Located 2600m above sea level at the base of the Guadalupe and Monserrate mountains is Colombia’s capital and one of South America’s leading cultural destinations. Patrons of the arts are spoilt for choice with the city’s museums, art galleries, stage theatres, and national monuments. So impressive is Bogota’s collection of libraries and academic institutions that the city has earned itself the nickname 'The Athens of South America'. The historic district of La Candelaria boasts many of these offerings as well as some truly breathtaking historic architecture. Must-see attractions in Bogota include the weird and wonderful Museo Botero; famous Museo del Oro, filled with astonishing displays of gold items and pre-hispanic art; and the atmospheric, grandiose Church of San Francisco, with origins dating to around 1557.
Situated just east of the Andes in Colombia, the Los Llanos is a vast grassland plain. The region’s varied landscapes of wetlands, savannahs, rivers, palm groves and gallery forests attract and nourish an extensive array of wildlife of rare mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
On land, you can expect to spot howler monkeys between tall forest trees, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the rare pink river dolphin, a puma or a prowling jaguar on the hunt for prey…
Home to over 600 exotic bird species, Casanare is a birdwatchers paradise. 19% of the world’s bird species can be found in Colombia, making it the world leader in terms of bird species biodiversity; most evident in this vast region thanks to its varied landscapes and water deposits. Spot red-bellied macaws and roseate spoonbills, jabirus, wire-tailed manakin, chestnust-eared aracari and the iconic scarlet ibis…to name but a few!
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a wide selection of safari-style game drives.
As previously described
Perched at a lofty 1900 metres above sea level in Colombia's department of Magdalena, the El Dorado Nature Reserve is a hidden gem amidst the thicket of the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo mountain range, boasting panoramic views over the Sierra Nevadas and the Caribbean Sea. This reserve is a birder's paradise commonly regarded as one of South America's most important birding sites and a picturesque haven for countless bird species. Birders might spot Santa Marta Blossomcrown, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Antbird, Santa Marta Sabrewing, Santa Marta Wood-Wren, Santa Marta Brush-Finch, Coppery Emerald and Streak-capped Spinetail and the Santa Marta Screech-Owl. Visitors can look forward to soaking up the spectacular vistas and staying in cosy traditional-style huts, their design based on the architecture of the kogi people.
The Tayrona National Park is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta reserve and is one of the country’s most popular natural attractions. Once home to the Tayrona people, the area still encompasses sacred sites occupied by indigenous groups, and archaeological remains that include the pre-Hispanic town of Pueblito, an ancient town scattered with archaeological remains. Along with its cultural heritage, Tayrona is also known for some of the most beautiful beaches on the coast and an incredible array of wildlife – over 100 mammal species, 300 bird species and 1000 marine species can be found within the boundaries of the park.
The port city of Cartagena is set on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It is a popular beach destination boasting a balmy tropical climate. This Caribbean coastal city offers visitors a mix of the enchanting old and the exciting new. Step into the cobbled streets of the walled city, a World Heritage Site with 400-year-old stone walls covering 13 kilometres, and explore an intricate maze of pastel-hued homes, colonial architecture, churches, and historic sites such as the Palace of the Inquisition. Outside the old city lies the chaotic bustle that is typical of most South American cities - an experience best sampled by visiting the Mercado Bazurto central market. Don't miss the opportunity to venture to the south of the city where tourists are treated to trendy cafes, restaurants and a buzzing nightlife.
