The beauty of the mountain

Updated: May 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

The beauty of the mountain

On this page — jump to a section

• DAY 1 ARRIVAL – BOGOTÁ
• DAY 2 – BOGOTÁ
• DAY 3 – BOGOTÁ
• DAY 4 – BOGOTÁ
• DAY 5 ARRIVAL – SAN AGUSTIN
• DAY 6 – SAN AGUSTIN
• DAY 7 – SAN AGUSTIN
• DAY 8 ARRIVAL – POPAYÁN
• DAY 9 – POPAYÁN
• DAY 10 ARRIVAL – PASTO
• DAY 11 – PASTO
• DAY 12 – PASTO
• DAY 13 – PASTO
• DAY 14 – PASTO
• DAY 15 ARRIVAL – CALI
• DAY 16 – CALI
• DAY 17 ARRIVAL – LA GUAJIRA
• DAY 18 – LA GUAJIRA
• DAY 19 – LA GUAJIRA
• DAY 20 – LA GUAJIRA
• DAY 21 – DEPARTURE
• About the Author

21 Days, 20 Nights

DAY 1 ARRIVAL – BOGOTÁ

ARRIVAL IN BOGOTÁUpon arrival at El Dorado International Airport, a professional guide will pick you up at the international arrivals exit. With a private driver you will arrive at the Orchids Hotel located in the historical center, La Candelaria in about 40 minutes. This boutique hotel was built in a restored Republican house from the nineteenth century. Important points like the Plaza de Bolivar or the Botero Museum are just around the hotel. We will hand over all the necessary documents for the trip.You have the rest of the day free to begin exploring the area and the excellent gastronomic offerings of Bogota. We gladly suggest you restaurants and bars for the evening.Meals included: No Services included: Private transport and guide from the airport to the hotel Hotel: The Orchids Hotel

DAY 2 – BOGOTÁ

BIKE TOUR AND GRAFFITI TOURIn the morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and bikes are at your disposal. With a local guide, you will make a bicycle tour through different places of Bogotá, visiting parks, squares and even the oldest cemetery in the city. The tour ends in the historic neighborhood “La Candelaria”, where you will have lunch.After lunch, you will begin a tour of the center of Bogota focused on street art. In recent years, Bogota has become a very important place for this type of art worldwide. Finally, the guide will escort you back to the hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private guide all day and bike rental in the morning Hotel: The Orchids Hotel

DAY 3 – BOGOTÁ

SUESCAAfter breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the town of Suesca, driving takes about two hours. Upon arrival, you will pick up the climbing equipment, meet the adventure tourism guide and walk to the great wall where you will have a preparatory talk before starting the activity. During the morning, there will be some climbing while you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fresh air of the Colombian countryside. After having lunch in the village, you will do a walk on the wall to see its length and to see the beauty of the mountains in the region. Transfer back to the hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Transportation and private guides all day Hotel: The Orchids Hotel

DAY 4 – BOGOTÁ

SIECHAYou will be picked up by your private driver and guide in the hotel. The destination of the morning will be the National Natural Park Chingaza, a journey of approximately three hours. We will visit Los Paramos, one of the most important ecosystems in the country. Despite representing only 1.7% of Colombian territory, these ecosystems provide more than 80% of drinking water in Colombia. It will be an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of these high mountain environments, and the legends and stories that the lagoons of Siecha have been sheltered for so long. After finishing the activity, you will have lunch and finally return to the hotel to have the rest of the afternoon free.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private transport and guide for the activity and entrance to the park Hotel: The Orchids Hotel

DAY 5 ARRIVAL – SAN AGUSTIN

ARRIVAL IN SAN AGUSTINTransfer with driver and guide to El Dorado Airport. You will take the flight to Pitalito, where you will be picked up by a private guide and driver, who will take you to the Hotel Akawanka Lodge. The hotel is located at the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy peace, tranquility and the natural beauty of the area. The transfer from hotel to hotel takes about four hours. The rest of the day is at your disposal and you can enjoy the hotel’s facilities.Meals included: Breakfast included in the Hotel Services included: Private guides and drivers for both transfers, plane tickets Hotel: Akawanka Lodge

