Colombia & Galapagos Express 13 Days Tour

This is the arrival day to Colombia and its capital. You will clear customs then our transport will be waiting for you at the international arrivals area to take you to the hotel selected and take a rest after a long day travel!

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Depending of the arrival time, you can explore some areas on your own or simply relax and adjust to the City elevation over 8,000 feet.

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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Tequendama or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: N/A

­Note: It’s a tour you can join on the date that best suits you, allowing you to travel at your ideal time. Since some services are mixed, there may be moments during the itinerary where you meet other travelers, while other parts will be entirely private. This combination makes each stage of the journey different, authentic, and truly unique.

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This program can also be arranged for solo travelers, simply let us know, and we’ll provide the rate for single participation.

If your group has 3, 5, or 7 travelers, we can offer different room arrangements, such as triple rooms, family rooms or double and single combinations, depending on your preference and availability. Please feel free to contact us, and we’ll gladly help you with all the details and pricing.

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Today you will visit on of the largest and cosmopolitan cities of south America!! Our tour starts at la Candelaria area (Bogota’s old town) and we will bike around the City visiting places such as; Plaza Bolivar, Catedral de Bogota, Casa Nariño, Calle 7, San Francisco Church, Parque los Periodistas, Coffee Factory, Fruit Market & the Graffiti tour. 

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Then we will go to visit Monserrate Hill (Cable Car) located at the East side of Bogota, where you will enjoy a marvelous view of the entire city populated by over 11 million people. Finally, back to the hotel for overnight.

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NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE OR NO DESIRE TO JOIN THE TOUR BY BIKE, JUST NOTIFY US IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN STILL DO THE SAME CITY TOUR BOGOTA WALKING AND PARTS BY CAR.

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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Tequendama or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

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Early in the morning you will go by car to Guatavita Area and its sacred lagoon, this will take around 1 hour from Bogota and at the lake you will do a hike for 1 hour enjoying the Andean landscapes and the lagoon.

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After this you will go to Zipaquira town not far away from the first stop, at this point you will have some time to explore this magical and colorful town (here you can get something to eat and enjoy with a local beer o juice).

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This town was the second home town of the famous Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Then you will visit on the most seeing places in the entire Colombia known as La Catedral de Sal Zipaquira. This is cool place to visit that is located 300 feet underground together with one of the oldest salt mines of south America.

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By 1950 start the construction of the magical wonder that represents the Catholicism in south America. This tour is Self-Guided (multi- languages), it has 22 stations where trough a device (provided at the entrance) you will go on your pace getting to know about this magical place. Then you will meet our transportation to take you back to Bogota and enjoy on your own the rest of the afternoon in the City.

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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Tequendama or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

Early flight to Medellin (30 minutes approx.), upon arrival we will provide you a Guided Tour around the city which includes Comuna 13 (all history about Pablo Escobar and the locals live). 

The Cable Car ride to admire the City from above, Botero sculptures, Parque Lleras and few other places more along the way. 

At the end of the day, you’ll have some free time to relax, whether enjoying the hotel’s gardens, resting in your room, or simply unwinding at your own pace.

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OVERNIGHT: Art Boutique Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

Morning depart to visit one of the most famous areas of all Colombia, the excursion start from Medellin downtown towards to a Picturesque town known as Marinilla where you will try a typical Paisa breakfast (extra cost) , after it we will continue towards Guatape Lake and you will board a shared motor boat tour around the area , where you can see fantastic views for pictures and one of Escobar's Houses as well as other rich family houses.

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Then you will visit a place known as La Replica (it is a typical little village, where you can take beautiful photos and buy some souvenirs). After we will continue towards the famous Gigantic rock called El Penon de Guatape, (it is a natural formation created 80 million years ago) this rock is over 220 meters high (700 feet) so to access to the top you have to go over 720 steps, but it is not difficult at all. Stunning views of the all valley from above!

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Then we will enjoy a typical lunch on your own (extra) and finally we will visit Guatape town, where you will have enough time to visit on your own and take as many pictures you desire or get a nice souvenir. At the end of the day we will return to Medellin for overnight.

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OVERNIGHT: Art Boutique Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

Early in the morning, we will transfer you back to the Airport in Bogota for a local flight to Pereira City. Then we will drive you to Salento village (very colorful town with its unique houses). , 

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Then you will get to know about one of the most important industries in Colombia at Buenos Aires Farm, for sure you will visit the entire farm with a guide and at the end of the visit you will try as many different cups of quality coffee you desire. Finally go to Salento town for overnight.

