Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

 

Colombia…the time to go is now…

“No place is ever as bad as they tell you it’s going to be” - Chuck Thompson

 

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian Rainforest, Patagonian Glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial Towns, white-sand Beaches & vertiginous Nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. It is as though the continent was built for travel; a place that excites, thrills, challenges & infuriates  

 

The word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go, Colombia is an absolute experience. Twice the size of France, and with a diversity of Landscapes & Cultures that would be hard to find even in countries 5 times its size, Colombia should by all rights be one of the world's top travel destinations. You just come prepared to be charmed…..

 

Be mindful of what you are getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. You would not realize this when you first hike on Andean trails & be awed by the pre-Colombian sites, but you come back for more. You will fall in love with the incredible wonders of this Continent: its mist-covered snow-capped Peaks of the Andes, thundering Falls & undulating Waterways of the Amazon, vast lush Rainforests. towering Volcanoes, bone-dry Deserts, red-rock Canyons, ice-blue Glaciers & sun-kissed Beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety. Add to this, the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous Markets, picturesque colonial Towns & vibrant Cityscapes. This is just the beginning & in South America there really is no end. The region spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders..

 

South America's diversity doesn't end with geography. You will find colonial Towns where cobblestone streets lead past gilded Churches & stately Plazas, little changed since the 18^th century. You can haggle over colorful Textiles at indigenous Markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the Rainforest & follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drums corps. South America is home to an astounding variety of living & ancient cultures & experiencing it first-hand is as easy as showing up.

 

You can hike past ancient Temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls, or spend the day watching Wildlife from a dugout Canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapes (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike, go white-water rafting on class V rivers & surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you have experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galapagos, & scramble up tableland mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era.

 

This is one of the world's great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Colombian Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Argentine Tango & Andean folk music in the place where they were born. Buenos Aires' sultry milongas (Tango Clubs), Rio's simmering garrafeiras (Dance Halls), Quito's salsotecas (Salsa Clubs) – all great places to chase the heart of Saturday night. Yet, this is only the beginning of a great musical odyssey that encompasses Peruvian Trovas, soulful Ecuadorian Passillos, fast-stepping Brazilian Forro, whirling Venezuelan Merengue, steel-pan Guyanese Drumming, Paraguayan Harp music & more. Simply plunge in - though you might want to take a dance class along the way!  

 

And now, with reference to context, let us talk about Republic of Colombia, at the northern tip of South America .

 

Captivating Landscapes | Joie de Vivre - the Rhythms |Food & Culture

Colombia is a country of lush Rainforest, towering Mountains & Coffee Plantations. Soaring Andean summits, unspoiled Caribbean coast, enigmatic Amazon jungle, cryptic archaeological ruins & cobbled colonial communities.

 

Take whatever preconceptions you have about Colombia & leave them at home: this remarkable country will take you by surprise. It has long been touted as a desirable destination due to its combination of great natural diversity, well-preserved history & rich culture. One of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Western Hemisphere, its population is the result of indigenous racial mixture, African & European.

 

The Mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela to the east and northeast, Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south & southwest, the Pacific Ocean to the west & Panama to the northwest.

 

Colombia has been home to many indigenous peoples & cultures since at least 12,000 BCE. The Spanish first landed in La Guajira in 1499 & by the mid 16^th century, they had colonized much of present-day Colombia & established the New Kingdom of Granada, with Santa Fe de Bogota as its Capital. Independence from the Spanish Empire was achieved in 1819, with what is now Colombia emerging as the United Provinces of New Granada.

 

The 2^nd most biodiverse nation in the world harbors vast swaths of wildlife-rich Amazon jungle in its interior, while coral-white Beaches, dizzying Mountains & leafy highland Coffee Plantations crown Colombia as a place of extraordinary natural contrasts.

 

The country is also known for the Andean Condor, its national bird, that has a 10 feet Wingspan. Because Colombia is at a crossroads of the Caribbean & Pacific and it’s borders connect Central & South America, it is known as a vibrant Latin American society. Home to stars like Sofia Vergara & Shakira, and celebrity author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombia’s rich culture has much to offer the world.

