Ultimate Colombia & Galapagos
This fabulous itinerary takes in the best of Colombia and the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Explore Colombia’s handsome cities, each with their own distinct flavour and take in the UNESCO-listed colonial charms of both Cartagena and the Ecuadorian capital, Quito. Then meet the incredible bird, marine and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with a cruise on the first superyacht to operate in these magical waters.
Journey highlights
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Explore the ways in which Colombia is transforming its image with a stay in Bogota and Medellin. Both cities have revived their fortunes in recent years, with Bogota enjoying a burgeoning food scene and café culture, while Medellin’s nascent art and buzzing music scene is testament to its reinvention as a hotbed of creativity.
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A harmonious blend of authenticity and opulence, our Ultimate Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing luxurious accommodation, unparalleled insider access and exclusive private experiences.
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Experience the charm of colonial Cartagena, with its colourful houses and vibrant Caribbean culture
- Ultimate itinerary:A harmonious blend of authenticity and superlative luxury, our Ultimate Journeys are designed for the discerning traveller, providing unparalleled insider access and exclusive luxury private experiences
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Itinerary
Fly to Bogota
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At a Glance
The adventure begins in Colombia’s vibrant capital city, Bogota. Sitting at the foothills of the Andes, the city boasts a charming historic quarter, excellent museums, and burgeoning food scene. For the following two nights, your base is the Four Seasons Casa Medina Hotel. The property was the 1940s home of the Medina family and while an extension was built in the 1980s, the design is seamless. In fact, the hotel’s splendid architecture has made it one of Colombia’s National Historical Conservation Monuments. The wood panelling, stone pillars, hand-carved doors, original features, fireplaces, and stained-glass windows, make Casa Medina a wonderful introduction to the charms of Bogota.
Your stay includes a guided tour that takes in the best of the city, including the historic old town of La Candelaria. This delightful part of town boasts cobbled streets, handsome colonial architecture, impressive churches, and a relaxed café culture. During the tour, you will visit the Museo de Oro or Gold Museum, which holds the largest and best collection of pre-Colombian gold and art in the world.
You will also visit the Botero Art Museum showcasing Colombia’s most famous artist and cultural commentator, Fernando Botero and take a tour of the Military Museum, for a candid account of Colombia’s most recent political history. Also on the agenda is a trip on the cable car to the top of Cerro Montserrate, famous for the landmark Monserrate Monastery and sweeping views of the city.
For those with additional time, a visit to the magnificent Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, just 25kms outside of Bogota is highly recommended. The Cathedral sits some 200m underground in the Halite Mountain and hosts a congregation of up to 3,000 people every Sunday.
Where to stay
Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá (2 nights)
Alternative Places to Stay Nearby
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At a Glance
Considered to be one of the most beautiful cites of the Americas, the colonial gem Cartagena is the next destination on your tour. Located on the Caribbean Sea, the city was once the gateway to the Spanish Empire of the New World. For the following three nights you will stay at Casa San Augustin, a beautifully restored luxurious boutique hotel, full of historic charm, centuries-old wooden beams, original frescoes, flower-strewn balconies, and contemporary comforts.
Designed around a 300-year-old aqueduct, the property is in the heart of the Old Town and exudes a wonderful sense of serenity and calm. There is a destination restaurant, Alma which serves exquisite seafood in the softly lit colonial courtyard and the overall vibe is intimate and sophisticated.
Cartagena is a lovely city to explore. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the walled Old Town is resplendent with shady plazas, cobblestone streets, ruinous forts, charming churches, and historic convents. Other highlights include the 2,000-year-old Roman Theatre Museum, the Palacio Consistoria town hall built on the back of the mining boom in the late 19th century, and Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas a defensive castle on San Lazaro Hill.
