Hidden Jewels Caribbean

Hidden Jewels of the Caribbean 10days/9nights

DAY 1: MEDELLÍN

Reception at the airport, assistance, and transfer to the hotel in of your choice in Medellin.

Duration: 1 Hour approx.

From the mountains that surround the capital of Antioquia you can see how the Medellín River runs parallel to the Metro, which connects various parts of the city. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces where many Cultural events take place. Flowers have their own fair and in the surrounding villages life is simple with relaxing landscapes and nature reserves.

Ingenuity is a quality which the people of Antioquia prize, so it is not surprising that in 2013 Medellín was named the most innovative city in the world in the Wall Street Journal's City of the Year Contest. The 'City of Eternal Spring' is also notable for the wide range of goods on offer for those who like modern shopping malls.

DAY 2: MEDELLÍN

At the agreed time, meet at the hotel lobby with one of our representatives to start a wonderful panoramic tour of the city. We will start in the prestigious Poblado area, the financial, hotel and commercial center of the city. We will visit the Nutibara Hill on whose top is the replica of a typical Antioquian village; panoramically we will appreciate the Botanical Garden, the Explora Park, the Parque de los Deseos, the Parque de los Pies Descalzos, the Metropolitan Cathedral and finally we will arrive at the Botero Square where we will find 23 of the exotic outdoor bronze sculptures donated by the Colombian master Fernando Botero. During the tour you will also have a ride on the public transportation system Metro de Medellin, which is a model of mobility in Latin America. At the end of the tour return to the hotel.

Includes: Private transportation, English speaking guide, visit to the "Pueblito paisa", tour of Botero square and tour in the subway and metrocable.

Duration: 4 hours approximately

Operation: Daily at 08:30 Hrs or 14:00 hrs upon request. Does not operate on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.

Departure time: 8:30 Hrs

DAY 3: MEDELLÍN

MEDELLIN “Reviving traditions: Ceramics and flowers; two heritages”: At the agreed time, I will meet you in the hotel lobby with one of our representatives who will lead you to the eastern region of Antioquia to begin an artisanal and floral experience. Upon arriving at the beautiful town of "El Carmen de Viboral," known as the cradle of ceramics, you will enter one of the factories and start the adventure by experiencing the artisan's work for approximately 90 minutes, in the company of talented artisans where you will learn about the processes of the Carmelite artisan tradition of shaping and painting dishes by hand: This technique has been declared Intangible Heritage of the nation. During the process, you will learn about the history of ceramics in the town and each of the processes in making a piece, practicing different brushstrokes, feeling and experiencing a latent tradition. The result of this creativity and skill will be a ceramic piece decorated with your own design, where you will take home a souvenir of the place and the memory of experiencing a tradition. Finishing the experience, we will tour the factory and the ceramic sales points, followed by a panoramic tour of the town. After this experience, we will continue the journey to the town of Santa Elena, to the "El Pensamiento" silletera farm, an exotic place that will allow you to learn about the history, culture, traditions, and especially everything related to the artisanal production of the famous chairs, featured in the annual silleteros parade as part of the Flower Fair. We will end with a short tour of the farm, visiting a typical house of the region in the company of its owners who will make us feel at home and will have the opportunity to make a "silleta" (traditional flower arrangement chair).

Includes: Specialized transportation, accompanying guide, local guide, entrance to the factory, participation in the making of a ceramic piece, snack, souvenir, talk at the silletera farm, making of a "silleta," and lunch.

Operation: Daily

Duration: Approximately 6 to 7 hrs.

Departure time: 08:00 AM

DAY 4: MEDELLIN / CARTAGENA

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer from the hotel to the airport to take a flight to the City of Cartagena (air - ticket not included). Arrival in Cartagena city also known as the stone corral, reception and transfer from the Rafael Núñez de Cartagena Airport to the chosen hotel.

Check-in and accommodation.

