I will visit Colombia in mid September for two weeks. I want to see as many as I can, the Colombian typical landscape and culture. I prefer trekking rather than relaxing on the beach. I’m solo, and don’t have enough time to be off the beaten track, but just following the major touristic loop is not my idea.
Here is my itinerary, it looks too tight for two weeks, and I have to omit at least one place. Which one I should miss?Please give me some advice.
- Barichara + El camio Real hiking, vs. Jelico – Salamina, vs. Salento + Villa de Cocora hiking
Talking about the colonial town, if I visit Jelico + Salamina, is Barichara a kind of similar? How about El camino Real? Or it is worth to visit El camino Real? I’m not stick to Salento, but I’ll go there because of Villa de Cocora hiking. - Isla de San Bernardo one day tour?
Is it worth to go? I’ve never seen Caribbean sea, and they say Isla de San Bernardo is better than Isla del Rosalio/Playa Blanca near Cartagena, but in case San Bernardo is OK place compare to world- wide standard, I will omit this one day tour and stay longer in green area. - Piedra del Renal + Guatape vs. Santa Fe de Antiquila ?
Which one is recommended for one day visit from Medellin? Even if I cut these places, I get only one day, so I think I can visit one of them. - Hacienda Venecia coffee tour from Manizales?
If I can join some kind of coffee tour in Jelico – Salamina region, I may skip Hacienda Venecia. - San Agustin?
When I choose all the places above, I have to skip San Agustin at the end. But Southern Colombia seems different from northern area, that’s why I ask your advice. - Sapaquira / Nemocon maybe ?
Itenerary
Arriving at Bogota airport
by night bus to San Gil
Day 1,2 Barichara + El camino Real hiking
by night bus to Cartagena via Bucaramanga
Day 3 Cartagena
Day 4 Cartagena to Turu
Day 5 Isla de San Bernando one day tour
by night bus to Medellin
Day 6 from Medellin, Piedra el Penol + Guatape (or Santa Fe Antiquira) , continue to Jelico
Day 7 Jelico to Salamina
Day 8 Salamina to Manizales
Day 9 Manizales, to Hacienda Venecia stay
Day 10 coffee farmtour by Hacienda Venecia, to Pereia
Day 11 Salento, valle de cocola hiking, to Pereia
by night bus to San Agustin via Pitalito
Day 12,13 San Agstin
by night bus to Bogota
Day 14 Bogota, mainly Museum
15 Bogota, Zapaquira / Nemocon
Thank you for your help!
