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| BOGOTA - MEDELLIN - CARTAGENA
TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
10 days - 9 nights
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Below is the itinerary for the trip. If you've travelled with us before, you'll know that we're very flexible and love to surprise you with little side adventures here and there along the way. Our aim is for you to have a whole bunch of fun and experience a new culture with us. Below is the backbone of what we have planned for you. What we can't write about is what you will actually see, feel, taste and experience on this adventure. We can only assure you that it will be EPIC!
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DAY 1: BOGOTA - Arrival Day
Arrive in Bogota any time today, or even earlier if you want to spend more time exploring the capital and largest city in Colombia. The city is located in the centre of the country in the eastern part of the Andes.
The city lies at an average altitude of 2,640 metres (8660 feet) above sea level. It is the third highest capital in South America and the world, after Quito and La Paz. Bogotá is built on a sloping plain at the foot of two mountains, Guadalupe and Monserrate, on whose peaks stand two imposing churches.
The city has a subtropical highland climate. The average temperature is 14.5 °C (58 °F), ranging from 6 to 19 °C (43 to 66 °F) on sunny days to 10 to 18 °C (50 to 64 °F) on rainy days.
You will arrive via El Dorado International Airport. We have arranged for you to be transferred to your hotel today. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore more of this enchanting city or simply meet the rest of the group for our first fun dinner this evening and let our exciting yoga adventure begin!
Suggested Accommodation: HAB Hotel.
Included Meals: None.
Included Transfer: Based on 2 peopole. An extra amount will be added if you transfer solo to your hotel.
Important Note: Except for on days where lunch and dinners are included we have kept meals extra as food choices are quite varied and inexpensive in Colombia. You can therefore choose what to eat, share or even skip a meal if you want! All meals will be held together as a group in wonderful restaurants along the way. All of your yummy breakfasts will be included with your stay in the various hotels and lodges that we have chosen for you. Budget between 20-40US per day for food and alcoholic beverages.
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DAY 2: MEDELLIN - Pablo Escobar & Comuna 13
Early this morning we take a short domestic flight to Medellin, which lies at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4922 feet). The city is located in the steep, temperate valley of the Aburrá River in the Cordillera Central mountain range. Once known as the most violent city in the world, Medellín has transformed itself over the last two decades and is now recognized as a city of innovation. In fact, in 2013, Medellín beat out New York City and Tel Aviv to be named the world's most innovative city by the Wall Street Journal and Citibank. It is now also considered a safe and fun place to visit.
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After settling into our hotel for the next two nights, we'll head out to explore the Comuna 13 neighbourhood with a local guide. You'll learn how this area has transformed from one of the most dangerous places in the city to a place full of street art and authentic local food. We'll delve into Medellin's fascinating history while seeing and tasting the new vibe of Comuna 13.
We’ll then meet up later for a fun group dinner in one of Medellin’s great restaurants.
Suggested Accommodation: Patio Del Mundo.
Included Meals: Breakfast in Bogota.
Included activity: Food & graffiti tour of Comuna 13.
Transfers included to and from the airports for the group. Flight extra.
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DAY 3: MEDELLIN - Guatapé & La Piedra del Peñol
Today we take the road and head out to Guatapé, the most colourful town in Colombia. Guatapé is known for the fresco-like adornment of its traditional houses. Brightly painted bas-relief depictions of people, animals, and shapes. Enjoy a walk through the streets where a specialized guide will tell us about the history of the typical houses, its ¨zocalos¨ and this unique culture.
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We'll also visit La Piedra del Peñol at 220 metres high, where you can climb 649 steps to reach the viewpoint with a 360-degree view of the Guatapé reservoir and the surrounding countryside. From the top, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the region, with the fingers of the lake stretching out amidst a vast expanse of green mountains.
Today is all about discovering the country's unique landscape and culture. We'll return to Medellin and enjoy one last fun night before heading to our next destination.
Suggested Accommodation: Patio Del Mundo.
Included Meal: Breakfast.
Inlcuded Activities: Visit of Guatapé Village and La Piedra del Peñol - $5 extra to climb the rock.
Included Transfers: to and from the activity.
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DAY 4: CARTAGENA - Isla Tierra Bomba & Yoga Beach Club
Today we embark on another short journey by plane to Cartagena located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. The city has several archipelagos and islands around it and we'll be staying on Isla Tierra Bomba, where we'll enjoy a 3 night stay at a fun Yoga Beach Club by the sea.