Cartagena de Indias, a Colombian coastal city on the Caribbean Sea, is known for its vibrant colonial architecture, rich history, and bustling atmosphere. The city boasts a historic walled city, diverse cultural influences, and is a major port of call for cruise ships.

Note For arrival transfers, the night schedule applies for flights between 21:00 to 6:00 hours. The rates are for daytime transfers. If there are nighttime transfers, a supplement applies.

Hidden Jewels of the Caribbean

DAY 5: CARTAGENA “City Tour”

Breakfast. You will meet one of our representatives at your hotel to begin a panoramic tour of Cartagena de Indias at the agreed time. During the circuit, you will pass through the modern area of Bocagrande and the Manga neighborhood, where you can see old houses from the beginning of the 20th century. Then you will visit the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, with which the Spanish sought to defend themselves from English attacks in the seventeenth century. We continue with a short walk through the historic center of this beautiful city; the tour ends with visiting the emerald museum.

Includes: Entrances to the Castillo San Felipe and the Esmeralda Museum.

Duration: approximately 3 hrs. and a half.

Departures: From Monday to Friday at 14:00 hrs. Saturday, Sundays, and National holidays at 09:00 hrs.

In the afternoon, meet with one of our representatives at the hotel where you are staying at the agreed time to be driven to the Puerta del Reloj, where you will start a walk through the colonial zone of the city, within the walls. During the tour you will visit the Plaza de la Aduana, where there is an old house that is the seat of the Mayor's Office; passing through the church and the monastery of San Pedro Claver, which are named after a missionary who was called
the ‘apostle of the blacks’ for alleviating the sufferings of the people who were enslaved from Africa. The circuit will end at your hotel. Does not include entrance to Monuments

Duration: 4 hours approximately

Includes: Transport, guide and dinner.

Note: Does not include entrance to the monuments

DAY 6: CARTAGENA “Beach Tour”

Breakfast. Leaving La Bodeguita Pier by speedboat to the chosen island, there you can enjoy the coral beaches and a variety of reef fauna, ideal for resting or taking some optional activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, among others. Below you can find the details of each island:

San Pedro de Majagua: Located on Isla Grande, 45km from the city of Cartagena, it is part of the 31 islands that make up the Rosario National Natural Park; After an hour of crossing in a speedboat you will arrive at this magical place of rest and relaxation that offers two accesses to the sea, one a little quieter and noiseless than the other according to your preference. While there, you can take optional activities such as relaxing massages, walks, mangrove tours, visiting the Aquarium, diving, snorkeling, among others.

Includes: Transfer Hotel-Pier-hotel, Transfer in a regular boat (non-exclusive), welcome cocktail, lunch (starters, main course, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages.) and pier tax.

Not include: optional activities, unspecified consumption.

Operation: Every day except January 1 of each year.

Duration: 6 hrs and half approximately - Shared service

Notes: Passengers must appear at the La Bodeguita pier no later than 08:30 a.m. at gate #3 to complete the boarding registration protocol. The usual return from the Island to Cartagena is at 15:00 p.m. (depending on weather conditions, the departure may vary at approximately 14:30 p.m.).

Restrictions: Excursion not allowed for pregnant women or people with spinal problems or surgeries because of the movements of the boat. Pets and people in a state of intoxication are not allowed access to the boats.

Isla del Encanto: In the Islas del Rosario national park, located approximately 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena, you can enjoy the beach and social spaces designated for Day Tour visitors that have chairs, lounge chairs, and sun loungers; also, you can do optional activities if you want or just enjoy the Colombian Caribbean Sea in this area. During the day you will enjoy a typical semi buffet lunch served with options of fish, chicken, and meat.

Includes: Shared boat transfer Cartagena- Isla del Encanto – Cartagena (non-exclusive), lunch Parrillada Buffet (including a Transfer hotel - pier - hotel. It’s not include pier tax (Approx. 7.00), optional activities, consumption not mentioned, towel service (it is suggested to bring from Cartagena).

