Length: 9 days. Group educational tour to Cartagena and Barranquilla for 12 or more students or adults. Self-designed custom tours typically led by teachers of high school juniors and seniors.
Highlights: Cartagena guided tour, Convento de la Popa, Castillo de San Felipe, Las Bóvedas, Excursion to San Basilio de Palenque, Palenqueras braid hairstyle workshop, Panoramic tour of Barranquilla, “Feel the Rhythm” dance tour/salsa lesson, Visit the house museum of Gabriel García Márquez, Folkloric show, Tour of Rosario Islands
Itinerary: Cartagena (3), Barranquilla (2), Cartagena (2)
Day 1 – Departure
Board your flight bound for Colombia.
Day 2 – Cartagena
Bienvenidos! A private bus and driver with an English-speaking guide will escort you to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
Day 3 – Cartagena
See the sights on today’s guided tour with a visit to the “Convento de la Popa”, where the city’s highest point is located and you can enjoy the best view of the beautiful city of Cartagena. Continue with a visit to the “Castillo de San Felipe”. Afterwards, walk through “Las Bóvedas.” At the end of the tour, you will take a walk through the inner walled section of the colonial city. Discover Cartagena’s rich history and beautiful colonial architecture where you will admire the old houses, stunning balconies, and unique little squares. A Colombian style lunch & dinner are included.
Day 4 – Cartagena
Today’s 8-hour excursion will take you to San Basilio de Palenque. The tour begins with a demonstration of African music and dances held at the Palenque House of Culture. Continue with the Palenqueras women’s braid hairstyles workshop. Braid some hair yourself or observe the technique under the teacher’s instructions. Learn how African slaves brought seeds hidden in their braids and how the founders braided hair in the shape of the map of the route to Palenque. Finish at the Traditional Medicine Center of Palenque. A typical lunch & souvenir cookbook and dinner are included. Transfer back to your hotel.
Day 5 – Barranquilla
Transfer to Barranquilla and discover Barranquilla’s main tourist attractions on a 4-hour panoramic tour: Window to the World, El Prado neighborhood and its patrimonial houses, Amira de la Rosa Theater, Edgar Rentería baseball stadium, Carnival House and Museum (guided tour), Antiguo Edificio de la Aduana, graffiti displays, Intendencia Fluvial, Malecón del Río and Ventana de Campeones. Enjoy a “Feel the Rhythm” dance tour/salsa lesson. A snack, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 6 – Barranquilla
Begin your 9-10 hour Aracataca tour. During this trip to the magic of Macondo we will visit the house/museum of Gabriel García Márquez, a space to relive the childhood of the Colombian Nobel Prize winner. Visit more than 10 iconic landmarks including the monument to Remedios La Bella and the train station. A folkloric show, refreshments, lunch & dinner are included.
Day 7 – Cartagena
This morning, board your private motorcoach and return to Cartagena. Spend the rest of the day discovering this beautiful city again on your own. You may decide to browse through local artisan shops for unique souvenirs. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 – Cartagena
After breakfast, begin your 5 hour tour of Rosario Islands (Majagua tour.) Transfer by motorcoach from the port to Isla Grande. First stop: Isla Grande. Explore the island or relax on the calming beach. Perhaps sign up for a diving course in the coral reefs. Lunch and dinner are included.
Day 8 – Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your return home with many exciting memories from your journey to Colombia!