 

Colombia boasts all of South America's allure & more. The equatorial position affords it a diversity of landscapes matched by very few countries. A slight tinkering in altitude takes you from sun-toasted Caribbean sands to coffee-strewn, emerald-green hilltops in the Zona Cafetera.

 

Pick a climate & it is yours. Continue to climb & there is Bogota - the bustling cradle of Colombia & the 3^rd highest Capital city in the world & its Zona Rosa district known for its Restaurants, Bars & Shopping. If you find the light jacket weather of Bogota - cold, drive an hour down through the mountains & sunbathe next to the pool of your rented hacienda. If you don't want to sit still, head off into the Amazon to Los Llanos, a 550,000 sq. km swath of tropical grasslands shared with Venezuela or any of the country's other many inland jungles - often called the Serengeti of South America; snow-capped Volcanoes, rocky Deserts, endless Plains, lush Valleys, Plantations, alpine Lakes, deserted Beaches.

 

A wealth of ancient civilizations left behind a fascinating spread of archaeological & cultural sites throughout Colombia. Wander the narrow streets of Bogota & check out old Spanish colonial provincial retreats like Villa de Leyva,

 

Colombia offers an off-the-radar treasure trove of cinematic cobblestoned Towns & Villages that often feel bogged down in a different century, content to carry on as they have since the departure of the Spanish without a care in the world.

 

Walk the walls of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast - an achingly beautiful old city, looking over the fortified ramparts of the walled Old Town, upon which the colonial history of South America pivoted, a 16^th century Castle & popular Beaches.

 

Unweathered Barichara & happily sleepy Mompox feel like movie sets, impossibly unspoiled by modern progress; while whitewashed Villa de Leyva appears stuck in 16^th century quicksand - & these are just the villages that people do visit.

 

Trek through the thick jungle-covered mountains of the northeast to the lost city of the Tayrona Indians - Ciudad Perdida, built between the 11^th & 14^th centuries, one of the Continent's most mysterious ancient cities, arguably second only to Machu Picchu. Even more shrouded in mystery is San Agustín, where more than 500 life-sized ancient sculpted Statues of enigmatic origin dot the surrounding countryside. And then there is Tierradentro, where elaborate underground Tombs scooped out by an unknown people add even more mystique to Colombia's past.

 

For culture, intellectual Bogota might lead the rest of Latin America in experimental Theater, Indie-rock & just sheer volume of Bookstores, but you could also get a completely alien education in an Amazonian malocca, or you could delve into the huge Latin music scene of Salsa & Cumbia, with the most exciting dance display being the enormous Carnival of Barranquilla.

 

For nightlife, hot Cali is today's world Capital of Salsa, claiming that competitive distinction even over Colombia's other vibrant big city party scenes, which keep the music going long into the small hours of the morning.

 

For dining, you will find everything from the ubiquitous cheap, delicious Colombian home-style meals to world-class upscale & modern culinary arts in the big cities, with cuisines from all corners of the world represented.

 

Colombia is first & foremost famous for its delectable Coffee, known around the world for its high quality. Colombia’s Coffee exports are 2^nd only to its giant neighbor Brazil.

 

And for relaxing, there are gorgeous tropical Beaches along the Caribbean & Pacific coasts, but you can find even more laidback & peaceful Retreats on the idyllic & unspoilt Caribbean Island of Providencia.

 

Without a 5* tourism magnet - no Machu Picchu, no Iguazu Falls, no Patagonia - Colombia works harder for its money and   that begins & ends with the people, who ensure you leave with a different impression than the one you landed with.

 

Andean Peaks, Amazonian Rainforest, Patagonian Glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial Towns, white-sand Beaches & vertiginous Nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. History & a unique experience amidst an idyllic scenery are just the beginning. Whether its lounging on the Beach on a hot sunny day, eating your away around the Latin cuisine or learning about the rich & intense history, you are experiencing a little piece of Paradise.

 

If you are looking to visit a country bursting with Art, Music, Literature, History & passionate people, it is just the place for you. Savvy travelers have already started flocking here - come before everyone else catches on! Yep….. Colombia is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World…

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Colombia. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…