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On arrival at Rafael Nunez International Airport, we'll be met and taken to our boat for a quick crossing to the island. Once at our hotel, we can unpack and enjoy our first yoga class with Anna. We’ll be surrounded by incredibly lush landscapes and we’ll be overlooking one of the most beautiful and well-preserved cities in the Americas: Cartagena.
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Today is all about relaxing and getting settled into our new home for the next few days. We'll enjoy dinner overlooking old Cartagena, framed by a stunning bay. There are plenty of opportunities for us to have fun tonight, so get ready to discover this little piece of paradise.
Suggested Accommodation: Namaste Beach Club.
Included Meals: Breakfast.
Included activity: Sunset Yoga with Anna.
Optional tours: Massages and body treatments.
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DAY 5: CARTAGENA - Bike & Food Tour
We start our day with an early AM yoga class with Anna. After breakfast, we’ll head to the main land and explore. This fabulous destination holds the secrets of history within its walled city, on its balconies, and in the narrow stone walkways that inspired author Gabriel García Márquez, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982
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Today we’ll ride our bikes, visiting the most iconic and picturesque spots, taking photos and videos to capture the essence of this magical UNESCO World Heritage City. We'll visit some of the key neighbourhoods, such as Getsemani, which has been voted one of the best neighbourhoods in the world by FORBES. We'll also visit Manga, La Popa and Barrio Chino. We’ll visit the “Bazurto Market"; a colourful and fascinating place to explore. Once inside, we’ll have a delicious lunch at "Cecilia" restaurant, the place chosen by the late Anthony Bourdain to sample the local cuisine of Cartagena. We’ll visit the many stalls and try different things. This is a unique gastronomic experience where you will have the opportunity to get to know the real Cartagena.
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We’ll decide as a group whether we return to our island for dinner or if we stay longer to explore more of this magical city. Tomorrow is a free day to rest or continue exploring.
Suggested Accommodation: Namaste Beach Club.
Included Meals: Breafast + Lunch during our hike tour.
Included Activity: AM yoga with Anna + Bike ride & Lunch at the late Anthony Bourdain's fav culinary spot.
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DAY 6: CARTAGENA - Free Day or Rosario Island Hop
Today you will have the choice of relaxing or exploring more of the area.
Anna will offer two yoga sessions today, the first in the morning and the second at sunset. In between you'll have plenty of time to do whatever you want. YAY
Alternatively, if you want to keep moving and discover new spots, we invite you to join our optional boat tour to explore the archipelago of the Rosario Islands. Take a boat to island hop, snorkel and enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
We'll reunite later for another great dinner under the moon and stars before be head out to our next destination mañana.
Suggested Accommodation: Namaste Beach Club.
Included Meals: Breakfast.
Included Activity: Yoga with Anna AM & at Sunset.
Optionla Activity: Island Hop Tour & Snorkel (Price will be based on how many choose to join the activity and whether we do a private or shared tour). Massages and body treatments are also available today.
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DAY 7: TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK - Scenic Drive and Playa Koralia
Today we leave for the mainland after an early breakfast to catch our private bus to Tayrona National Park. This 5 hour scenic drive will take us from Cartagena, through Santa Marta all the way to the Park. We will be heading to the Caribbean coast and into one of the most celebrated national parks in Colombia. Not only is it home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country, but it’s also rich in culture and wildlife.
Tayrona is of great natural and cultural importance, the pre-Hispanic Tayrona tribe called this area home and built small villages and communities here. Descendants of this tribe, called Koguis, plus three other groups still live here and maintain their cultures and traditions.
We will be heading to our beach hotel and spending 4 glorious days in this incredible spot. Once we arrive at our hotel, we’ll unpack and enjoy some free time to be at one with nature. Either before or later after dinner, we’ll meet up for a therapeutic class lead by Anna.
Suggested Accommodation: Playa Koralia Beach Lodge.
Included Meals: Breakfast in Cartagena and dinner at Playa Koralia.
Included Activity: Yoga with Anna.
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DAY 8: TAYRONA - Free day
Today we give you some free time to enjoy this enchanting spot. We’ll start the day with a morning yoga session with Anna followed by some beach time and rest. You can choose from various spa treatments as well as optional activities such as surfing, hiking and more.
We’ll meet up later at sunset for another great yoga session followed by dinner under the moon and stars.
Suggested Accommodation: Playa Koralia.
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Included Activities: Twice daily Yoga with Anna.