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OVERNIGHT: Beta Town Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

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After breakfast you will enjoy visiting the Cocora Valley and the surroundings 

On this park we can walk for 1 hour or more (up to 5 hours ) depending of you and the weather conditions to look for the Giant Oil Palm Trees (One of the most famous trees in the country).

Finally back to Salento, for an overnight stay.

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OVERNIGHT: Beta Town Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

This is the flying day starting from Pereira via Medellin or Bogota (We confirm it once the tour booking is done.) Then once in Quito, we will take you to the hotel located in Quito center for overnight.

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OVERNIGHT: Hotel Ibis Quito or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

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Today is you depart to the Galapagos Islands, you will flight to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal Island), it will take 1 hour and half approx. Then one of our representatives will meet you at the Airport to take you to the hotel for check in. 

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After you will have chance to have something to eat in town near by the hotel. In the afternoon our Guide will meet you at the lobby to take you visit the most beautiful hill nearby town well known as Tijeretas Hill (nickname given by the frigate birds shape as scissors).

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You will hike up to the hill, then you will stop by the self-guided Interpretation Center to know more about the Capital of the Galapagos. Then you will do snorkel at Darwin’s Bay, finally you will return back to the hotel for overnight.

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OVERNIGHT: Algarrobos Hotel or Similar** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 3, 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

Today includes some of the best snorkeling in Galapagos, a day trip to Kicker Rock! After breakfast, a comfortable speed boat navigates along the coast of San Cristobal, boasting views of the birds and landscape from a different angle. 

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At the rock formation, we’ll snorkel thru the channel in search of a variety of sharks, fish, turtles, rays, sea lions, and more! Enjoy a box lunch on the boat afterward, and some quiet beach time to relax before returning to town.

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OVERNIGHT: Algarrobos Hotel or Similar ** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 3, 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B-L

Today you will take a public speed boat towards Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island (it will take 2 hours approx.) Then you will get to the hotel for check in, after the guide will take you to Charles Darwin Research Station (this is the most important research center of the entire Galapagos).

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Then you will have some time to enjoy the town and have a quick lunch (on your own) before the next activity. Later in the afternoon you will go to visit a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will see a very big land wild tortoises in natural state.

Finally, you will return back to town for overnight...

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Tonight Advice: Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street a very fresh lobster and many different types of sea food caught in the morning.

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Also go at night to the Pier, where you can see babies’ sharks, rays and many other animals very close.

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OVERNIGHT: Deja Vu Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B

This tour will start early from town, then a bus ride towards Itabaca Canal where you will board the yacht for this excursion. This program includes sightseeing, hike, snorkel, snorkel equipment, lunch on board and much more. Finally, you will be taken back to Puerto Ayora for your last night at the Galapagos 

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Bartolome:

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The little island Bartolome is very small and 114m high situated close to Santiago Island. When the volcano that formed Bartolomé erupted, there was not any water present resulting in large amounts of basalt on this island (when water is present in an eruption tuff is created). The basalt hardened together with air creating very light rocks.

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Bartolome’s surface is covered with volcanic ash, which is supposed to be blown over from Santa Cruz Island. The island consists of an extinct volcano and volcanic formations in a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black.

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Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a tuff cone. This large partially eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. When the seawaters cooled, the hot lava caused an explosion. The exploded particles eventually fasten together forming a rock composed of thin layers. 

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Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the most photographed sights in the islands. As a prominent landmark it was used as a target for US military during World War II (you can still see the bullet holes). Galapagos Penguins are living behind the rock. 

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A small submerged crater can be seen just offshore. To the east you can see a series of small spatter cones. Lying beside the Pinnacle Rock are twin half-moon shaped beaches. On the northern one (wet landing) you are allowed to swim and snorkel. Don’t miss that!

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OVERNIGHT: Deja Vu Hotel or Similar *** (ASK FOR HOTEL UPGRADES 4 & 5 STARS)

MEALS: B-L

Free morning, 10:00 am check out and transportation to Baltra's Airport to take a flight to Guayaquil late in the afternoon, then transportation to the Hotel in Guayaquil or Quito.

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Unfortunately, we have to say good bye after we arrive in Guayaquil or Quito and we invite you to see one of our other tours in Ecuador Mainland and Peru Tours.

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However, if you desire to add one more night in Guayaquil or Quito City or extend your staying in Ecuador, we can always help you out with free advice to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.

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TRANSFER OUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE 

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OVERNIGHT: N/A

MEALS: B