Conquistadores Route 4 Nights / 5 Days Day 1 Bogota -Villa Leyva (B) Explore the mountaintop neighbourhood of Monserrate;ride the gondola cable car, admire landmarks such as Parque Santander and Plaza Bolivar in La Candelaria, the oldest part of the city; and further sights around the city. Head north to the town of Zipaquirá. Once here, venture into a salt mine located more than 656 feet (200 meters) below the surface and admire this impressive piece of Colombian architecture. Visit two underground cathedrals carved out of salt. Continue on to Villa de Leyva which is one of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia. Declared National Monument in 1945, the village has been preserved in it's entirely with cobblestone roads, tiled roofs and whitewashed buildings Accommodation: Hosteria La Roca Day 2 Villa Leyva (B) Tour around the major sites on the outskirts of Villa de Leyva including the fossil museum, palentology museum and winery (entrance fees would need to be paid direct if you wish to enter) Discover one of the most important paleontology regions in South America. This valley is an ancient ocean floor, home to many dinosaur fossils, as well as thousands of ammonites from the Cretaceous period. Evidence is found everywhere including decorations in floors and buildings. Then visit El Infiernito, a dry area with waterholes, and the Paleontological Museum which displays the most important assortment of fossils in South America. Here we find the most complete Kronosaurus fossil known to date. Continue all the way to El Monasterio, a magnificent structure originally built in 1620 that was visited by Simon Bolivar himself. It has a great collection of religious and colonial art, as well as Muisca Indian displays – all adorned with fossils from the area. Return to Villa Leyva to relax in its time suspended streets and coffee shops. Day 3 Villa Leyva - Barichara (B) A pleasant drive brings you to San Gil then travel along a scenic mountain road to Barichara, a perfectly preserved Spanish town declared a National Monument in 1978. Barichara is a charming colonial town with a magical ambience. Its cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs, squares, and laid back lifestyle give us the feeling of being transported to another era. Accommodation: Hotel Mision Santa Barbara Day 4 Barichara (B) Enjoy a hike on a historical trail that was originally built by the Guane Indians. During the colonial era, this trail was rebuilt in stone by the Spanish to gain access to the Atlantic. Along the way we get great views to the gorge below and see abundant birdlife, as a high concentration of species feed and inhabit this area. At the end of this 7km hike we reach Guane, another colonial town that seems lost in time. It has a dreamlike atmosphere and great Spanish architecture. Your driver will collect you to come back to Barichara. Later this afternoon a walking tour around Barichara Day 5 Barichara - Bucamaranga (B) Travel through to the town of Jordan at 430m. Located along the Royal Road from the Andes to the Caribbean, El Jordan used to be a prosperous merchant trade center. Today it has an eerie feeling, as it seems to be abandoned. Then into the Chicamocha National Park to ride its cable car that passes through its 6.3 km wide Canyon .We continue our journey to Bucarmaranga airport where you can connect on flights to Cartagena or back to Bogota |
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Dates & Prices Departures: Daily Prices Per Person NZD 2023-4 3 Star Double /Twin Jan - Dec $1860 Single room supplement on request 2024 prices subject to change Inclusions: Accommodation in hotel category of your choice – all rooms with private facilities, local service charges & hotel taxes, transfers and tours as specified in the itinerary on a seat in coach basis with local English speaking guides, breakfast daily plus other meals as specified in the itinerary. Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips and gratuities, airport taxes, excess baggage charges, meals not specified in itinerary. |
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