lunch at a local restaurant.

We start with a walk through the cobbled alleys of La Candelaria, the historic Old Town. Here you will see many beautifully preserved Spanish colonial houses and churches that date back centuries, such as the church of Santa Clara that today contains the Museum of Colonial Art and the 17th century Church of San Francisco, the oldest surviving church in the city.

We also visit the small Botero Museum. Housed in a beautiful colonial mansion, it showcases a collection of artwork donated to the city by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous contemporary artist renowned for his proportionally exaggerated chubby figures. Around 120 pieces of his work are displayed here, including paintings, drawings and miniature sculptures. He also donated his personal collection of original artwork by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti which are on display here.

View the library of Luis Angel Arango as we head for the main square - Plaza Bolívar - where you can see a statue honouring Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military leader who played a key role in the revolution against Spain. Here you can see the Metropolitan Cathedral, City Hall, Colón Theatre, Casa de Nariño (the presidential residence, which has an observatory in its gardens), Congress Palace, Palace of Justice, Cardinal's Palace, Independence House and the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin.

We then visit the Gold Museum - the most important gold museum in the world with a splendid collection of over 36,000 pre-Colombian gold and emerald pieces. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2,500 years. Two large carved stones from the San Agustin archaeological site can also be seen here. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, including the famous miniature golden raft.

At the end of our tour we ascend Monserrate Hill by cable car or funicular, for panoramic views over the city. The chapel atop this hill can be seen from almost anywhere in Bogota.

Note: When visiting churches and monasteries, women must not wear shorts or miniskirts and men must not wear shorts. The Gold Museum is closed Mondays and Botero Museum is closed Tuesdays.

Day 11

This morning enjoy a shared tour to the amazing Salt Cathedral and the small town of Zipaquirá.

We drive1.5-hours from Bogota to the amazing underground Salt Cathedral, built in a cavernous series of tunnels in the worked-out section of a productive salt mine. In this darkened underground environment, you will walk past 14 small chapels, each representing one of the 'Stations of the Cross' that tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Once you reach the main Roman Catholic cathedral, you can marvel at the workmanship that went into creating this remarkable church.

Afterwards we walk through the charming main square of Zipaquirá, which was founded in 1600 and still conserves its colonial heritage. It is also the home of Tour de France winner, Egan Bernal. Here you can enjoy lunch (own account) and spend time exploring the town, before we return to Bogotá.

Note: Please be aware that the Salt Cathedral will be extremely busy with local visitors over weekends.

Day 12

Transfer to Bogotá Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Manaus Airport and transferred to this city situated on the banks of the Rio Negro and the gateway to the rainforests of the Amazon. Check in to your hotel in this city that has preserved the cultures of its native Brazilian tribes.

In the afternoon join a shared tour to see the famous 'Meeting of the Waters' where two of the world’s largest rivers - the Amazon and the Negro - join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark (almost black) waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the opaque brown waters of the Rio Solimões for several miles without mixing, as they join to form the Amazon. This strange natural phenomenon is due to differences in the temperature, speed and water density of the two rivers.

Day 13

This morning transfer by road and boat into the Amazon Rainforest (up to 3.5-hours depending on the location of your jungle lodge).

Check in and relax in your warm tropical rainforest surroundings.

In the evening you may possibly board a motorised canoe to search for caiman (small alligators) by spotlight.

Days 14 To 15

Today is devoted to exploring the birds and wildlife of the Amazon Rainforest.- a 2.7-million sq. mile (6.7 million sq. km) conservation area that is the largest in the world, spreading across nine countries - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana.

Your lodge guide will accompany you along the many trails that wind through the rainforest and navigate the waterways by motorised canoe. As you walk through the woods, you can marvel at the magnificent trees and the extraordinary variety of orchids, bromeliads, ferns, begonias, lichens and mosses that grow here.

You may see caimans (related to alligators), turtles, woolly monkeys, tufted brown capuchin monkeys, a variety of frogs and many other forest reptiles and insects. You may also be fortunate enough to see some of the colourful birds of the rainforest such as the brilliant golden-headed quetzal, grey-breasted mountain toucan, blue-crowned motmot, umbrella bird, blue-banded toucanet, fruit-eating tanager, red-crested cotinga, banded-tail fruit-eater and a variety of flycatchers.

Activities vary by lodge but can include climbing an observation tower for treetop views of the primary rainforest, visiting a parrot clay lick to see these colourful birds or a peccary clay lick frequented by forest pigs, canoe rides in search of hoatzin (stinkbird), otters, macaws and other lakeside wildlife, piranha fishing, learning about traditional and medicinal plants, visiting a local village, observing pink dolphins or a night walk in the jungle.

If you are staying for three or more nights, on one day travel to see the famous Meeting of the Waters - where the dark (almost black) waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the sandy coloured waters of the Rio Solimões (Amazon River) without mixing. This strange natural phenomenon is due to differences in the temperature, speed and water density of the two rivers.

Note: Daily programme is subject to change, according to weather conditions. A headlamp is essential in the Amazon. Assume there will be no mobile phone coverage and weak (or non-existent) WiFi.

Day 16

Transfer by road and boat back to Manaus Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Rio de Janeiro Airport and transferred to your hotel in this iconic city - famous for its magnificent setting and enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado Mountain - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Rio is also home to the magnificent Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca beaches and known for its samba and bossa nova dancing, carnivals and music festivals.

Day 17

Today enjoy a half day shared tour to one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

We start by boarding the cog train from Cosme Velho Station to Corcovado (meaning 'hunchback') Mountain. Enjoy the steep 20-minutes train journey through the dense Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca, with wonderful views of the lush tropical vegetation, and scenic landscapes of the city and its beaches below. Disembark and climb the steps or take the escalators to the base of the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the 7 wonders of the modern world - and enjoy its spectacular 360 degree panoramas.

After descending by cog train, you will drive past some of Rio's most famous beaches - Leblon, Ipanema & Copacabana - before you are dropped off at your hotel, with afternoon at leisure.

In the evening there is the option of enjoying the Roxy Dinner Show held in an historic Art Deco theatre, showcasing music and dance from different regions of Brazil (advance booking strongly recommended).

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 18

Today enjoy a half day shared tour of Rio de Janeiro, known locally as Cidade Maravilhosa (the Marvellous City').

After driving through the downtown area, we stop at the huge Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Sebastian), built in the form of an ancient Mayan pyramid.

We then continue driving past Flamengo Park, the largest public park in Rio, to one of the most famous symbols of the city - Sugarloaf Mountain. Here we travel all the way to the top, in two cable cars. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point with beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. The second cable car takes us all the way to the top, with wonderful views over Copacabana beach, Santa Cruz fortress and the beaches of Niterói. There is also the option to take a helicopter ride over Rio (pay locally).

We return by cable car and transfer back to your hotel, with your afternoon free to explore more of Rio independently.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 19

Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport for your flight home.

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