South Colombia: Bogota, Tatacoa, San Agustin, Ipiales and Cali

Arrive at Bogota Airport and take a road transfer across the capital to a hotel in Bogotá’s historic centre. The journey leads to the colonial quarter around La Candelaria, where the hotel places you within walking distance of the area’s colonial streets, squares and markets. Settle in for an overnight stay in Bogotá’s historic centre, ready to explore La Candelaria on foot.

Begin day two with a guided Bogotá Market and La Candelaria Walk, tasting local products before following colourful houses and colonial architecture to Plaza Bolívar and its civic landmarks, including the Capitol, City Hall, Palace of Justice, Catedral Primada and Casa Nariño. Continue to the Museo del Oro, home to the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian gold objects, offering insight into Colombia’s earlier cultures. End with a Fundación Botero cultural visit, seeing Fernando Botero’s paintings and rounded sculptures alongside works by Picasso and Braque from his private collection.

Begin day 3 in Bogotá with a visit to Paloquemao Market, a working food market known for tropical fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Continue to Monserrate, ascending by funicular or cable car to 3,152 metres for wide views over the capital. A road transfer then connects Bogotá’s historic centre to the airport for a domestic flight to Neiva, the arrival point for the Tatacoa Desert. A short transfer leads to an overnight hotel in Neiva, confirmed as one night but without specified property or amenities.

Depart Neiva by road for the Tatacoa Desert, watching the landscape shift into arid red and grey earth, eroded canyons and rock formations. Explore the Cuzco red-ochre desert and Los Hoyos, where a spring-fed pool offers a swim among candelabra cacti. Continue past Villavieja, gateway to this dry tropical forest, then transfer from the Tatacoa Desert to San Agustín, climbing into the Andean highlands of southern Colombia. Stay overnight near the archaeological park, with a rustic posada night in Tatacoa and two nights in San Agustín.

Begin with a local-guided visit to San Agustín Archaeological Park, focusing on its cultural and archaeological highlights. Continue with a horseback ride through the surrounding countryside to La Pelota, where naturally dyed statues remain in the landscape, then onward to La Chaquira for a view over the Magdalena River Valley. The route blends guided heritage exploration with rural riding and scenic viewpoints, with timing and access kept flexible according to local conditions.

Begin with a short road transfer from San Agustín to Sombrillero, the put-in for a Magdalena River rafting section. Run 11 km of Class II and III whitewater from Sombrillero to Versailles through a deep canyon. Afterwards, transfer from Versailles back to San Agustín through the canyon country. Finish with a coffee plantation tour near San Agustín, where the process is explained from bean picking through to tasting.

Transfer southwest from San Agustín to Mocoa, a warm town at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, where you overnight at a hotel. Continue by road to Villagarzón in the Andean foothills, then hike along the Dantayaca River through lush vegetation, passing natural pools and waterfalls, and ending at the 230 ft Fin del Mundo waterfall.

Scenic drive from Mocoa to La Laguna de la Cocha, an 86-mile (138 km) route on winding road with wide views along the way. Stop for Inga and Kamsa Handicraft Workshops, which can be joined in the villages of San Francisco, Sibundoy, Colón and Santiago. End the day with an overnight at a hotel on the shore of La Laguna de la Cocha, a high Andean lake at 8,793 ft (2,680 m) known as ‘The Switzerland of Colombia’.

Begin with a canoe paddle across La Laguna de la Cocha to the Isla de la Corota Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, walking the island’s dense greenery in search of tropical birds. Continue by road to Ipiales in far southern Colombia, then visit the Las Lajas Sanctuary, a Gothic Revival basilica spanning a canyon above the river near the Ecuadorian border. Transfer north through the high Andes to Pasto for an overnight hotel stay, a practical stop between the border and the Popayán highlands.

Transfer from San Juan de Pasto north to Popayán, travelling the mountain drive between these two Andean cities. On arrival, a guided city tour explores Popayán, the White City, with its whitewashed colonial buildings, including the cloisters of San Francisco, Caldas Park, the sundial, the Humilladero Bridge and the Guillermo Valencia theatre, with museums optional. The day ends with an overnight stay at a hotel in Popayán before the long transfer into the Magdalena River Valley.

Transfer from Popayán up into Puracé National Natural Park, a mountainous area of volcanoes, lakes and páramo. Explore the park’s volcanoes, lakes and frailejones plants, then visit the sulfurous Termales de San Juan hot springs with their colourful waters in the village of Puracé. Continue with a circuit of the park’s water features, including the Bedón River waterfall, Laguna San Rafael and the San Nicolás waterfall amid páramo vegetation. When time allows, an optional stop at the Piedra del Cóndor, or Condor Stone, rounds out the day.

Depart Popayán on an early road transfer north to Silvia, a small town in the Andean countryside. On market day, Silvia Indigenous Market brings together communities from the surrounding region to trade, and it is also a good spot for souvenirs. Continue by road from Silvia to Cali, leaving the Andean highlands for the warmer valley city. After the salsa evening, spend one night at a hotel in Cali; the hotel name and exact location remain to be confirmed.

Explore Cali on a guided tour that begins in the historic district and continues up to Cristo Rey for views over the city. Among the historic sights is the Chapel of San Antonio, a small historic chapel. Later, join a late-afternoon Cali Salsa 101 class, where a local teacher introduces the rhythm that shapes the city’s evenings. The class is a social introduction rather than a performance, so beginners can take it at their own pace.

On day 14, the journey focuses on a transfer from Cali to Cali Airport. This final leg provides a straightforward route to conclude your time in the region, ensuring you reach the airport for your onward departure. The day is dedicated to this transfer, allowing you to reflect on your experiences in Cali as you prepare for the next stage of your travels.