In Plaza del Bolívar you will find the Museo del Oro, which exhibits its fine collection of archaeological objects dating back to the pre-Hispanic period, and the Palacio de la Inquisición, recognisable for its large baroque door. The Inquisition held its meetings in the palace here and it was also the site of the prison and torture chambers for opponents of the Catholic Church.
If you want to venture away from the city, you can relax on the sandy beach of Playa de Calblanque, or take a boat ride out, either for an all-day snorkelling trip in the Rosario Islands or a sunset cruise along the harbour. Likewise, if you are looking for something extra special, splash out on a helicopter tour to the famous Lost City, Colombia's hidden Machu Picchu
Where to stay
Hotel Casa San Agustin (3 nights)
Alternative Places to Stay Nearby
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At a Glance
Today, you will leave Colombia to fly to neighbouring Ecuador to stay in another colonial gem, Quito, the country’s delightful capital city. Your base for the next two nights is Casa Gangotena, a luxury boutique hotel in a sympathetically restored 18th century mansion. The hotel overlooks San Francisco Plaza in the heart of Quito’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. This convenient location, along with the hotel’s delightful mix of original features and chic contemporary comforts, makes Casa Gangotena a superb base for exploring the cultural delights of the city.
Enjoy a relaxed stroll around the captivating Old Town, one of the largest and best-preserved examples of colonial architecture in South America. The cobbled streets are home to whitewashed buildings with ornate balconies, picturesque plazas, handsome old churches and convents, traditional artisan shops, and vibrant colourful markets. To get a sense of the area’s geography, a trip up to the majestic sculpture, La Virgen del Pancecillo which overlooks the city or a cable car ride on the El Teleférico (known locally as TelefériQo) up the slope of the dormant Volcán Pichincha, offers fabulous views of the urban sprawl and surrounding volcanoes.
Ecuador has a reputation for world class chocolate and the city has plenty of chocolate tasting sessions on offer, where you can learn more about the history and production of this indulgent treat, along with tasting the produce. Another landmark attraction, around 45-minutes north of the city, is the Equatorial Monument where you can stand in the Middle of the World. With a latitude of 0º, you can literally stand with a foot in each hemisphere. Inside the monument you will find the Ethnographic Museum, with exhibits that focus on the different regions, geography, and peoples of this part of the world.
Where to stay
Casa Gangotena (2 nights)
Alternative Places to Stay Nearby
Fly home
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination and your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
When to visit
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December to March is peak time to visit both Colombia and Ecuador, with agreeable weather all round. However the weather is rarely predictable and this itinerary can easily be enjoyed year-round. The Galapagos can be great off season if you wish to enjoy this National Park without all the crowds, and the wildlife can be seen all year (although please speak to your travel specialist if there is a particular species you are interested in catching!)
Price Guide: ( based on double occupancy and includes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
| September 2026 | SGD $28,600 | SGD $4,300 | plan your trip |
| October 2026 | SGD $20,100 | SGD $3,000 | plan your trip |
| November 2026 | SGD $20,100 | SGD $3,000 | plan your trip |
| December 2026 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
| January 2027 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
| February 2027 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
| March 2027 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
| April 2027 | SGD $28,600 | SGD $4,300 | plan your trip |
| May 2027 | SGD $20,100 | SGD $3,000 | plan your trip |
| June 2027 | SGD $20,100 | SGD $3,000 | plan your trip |
| July 2027 | SGD $37,000 | SGD $5,600 | plan your trip |
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August 2026
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
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September 2026
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $28,600
Deposit from*SGD $4,300
-
October 2026
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $20,100
Deposit from*SGD $3,000
-
November 2026
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $20,100
Deposit from*SGD $3,000
-
December 2026
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
-
January 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
-
February 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
-
March 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
-
April 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $28,600
Deposit from*SGD $4,300
-
May 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $20,100
Deposit from*SGD $3,000
-
June 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $20,100
Deposit from*SGD $3,000
-
July 2027
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
SGD $37,000
Deposit from*SGD $5,600
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning your holiday.