Optional Activities: Massage & Body Treatments as well as optional activities such as surfing, beach snorkelling, visiting an indigenous village, hiking into the park or to Valencia waterfall and more. Most activities can be booked directly on site.
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DAY 9: TAYRONA - River Tubbing
After another great yoga session with Anna, followed by breakfast, join us for a fun river tubing adventure. We'll float down the Don Diego River to the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea. During this fun trip you will see an amazing array of exotic flora and fauna. You may see howler monkeys, a variety of birds, butterflies and, weather permitting, the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the distance. Once at the mouth of the river, you'll have time to explore the beach and swim in the sea! We'll return by boat up the river and back in time for lunch!
The afternoon is yours to do as you please! We'll meet later today for our final yoga practice with Anna and our last group dinner before returning to Bogota tomorrow to catch our international flights home. By that time, you'll have done so much and you'll return home with lots of great memories and probably tighter abs from all the laughs we've had together. That's a pinky promise.
Suggested Accommodation: Playa Koralia.
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Included Activities: Yoga with Anna + River Tubbing.
Optional Activities: Massage & Body Treatments as well as optional activities such as surfing, beach snorkelling, visiting an indigenous village, hiking into the park or to Valencia waterfall and more. Most activities can be booked directly on site.
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DAY 10: BOGOTA - Return flight home
Today we will travel to Santa Marta to catch our flight to Bogota. We'll be leaving quite early to make sure we have enough time to catch our international flights home later today. With us it's never goodbye, it's just see you later!
Included Meals: Breakfast.
Included Transfer: Group transfer to Santa Marta airport.
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YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Below is a list of all of the possible hotels included in your package. The hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking so the sooner everyone confirms their spot in the group, the sooner we will be able to lockdown our top choices! If unavailable, similar options will be suggested.
Day 3 - Medellin - Patio del Mundo
Day 5 - Cartagena - Namaste Beach Club
Day 6 - Cartagena - Namaste Beach Club
Day 8 - Tayrona - Playa Koralia
Day 9 - Tayrona - Playa Koralia
Day 10- Return home
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YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Airport transfer from El Dorado Airport to your hotel in Bogota on arrival based on 2 people sharing.
- First night in a lovely hotel in Bogota with breakfast included.
- Two nights in Medellin with breakfast included, plus a fun food & graffiti tour of Comuna 13, one of Medellin's most notorious ghettos, transformed post-Escobar.
- A full day tour to Guatapé near Medellin, the most colourful town in Colombia, and the chance to climb the stairs to the top of Guatapé Rock (approx. 220 meters high!)
- 3 nights on the Isla Tierra de Bomba in Cartagena, breakfast included. Here you will have the opportunity to visit Cartagena's old town, a Unesco World Heritage Site with cobbled streets, bougainvillea-covered balconies and massive churches casting their shadows over leafy squares. We invite you for a fun bike ride & lunch at the late Anthony Bourdain's favourite culinary spot!
- 3 nights in Tayrona National Park in one of the most beautiful beach hotels with all meals included from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. Enjoy an included fun tubbing adventure with us and access to other fun tours!
- All private bus & boat transfers for the group.
- Yoga and Acro Yoga classes with Anna mainly in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park but also in other fun places along the way! Bring your yoga mat! Classes are open to all levels, modifications and variations will be given. No previous experience necessary.
- Basic tips for both lodges in Cartagena and Tayrona National Park.
- Guiding you from start to finish is Martine, your very own RR Escape hostess.
EXTRAS
- International flights (we can advise).
- Domestic flights from Bogota to Medellin, Medellin to Cartagena and then Santa Marta to Bogota, all very affordable with LATAM. +/- 300USD in total. We’ll keep these extra to give you the best possible price. We will book these for the group and will add the cost to your final payment.
- All lunches and some dinners for added flexibility.
- Access to additional optional tours such as a fun day of island hopping near Cartagena, snorkelling, surfing or hiking to a beautiful waterfall in Tayrona National Park.
- Extras like travel insurance, water and extra tips while on tour.
COST
See main invite for cost. Includes taxes. Based on double to multiple occupancy. Single occupancy upgrades may be available upon request and based on availability.
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WHAT'S NEXT...
Contact us for more information on how to join us in Colombia! Spots are limited to only a few so join now as spaces will fill up fast! Once the trip is confirmed as a GO, we'll send you a complete packing list and more information on how to prepare for this exciting Yoga Escape!
If you have a Q, we have an A.
Anna and Martine
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