Colombia trip | Nature, birds and Amazon in Colombia

The northern Andes, located in the heart of Colombia, has spectacular snow-capped mountains and lush rolling hills dotted with fertile farmland. This picturesque area has a rich history and culture and an incredible natural environment. Visitors can look forward to exploring the varied ecosystems in the Northern Ades, including the wet forests of Chocó, the Magdalena Medio rainforests, the upper peaks of the Paramillo and sea level mangroves. The incredible landscapes attract countless adventure sports enthusiasts, who come to this part of Colombia to hike, climb, raft and paraglide; and discover picturesque colonial villages with quaint cobbled streets and clay tile roofs.

The university town of Pereira is situated in Colombia’s famous coffee region. The town is usually used as a base from which to explore the colourful town of Salento. The region is characterised by a stunning landscape of lush, green rolling hills, dotted with coffee plantations where some of the world’s finest coffee is produced. As well as the National Coffee Park, where you can learn a great deal about the region’s coffee, there are also fantastic opportunities for walking or horse riding. Furthermore, the surrounding area is home to the relaxing thermal springs of Santa Rosa and San Vicente.
Pereira itself also has its own charm, with its coffee culture, nightlife, a number of fascinating museums, state-of-the-art shopping centres, and some interesting sights, such as the Bolívar Desnudo Monument and the viaduct built in honour of former President César Gaviria. This modern city has so much more to offer than just its delicious coffee.

The Zona Cafetera is the coffee region of Colombia. This area produces almost half of all coffee within Colombia. There are small family plantations to large-scale coffee plantations that together cover almost the entire area. It is recommended to definitely visit a plantation here. Besides the coffee national park, where you can learn a lot about the region's coffee, you can also do some fantastic hiking or horseback riding here. On a horseback ride, you can visit the mountains with their snow-capped peaks in Los Nevados National park.

The department of Antioquia is situated in north-western Colombia and stretches across the majestic Andes Mountains. It boasts a diverse cultural heritage, remarkably picturesque landscapes and historic architecture. Antioquia is renowned for its gold, coffee, textile and flower industries and has developed the country’s second-largest economy.
It is home to the city of Medellín, which serves as the region’s capital and boasts the impressive, unmissable Museo de Antioquia, showcasing works by Fernando Botero, a famous Colombian artist. Visit a coffee plantation and enjoy a cup of locally grown, freshly roasted coffee; discover the charming town of Santa Fe de Antioquia with its colonial buildings, tamarind sweets and winding cobbled alleys; and enjoy a weekend break in Guatape, a seaside resort on the shores of the Penol-Guatape reservoir.

Medellín is a city located in northwestern Colombia and is also known as the city of eternal spring due to its favourable climate. Despite a notorious past (Medellín was the hometown of famed drug lord Pablo Escobar), Medellín today is a must-see for city lovers. Vibrant, modern, and in full bloom. A hotspot in South America. The famous artist Fernado Botero is also from Medellín. Many of his artworks can be admired in the city's museums. You will also find some of his statues in the city.

Cartagena is undoubtedly Colombia’s best-known destination. Few cities capture the imagination quite like this one (Cartagena is generally ranked alongside Cusco and Ouro Preto as one of South America’s most beautiful colonial cities). Within the city’s fortified walls, everything has remained intact, just as it has been for centuries. The magnificent squares, cathedrals and mansions in Caribbean pastel colours offer visitors a ‘postcard-perfect’ scene. The famous Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez wrote in his memoirs: ‘When I first visited Cartagena, I couldn’t suppress the feeling of being reborn’.
Beyond its fascinating setting, the city also offers plenty of a lively atmosphere. Shops, restaurants, bars, terraces, salsa clubs and so on. A place every traveller simply must visit at least once. From the city, you can also organise lovely boat trips, for example to the Rosario Islands.

Spreading down inland from its coastal capital of Cartagena, the Colombian department of Bolivar lies in the north of the country. In Magangue, take scenic ferry rides along the river, explore colonial architecture and learn about the art of gold filigree, before heading towards the historic Santa Cruz de Mompox; or explore the lush Botanical Gardens in Turbaco to meet parrots, frogs, and monkeys. In the capital, meander through thirteen kilometres of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, dance the night away on a party bus or learn to salsa at one of the many clubs, or while away the day sunbathing on gorgeous beaches or watching fishermen bring in their catch. See 280 species of birds at the Wildlife Sanctuary Los Colorados, or delve into Colombian heritage by visiting the house of Rafael Nunez, four-time president and composer of the national anthem.