DAY 6 – SAN AGUSTIN

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKSYou will be picked up by your guide and visit the San Agustín Archaeological Park, a place that has survived hundreds of years and has preserved vestiges of cultures that inhabited the area long ago. You will explore and learn about the prehistory of the place in different archaeological sites. This activity finishes at noon, when you will go for lunch at a typical restaurant of the region. For the afternoon you will have a horseback ride to two other archaeological places that also have an amazing landscape in front on them.At the end, your guide will take you to the hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private transport and guide, entrance to the parks, horse rent and insurance for the activity Hotel: Akawanka Lodge

DAY 7 – SAN AGUSTIN

SAN JOSE DE ISNOSAfter breakfast, you will be picked up by you guide to visit San Jose de Isnos, another archaeological region nearby. You will go to the “Alto de las Piedras” and the “Alto de los Idolos” which have the biggest statues among the different parks. Afterwards you will visit the “Salto de Bordones” a high and beautiful waterfall. At the end of the activity you will be transferred to your hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private transportation and guide, tickets for the attractions Hotel: Akawanka Lodge

DAY 8 ARRIVAL – POPAYÁN

THE WHITE CITYIn the morning you will have a private transfer to Popayán, the white city. You will stay at the Hotel Dann Monasterio located directly in the old town, known as the only Hotel that mixes the charm of the colonial era with its modern hotel services.The total transfer time will be approximately four and a half hours to Popayán. You will have time to have lunch before the start of the next activity.In the afternoon, you will do a city tour. Popayan was founded in 1537. It was very important during the colony and still maintains parts of the buildings built during this period, making the urban landscape very striking and special. After finishing the activity your guide will take you to your hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Private transportation forthe transfer and private guide half day Hotel: Hotel Dann Monasterio

DAY 9 – POPAYÁN

PURACÉToday, you will explore a beautiful natural park called Puracé, an hour’s drive from Popayan. This Natural National Park is recognized for allowing visitors to see the giant Condor of the Andes (as long as conditions permit). In addition to this, you can visit the hot springs and see the rich flora and fauna of the place. You will return to Popayán and on the way back to the hotel, you will have lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free.Meals included: Breakfast included and lunch Services included: Private transport and guide, entrance to the park Hotel: Hotel Dann Monasterio

DAY 10 ARRIVAL – PASTO

ARRIVAL TO PASTOAfter breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel and driven to San Juan de Pasto. It will be a trip of more than five hours. You will be enjoying the beautiful landscape of the mountains of Colombia. During the trip, you will stop for lunch. Enjoy the rest of the day free to acclimate to the height. You will stay at the Loft Hotel, known as the best hotel in the city, perfect for recreation and located in the financial and commercial area.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch. Services included: Private transport and guide in the transfer Hotel: Loft Hotel

DAY 11 – PASTO

SAN JUAN DE PASTOYou will be picked up at the hotel in the morning and will begin the city tour to learn about the main places of Pasto and the history it preserves. Pasto conserves beautiful churches, vestige of the passage of the Spaniards to America and the inheritance that they left in the territory. At the end, you will be taken to the hotel. Free afternoon.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Private transportation and guide half day Hotel: Loft Hotel

DAY 12 – PASTO

LAS LAJASYou will be picked up at the hotel and taken to one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Colombia: the “Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Lajas”. After a journey of approximately two hours, you will arrive at this destination, renowned for its beautiful architecture and symbol of religiousness in the country. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop for lunch. Free afternoon.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private transportation and guide half day Hotel: Loft Hotel

DAY 13 – PASTO

AZUFRAL VOLCANOAfter breakfast, you will be picked up to start the journey to the town of Túquerres, approximately two hours away. After reaching the start of the trail, near the village, you will begin the ascent to the volcano reaching a maximum height of 4,000 meters above sea level. You will return to the starting point to return to the village, have lunch and continue the trip to Pasto. Free afternoon.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private guide and driver Hotel: Loft Hotel