Operation: Every Day

Duration: 6 hrs and half approximately - Shared service

DAY 7: CARTAGENA / SAN BASILIO DE PALENQUE / MOMPOX

Breakfast. At the scheduled time, we will begin our transfer to San Basilio de Palenque, a town located 50 kilometers from Cartagena, where we will have an ethnographic tourism visit. Palenque is an African settlement from the Spanish colonial era, where some traditions are still preserved, such as the language, food, dance, and culture. We will take a walking tour with the opportunity to witness a musical performance and visit important sites in the town. At the end of the afternoon, we will continue our journey to the selected hotel in Mompox. Check-in. Accommodation.

Duration: Approximately 8 hours.

Includes: Private transfer with air conditioning, visit to Palenque with a dance show, candy-making workshop, and typical lunch.

Operation: Monday to Friday, does not operate on Sundays or holidays.

Notes: The Cartagena - Mompox transfer does not include a guide and is done early in the morning.

DAY8: MOMPOX “City tour and Pijiño Swamp Tour

Breakfast. At the specified time, we will begin a tour of Mompox, where we will discover the fascinating history of Santa Cruz de Mompox. We will start at the Main Square, surrounded by imposing colonial buildings, revealing stories from the city's past that still maintains all its colonial architecture. We will walk through the charming cobblestone streets while learning about colonial architecture and the secrets behind the ornate facades. We will also visit the Santa Bárbara church, an architectural gem that holds centuries of religious history. Then, we will cross the La Toma Bridge, a marvel of colonial engineering that connects the island with the mainland, while enjoying a panoramic view of the Magdalena River. The tour will conclude at the Casa de la Cultura, where we can admire local crafts and learn more about the cultural richness of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

Includes: Transportation and guide.

Duration: 3 hours

At the agreed time, we will embark on a unique experience where nature and local tradition intertwine in a picturesque setting. We will begin with a boat trip, navigating the tranquil channels of the swamp, while observing the diversity of birds and the lush vegetation surrounding us. Ultimately, the fauna and flora that inhabit this area stand out in this wonderful setting. During the tour, we will visit the "amphibious communities" and also observe some animals such as monkeys, iguanas, alligators, manatees, and the exotic birds of the region.

Duration: 3 hours

Not Include: optional activities, unspecified consumption.

Recommendations: Sunscreen, comfortable clothing, sneakers, hat or cap, repellent.

DAY9: MOMPOX TO SANTA MARTHA

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to the Santa Marta ocean front hotel for a free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Santa Martha.

Overnight at ocean front hotel choice of hotel.

Santa Marta, Colombia offers a variety of beaches, both within the city limits and nearby in Parque Tayrona. Popular choices include Rodadero Beach, Playa Blanca, Taganga Beach, and the beaches within Parque Tayrona like Playa Palmarito and Playa Brava.

Santa Marta is a city on the Caribbean Sea in the northern Colombian department of Magdalena. A busy port, it was also the first Spanish settlement in Colombia. It's the gateway for trips into the Tayrona National Natural Park, and for multiday guided treks to the Lost City (Teyuna) archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.

DAY 10: SANTA MARTHA

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to the Santa Marta airport for flight home.

international flight not included

package includes

MEDELLIN:

Transfers airport - hotel - airport.
Accommodation for 3 nights with breakfast.
Innovation tour
Visit to Reviving Traditions: Ceramics and Flowers, two Heritages.

CARTAGENA:

Transfer airport – hotel.
Accommodation for 3 nights with breakfast.
Visit of the City with Castillo de San Felipe.
Walk through the historic center.
Day trip in San Pedro de Majagua.
Land transfer from San Basilio del Palenque to Mompox.

MOMPOX:

Transfers to Santa Martha regular service.
Accommodation for 3 nights with breakfast.
City tour in Mompox
Pijiño Swamp Tour

SANTA MARTHA:

Transfers airport - hotel - airport in regular service.
Accommodation for 1 nights with breakfast.

Palenque was the first free African town in the Americas

Medellín - PALENQUE MOMPOx -SANTA MARTHA.