Eternal Spring: Tauck’s New Colombia Escorted Tour

For the first time ever, in 2025 Tauck will offer “Colombia: South America’s Eternal Spring,” an in-depth land tour visiting Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena. On this highly inclusive, nine-day Colombia escorted tour, guests will stay in luxury/upscale hotels. They’ll also “dive deep” into the culture with extensive touring and cultural experiences.

Because Colombia is known for its pleasant year-round weather, it’s said to have an “eternal spring.” Another plus is that it’s exotic, yet close to home in northern South America. That makes it easy for many U.S. travelers to get there.

Colombia has rich culture, a vibrant musical scene, incredible heritage sites, and gorgeous natural areas. In fact, it’s often ranked as the world’s top country for birdwatching with more than 1,900 different species of birds.

(Shown in the photo above is the Spanish-era fortress, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, as well as the modern skyline of Cartagena, Colombia. Photo by PROCOLOMBIA.)

Colombia Escorted Tour: Bogota

Another plus is that travelers taking this Colombia escorted tour will spend three days in each of the three cities on the itinerary. After arriving at Bogota International Airport, Tauck’s guests will be transferred to the Four Seasons Bogota for a two-night stay.

Founded in 1538 by the Spanish, today Bogota is a thriving metropolis and the capital of Colombia. On their first morning in the city, guests will head out for a guided tour and tastings of local produce at Paloquemao Market. That’s one of Colombia’s largest farmer’s markets.

Then it’s on to the city’s Gold Museum to gaze at the world’s largest collection of gold (many items are pre-Colombian).

In the afternoon, guests will tour the Botero Museum, which displays works of Fernando Botero, a famous Colombian artist, sculptor and political critic. Botero, who died in fall 2023, was known for his paintings and sculptures of inflated human and animal figures.

After a robust day of touring, Tauck will offer a welcome reception followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Train Ride to Zipaquira

Early the next morning, the group will board a train for a ride to nearby Zipaquira. That town’s most famous attraction is its underground Salt Cathedral, still a functioning church today.

What’s unique? That church is carved from subterranean salt, and it extends more than 600 feet below the surface. Tauck’s guests will visit the lowest sections of the church representing the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ.

Next, Tauck guests will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the airport. Then it’s time for a short flight to Medellin.

Colombia Escorted Tour: Medellin

Nicknamed “City of the Eternal Spring” for its perfect combination of warm days and cool nights, Medellin today has transformed into an important economic center. It’s the heart of Colombia’s textile industry.

While in the city, guests will stay for three nights at the Medellin Marriott Hotel. One perk? Since coffee is Colombia’s largest exported product and a staple of its economy, a Colombian coffee experience is on tap for Tauck’s guests.

Then it’s on to the Normandia Equestrian Center for a Colombian-style barbecue lunch. At this equine center, the big draw is the region’s renowned Paso Fino horses.

So, tour guests will watch their training, learn about their daily regimen and see their “spa accommodations.” In addition, travelers will watch a horse show with professional riders. Dinner is planned at a local Medellin restaurant.

Touring Historic Neighborhoods

One highlight of the Medellin visit is a walking tour through historic neighborhoods. Comuna 13 was once an infamous area, but this tour will showcase how much it’s evolved and transformed from its troubled past. Instead, visitors now will discover a vibrant community and streets lined with artists’ murals.

The tour will visit Casa Kolacho, guests will have lunch at Situ in the city’s botanical gardens, and then the Tauck small group will travel to Botero Square. At many homes in the area, guests will see Botero sculptures, before making a visit to the Museo de Antioquia to gaze at Botero’s paintings and sketches.

During their stay in Medellin, tour guests will also take a guided walking tour of Guatapé, famed for colorful homes and vibrant murals on homes. They’ll also board a pontoon for a cruise along the Guatapé Reservoir, Colombia’s largest lake. It’s anchored by a hydroelectric complex providing 30 percent of the country’s power.

After viewing “El Penol,” a huge rock in Guatape that’s a national monument, guests will then head for the airport. After a short flight, they’ll arrive at the last city stay on the tour — Cartagena.

Final City Stay: Cartagena

Tauck’s guests will stay in the lap of luxury in Cartagena. That’s because they’ll spend three nights at the five-star Sofitel Legend Santa Clara.

Beginning their exploration of the city, travelers will take a walking tour of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Covering an entire 130-foot-high hill, this impressive structure is South America’s largest fortress.

Tauck’s guests will also visit a local music school in the nearby La Boquilla neighborhood. What’s planned? They’ll watch a music lesson, learn about the instruments and delve into the region’s Caribbean-style rhythms.

After lunch at a local restaurant, it’s on to the San Pedro Claver Cathedral and Museum.

Visiting Colorful Getsemani 

Known for its colonial Spanish-style architecture, Getsemani is now an entertainment hotspot, home to jazz clubs and salsa venues. The tour will explore the neighborhood and guests will be treated to a rum and chocolate pairing.

On the final evening, Tauck will also take guests on a farewell sunset cruise along Cartagena Bay. They’ll gaze at both the city’s historic walled area and its modern buildings.

Colombia Escorted Tour Inclusions

“Tauck’s Colombia escorted tour is a small-group journey, so no more than 24 guests are on tour, accompanied by a Tauck professional tour director,” emphasizes Shelby Steudle, president of Pavlus Travel. “In addition, it’s a highly inclusive, value-added vacation.”

At press time, prices started at $8,490 per person, double occupancy. Of course, the tour and sightseeing components are included in that price; those include the services of expert local guides, entry fees to attractions and activities, local boat or train rides and more.

In addition, the pricing includes 20 meals; luxury/upscale hotel stays for eight nights; two on-tour air flights within Colombia; gratuities to all local guides, hotel staff and restaurant servers; plus service charges, taxes and luggage handling fees.

Tauck plans to operate 12 different tour departures in 2025. This Colombia escorted tour is available in January, February, March, April, September, October and November.

Book With a Pro for Maximum Perks

Here’s Tauck’s page about the new “Colombia: South America’s Eternal Spring” land tour. That said, be sure to talk with a professional travel advisor if you have any questions and to get the best price on this new tour.

Assure you’re getting all you’re entitled to for this land vacation. Ask about any promotions, incentives or agency amenities. “When it comes to discussing this new Tauck tour with a professional travel advisor, consumers should contact a reputable travel agency that knows the product inside and out,” emphasizes Steudle.

“Pavlus Travel is the world’s largest seller of Tauck,” she stresses. “So, all our skilled personal travel planners are graduates of the Tauck Academy and experts in everything Tauck.”

Different Type of Trip

If readers are interested in Colombia exploration but would prefer a river cruise vacation, we’d suggest checking out AmaWaterways new “Magic of Colombia” voyages, which begin later this year.

The Meandering Traveler also previously wrote a blog in 2023 about the river line’s plans for these new sailings on Colombia’s Magdalena River.

However travelers choose to explore Colombia — whether via Tauck’s new Colombia escorted tour or AmaWaterways’ new river cruise — one fact is certain. They’ll discover an immersive array of culture, music, cuisine and heritage to deeply enrich their vacation. So, contact your travel advisor today!

Important Notes from Pavlus Travel