DAY 14 – PASTO

LA COCHAToday, we will visit one of the largest lakes in Colombia: La Laguna de la Cocha. In this beautiful place, you will enjoy a tour on the lake, learning about the different animals and plant species of this imposing and important natural ecosystem. After the activity, you will have lunch in a nearby restaurant. During a walk afterwards, you can enjoy the scenery. Later you will return to the hotel in Pasto. Free afternoon.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private guide and driver Hotel: Loft Hotel

DAY 15 ARRIVAL – CALI

THE BRANCH OF HEAVENAfter breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and taken to the Antonio Nariño airport one hour from Pasto. You will fly to Cali where a guide already awaits you at the airport. The transfer from hotel to hotel takes about three and a half hours. After lunch, you will do a city tour to see the most interesting sites of the city.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: private guides and transportation for the two transfers, plane tickets and the tour in the city of Cali Hotel: Hotel Intercontinental Cali

DAY 16 – CALI

SALSAIt’s time to dance. In a classic salsa school, you will learn the basic steps and learn about the magic of salsa. Several teachers will be at your disposal to get the best outcome in the short time. If you’ve enjoyed it, you will already be prepared to go out at night to one of Cali’s famous salsa bars and show your stuff.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Activity salsa workshops Hotel: Hotel Intercontinental Cali

DAY 17 ARRIVAL – LA GUAJIRA

ARRIVAL TO LA GUAJIRAIn the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel to be taken to the airport to continue your journey to the next destination. You will fly to Riohacha, with a stopover in Bogotá. Upon arrival, a guide and driver will wait to take you to your hotel. Taroa Lifestyle Hotel is staffed with native Wayúu people, whose colorful costumes, kindness and warmth shows you the charm of Riohacha.The total time of transfer from hotel to hotel is approximately six and a half hours. After lunch, you will visit an indigenous community to learn about the ancestral culture of the region. You will have the opportunity to taste typical dishes and acquire handicrafts at the end of the activity. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel Services included: Guidance, private transport for transfers and scheduled activity and plane tickets Hotel: Hotel Taroa

DAY 18 – LA GUAJIRA

CABO DE LA VELAAfter breakfast and check out at the hotel, you will start a 4×4 truck tour to Cabo de la Vela. On the way, you will stop in Uribia, the indigenous capital of Colombia, approximately 1:20 hours away. Finally, after about two hours, you will arrive at Cabo de la Vela and have lunch. You will stay at the Rancheria Utta, a small accommodation located directly at the beach.In the afternoon, you will head to the beaches of the water’s eye, where water springs from the rocks. Finally, you will go to the lighthouse to watch the sunset. Return to the hotel.Meals included: Breakfast included in the hotel and lunch Services included: Private guide and transport Hotel: Rancheria Utta

DAY 19 – LA GUAJIRA

After breakfast, you will leave for Punta Gallinas, the northernmost place in South America. You will go on an adventure through the desert passing through the wind farm, Bahía Honda and Bahía Hondita, finally arriving at your destination. It is a journey of approximately six hours, depending on the conditions it may be less. You will stay at the Hospedaje Luzmila, a simple accomodation where most of the people sleep in hamocks.You will have lunch and have the rest of the afternoon free.Meals included: Breakfast and lunch Services included: Private guide and transport Hotel: Hospedaje Luzmila

DAY 20 – LA GUAJIRA

DUNES OF TAROAIn the morning, you will be guided to the Dunes of Taroa, a place where you can glide through the sand to the sea. Afterwards, you will visit the lighthouse of Punta Gallinas and then Punta Agujas beach, where you will have the opportunity to bathe in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. At the end of the afternoon, you can enjoy the sunset and then return to your hotel.Meals included: Breakfast and lunch Services included: Private guide and transport Hotel: Hospedaje Luzmila

DAY 21 – DEPARTURE

Today, we will start the trip back. Depending on conditions, you will arrive in Riohacha in approximately 6 hours. Then you will take your flight to Bogotá and finally board the plane back home.We hope that everything has been perfect on your trip and you are satisfied with thedifferent services provided. We are more than happy to receive any suggestions or complaints.Meals included: Breakfast Services included: Guide and transport to the airport in Riohacha and plane ticket to Bogota Hotel: n / a

About the Author