The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest with biodiversity unmatched anywhere in the world. The Amazon River, together with all its tributaries, forms by far the largest system of rivers in the world. The area spans nine countries including Brazil. It is the habitat of 20% of all birds and plants, and 10% of all mammals on earth. Surpassing and mega figures aside, a stay in the jungle is surely the way to turn numbers into experiences. The rich flora and fauna exceed any visitor's expectations. By boat and on foot, explore the rainforest and look for monkeys, parrots, crocodiles and other jungle animals!

Besides being a coastal city, Santa Marta is also the oldest surviving city in Colombia. The area around Santa Marta was inhabited by the Tayrona Indians even before the arrival of Spanish explorers. Today, the place is an important port city as well as a centre of tourism, history and culture. With the growth in tourism to Colombia, Santa Marta is booming. New boutique hotels and restaurants are opening their doors. A nice place for a relaxing city stroll.

The Amazon, also called the world's green lung, is the world's largest rainforest with a biodiversity unmatched anywhere in the world. The Amazon stretches across several countries in South America, including Colombia. It has rich flora and fauna and indigenous cultures of Indians living there. Highlights of Columbia's Amazon include canopy tours in the Tanimboca Reserve, river boat trips to the virgin jungle of Monkey Island and Amacayacú National Park, with its rich indigenous culture, biological stations and pristine river islands.

The small village of Minca, located high in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the picturesque Magdalena department, is known for its natural beauty. This charming village has a laid-back, serene atmosphere and is known for its organic coffee, remarkable landscapes and extensive birdlife with more than 300 different species. It is considered one of the top destinations for birdwatching in South America. Minca is an excellent base for a wide selection of wonderful activities, including: mountain biking, hiking, 4x4 driving, motorcycling along the winding mountain roads. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular views, enjoy a wide selection of other outdoor adventure options, visit a coffee plantation and learn about the local history of chocolate at the Museo del Cacao de Minca.

Manizales, located in the department of Caldas, is a city in western Colombia. The city is located in the mountainous, coffee-growing region of Colombia. It is the main centre for the production of the world-famous Colombian coffee and is known to be home to a range of higher education institutions. Manizales is best known for its cool climate, lively cultural festivals, steep hilly streets and breathtaking views of the magnificent Nevado del Ruiz volcano. Visitors can look forward to a range of activities, including: enjoying the breathtaking view of the city from the roof-top of the neo-Gothic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, strolling through the central Bolívar Square and visiting the neo-colonial Palace of the Governor . This charming city has a European feel with the charm of a small town in the Swiss Alps. Don't miss the chance to explore its spectacularly beautiful natural surroundings.

Amacayacu Natural National Park is located in southern Colombia on the Amazon River. Visitors to the park must fly to Leticia and then board a boat to access the incredible reserve. The reserve offers many interesting activities, such as exploring one of the river islands like Mico's (home to hundreds of monkeys) or Mocagua (home to beautiful lotus flowers) and trips to Tarapoto Lake to see boto: grey Amazon dolphins and their pink cousins. Guided walks lead to animal viewing platforms and it is also possible to spend some time in one of the indigenous settlements in Ticuna in the park.

Los Nevados National Nature Park is located in Colombia's Andino coffee region, in the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes. The multi-high landscapes are ecologically important, supply the surrounding areas with water and include volcanoes, mountains, cloud forests, paramo (high mountain plains), glaciers and scrub dotted with the distinctive 'frailejones'. The park is best known for its excellent multi-day hikes and superb skiing opportunities in winter. Must-sees include the hiking trails to Nevado del Ruiz, Nevado de Santa Isabel and Nevado del Tolima, as well as the spectacular Laguna del Otún, filled with trout and known as a sacred site in Quimbaya culture. Another breathtaking and fascinating sacred destination in the park is the Valley of Tombs or Desert of Solitude. Look out for spectacled bears, pumas, tigers and the rare Andean condor.